Academic Advisor
UMA faculty or staff member assigned to assist degree candidates with course scheduling and other academic decisions. Academic Advisors are called Student Services Coordinators.
Academic and Career Advising
Academic and Career Advising is available through the campus Advising Centers, as well as the centers. Academic Advisors are called Student Services Coordinators
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity means that a student’s work is the product of her/his own effort and s/he does not receive nor give unauthorized assistance in any assignment. All students are responsible for learning the standards of the Academic Integrity Code. Additional information about the UMS Academic Integrity policy process, and FAQs, are located at this website.
Advisor
UMA faculty or staff member assigned to assist degree candidates with course scheduling and other academic decisions.
Add/Drop
- The process of adding and/or dropping a course from one’s schedule.
- The period of time allowable to add and/or drop (see deadlines section for specific information).
Associate Degree
Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Applied Arts (A.A.A.), or Associate of Science (A.S.); also known as a “two-year” degree; however, actually means a program that requires approximately 60-73 credits for completion, regardless of the timeframe.
Asynchronous
Courses that can be viewed online after the class has already taken place. Delayed viewing classes are notated as to whether instructor permission is required to watch at home or at your office, or whether you must attend a Center or Site to watch. (Some courses with delayed viewing options may still require proctored exams to be taken at the regularly scheduled times. Policies are determined by the professor and are notated in MaineStreet.)
Audit
Attending a course for no credit and no grade. Tuition is the same as for a credit course and must be indicated within the add/drop period.
Baccalaureate Degree
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.); also known as a “four-year” degree; however, actually means a program that requires approximately 120-126 credits for completion, regardless of the timeframe.
Blended Courses
Classes which require both class attendance on-campus and online.
Brightspace
A Learning Management System (LMS) used in many UMA classes (on-line, ITV, and face-to-face) to post course information and syllabi, host on-line class discussions and collect electronic copies of assignments.
Catalog
A publication containing information on programs, policies, and personnel. Typically referred to as a “bulletin,” it serves as a student’s contract with the University.
Challenge Exams
Locally produced tests and procedures that allow students to earn credits for specific UMA courses.
Class Number
Unique numeric course designation indicating location you plan to attend. Ex: PSY 100, 15328 Bangor.
CLEP
College Level Examination Program. National testing that provides opportunity to earn college credit.
Core Curriculum
A required group of courses common to all UMA degree programs including course work in English, communications, mathematics, science, computer science, social science, and arts and humanities. Core courses ensure breadth of study for all students and help to build critical thinking, decision making, communication, and learning skills.
Course Designation/Number
The number following the subject-matter designation in the course listings. Ex: CRJ 231.
Course Modalities
Courses are offered through a variety of delivery methods: live/face-to-face; online/web; web-synchronous (online in real-time); blended/hybrid; delayed viewing, or Hyflex.
Credit Hour
The University of Maine at Augusta defines the appropriate workload for one credit hour as the equivalent of one hour of classroom or other faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class work each week. Courses that convene outside of the traditional classroom may involve arrangements that differ from this particular model, but those arrangements will involve an equivalent amount of work per credit hour. Faculty in particular classes may assign a workload above this level.
DSST
DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)
UMA is an open test center for anyone who wishes to take the DANTES examinations.
Early Registration
This is a period during which students may register for courses without payment.
Equal Opportunity
The University of Maine at Augusta strives to ensure that all university community members uphold federal and state nondiscrimination laws. To that end, we work toward a campus climate that is supportive of equity through advice, education, and intervention. Please contact the Director of Equal Opportunity at 207.581.1226 (voice), TTY 711 (Maine Relay System), equal.opportunity@maine.edu with questions or concerns.
(See Non-Discrimination Notice and Equal Opportunity Complaint Procedure.)
External Training Review
UMA currently has an established process by which to award credit for external training programs.
FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. For more information, visit here.
Full-Time
In study-terms, generally at least 12 credit hours per semester. In financial aid terms, 12 credit hours.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Average grade of courses taken in any semester. Formula: Grade point multiplied by credit hour = quality points. Quality points divided by number of credits carried = GPA. See catalog for grade representation and to figure cumulative GPA or the “GPA” section under the “F-G” tab of this handbook.
