The ABC’s of Graduate School.
A Slightly Snarky, Likely Incomplete, Glossary of Graduate School Terminology
Welcome, fellow scholar, to the mystifying world of graduate school! Venturing on this scholarly expedition can feel like venturing into a foreign land, where the locals chat in languages you’ve never heard before. From perplexing acronyms to academic jargon, the words tossed around in grad. school can make your head spin and leave you yearning for a graduate school glossary.
Fret not, brave learners, for we understand the tribulation all too well. That’s why we’ve concocted the ultimate semantic survival guide for the graduate school linguistic labyrinth. This graduate school glossary is your ticket to deciphering the clandestine language of academia, making sure you don’t find yourself wandering astray amid your academic adventures.
Imagine this: you waltz into your first lab meeting and it’s like your peers are yammering away in some covert code. Terms like “comps,” “IRB approval,” or “ABD” get thrown around like confetti on New Year’s Day, leaving you worried that you’ve missed some special initiation ritual complete with a secret handshake. That’s what we’re here for. This slightly snarky graduate school glossary is here to unravel these befuddling phrases and provide you with the knowledge needed to saunter through the intricate landscape of graduate school life with confidence.
Our glossary is a treasure trove of definitions and explanations, delivered with a dash of humor, that will help lighten your graduate student load. Graduate school is already a mystery-wrapped riddle inside its own enigma of scholarly progression, without the sea of confounding terminology and puzzling terms. Allow us to be your linguistic tour guides through this land.
If you’re not sure what the definition of candidacy is, or have no idea what we even just said, this glossary is for you! We know that students aren’t dumb for not knowing this kind of stuff. We know how inconsistently and infrequently these terms are used outside the white spires of advanced academia. Instead, our goal is to prepare you for the elitist snobbery that is rife in graduate school, leaving you as knowledgeable as any seasoned scholar who’s been in the know for a seeming eternity.
Plunge into our graduate school glossary and prepare to thrive in the scholarly escapades that lay ahead of you. Get ready to unravel, comprehend, and conquer the language of academia – one definition at a time!
The Slightly Snarky Graduate School Glossary
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A is for Academia, which we lovingly mock.
ABD. See “all but dissertation”.
Academic Advisor. Like a magic 8-ball only better. This oracle of academia dispenses guidance, criticism, and degree requirements with only a hint of exasperation. The faculty member assigned to guide you in your academic and career pursuits.
Academic Appointment. A faculty position with a contract for a fixed period of time. Typical appointments are for 9 months (because who needs a full year’s pay) or 12 months (the adult version, where summers are spent working, and sabbaticals feel like a distant dream).
Academic Burnout. Perhaps the most relatable term defined in this glossary, burnout is the emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion that comes from being a student trying to balance the conflicting needs of graduate school while neglecting personal health and wellness.
Academic Conference. A social gathering where intellectuals with similar interests attempt to outdo each other with what passes for small talk in academia. Also, an organized event where academics within a field present and discuss research, network with peers, and exchange ideas.
Academic Hierarchy. The structured ranking and progression of positions within the ivory tower; it’s like a game of snakes and ladders, but with more acronyms and fewer ladders. Within a tenure track, an educator will start at the untenured level of assistant professor, progressing to the typically tenured position of associate professor professor, and lastly advancing to full professorship, and (possibly) endowed professor. Outside of the tenure track are adjunct professors (part-time), followed by lecturer or instructor (full-time).
Academic Year. The period in which schools, colleges, and universities hold classes, typically spanning two semesters (fall and spring) or three quarters, because whoever came up with the term wanted the summer off.
Accreditation. Recognition of an educational institution by an independent private organization. Over one hundred accrediting agencies exist. Some are recognized by the Department of Education and the Council of Higher Education Accreditation. However, because there are always shady people looking to make a quick buck, there are some fraudulent accredidations. Find a graduate program with a credible accrediting association; without this, your degree isn’t recognized by many employers.
Adjunct Professor. An adjunct professor is a faculty member hired on a temporary, part-time basis to teach specific courses. Adjunct professors are typically hired for a specific semester or academic year, receive lousy pay, and get few, if any, benefits.
Admissions Committee. The group of people you need to send cookies and donuts impress to get into graduate school. Decisions are made by a committee of faculty members within the academic department you are applying to.
Advancing to Candidacy. An academic checkpoint and a minor mythical beast that must be defeated before embarking on the journey to slay the dissertation dragon. Or, more blandly put, the stage in a graduate program where a doctoral or master’s student is officially approved to begin work on their dissertation. See also candidacy.
Advisor. See academic advisor.
Alumni Association. The not-so-secret society of former students whose sole mission is to beg you for money, sometimes before you’ve even started paying your student loans. Also, an organization of former students, typically associated with a university or college, focused on networking and supporting the institution.
All But Dissertation (ABD). The pinnacle of academic purgatory, where you’ve mastered everything except the art of finishing your dissertation. This is the point in a doctoral program when all coursework and exams have been completed and students are working to complete their final challenge … the dreaded dissertation defense.
