Graduate School Vocabulary: Terms Every New Grad Student Should Know
Starting graduate school can sometimes feel like learning a whole new language. You
may hear words like assistantship, thesis, committee, or defense and wonder exactly what they mean.
Whether you are thinking about graduate school, preparing for your first semester, or already working toward your degree, knowing some common graduate school terms can make navigating your program a little easier.
Here are some terms every graduate student should know.
Graduate Assistantship (GA)
A graduate assistantship (GA) is an opportunity for graduate students to work for a university while completing their degree. Depending on the position, GAs may help with teaching, research, administrative work, or other responsibilities.
At Tech, about 30% of our graduate students hold assistantship positions. These positions cover tuition and fees and provide a monthly stipend, allowing students to receive financial support while also gaining valuable professional experience during graduate school.
Academic Advisor
Your academic advisor is a faculty or staff member who will help guide you through your graduate program. Advisors will help with course selection, degree requirements, academic planning, and other questions you may have throughout your program.
For Tech students completing research, a thesis, or dissertation, a faculty advisor and committee of faculty will provide guidance throughout that process.
Credit Hours and Full-Time Status
While credit hours measure the amount of academic credit associated with a course, they are also important in determining your enrollment status as a graduate student.
For graduate students, the number of credit hours you take each semester determines whether you are considered a full-time or part-time student. Understanding your enrollment status is important because it can affect areas such as financial aid, assistantships, and other university requirements.
Program of Study
A program of study outlines the courses and other academic requirements you will complete as part of your graduate degree.
Think of it as a roadmap for your graduate education. It helps ensure that you are completing the courses and requirements needed to finish your program. At Tech, you will see your Program of Study in Degree Works.
Thesis
A thesis is a major research project completed by many master's students. It typically involves researching a specific topic, analyzing information, and presenting your findings in a formal written document.
Not every master's program requires a thesis, so requirements will depend on your specific program.
Dissertation vs. Defense
Although these terms are often heard together, they do not mean the same thing.
A dissertation is an extensive research project completed as part of a doctoral degree. Doctoral students conduct original research and present their work in a formal written document.
A defense is the process of formally presenting and discussing that research with the student's faculty committee. During a defense, students may explain their research, discuss their findings, and answer questions from committee members.
An easy way to remember the difference is that the dissertation is the research and written work, while the defense is the presentation and discussion of that work.
Graduate Committee
A graduate committee is a group of faculty members who help guide and evaluate a student's graduate work.
For students completing a thesis or dissertation, committee members will provide feedback on research, review the student's work, and participate in the final examination or defense.
Comprehensive Exam
A comprehensive exam, sometimes called a "comp," is used by some graduate programs to evaluate a student's knowledge of their field or program of study.
Comprehensive exam requirements vary by program. They may be written, oral, or include a combination of both.
Graduate Catalog
The graduate catalog is an important resource that contains information about graduate programs, academic policies, course requirements, and other university guidelines.
While your advisor and program may help answer questions, becoming familiar with the graduate catalog can also help you better understand the requirements that apply to your degree.
Graduation vs. Commencement
These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different things.
Graduation is the official process of completing your degree requirements and having your degree awarded by the university.
Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates students who are graduating. It is the event where graduates may wear their cap and gown, walk across the stage, and celebrate their accomplishments with family, friends, faculty, and fellow graduates.
This distinction is especially important for students graduating during the summer. Summer graduates have the opportunity to participate in the spring commencement ceremony even though they will officially complete their degree requirements and graduate during the summer. In other words, the semester you participate in commencement does not always have to be the same semester in which your degree is officially awarded.
Simply put, graduation is earning your degree, while commencement is celebrating it.
You Know the Lingo. What's Next?
Graduate school comes with plenty of new experiences, and learning the terminology is just one part of getting started. You do not have to know everything on your first day.
Understanding these common terms will make it easier to ask questions, use university resources, and feel more confident as you work toward your graduate degree.