Honors Course
One of the courses currently offered in the Honors Program designed for the highly motivated student. (See current course guide.)
Incomplete
Grade designation “I” indicating that a course has not been completed.
MaineStreet
The University of Maine System’s student information system where students can update addresses, phone numbers, and email and emergency contacts. Also provides access to student’s admission status, and academic and financial information. More information about MaineStreet is provided here.
Matriculate
To be admitted into a college as a degree student.
NLN
UMA currently accepts two National League for Nursing (NLN) Tests for students matriculated in the RN-BSN completion program.
Office Hours (Faculty)
Designated time that the faculty have committed to being available in their offices to meet with students either by appointment or on a drop-in basis. Typically, faculty have a minimum of six office hours per week.
Part-Time
Credit hour load of less than 12 credits.
Peer Advisor/Ambassador/Mentor
A student specially trained to provide information and referral services to other students.
Peer Mentor
A trained undergraduate who is available to help entering students succeed at UMA through student to student guidance activities.
Peer Tutor
An individual with expertise in a given academic area who assists students with their studies.
Portfolio (Assessment of Prior Learning)
A comprehensive documentation of knowledge or skills acquired through prior work or volunteer experience that, under specific circumstances, may qualify a student for advanced standing credit.
Prerequisite
A course requirement or a condition to be fulfilled prior to registration for certain classes.
Probation
- Academic: Official warning that student is not making satisfactory progress toward a degree and that continued probation and/or suspension will result if improvements are not made.
- Disciplinary: Sanction imposed for violation(s) of the Student Conduct Code.
Sexual Harassment or Discrimination Issues
The University of Maine System (“the University”) is committed to providing a safe environment which promotes the dignity and worth of each member of the community. In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and in pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. For this reason, the University will not tolerate sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or retaliation in any form. All conduct of this nature is considered a violation of this policy.
Shopping Cart
The Shopping Cart is a scheduling tool available through MaineStreet self service and the Navigate app which allows students to set up their semester schedules prior to registration.
Shopping Cart Approval
Students majoring in architecture, art, aviation, biology, dental hygiene, English, interdisciplinary studies, medical laboratory technology, music, nursing, photography, or veterinary technology, must have their shopping cart approved by their academic advisor in order to register for classes.
Site
A facility designated to receive courses and other educational offerings broadcast by interactive television system. A site is usually in a high school but also may be in a place of employment.
Site Coordinator
Person who is responsible for managing and overseeing the operation of a site.
Student Activity Fee
Compulsory fee paid by all students that serves as revenue to support educational, athletic, cultural, and social activities for students. Decisions regarding use of the funds are made by the local Student Government Association or center Student Association.
Student Tuition Appeals
The process students should follow when there is a deviation from the standard drop/withdrawal procedures, i.e., illness, involuntary transfer by employers, etc. See Student Appeals under the “Policies” tab in this handbook.
Suspension
Separation from the University due to academic or disciplinary problems. A sanction imposed for violation(s) of the Student Conduct Code. Separation from the University for a stated period of time or until stated conditions are met.
Syllabus
Developed by your instructor, the syllabus acts as your contract for a course. This written document will typically include faculty contact information and hours, assignment information, attendance requirements, and grading policy. Some faculty may use an extended syllabus which includes course materials and handouts. When ordering books, be sure to ask if a syllabus is available. Faculty may choose to distribute the syllabus at the first class meeting.
Transcript
The official academic record of a student prepared by the Registrar’s Office which shows courses taken, grades, and honors and degrees awarded, etc.
Transfer
Movement from one academic program to another within UMA (change of program) or, more commonly, change to another educational institution.
UMA Portal
Allows access to Gmail, MaineStreet, Brightspace, and more, through a single login.
UMA Student Scoop
The UMA Student Scoop is UMA’s electronic weekly newsletter for students. All registered UMA students will be emailed a weekly notification. Contact: Student Life in Augusta.
Web Conferencing
Web conferencing enables real-time collaboration between professors and students at various locations on web-enabled devices (PCs, laptops, tablets, etc.) through the use of audio, video, and content sharing (e.g., Zoom).
Withdrawal
Officially dropping all courses for any reason.