Analysis Plan. The GPS for navigating the treacherous terrain of data. An analysis plan is a detailed outline that specifies the procedures and methods to be used in analyzing data for a research study. It includes the statistical techniques, software, and criteria that will be used to interpret results.
Analytic Plan. See Analysis Plan.
Annotated Bibliography. Because we are all too busy to look up every publication considered, this is a bibliography that includes a brief summary of every work listed. [See also works cited list, reference list]
Annual Review. An academic performance evaluation at some universities where you pretend to be grateful for constructive criticism instead of a stipend increase. These assessments measure a student’s academic progress and achievements and are usually conducted by an advisor or a faculty committee.
Appointment. See academic appointment.
Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure Document (APT Document). A whirlwind of forms, evaluations, and signatures, signaling a faculty member’s labyrinthine journey through promotion and tenure. This document outlines a faculty member’s achievements, contributions, and qualifications, submitted as part of the promotion and tenure process.
Assistant Professor. In the stepping stones of the academic hierarchy – assistant professors are the bottom rung of tenure-track faculty. They are entry-level positions on a tenured track that have not yet achieved tenure.
Assistantship/Associateship. The academic hazing ritual wherein you pay for your education with (often) menial tasks while pretending it’s a privilege. This is a generic term for service-based financial support provided to graduate students for services that may include teaching, research, or administrative responsibilities. [See also teaching assistantship and research assistantship]
Associate/Assistant Dean. The dean’s right-hand person, handling the minutiae while dreaming of one day sitting in the big chair. Associate deans serve in a mid-level administrative role supporting the dean in the management and operation of a college or school.
Associate Professor. In the stepping stones of the academic hierarchy – assistant professors are the second rung of regular faculty. Making them slightly higher than assistant professors because they often have tenure and a benefits package.
Auditing a Course. Paying to be invisible and attend a class without the stress of grades. Audited courses may appear on transcripts (formally auditing) or not (informally auditing). Formally auditing a course usually requires a fee while informal auditing is often free.
B is for Bring It! Our academic attitude.
Bibliography. A list of citations that includes both cited materials and materials used for reference but not directly cited in the manuscript. This term is often mistakenly used interchangeably with a reference list but reference lists do not include uncited materials. [See also annotated bibliography]
Bursar. The university wizard behind the curtain who extracts your tuition payments and leaves you pondering the meaning of “fees.” Your school’s bursar’s office is typically responsible for handling financial transactions, including financial aid disbursements, tuition payments, and student accounts.
C is for Comprehensive Glossary, which this is not.
Call for Abstracts. The scholarly call for academics to distill their life’s work into a bite-sized nugget of brilliance, all for the chance to present it in a room with harsh lighting and questionable coffee. A call for abstracts is an invitation or announcement, typically issued by a conference, journal, or academic event, requesting scholars and researchers to submit concise summaries (abstracts) of their proposed presentations or papers for consideration.
Candidacy. The period after a doctoral student or master’s student has completed all exams and proposal milestones and has been approved to complete their dissertation, thesis, or capstone. To complicate things, some universities have a hybrid approach for doctoral students, where they enter the program as candidates and complete their dissertation research as part of their coursework. In this case, students are considered candidates but not “all but dissertation” until all coursework is completed.
Capstone Project. The grand finale, where you showcase your accumulated knowledge and the only audience is your exhausted advisor. Typically required for master’s level students in lieu of comprehensive exams. Sometimes referred to as a thesis.
Citation. A reference to a work that you have used to write your manuscript. In-text citations are those that appear within the text itself and refer the reader to a reference list, footnote, or bibliography.
Citation Style. A set of guidelines for the standardization of citations within a manuscript. Just because everyone wants to be unique, there are numerous reference styles (e.g., APA, MLA, or Chicago style), and journal-specific adaptations to citation styles.
Clinical Professor. The unsung hero of practical knowledge, usually in a healthcare field, where theory meets the real world, and whose office is filled with the smell of formaldehyde. These faculty members are focused on the application of theoretical knowledge to real-world settings and may maintain a clinical practice.
Cohort. A group of fellow students who started in your program around the same time as you, and who also will be rethinking their life choices shortly. Your cohort is a source of mutual support, collaboration, and shared learning experiences.
Committee/Committee Member. Also called a dissertation committee, this is the academic entourage you need to appease to graduate, where everyone has an opinion and your success depends on navigating each member’s conflicting feedback. This committee is comprised of a group of faculty members (usually chosen by you) to oversee your academic progress or dissertation. Every university has different guidelines for the number and composition of committee members, so be sure to look that up before starting on your dissertation. Master’s students occasionally have thesis committees.
Committee Chair. The academic ringmaster who directs the circus of your dissertation research and (ideally) wrangles the other committee members into agreement throughout your candidacy. Your committee chair (sometimes called dissertation chair), oversees your dissertation research and may or may not be your academic advisor.
Comprehensive Exam. Also referred to as comps. One of several confusing terms meant to trip you up by being used in varying ways across graduate schools. Other terms include prelims or preliminary exams, qualifying exams, and (less commonly) prospectus or prospectus defense.
- At the master’s level, comprehensive exams are taken at the culmination of the master’s degree and cover the major topics and concepts of the degree.
