Glossary

Banner

The Student Information System (SIS) that Wheaton College uses for processing and maintaining student records.  The Course Program of Study (CPOS) mechanism is a functionality within Banner.

Course Program of Study (CPOS)

The mechanism by which the College can determine which courses are required for a student's degree. But using this mechanism, the College meets the expectations from the Department of Education for the awarding and disbursement of federal financial aid.

CPOS-eligible

A course that is required for a student's degree program and is therefore eligible for financial aid.

CPOS-ineligible

A course that is not required for a student's degree program and is therefore not eligible for financial aid.

Curriculum Block

One of the components that makes up a student's degree requirements or program of study. In Degree Works, each of the curriculum blocks is separated out from the others (and can be expanded or collapsed). Examples of curriculum blocks are (1) Christ at the Core; (2) major; (3) minor; (4) general electives.

Degree

The credential a student earns. Examples of degrees at Wheaton College are the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music Education, Master of Arts, Doctor of Ministry, or Doctor of Philosophy.

Degree Works

The degree evaluation software Wheaton uses to identify a student's degree requirements and progress toward their degree. The Course Program of Study (CPOS) mechanism reads Degree Works. Prior to fall 2023 registration, the NEW Degree Works Dashboard will be configured to identify CPOS-eligible and CPOS-ineligible courses.

Degree Works Header

It is the very first section of a student's Degree Works evaluation. The Header contains data such as the student's name, degree, declared curriculum blocks, expected graduation date, and advisors. Prior to fall 2023 registration, the NEW Degree Works Dashboard will be configured to list a student's current and future CPOS-ineligible course registrations in the Header.

Departmental Recommendation

A process by which a course is substituted for a requirement for a major, minor, certificate, fellowship program or endorsement. Faculty and Department Chairs initiate the departmental recommendation process by filling out the Departmental Recommendation form and submitting it to registrar@wheaton.edu. Faculty should initiate this form as soon as it is agreed that a substitution is warranted. For a substitution to meet CPOS requirements, the form must be submitted and processed prior to the start of the term. Students who have questions about CATC requirements and how transfer credit or Wheaton courses meet requirements should reach out to academic.advising@wheaton.edu. 

Double Major

A student who earns a single degree with two majors in the same degree. An example of a double major is a student earning a Bachelor Arts degree with Sociology and Art History majors. Both majors must apply to the same degree (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, etc).

Dual Degree

Unlike a double major, a dual degree student is earning two different degrees (ex: Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts) with two different majors. An example of a dual degree is a BS in Biology and a BA in Sociology. Undergraduate students pursuing a dual degree are required to have a minimum of 154 hours of coursework in addition to the CATC requirements, major requirements, and any other component of their program of study.

Federal Financial Aid

Funding for grants, loans, and work that are provided through federal dollars to qualified students. 

Institutional Financial Aid

Scholarships and grants that are provided by Wheaton College to eligible students. 

Major

A focus within a discipline in which students take at least 32 (and usually no more than 56) credits from a prescribed set of courses.  In order to earn a bachelor's degree, a student is required to declare at least one major.

Program of Study (Undergraduate)

Anything that Degree Works identifies as a requirement (that you have not already met) is eligible for CPOS.  Any courses that meet Christ at the Core, major, minor, concentration, emphasis, endorsement, certificate, or fellowship program requirements, as well as any general electives that are required for a student to complete 124 credits for the bachelor’s degree.  

Program of Study (Graduate)

Any courses that meet catalog requirements for your program, including any of the following that might apply:

• the Biblical and Theological Studies Requirement (TSR),
• concentration or track courses,
• thesis or dissertation courses, and/or
• program elective courses that are needed to meet the minimum required credits for the degree.

Title IV

A term that refers to federal financial aid funds as Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 covers the administration of the United States federal student aid programs.