Glossary

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Academic Authorities Grid: In Policy A-1.1, the grid outlines the required level at which recommendation, endorsement, approval and notification occur for SIAST programs. It ensures that new programs, changes to existing programs and courses, and program suspensions and deletions are subject to an approved, consistent and effective process.

Academic Probation: Probation involves a set of restrictions, expectations, performance indicators, and timelines placed on a student whose academic progress in a program is unsatisfactory. For more information, refer to our Academic Progress policy A-1.3.

Academic Year: The academic year at SIAST is July 1 of one year to June 30 of the next year.

Advanced Certificate: An advanced certificate is a credential SIAST issues for the successful completion of credit programs that build on post-secondary education and lead to a higher degree of specialization in the same, or a related, field. These programs require a certificate, diploma or degree for admission purposes, and involve 250 or more hours of training time, with a minimum of 16 credit units.

Applicant - Qualified: Applicants who have met or conditionally met the admission requirements to a program. This category includes applicants who qualified for admission prior to the application being withdrawn.

Applicant - Unqualified: Applicants who have not met or conditionally met the admission requirements for a program. This category includes applicants who did not qualify for admission prior to the application being withdrawn.

Applicant - Qualification Unknown: Applicants who have not yet been assessed or for whom there are outstanding requirements or documents.

Applied Certificate: An applied certificate is a credential SIAST issues for the successful completion of credit programs that provide introductory-level skills training in a specific application of an occupation. These programs have specific admission requirements and involve between 180 and 749 hours of training time, with a minimum of 12 credit units.

Base Programs: Base programs are administered by program heads and delivered on a regular basis, usually at a SIAST campus. They may be core or cost-recovery funded.

Basic Education: Basic Education describes a range of educational opportunities that includes provincially-accredited Grade 10 (Adult 10) and Grade 12 (Adult 12) secondary programs, as well as a variety of literacy, language and transitional non-credit training options.

Billing Unit: An expression of the tuition rate for SIAST programs and courses. Where credit units are applied to courses, one credit unit is equal to one billing unit. (See also Credit Unit.)

Brokered Programs: SIAST programs that are delivered by a partner institution, using SIAST curriculum.

Campus: SIAST has four locations throughout Saskatchewan. Each of these locations is called a campus - SIAST Kelsey Campus (Saskatoon), SIAST Palliser Campus (Moose Jaw), SIAST Wascana Campus (Regina) and SIAST Woodland Campus (Prince Albert).

Capacity: There are three measures of capacity in a SIAST program:  a budgeted capacity, which reflects the projected number of students in a program for an academic year; intake capacity, which reflects the approved number of seats in a single intake of a program; and program capacity, which reflects the approved number of seats for all intakes and all years of a program, within a single academic year.

Certificate: A credential SIAST issues for the successful completion of credit programs that provide skills training and education and lead to entry-level employment in particular occupations. These programs have specific admission requirements and involve between 750 and 1599 hours of training time, with a minimum of 45 credit units.

Citizenship: For reporting purposes, SIAST students are defined as belonging to one of four citizenship groups:  Canadian, landed immigrants (permanent resident status), refugees, or citizens of other countries (see also International Student).

Classroom: A method of training delivery that involves a group setting, and that is usually complemented by labs, clinical experiences, practicums and/or work experiences.

Clinical Experience: A method of training that takes place in a clinical setting in the field of study in which students are orientated. Clinicals are taught, monitored and evaluated by SIAST instructors or preceptors based on established learning outcomes. Fifteen hours of clinical experience is equal to one credit unit.

• Students receive a pass or fail grade
• Credits are awarded and clinical experiences are required to graduate
• Tuition is assessed per credit unit and in accordance with current Tuition and Fees policy G-3.3

Clinical (Preceptored): This method of training, offered as part of some home-study programs and courses, involves students working on a one-to-one basis with guidance from an experienced instructor (preceptor). Depending on the course or program, the preceptor is either a volunteer nurse or physician.This clinical experience may or may not be scheduled in or near the student's community. Students are not paid during the clinical and require time off from work.

Clinical (Supervised): This method of training, offered as part of some distance-learning programs and courses, involves students working as a group with an experienced supervisor. This clinical experience may or may not be scheduled in or near the student's community. Students are not paid during the clinical and require time off from work.

Cohort: A cohort is a group of students who enrol for the first time in a program, in the same academic year, at the same location.

Co-operative Education: A method of training that combines classroom learning with paid on-the-job work experience monitored by SIAST faculty (called co-op terms or work terms). To increase career growth potential, training alternates between academic semesters and co-op work terms. (See also Work Term).

• Students receive a pass or fail grade
• No credits are awarded but co-operative education is most often required to graduate (i.e., mandatory)
• Each co-op work term is approximately four months long
• Tuition is assessed at a flat rate and in accordance with current Tuition and Fees policy G-3.3

Co-requisite Courses: Two or more courses that must be taken at the same time.

Competitive Entry: An admission method that involves ranking applications in the order of qualification according to specific admission requirements. Applicants who are most qualified are accepted into the program first.

Contact Hour: One hour of scheduled learning activity (per student).

Continuing Education Programs: Continuing education programs are credit programs administered by continuing education consultants, and are often delivered off-campus. They are generally cost-recovery funded, but may also be contracted or brokered.

Continuous Entry: A method by which applicants are accepted into SIAST programs at various intervals throughout the academic year.

Contract Training: Programming that is delivered on a contractual basis, with government, business, industry or a funding organization, to address specific client-identified training needs.