- At the Ph.D. level, comprehensive exams (sometimes called preliminary or qualifying exams) may be a set of exams to demonstrate a mastery of the field or may refer to the checkpoint for advancement to candidacy, which typically consists of a written research proposal and presentation. When the term prospectus or prospectus defense is used, it almost universally refers to a research proposal defense. Some universities have both comprehensive exams and prospectus requirements.
Contract. While this term has several meanings and applications, in research, a contract is an (often competitive) funding agreement with an entity or organization to conduct research, complete a project, or create an initiative. See also: grants vs. contracts.
Cost of Attendance (COA). The eye-bulging price tag of graduate school, because getting a degree comes with a cost and it’s not just measured in dollars. The COA is the total estimated cost of attending an educational institution for a specific period, including tuition, fees, living expenses, and other related costs.
Course Release. A brief respite from teaching responsibilities traded for increased research expectations because nothing in graduate school comes without strings.
Curriculum Vitae (CV). Your academic brag sheet, where every conference attended and article published highlights your genius. CVs are a detailed accounting of an individual’s academic and professional achievements, including education, publications, presentations, and other relevant information. Unlike a résumé, which should be one to two pages, there is no upper limit on a CV, because why say in 5 words what you can say in 50?
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D is for Definitions, of which we have lots.
Dean. The academic overlord and senior administrator presiding over a college, school, or department within a university.
Deferment. The postponement of an acceptance of an admission offer to a future date, because sometimes life happens and you need to hit pause on your education. This term can also be applied to a pause on the repayment of a loan.
Defense. The academic showdown or your research against a panel of experts. The defense is an oral examination in which a student presents and defends their research or thesis before a committee, typically as a requirement for completing a graduate degree. Most Ph.D. programs and some master’s programs require a dissertation or thesis defense. Some universities may also require a proposal or prospectus defense as a part of advancing to candidacy.
Deliverable. It’s the thing you promise to provide to make it look like you’re being productive. Like a paper draft or analytic results, it’s a tangible or intangible item produced for a project or task.
Department Chair/Department Head. This is the faculty member responsible for overseeing the operations of a department within a university. They also play academic referee, settling disputes, making tough calls, and occasionally fouling out people.
Director of Graduate Studies. Also called the graduate studies chair or graduate studies director, this is an administrative position overseeing the graduate programs within a department or school.
Discipline. A specific field of study or branch of knowledge characterized by a particular set of methodologies, theories, and subject matter.
Dissertation. An extended piece of original research, often required as a final project for a doctoral degree because nothing says “I’m an expert” like several hundred pages of meticulously researched prose. Traditionally, dissertations were “books,” a single volume, with multiple chapters covering the totality of your research. However, modern dissertations come in multiple formats including:
- The traditional “book” format
- Two or three-paper formats, which require the student to produce two or three publishable-quality research papers.
- Bounded two or three-paper formats, which include a unifying introduction and literature review, followed by chapters for each publishable-quality research paper, and finally a unifying discussion chapter.
The specific format for the dissertation is determined by the graduate school.
Dissertation Chair. See committee chair.
Dissertation Committee. See committee.
Distinguished Fellow. This is the VIP of the academic realm (and occasionally in research-focused non-profits and industry). It is an honorary title or position awarded to individuals who have achieved exceptional recognition and accomplishments in their field, often bestowed by academic institutions, organizations, or societies.
Diversity Statement. A document required for many academic job applications where you articulate your commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion when you are hired. It typically outlines past experiences, strategies, and future plans for promoting diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all students.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The ultimate academic marathon, because who needs sleep, sanity, or weekends? Also, the highest academic degree awarded (a terminal degree), which typically requires original research and the completion of a dissertation. Also, also, while all Ph.D.s are doctoral degrees, not all doctoral degrees are Ph.Ds. Also, also, also this term predates an MD by centuries, so if anyone has the right to go by the term ‘doctor,’ it’s the Ph.D.s.
Doctoral Candidate. See candidacy.
Doctoral Student. A student completing a doctoral degree.
Doctorate (Doctoral) Degree. Originally from the Latin licentia docendi, or license to teach, it specifically granted the right to teach Latin. In modern parlance, it is the highest level of educational certificate students can earn. While often referring to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), other degrees are also doctorates (e.g., Doctor of Education, Ed.D, Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), or Doctor of Medicine (M.D.). Doctoral degrees are considered terminal degrees for their respective field.
Dossier. It’s exactly what you are thinking… if you think it’s a collection of documents, records, and evidence compiled to support and evaluate a faculty member’s qualifications, achievements, and contributions.
E is for being Exceptional, whether you feel it or not.
Emeritus Professor. An emeritus professor is an honorary title conferred upon a retired professor in recognition of their distinguished service and significant contributions to academia.
Endowed Professor. A position that many faculty members aspire to, it is a position supported by an endowment, often accompanied by the honor of having the professorship named after the benefactor or a distinguished individual.
Endowment. Academia’s golden goose. This is a substantial, often irrevocable, financial contribution made to an institution, typically in the form of investment funds. The returns from the endowment are used to support the institution’s activities, such as scholarships, professorships, or facility maintenance.
