Rockhurst University: Quick Glossary
General and Miscellaneous Terms
Accreditation – A certification where a school or instructional program meets set standards by a nationally recognized organization or regional accrediting bodies.
Admitted – A student’s status of being accepted into an institution or program.
Alumni – Graduates of an institution
Bachelor’s Degree – An undergraduate degree that generally requires four years (or a certain number of credit hours – 128 at Rockhurst) to complete.
Commencement – A formal graduation ceremony that celebrates recent graduates with their friends and family.
Commuter – A student who does not live in on-campus housing and commutes to campus from their off-campus residence.
Deciding – When a student has not declared a major. Utilize campus resources to explore academic options and determine a field of study and career path.
Doctoral Degree – The highest academic degree awarded by universities or other educational institutions. It signifies the culmination of advanced study and original research in a specific field.
Enrollment – The process of completing the registration process by paying tuition and fees, OR the total number of registered students for a particular program or the whole institution.
First-Generation Student – A college student whose parent or guardian has not graduated from a four-year college or university.
Full-Time Student – A student who is enrolled in at least 12 credit hours in the spring or fall terms and at least six credit hours in the summer term. For graduate students, a student must be enrolled in at least 9 hours of credit.
Immunizations – Required vaccinations for a student to attend the institution and/or to live in on-campus housing.
Intent – A legally binding contract that states a student will attend an institution for at least one academic year in exchange for an athletic scholarship.
Master’s Degree – A graduate-level degree pursued after completing a bachelor’s degree that requires up to two years of full-time study and provides a high level of mastery in a specific field.
Non-Degree Seeking Student – A student who takes classes from an institution but does not intend to earn a degree.
Orientation – The official process either before or at the beginning of the school year that serves as a training period for new students, typically including activities and/or courses intended to introduce the institution and available resources.
Part-Time Student – A student who is enrolled in less than 12 credit hours during an academic semester.
The Portal – Online student portal where students can access their grades, course schedule, Canvas, tuition bills, and virtually everything they need as a student.
Registration – Process of reserving a spot in specific classes for enrolled students.
Residence Hall – Campus housing where students live within proximity to academic buildings.
Residency – Referring to whether a student lives within the boundaries to be considered as an in-state student or an out-of-state student.
Resume – A Document developed and used when applying for an internship or full-time employment.
Scholarships – Awards provided to students from the institution or outside entities to assist students in paying tuition and/or day-to-day expenses.
Semester – The academic year is divided into three semesters: fall, spring, and summer.
Uniquely Rockhurst
The Caf – Slang term for the Thomas More Dining Hall (TMDR), located within Massman Hall.
Rock Alerts – The University issues emergency alerts via email and text message in the event of school closings and other emergency messages. You may also receive automated tornado warning messages for Jackson County, Missouri, when the National Weather Service issues them.
Rook Room – Rockhurst University is a popular student choice hub located in Massman Hall. It’s a central spot on campus where the students can relax, socialize, and enjoy various amenities.