Academic Year – The fall, spring and summer terms of overlapping years. For example, (Fall 2009) 20091-0415, (Spring 2010) 20092-0420 and (Summer 2010) 20093-0425 comprise the 2009-10 academic year. This differs slightly from the reporting year.

Advanced & Professional (A&P) – A program area with courses designed to provide the first two years of course work leading to an advanced or professional degree (bachelors, first professional, masters, etc.). It includes both the general education and specialized lower-division courses necessary to complete a transfer degree program. It does not include college preparatory or noncredit courses.

Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) – A program of instruction consisting of at least nine (9) hours or more but less than forty-five (45) credit hours of college-level courses. Students in these programs must have already received an Associate in Science degree or an Associate in Applied Science degree and be seeking an advanced specialized program of study to supplement their associate degree.

Applied Technology Diploma (ATD) – A course of study that is part of an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) or associate in science (A.S.) degree, is less than 60 credit hours, is approximately 50% of the technical component (non-general education) and leads to employment in a specific occupation.

Associate in Applied Science (AAS) – A program of instruction consisting of college-level courses to prepare a student for entry into employment requiring specialized skills. The degree is awarded when a student completes at least 60 hours of college credit as well as specified performance requirements.

Associate in Arts (AA) – A program of instruction consisting of courses offered to freshmen and sophomores in baccalaureate programs. This degree will transfer to the State University System and is awarded when a student completes 60 hours of college credit as well as specified performance requirements.

Associate in Science (AS) – A program of instruction consisting of college-level courses to prepare a student for entry into employment. The degree is awarded when a student completes at least 60 hours of college credit as well as attainment of specified performance requirements.

Bachelor of Science (BS) – A program of instruction consisting of courses offered to juniors and seniors in baccalaureate programs. This degree is awarded upon completion of the course requirements in one of the Bachelor of Science (BS) programs offered at SPC.

Bachelor of Applied Science Degree (BAS) – A program of instruction consisting of courses offered to juniors and seniors in baccalaureate programs. This program is primarily designed to prepare students to enhancer their career. The graduates who possess an earned Associate in Science degree (AS) or an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) accredited degree are eligible for admission. This degree is awarded upon the completion of the course requirements in one of the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) programs offered at SPC.

College Credit Certificates – A program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an Associate in Science degree (AS) or an Associate in Applied Science degree (AAS) program offered in the State of Florida and which prepares students for entry into employment. The degree is awarded when students show evidence of satisfactory completion of the program.

College Preparatory (“Prep”) – Courses providing instruction for the development of college-entry competencies in reading, writing, mathematical reasoning and logical thinking and English as a second language (ESOL).

Credit Course – A course in which college credit is awarded that can be applied toward a degree.

Dual Enrollment – A course in which the credits or college credit equivalents earned by a secondary (high school) student are applicable to both secondary and postsecondary programs.

Express Term – The last 8-12 weeks of a term.

First-time-in-college (FTIC) – A student enrolled in a course in an instructional area that leads to a degree or certificate who is attending a college for the first time with no credit toward a degree or formal award from any other postsecondary institution.

Full-time – A student who is registered for 12 or more credit hours in the fall and spring terms or 9 or more credit hours in the summer term.

Part-time – A student who is registered for fewer than 12 credit hours in the fall and spring terms or fewer than 4 credit hours in the summer term.

Non-Credit Course – A course that does not award college credit to be applied toward a degree.

Returning Students – Students enrolled for the current major term who were also enrolled in a prior term at the College.

Transfer Students – Students whose last college attendance was at any other regionally accredited college or university, regardless of the amount of time spent in attendance or credit earned.