Enrollment Services. This bureaucratic maze handles all services related to student enrollment, registration, academic records, and related processes.
Et al. A standard abbreviation for “et alia,” which is Latin for “and others.” Et al. is used in in-text citations to indicate multiple authors when we are too lazy to list them all out. Using Et al. varies by citation style, so be sure to check your style guide.
Extension to the Clock. Many universities have deadlines by which a graduate student must complete their degree. An extension to the clock is a process by which the timeline for completing your degree can be extended due to extenuating circumstances.
F is for forever, the time it seems you’ve been a student.
FAFSA. See Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Fellowship. Patreon for the academic world, a fellowship is a form of financial support provided to a graduate student or researcher to pursue a specific project, often without an obligation to perform additional work or repay the aid.
Field Study. A research method involving firsthand observation and data collection in a natural or real-world setting as well as your excuse to travel in the name of academia.
Financial Aid Package. What you want to know before you accept any admissions offer and the number one reason you wisely applied to multiple schools. It is the total amount and types of financial assistance offered to you for completing a degree program, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. These are aid opportunities offered by the school, federal student financial aid programs, or other state and local financial aid opportunities awarded to you.
Forbearance. A temporary postponement or reduction of student loan payments, often granted due to financial hardship or other qualifying circumstances. See also, deferment.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you’ve not had to fill one out yet, you are either lucky or not in the United States. FAFSA stands for “Free Application for Federal Student Aid,” and is the form used by students in the U.S. to apply for federally funded financial aid opportunities in higher education. The FAFSA is used by undergraduate and graduate students seeking federal student loans.
FTE. See full-time equivalency.
Full Professor. A senior faculty position, typically held by individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise and made substantial contributions to their field. This is the role most graduate students aspire to when choosing to remain in academia.
Full-Time Enrollment. The status of being enrolled in a program of study on a full-time basis, typically defined by a minimum number of credit hours per academic term. The minimum number of credits to be considered full-time is usually lower for graduate students than undergraduates.
Full-Time Equivalency (FTE). A wibbly-wobbly tangle of academic math where part-time hours are converted to fractions and added together to indicate the workload of an employee or student in terms of a full-time schedule. This total is often used in budgeting, staffing, and enrollment calculations.
Funding. Financial support that is provided to individuals, projects, or institutions for academic or research purposes. When the word “funding” is used colloquially, it excludes loans and refers to financial support that does not have a repayment obligation so long as the conditions of the funder are met.
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G is for Graduate School, which this glossary is for.
Graduate Assistant (GA). A part-time appointment for an already overworked graduate student, often involving research, teaching, or administrative duties for financial support. Minimum work hours for GA.s are usually 10 or 20 hours a week, depending on the university and the position. See also, graduate research assistant and teaching assistant.
Graduate Degree. An advanced academic qualification earned after completing a bachelor’s degree, typically requiring further specialized study and research in a specific field or discipline. Also, a conversation killer among the uninitiated.
GMAT. See Graduate Management Admission Test.
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Where you prove your ability to navigate logic and math, and maybe find your way into a management graduate program. The GMAT is a standardized test assessing analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills. Important sidebar, you can apply for disability accommodations for the GMAT exam should you need them, but be sure to give yourself time to get through the application process and be approved before you need to take the exam.
GRA. See graduate research assistant.
Graduate Director. See Director of Graduate Studies.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The pesky standardized test far too many universities require in applications to their graduate programs. The GRE includes sections that assess the verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills of prospective graduate students. Subject matter-specific GREs are also available. Disability accommodations for the GRE are available for students who need them, just be sure to give yourself time to apply and be approved before you need to take the exam.
Graduate Research Assistant (GRA). An already busy graduate student appointed to assist with a faculty member’s research activities, often as part of a funded research project. GRA positions usually come with a stipend and tuition waiver, but requirements differ across universities. Unlike graduate assistants, most GRAs do not perform administrative tasks outside of the research project they are assigned to. However, the term GA is sometimes used interchangeably with GRA because academia likes to complicate things.
Graduate School. The academic proving ground where you pay exorbitant fees to further specialize in a subject you were previously only vaguely aware of, all while subsisting on a diet of ramen noodles and existential dread.
Graduate Studies Chair. See Director of Graduate Studies.
Grant. Competitive (usually) financial support provided to an individual or organization for a specific purpose, often for research, projects, or initiatives. Grants can come from charitable organizations, private entities, research organizations, and state and federal governments. We’re not saying that your chance of getting a grant is worse than winning the lottery, it just feels that way. See also, grants vs. contracts.
Grants vs. contracts. Both grants and contracts are funding mechanisms for research, projects, or initiatives. However, grants are typically investigator-initiated (the investigator proposes an idea), whereas contracts are initiated by the funding organization (a contractor identifies the goals of the project).
GRE. See Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Grievance Process. A formal procedure for airing the department’s dirty laundry addressing and resolving disputes or complaints within an academic institution. The grievance process often involves a formal procedure and review by designated committees, or a mediation process headed by an Ombudsman. If you must file a grievance, we hope your outcome is better than calling an outsourced, automated, customer service hotline.
