Many terms in higher education are interpreted similarly by any institution, however, there are some terms uniquely defined by each institution. The following are terms used in the Fact Book as they are defined by the University of Pittsburgh.
 
 

Certificate Category
A certificate classification: Certificate (CERT), Advanced Certificate (ADVCT), Advanced Certificate - Master's Level (ADVCTM), Advanced Certificate - Doctorate Level (ADVCTD).

Certificate Program
An academic program whose completion is recognized by conferring upon the student an award referred to as a certificate.

Degree Category
A degree classification: Associate, Baccalaureate, Master's, Doctorate, First Professional.

Degree Program
An academic program whose completion is recognized by conferring upon the student an award referred to as a degree. Specialized degree programs, and majors, include:

Combined Major
An academic program which enables students who have completed a specified number of undergraduate credits to receive a bachelor's degree upon completion of a specified number of credits in certain University of Pittsburgh post-baccalaureate programs.

Cooperative Degree Program
An academic program administered by two or more institutions.

Dual-Degree Program
An academic program whose requirements include all or most of the requirements for two distinct academic degree programs within a school and for which two degrees are awarded.

Dual (Double) Major Program
An academic program whose requirements include the completion of two distinct majors and which results in the award of a single degree.

Interschool Certificate/Degree Program
An academic program administered by two or more schools within the institution and for which one certificate or degree is awarded.

Joint Degree Program
An academic program whose requirements include all or most of the requirements of two distinct academic degree programs administered by two or more of the University's schools and for which two degrees are awarded.

Self-Design Major
A major whose requirements are focused within two or more subject areas and which results in the award of a single degree.

Degree Type A specific degree within a degree category, for example, BA, MA, PhD, MD.
 
 

Academic Year
The year beginning September 1 and ending August 31. Terms include Fall Term (September to December), Spring Term (January to April), and Summer Term (May to August).

Fiscal Year
The year beginning July 1 and ending June 30.
 
 

Academic Rank
A job category for faculty.

Instructional Faculty
The non-medical school, teaching faculty of the institution.

Race
The U. S. Department of Education's classification taxonomy includes: Black Non-Hispanic (African American), American Indian/Alaskan Native (Native American), Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and White Non-Hispanic.

Tenure
A status accorded members of University faculty who have demonstrated high ability and achievement in their dedication to the growth of human knowledge.
 
 

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Enrollment
A calculated number derived by adding the number of full-time students to 40 percent of the number of part-time students.

Level

Undergraduate Students
Those students enrolled in programs leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate. Also included are those students who are enrolled for undergraduate coursework but who are not seeking an undergraduate degree or certificate.

Graduate Students
Those students enrolled in programs leading to a graduate degree or certificate. Also included are those students who hold a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent and who are enrolled for graduate coursework but who are not seeking a graduate degree or certificate.

First Professional Students
Those students enrolled in the professional degree programs of Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy, and Law, leading to the degrees: MD, DMD, PharmD, JD, and LLM.

Status

Full-time students
Undergraduate students registered for 12 or more credits in a term. Graduate students and first professional students registered for 9 or more credits in a term.

Part-time students
Undergraduate students registered for fewer than 12 credits in a term. Graduate students and first professional students registered for fewer than 9 credits in a term.

Campus
One of the five geographic locations in Pennsylvania of the University: Pittsburgh, Johnstown, Greensburg, Titusville, Bradford.

School
An academic unit responsible for the administration of the institution's academic programs.