Admissions

AA/ AS Degree

An Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree is granted upon successful completion of all degree requirements — typically 60 units with a “C” average or better. AA/AS degrees are awarded by community colleges.

Accredited

A college that is officially recognized by a professional association as maintaining certain standards. Accredited programs qualify graduates for admission to higher, or more specialized, programs and for professional practice.

Add/Drop

A student may add a course or courses during the first two weeks of the semester. A student may also drop a class after registering for it. Adding and dropping classes must be done by the deadline dates. Students can withdraw from a course after the designated drop deadline, but will not receive a fee refund. Students wishing to add, drop or withdraw from courses can do so through mySierra or at an Admissions and Records office.

Advisory

A condition of enrollment that students are advised but not required to meet before or in conjunction with enrollment in a course or educational program.

Articulation

An agreement between Sierra College and another college or university spelling out which Sierra College courses meet requirements at the other school and are transferable. An articulation agreement will tell you which classes to take for your major. ASSIST is an online student-transfer information system that shows how course credits earned at one public California college or university can be applied when transferred to another.

Catalog

A comprehensive resource listing Sierra College regulations, program and course descriptions, degree and graduation requirements, transfer requirements and more. Catalogs are available for purchase in the Sierra College Bookstore or the current and past catalogs are online as pdf files.

Certificate

Awarded upon completion of a prescribed series of courses. A certificate indicates skill proficiency in many technical and vocational areas.

Corequisite

A condition of enrollment consisting of a course that students are required to simultaneously take in order to enroll in another course.

Electives

Courses that are not required but are taken to explore one's area of interest.

General Education (G.E.) Requirements

Courses students must satisfactorily complete to obtain a degree. General education ensures students receive a well-rounded education.

IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum)

General education requirements for students transferring to the University of California and/or California State University systems.

Major

Primary focus of study or concentration. Majors usually require a pattern of coursework in a particular field and a minimum unit requirement.

Matriculation

The process of initially enrolling in college: application, assessment, orientation, counseling and attendance. The components, when used together, are designed to help students achieve their academic goals.More on matriculation here.

New Student

Never before attended or enrolled at a college or university.Admissions & Records link.

Occupational / Vocational Programs

Programs which prepare students to go directly into the work force in two years or less. Career and Technical Education web site.

Online registration for courses

Accessed through the mySierra portal.

Pre-Professional Program

Undergraduate course work either recommended or required for enrollment in professional schools.

Prerequisite

A condition of enrollment that students are required to meet in order to demonstrate current readiness for enrollment in a course or educational program. “C” is the designated minimum grade for prerequisite courses. In other words, “you will not be able to physically sign up for a course with a prerequisite until you have taken the course required.”

Professional Schools

Law, medical, dental and other health science schools.

Registration

The registration process students follow to select classes and pay fees.

Student, Continuing Student

Has attended at least one semester at Sierra College and is currently enrolled. Admissions & Records link.

Student, Returning Student

Has previously attended Sierra College and has at least one semester absence and is coming back. Admissions & Records link.

Student, Full-time Student

A student who is enrolled in at least 12 units per semester.

Student Services / Student Development

Programs and services available to students through Sierra College including: tutoring, financial aid, counseling, job placement, health services, admissions and records, veteran's assistance, disabled student services, transfer services, career center and Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS).

Transfer

The process of going from a community college to another college or university. The community college program typically provides the first two years of preparation for the baccalaureate degree.

For more information consult the front section of the current Sierra College catalog.