H is for Harried, how you’ll feel most of the time.
Hard Money Position. This is the holy grail of graduating graduate students. A hard money position is a job where salaries and funding are provided by the institution’s budget, offering more job stability and security than soft money positions.
Holistic Admissions. A term that is meant to indicate an admissions approach that considers various aspects of an applicant’s background, experiences, and potential contributions, going beyond traditional academic metrics. However, graduate schools already incorporate more than standard test scores and GPA into their admissions decisions, so this term has little practical value.
Hypothesis. A testable statement predicting the outcome of an experiment or research study. Research theses and dissertations may have hypotheses or they may have research questions (or both). If you are doing research, it’s important to know the difference.
I is for Independence, which you’ll need to succeed.
In-Text Citation. See citation.
Institutional Review Board (IRB). If “cover your ass” had a definition in the dictionary, a picture of the IRB would be next to it. An IRB is a committee responsible for reviewing and approving research involving human subjects to ensure ethical conduct and compliance with regulations. Every research university in the United States has one. Many students find working with IRBs intimidating and frustrating, but in covering the university’s ass, they are also covering yours. Just remember, IRBs are staffed by regular people who often balance IRB duties on top of their academic positions. If you’re patient and ask for help politely, you’ll get on just fine.
Instructor. See Lecturer.
Interdisciplinary. Refers to programs, projects, or initiatives that span more than one graduate program, or across disciplines.
International Assistant Teaching Exam (ITA). An exam or certification process assessing the English language proficiency of international graduate students who will serve as teaching assistants.
Internship. Work experience as part of a field of study, which usually takes place over several months. It may be full-time, may require you to move, and you may (if you’re lucky) be paid. Some programs may require internships for graduation.
IRB. See Institutional Review Board.
ITA. See International Assistant Teaching Exam.
J is for Jargon, which you’ll find lots of.
Job Market. The employment Hunger Games, where candidates battle for the available positions in their respective fields, and would kill [with words] for that tenure track assistant professor job. Also, an idiom for seeking employment, i.e., entering the job market.
Job Market Paper. Your academic audition piece that showcases your brilliance and hopefully impresses a discerning audience of potential employers. This is the best and most relevant research paper written by a graduate student, given to prospective employers during the job market season.
Job Talk. A nerve-wracking presentation you are invited to give during an interview with prospective employers when entering the job market. Job talks are not universal but very common for positions at the doctoral level.
K is for Kicking graduate school’s ass.
K Award. A series of career development grants from the National Institutes of Health (notice that’s plural) in the U.S., to support the transition of early-stage researchers into independent investigators.
Kickoff. The initiation or starting point of a project or research endeavor, usually in the form of a kickoff meeting.
L is for Lamenting your lost free time.
Land Grant University. A type of university in the U.S. that receives federal funding for agricultural and mechanical education, established through the Morrill Acts.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT). A standardized test that is required for admission to most law schools. Like other admissions tests, the LSAT has a formal process to obtain disability accommodations if you need them. Be sure to leave enough time to complete the process before you need to take the exam.
LSAT. See Law School Admissions Test.
Lead Author. See First Authorship.
Lecturer. A non-tenure track faculty position focused primarily on teaching, often with a contractual or renewable appointment. Slightly better in the academic hierarchy than adjunct professors, lecturers usually have benefits and better pay.
Letter of Recommendation. A written endorsement or reference provided by someone who can attest to your qualifications, character, and abilities. These are often needed for graduate school applications, grant and fellowship applications, and occasionally job applications. A word to the wise, some reference writers will want you to write a draft letter of recommendation for them to modify and submit, so when you request letters of recommendation ask if they want a pre-written draft.
Literature review. A seemingly never-ending critical summary and evaluation of existing research on a particular topic. See also: systematic review and meta-analysis.
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M is for Money, which graduate school sucks dry.
MCAT. See, Medical College Admission Test.
Master’s Degree. An academic middle child. It’s not as flashy as a doctorate, but it’s still impressive in its own right. Master’s degrees are graduate degrees that typically require one to two years of additional study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Master’s degrees are not required for entrance into most doctoral programs and are earned as part of the doctoral study.
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). An academic endurance test of biology, chemistry, and physics knowledged that is required for admission into medical school. MCAT accommodations are available for people with disabilities so be sure to leave yourself enough time to complete the application process if needed.
Meta-analysis. The equivalent of a systematic review for data analysis, a meta-analysis is a statistical method that combines data from multiple studies to draw more robust conclusions and evaluate the quality of existing research.
Minimum Enrollment. Sometimes a class needs a certain number of students to make the academic cut. If the minimum number of students required for a course or program is not met, then the course or program may be cut or canceled.
N is for Novice, which you’ll be for a while.
Named Professor. See endowed professor.
Net Price/Cost. Academic sticker shock. Also, the cost of attending an educational institution minus any grants and scholarships received.
Non-Academic Job. Escape from academia into employment outside of the traditional academic sector, often in industry, government, or other non-academic fields. Many advisors lack experience in assisting students entering the non-academic workforce, so don’t be surprised if you feel pressure from your advisor to continue in academia. If that’s not what you want, seek additional mentorship outside of the university by reaching out to people with career trajectories similar to your interests to get advice or by joining professional organizations outside of academia.
