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Glossary of Terms

The University employs the following terms and usages to describe John Carroll academic programs.

Academic Program: A combination of courses and related activities organized for the achievement of specific educational objectives as defined by the University. This may include programming at the undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate levels and consists of degrees, majors, concentrations, minors, and certificates.

Degree Program: An approved, academic program of study that leads to a degree which John Carroll University is authorized to offer. Degree requirements are typically stated in terms of numbers of credit hours and specific courses at university, college/school, and discipline levels, as referenced in the official Bulletin of the University.

Degree Type: Each degree level has multiple degree types. At John Carroll University, all bachelor’s degree programs include the Integrative Core curriculum, the major field(s) of study, career preparation, and optional minor field(s) of study. Specific bachelor's degrees include:

  • The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree provides a deep exploration of traditional liberal arts disciplines.

  • The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree provides a deeper focus on quantitative work than most B.A. degrees, and may include pre-professional preparation.

  • The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) degree focuses on foundational Business Administration courses, as well as specialized coursework in the major field of study.

  • The Bachelor of Science in Economics (B.S.E.) degree focuses on foundational Business Administration courses, as well as specialized courses in the field of Economics.

  • The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N) degree focuses on courses in nursing and related sciences.

Master's degree offerings include the Master of Arts (M.A.), the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), the Master of Education (M.Ed.), and the Master of Science (M.S.). Each degree type is rooted in the history of a given discipline and/or market expectation.

Pending final authorization from the state and accrediting bodies, the university's only professional doctorate is the Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.).

Undergraduate Major: The student’s primary field of undergraduate study. The major course of study may be discipline-specific or interdisciplinary. The major requires completion of a minimum of 33 credit hours. The major appears on the academic transcript once the degree is awarded.

  • The primary major is the first that will appear on the transcript (if there are multiple) and is the one that determines the degree earned.

Undergraduate Concentration: A structured, specialized plan of study within a major. The number of credit hours for a concentration will vary but will not typically exceed 24 credits, and is included within the credit hours for the major. Some majors may require students to choose a concentration in order to complete the major. The concentration appears on the academic transcript once the degree is awarded.

Graduate Concentration: A specialized plan of study within a graduate degree program. For programs fewer than 60 credits, a concentration should be no fewer than 6 credits. For programs 60 credits or higher, a concentration should be no fewer than 9 credits. The concentration appears on the academic transcript once the degree is awarded.

Undergraduate Minor: An optional, secondary field of study at the undergraduate level. A minor is a structured plan of study requiring completion of a minimum of 18 credit hours and normally no more than 27 credit hours. No student may declare a major and a minor in the same discipline or field. The minor appears on the academic transcript once the degree is awarded.

Support Courses: Coursework not subsumed within a major, but required as part of that major's degree program. These courses may be required as prerequisites for major courses or may be courses that are otherwise integral to holistic understanding of the field of study.

Graduate Certificate Program: A structured set of courses normally requiring completion of 9 to 18 credit hours. The certificate is awarded to students demonstrating mastery of skills and knowledge in the thematic area of focus.

Academic Transcript: The comprehensive document that details the entire permanent academic record of a student at the University. The official transcript is a formal document that can be obtained only by the student through the Office of the Registrar. Unofficial transcripts, accessed from BannerWeb or the Office of the Registrar, are intended as reference documents only.

Degree: A credential that the University awards to a student who has satisfactorily completed a degree program. Degree requirements are established by the University and are approved by the University and the Ohio Department of Higher Education. John Carroll University awards degrees at the Bachelor’s [undergraduate], Master’s [graduate], and post-Master’s Specialist levels. The university is also seeking approval to offer a single professional doctorate, the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The degree awarded appears on the academic transcript.

Diploma: A ceremonial document naming a degree that has been conferred by the University.