Educational Programs

The curriculum at Moravian College is conducted on the 4-4 plan. The academic year consists of fall and spring terms of approximately 15 weeks, during each of which the student normally carries four course units of study. If conversion to semester hours is required, each full course unit may be assigned a value of four semester hours of credit.

Glossary

Some of the words and phrases used in this catalog may be unfamiliar. The following definitions are provided to help students comprehend the material contained in this document. Any questions concerning the content of this catalog or of any other College publication should be directed to the Office of Academic Affairs.

Academic year, a period running approximately from late August through May, including fall term and spring term.

Accredited, approved by an accrediting agency acceptable to Moravian College.

Activity course, a non-credit half-semester course in physical education. Two such courses are required of most students; transfer students should review the physical education requirements, described under degree requirements for transfer students.

Certification, teacher, public-school teacher certification for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and those states having reciprocity agreements with Pennsylvania.

Course, an organized series of lessons focused on a particular subject.

Course unit, a measure of academic credit equivalent to four semester hours of credit. Full-time students normally enroll in four course units (16 credit hours) in a single fall or spring term. Three units (12 credit hours) are the minimum to be considered a full-time student. Full unit courses generally meet for 50 hours during a normal fall or spring term, and require at least 8 hours of work per week outside class (including but not limited to reading, research, music practice time, field reports, writing assignments, journals, etc.). Hours in and out of class may vary based on disciplinary differences.

Cross-listed course, a course that fulfills requirements in more than one discipline or subject area and is listed under both. Students register using the discipline listing relevant to their requirements.

Elective, a course chosen for a student's program of study that is not required for the major or minor or in fulfillment of the requirements of Learning in Common. In certain majors or in certain categories of liberal education, a student may choose a restricted elective from a limited array of courses that satisfy a requirement or may choose a general elective from among all courses offered in a discipline.

First-year student, a student enrolled in college for the first time.

Freshman, a student who has completed fewer than 6.75 course units, regardless of the number of years enrolled.

Half-course unit, a measure of academic credit equivalent to two semester hours of credit.

Junior, a student who has completed 14.75-22.74 course units.

Overload, any course unit or fraction of a course unit scheduled beyond the maximum full-time load of four and one-half course units during a single term.

Quality points, numerical points assigned to letter grades, e.g., A = 4, A– = 3.67, etc. A complete list is given in the section on academic regulations.

QPA, quality-point average

QPA, term, the average of quality points for all course units scheduled in a given term.

QPA, cumulative, the average of quality points for all course units scheduled to date.

QPA, major, the average of quality points for all course units taken in the major department, numbered 110-199, 210-299, and 310-401, both required and elective.

Scheduled course, any course which appears on the student's transcript, including any course from which the student has withdrawn with a grade of W or WF.

Senior, a student who has completed 22.75 or more course units.

Sophomore, a student who has completed 6.75-14.74 course units.

Student, day-session, a student enrolled largely for daytime study. Requires admittance through the Admissions Office.

Student, Comenius Center, a student admitted through the Comenius Center for Continuing, Professional, and Graduate Studies, enrolled largely for evening study; subject to different requirements and fees from those for a day-session student.

Student, full-time, a student enrolled in three or more course units during a term.

Student, part-time, a student enrolled in fewer than three course units during a term.

Summer sessions, periods of three, four, or six weeks in May, June, July, and August, during which a student can earn academic credit in intensive courses.

Term, fall or spring, a period of approximately 15 weeks, during which students take courses and earn academic credit.

Writing-intensive indicates a course in which at least half the grade comes from informal and exploratory writing assignments, for a minimum of 25 pages of writing. A writing-intensive course in the major is a graduation requirement for all Moravian degree candidates.