Non-Degree Seeking. A classification for students who are taking courses without pursuing a degree or formal academic program. Completing graduate-level classes as a non-degree-seeking student can be a way to bolster your application to graduate school, especially if you have been away from university for some time.
O is for Overwhelmed, when you look at your task list.
Off-Duty Pay/Summer Salary. Compensation provided to faculty during the summer months for research or other professional activities.
Office of Graduate Studies. This is the academic nerve center of graduate school, where the paperwork flows, the policies are set, and graduate dreams are crushed come true. This office is responsible for overseeing and coordinating graduate programs and policies. Often, top-level graduation requirements are set by the Office of Graduate Studies, with departments providing the specific framework and rules for meeting these requirements.
Ombudsman. An academic mediator, because sometimes adults behave badly. The Ombudsman’s role is to serve as a neutral third party within an organization to help resolve significant disputes, conflicts, or complaints, often providing informal and confidential assistance.
On the Market. The status of being on the job market, where you advertise your qualities and hope someone “swipes right” with a tenure track offer.
Open Educational Resources (OER). Publicly accessible digital learning materials that can be used freely and redistributed at no cost. OER textbooks are openly licensed resources that are used for teaching, learning, assessment, and research purposes.
Orals. Oral examinations or assessments. This term usually refers to an oral administration of comprehensive (a.k.a., preliminary or qualification) exams.
Orientation. A crash course in campus geography, awkward icebreakers, and the futile attempt to remember everyone’s name. Also, an introduction program for new students, providing information about campus resources, policies, and activities.
P is for Publish or Perish, but don’t worry about that yet.
P&T Committee. See Promotion and Tenure Committee.
Peer-Review. See peer-reviewed journal.
Peer-Reviewed Journal. A type of journal publication where your brilliant ideas get roasted by other people who also think they’re brilliant, repeatedly, until all parties have had their say and they (hopefully) decide to publish you. Peer review is the process whereby other experts in the field evaluate manuscripts before their acceptance for publication in a journal.
Personal Statement. The epitome of a humble brag, where you convince others you are amazing without sounding arrogant. Typically one to two pages, this document is a written narrative detailing your background, achievements, and career goals as part of a graduate school application. Some graduate schools request personal statements, others request research statements or statements of purpose. Some graduate schools request more than one type of statement. When you’re applying to graduate school, it’s important to know the difference. Personal statements communicate characteristics about yourself that help the admissions committee assess “fit” in the program, determining if your personal characteristics will fit well within the goals of the program and the other people within it. The personal statement typically has more personal background than other types of application statements.
Ph.D. See Doctor of Philosophy.
Ph.D. Candidate. See candidacy. See also, advancing to candidacy.
PI. See Principal Investigator.
Principal Investigator (PI). The lead researcher who is responsible for the overall direction of a research project and whose ass is on the line when it all goes wrong.
Postdoc. See postdoctoral fellow.
Postdoctoral Fellow/Position (Postdoc). A specific position held by some recent doctoral degree recipients, where the person engages in advanced research and scholarly activities, typically in preparation for a faculty position. Like an academic gap year, minus the freedom.
Practicum. A fancy name for an academic internship; often as part of an academic course or program.
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). A set of guidelines to improve the reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, because apparently there is a wrong way to report about everything ever written on a topic.
Preliminary Exams (Prelims). See comprehensive exams.
Primary source. The OG of research materials, a primary source is an original and direct source of information.
PRISMA. See Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.
Private University. Private universities are not publicly funded, relying on tuition, fees, and private donations for financial support. Typically more expensive than public universities, private institutions often come with better financial aid packages, that can reduce their costs to be the same or less than public institutions. A private university does not necessarily mean better, so be sure to research the accreditation and credentialing of any graduate program you consider applying to, whether offered through a public or private institution.
Professional Degree. A degree focused on preparing students for a specific profession or career, often emphasizing practical skills and knowledge. While not necessarily a terminal degree in their respective field, these degrees often satisfy the academic requirements for obtaining professional licensure, certification, and/or accreditation. Examples include Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Social Work (MSW), or Juris Doctor (JD).
Professional Graduate Education. See professional degree.
Professor Emeritus. See emeritus professor.
Program Advisor. See academic advisor.
Program Chair. See department chair.
Program of Study. A structured plan outlining the courses and requirements a student must complete to fulfill the academic requirements of a degree. You should review these requirements before applying to any graduate program. While these requirements may have a page dedicated to them on the program webpage, they may also be contained within documents like a graduate student handbook. If you are unable to find the program of study details, then contact the admissions department and ask for them. You should know what you’re signing up for.
Promotion and Tenure Committee (P & T Committee). The academic jury of 12 overworked professors (okay, not necessarily 12), responsible who are responsible for evaluating faculty members’ achievements and making recommendations for promotions and tenure decisions.
