Degree Planning Guide Glossary - SUNY Empire State College

suny empire state college • student degree planning guide 151Degree Program RationaleThe student’s explanation of the purposes, design andsignificance of her or his individualized degree plan. Thisessay is normally developed early in a student’s studiesas part of educational planning and is included in thedegree program portfolio.Educational PlanningThe Empire State College study in which students plan aneffective and coherent degree program. This is usually one ofthe first studies students undertake at the college and also maybe known as academic planning and degree program planning.This is the only required course for all undergraduate studentsat Empire State College.EvaluatorAn expert in the field that evaluates individualized priorlearning assessment.General EducationA requirement of the State University of New York system thatall degrees have an established number of general educationcredits spread out over seven areas of knowledge and skills.General LearningDegree program components which provide breadth to thestudent’s degree work beyond the concentration. These are notnecessarily, but may be, liberal arts and sciences.Generic EvaluationsThe college has evaluated some professional licenses,certifications, training courses and other activities, andassigned specific amounts of credit for the college-level learningthey document. Students who complete such pre-evaluatedexperiences are eligible for college credit toward their EmpireState College degrees.Individualized Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)The process by which the college evaluates a student’s collegelevelknowledge obtained through experiences outside of thetraditional college classroom, such as workplace training,personal research and special interests.IntroductoryBeginning or foundational learning.Learning ContractThe individual study plan developed with a mentor that stateswhat students will learn for a specific number of credits to beawarded during an enrollment period (generally 16 weeks).Contracts may include independent study, tutorials, courses orother learning activities.Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal StudiesStudies that enhance the abilities of individuals to understand,to judge, to communicate and take action with each other aboutthe nature, quality and conditions of their lives. This learninggenerally has a strong theoretical and conceptual content.Designated by (*) on the degree program.MentorAn Empire State College faculty member. Mentors work closelyand individually with students, serving as intellectual guideswho help students define their educational tasks, identifyresources and evaluate students’ progress.National College Credit RecommendationService (NCCRS)National College Credit Recommendation Service, formerlyNational Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction(NPONSI) is an organization that evaluates noncollegiatelearning (such as training programs, licenses and/or certificates)offered through various companies and organizations. EmpireState College students may receive credit for recommendationsmade by NCCRS. www.nationalccrs.orgOffice of Collegewide Academic Review (OCAR)The office located in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. which completes afinal policy compliance review and concurrence of the degreeprogram plan portfolios and advanced standing requests.PLA PlannerA Web-based tool used by Empire State College for theindividualized evaluation of prior learning.Primary Mentor (also see mentor)At Empire State College, each student is a assigned a primarymentor to guide the student throughout his or her degreeprogram planning process and studies.Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)See Individualized Prior Learning Assessment.