College Jargon

Adding a Class

 To add a class or classes to the upcoming or current schedule within a specified time frame.
 

Associate in Arts degree

The AA degree is intended primarily for students who plan to transfer to another college and to complete a bachelor’s degree.  The AA is considered the first half of the bachelor’s degree.
 

Associate in Applied Science degree

The AAS is intended for students who plan to use the skills and knowledge gained through their degree for immediate employment.  Degree is not designed to transfer although the liberal arts courses traditionally transfer well.
 

Associate in Science degree

The AS degree is intended for students who wish to balance liberal arts education with career-oriented classes.  The primary purpose of the degree is to provide the credentials for a specific career.  Degree does provide some limited transferability into specific colleges and programs; it is not designed for broad transferability.
 

Baccalaureate degree

Another name for the bachelor’s degree.
 

Bachelor’s degree

Often referred to as the “four year degree.”  Can not be earned at the community college, but students can typically complete the first half of the degree before they transfer.
 

Campus Network Account

The use of a computer in the Computer Lab, Writing Center, Math Center and all computer classrooms requires a campus network account (username and password).  An account is usually created automatically within a day of a student registering for a course.  A network account can be initialized on the Internet by going to the IHCC accounts page.  By completing this process students will also receive an official campus email address.
 

Changing your Major

In order for the college to provide the best service, your major needs to be accurate in our computer system.  It is not uncommon for the answer to a question to be contingent on your specific career and educational goals.  To change your major, click here.
 

Course-by-course equivalencies

Equivalency guides list how specific IHCC courses will transfer to other colleges.
 

Dropping a Class

To delete a class from the upcoming or current schedule within a specified time frame.  Dropped classes do not show up on the transcript and all dropped classes receive a 100% refund.
 

General Education courses

Classes from various liberal arts disciplines that provide the foundation for a college degree.
 

High School Preparation Requirements

Coursework that needed to be completed during high school for admission to college; Coursework at Inver Hills can be substituted for missing high school coursework.
 

Liberal Arts

Examples are: English, Fine Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Physical and Natural Sciences, Math.  Liberal arts are often referred to as “generals.”
 

Minnesota State University (SU)

St. Cloud , Winona, Bemidji, Moorhead, Southwest, and Mankato all have SU’s; Metro State is located in St. Paul.
 

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum

A liberal education/general education curriculum that is made up of 10 goals that total 40 semester credits.  It is the foundation of the Associate in Arts degree.

Pre-major Requirements

Coursework that is required for admission to your major at a transfer college.  Coursework may be part of or in addition to general education courses.
 

Transfer Guides

Transfer guides list courses you can take at IHCC that will fulfill a transfer college’s general education and/or pre-major courses.
 

Walk-Ins

If you have a quick question for a counselor you can stop in during "walk-in" time.  The counselors do not have access to student files and transcripts for walk-in assistance.  For today's walk in availability, call 651-450-8508.  If you have a question for a counselor, do not forget you can use the Ask a Counselor service!! 

Withdrawing from a class

 If the drop deadline has passed students can withdraw from a class within a specified time frame.  A "W" will appear on the transcript and it will not affect the GPA.  Refunds are only issued to students who completely withdraw from all courses within a specified time frame.