Proposal. Sometimes called a prospectus, this is a written plan or outline, often submitted for approval, detailing the scope, objectives, and methods of a research project or academic endeavor. A proposal is sometimes required for master’s theses, but it is almost always a part of advancing to candidacy, particularly for research-oriented degrees. The purpose of a proposal is to demonstrate to your advisor or committee that you are ready to tackle the full dissertation research. It is an opportunity for faculty to assess the feasibility of your research idea, your preparedness, and the project’s acceptability for meeting the requirements of the degree.
Proposal Defense. A smaller version of your dissertation defense, where you present your proposal for research to your advisor and/or committee. The proposal defense is sometimes called “comprehensive exams, qualifying exams, or prospectus defense” and is usually a requirement for advancing to candidacy.
Prospectus. See proposal.
Prospectus Defense. See proposal defense.
Public University. A government-funded educational institution that provides affordable education to residents of a particular state or region. Students outside of those regions may still attend but typically pay higher tuition than those within the region because those students are not paying into the tax base that supports that institution. Tuition costs for out-of-state students are often similar to those of private universities. However, it’s the funding packages that determine your net costs.
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Q is for Quickly, the pace you want to finish in.
Qualification Exams (Quals). See comprehensive exams.
Quals. See comprehensive exams.
Quota. The limited or fixed number of positions allocated for a specific purpose, such as admissions to a program or the distribution of resources, because higher education is like a game of musical chairs with someone always being left without a seat.
R is for reward, like a good paying job.
R1/R2 Institution. Classifications for research universities based on research activity and productivity. R1 institutions obtain more research funding, have more research-driven faculty, and graduate more doctoral students than R2 universities.
RA. Stands for research assistant. See graduate research assistant.
Reference List. Also referred to as a works cited list, this is a list of sources cited in a document, usually featured after the body of the document. It is not to be confused with a bibliography or annotated bibliography.
Registrar. The great and powerful Oz record keeper and official responsible for maintaining student records, academic policies, and course registration within a university.
Response to Reviewers. A document addressing feedback and comments from peer reviewers during the publication process.
Request for Application (RFA). An RFA is a formal document issued by an organization or government agency, that invites other people or organizations to apply for funding to conduct specific activities or projects on behalf of the issuing organization. An RFA provides guidance on the process, deadline, and requirements for applying to the opportunity. RFAs are similar in content and structure to RFPs (request for proposal), but the term RFA is typically used in the context of contracts, whereas the term RFPs is used in the context of grants. See also grants vs. contracts.
Request for Proposal (RFP). An RFP is a formal document issued by an organization or government agency, that invites other people or organizations to apply for funding to conduct research activities or projects related to the priority areas of the issuing organization or agency. RFPs are similar in content and structure to RFAs (request for application), but the term RFP is typically used in the context of grants, whereas the term RFPs is used in the context of contracts. [See also grants vs. contracts]
Research Assistant (RA)/ Research Associate. See graduate research assistant.
Research Proposal. See proposal.
Research Statement. An aspirational document outlining the groundbreaking research you’d conduct if only you could be accepted into their graduate program. This application document typically describes your research interests, goals, and methodology. It’s typically submitted as part of a graduate school application or as part of a job application. They are, on average, two pages long, and are used to evaluate whether your research goals are a good fit for that program. While related, a research statement is not the same as a personal statement, a statement of intent, or a statement of purpose.
Research Questions. These are the queries that keep you up at night, wondering if anyone will ever care about your quest for academic truth. Research questions are clearly defined inquiries that guide your research process and contribute to the development of knowledge. Unlike hypotheses, research questions do not propose a finding ahead of time. Not all research requires hypotheses, but all research should have strong and specific research questions guiding it.
RFA. See request for application.
RFP. See request for proposal.
S is for Smart, which you are, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
Seed Grant. A small investment with hopes it will grow into a mighty tree of research productivity. It’s provided to support the early stages of a research project in the hope of securing additional funding in the future.
Seminar. A small group class that is often focused on interactive discussion, research, or advanced study in a specific subject. Graduate student seminars can be on any topic, but any seminars that help keep you accountable and moving through your thesis or dissertation are particularly valuable.
Service. Contributions and activities that faculty members engage in for the benefit of their institution, profession, or community because faculty members all get extra hours in the day as part of their benefits package.
Soft Money Position. Funding for employment positions or projects from external sources like grants and contracts. In soft money positions, your continued employment depends on obtaining external grant or contract funding to cover your salary. See also, hard money position.
Scope. The overall purpose and limits of a project.
Scope Creep. A huge danger for theses and dissertations, scope creep is the gradual expansion of a project’s goals beyond its original intended scope and purpose.
Specific Aims. The section of a research proposal outlining the specific objectives and goals of the proposed project. The specific aims are related to, but not the same as, hypotheses and research questions. Specific aims are broader than well-written research questions and do not have expected findings like hypotheses.
Start-Up Package. A package of resources offered to new faculty members, including funding for research, lab equipment, and other support to establish their academic careers.
Statement of Intent. A formal way to say, “I totally mean to do this academic thing, seriously.” A statement of intent is similar to a research statement in that it expresses what you intend to accomplish if accepted into a graduate program. However, a statement of intent may not be explicitly research-oriented. While related, a statement of intent is not the same as a personal statement or a statement of purpose.
Statement of Purpose. Half personal statement, half research statement, a statement of purpose is where you pretend that your life’s trajectory has been a meticulously planned journey rather than a chaotic stumble. This application document outlines your academic and professional goals, explaining why a specific graduate program is a perfect fit for you. While closely related, a statement of purpose is not exactly the same as a statement of intent.
Stipend. This is your academic allowance paycheck. It’s a fixed regular payment provided to graduate students or researchers as part of a funding package, typically in exchange for work.
Student Affairs. The administrative division of a university responsible for non-academic support services and student development. Sometimes, we all need someone to help us survive graduate school.
Summer Funding. Exactly what it sounds like – funding for students during the summer months. Not all student funding packages come with summer funding, so be sure to clarify.
Summer Salary. See off-duty pay.
Systematic Review. A comprehensive and structured literature review of all existing literature on a specific topic.
T is for Tenacious, which gets you through graduate school.
TA. See teaching assistant.
Table Shell. A good way to conceptualize your analyses and research findings, a table shell is a template for a table, often with headings and placeholders.
Teaching Assistant/Associate (TA). The academic understudy and grunt who handles quizzes, grades papers, and deals with confused undergraduate students. TAs are appointed to assist with instructional responsibilities, often working under the supervision of a faculty member, in exchange for funding or as a part of graduation requirements.
Teaching Portfolio. A compilation of materials, including teaching philosophy, sample syllabi, and evidence of teaching effectiveness, used to showcase your teaching qualifications for hiring or promotion.
Teaching Statement. An academic love letter to pedagogy. Also, a document, often required as part of a job application for academic positions, in which an individual outlines their philosophy of teaching, strategies for effective instruction, and commitment to fostering student learning and engagement.
Tenure. Every professor’s dream and metaphorical set of golden handcuffs, because once you’re in, it’s too pretty to leave, even if you want to. Tenure is a status granted to faculty members, typically after a probationary period, providing job security and protection against arbitrary dismissal.
Tenure Track. The rocky path toward achieving tenure, typically involving trip hazards, cliffs, and a probationary period during which a faculty member demonstrates excellence in research, teaching, and service.
Terminal Degree. The highest level degree awarded for a given subject. While the majority of terminal degrees are Ph.D.s, other examples include doctorate degrees from a specified field (like an EdD or PharmD), or master’s degree in professions where doctoral-level education is not necessary or available, as with a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Terminal Master’s Degree. Sometimes you’re here for the degree, not the marathon. This type of master’s degree program does not typically lead to further advanced study, often designed for individuals seeking specialized knowledge or skills for a particular profession or licensure.
Tenure Initiating Unit (TIU). The organizational unit, such as a department or school, responsible for initiating and overseeing the tenure process.
Thesis. An academic marathon, slightly shorter than a dissertation, but still requiring endurance, stamina, and a healthy dose of caffeine. A thesis is a written work presenting research and findings, often required for the completion of a master’s degree.
Thesis committee. See committee.
Three-paper format. See dissertation.
TIU. See Tenure Initiating Unit.
Tuition Waiver. The golden ticket. A waiver or reduction of tuition fees that is often included as part of a financial aid package.
U is for Unprepared, which most students feel.
Undergraduate. The academic tadpole swimming in the shallows before leaping into the deep waters of advanced study. Undergraduate students may be earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
University vs. College. Although no formal distinction exists, in the U.S., a college typically offers undergraduate degrees, while a university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs. This differentiation is akin to arguing whether a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable.
V is for Vacation, which you won’t have for a while.
Visiting Professor. An academic nomad who roves from university to university, sharing knowledge, and leaving only footnotes behind. These faculty members are temporarily appointed to teach or conduct research at a university other than their home institution.
W is for writing, which you’ll do a lot of.
Withdrawal. This last resort academic escape hatch lets you exit a course or program to save your sanity. Withdrawal is the formal process of dropping a course or leaving a program before completion.
Works Cited List. See reference list.
Writing Center. Where dreams of eloquent prose are slaughtered by the harsh reality of grammar rules and thesaurus abuse. Most universities offer student writing centers, staffed by trained writing consultants or tutors, free to students. Some innovative universities have dedicated staff specifically for graduate students.
X is for…yeah we got nothing.
We can’t think of an X in higher education, but if we’ve forgotten something in this graduate school glossary, join us on the Discord channel and let us know.
Y is for Yes, which we hope aspiring graduate students hear.
Year Review. An academic reality check where a faculty member’s progress and contributions are assessed, typically occurring in the early years (2nd, 3rd, 4th) of their appointment.
Z is for Zest, which we hope you hold on to.
No Zs that we can think of to add to the graduate school glossary, but let us know on the Discord channel if we’ve forgotten something.
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Note: Most of the content in the Slightly Snarky Graduate School Glossary was crafted by Graduate Student Greatness. However, ChatGPT reviewed the glossary for missing terms and provided starting definitions that were then heavily edited and expanded. This graduate school glossary is a collaborative endeavor to bring you a mix of snarky and standard definitions for a well-rounded guide to the terminology you’ll encounter in the wild world of graduate school. Happy reading! 🎓✨