Core Courses: Core courses are credit courses that are common to a number of SIAST programs.

Core Funding: A method of funding that involves the provision of a government grant to deliver a SIAST credit program (all courses must be credit courses). SIAST programs are funded through either core or cost-recovery means, or through contracted delivery.

Cost-Recovery Funding: A method of funding that involves establishing a tuition that is intended to recover all administrative costs associated with the program. SIAST programs are funded through either core or cost-recovery means, or through contracted delivery.

Course Code: A unique identifier that is attached to, and displayed with, each course. It is composed of a two-to-four character subject code and a two-to-four character course number.

Course Registrations: A student's registration in a course that is credit or non-credit.

Credential: A credential is awarded for successful completion of a credit program (i.e., certificate, applied certificate, advanced certificate, diploma). The successful student receives a parchment that specifies the credential received.

Credit Course: Planned training that has a defined set of learning outcomes and evaluation processes. Credit courses are/were part of applied certificate, certificate, diploma and advanced certificate programs, apprenticeship and licensure requirements.

Credit Program: A credit program is a SIAST-approved occupation-specific education or training endeavour that includes evaluating, documenting and formally recording student achievement in the student's permanent record. Every credit program is endowed with a specific title, length, admission requirements, curriculum outline, credit courses, credit units, completion requirements and a completion document.

Credit Unit: An expression of course value whereby 15 training hours is equal to one credit unit. Some program requirements, such as Work Experience, do not have associated credit units. Where credit units are applied to courses, one credit unit is equal to one billing unit. (See also Billing Unit.)

Degree: A degree is a credential granted for three- or four-year programs from a recognized university. SIAST is not a degree-granting educational institution and may offer a degree program only in collaboration with a recognized university. Graduates receive their degrees from the partner university.

Diploma: A diploma is a credential SIAST issues for the successful completion of credit programs that provide comprehensive and advanced skills training and education and lead to entry-level employment in a particular occupation. These programs have specific admission requirements and involve 1600 or more hours of training time, with a minimum of 95 credit units.

Disability:
A permanent or ongoing condition that might interfere with successful studies such as:

• Attention deficit disorder
• Hearing impairment
• Intellectual disability
• Learning disability
• Psychiatric or  mental health disability
• Physical/medical disability (including fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, brain injury and chronic health conditions)
• Temporary disability
• Visual impairment

SIAST accepts the Human Rights definition of disability, refer to the Sask Human Rights Code, Section 2 (d.1) (pdf)

Discontinuation: A status that involves a student who voluntarily discontinues from the program by providing written notification of withdrawal to Registration Services. (See also Required to Discontinue and Withdrawal.)

Distance Education: Distance education denotes training that is delivered remotely, through home study, televised or online delivery.

Distinction/Great Distinction: SIAST certificates and diplomas are issued With Distinction to students who achieve a cumulative grade average at graduation of 85 per cent to 89 per cent. SIAST certificates and diplomas are issued With Great Distinction to students who achieve a cumulative grade average at graduation of 90 per cent to 100 per cent.

A student considered for recognition With Distinction or With Great Distinction will have no recorded failures during the program and will have completed the program within five years of the program start date.

Division: An administrative unit comprised of similar academic programs. There are currently seven academic divisions (i.e., Basic Education, Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, Community Services, Educational Services, Industrial Training, Nursing, Science and Health, and Technology). Divisions are further defined by Base and Continuing Education programs.

Enrolment: Enrolment represents the number of students registered in a SIAST course or enrolled in a SIAST program at a specified point in time.

Equity Status: There are four designated equity groups in Canada (defined in the Employment Equity Act of Canada and the Federal Contractor's Program); therefore, SIAST defines its equity applicants and students as women, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and Aboriginal persons. Individuals with equity status must self-declare in order for SIAST to collect, act on and report this information.

Equivalent Course Credit: SIAST may grant credit for a specific SIAST course(s) on the basis of credit previously obtained through another SIAST course(s). Equivalent course credit is not reciprocal unless it is specifically declared.

Expulsion: A student status that permanently excludes the student from SIAST, and is executed under the authority of the SIAST president. For more information, refer to our Student Conduct policy A-2.5.

First Qualified/First Admitted: The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) admission process is used for the majority of SIAST programs. When SIAST determines that students meet the program's admission requirements, they are offered admission based on the date they fully qualify for the program. The earlier students provide the required documents and information for admission to the next intake of the program, the earlier they might begin their studies. Applicants, once qualified, are always considered for the next intake.

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year.

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

Full Load Equivalent (FLE): Full Load Equivalent is a formulaic method of counting students based on the concept that an FLE learner completes enough courses to equal one year of study in a program, as would normally be organized for a full-time learner.

Full-Time Student: A student who is enrolled in a SIAST program and taking a minimum of:

• 15 hours per week for at least three consecutive weeks (applied certificate, certificate, diploma and apprenticeship programs)
  OR
• 12 hours per week for a period of 12 calendar weeks (Basic Education programs)

General Educational Development (GED) Test: A measure of the academic skills and knowledge expected of high school graduates. It provides students with the opportunity to obtain an equivalency certificate at the Grade 12 level.

Geographic Origin: This is generally an applicant's or student's permanent address at the time of application to a program or course registration.

Graduate: To graduate is to successfully complete all courses and requirements for a program. When graduated, a student receives a credential from SIAST.

High-Demand Program: A program to which the high-demand admission method is applied. A program is designated high-demand when there are consistently more applicants than spaces available at each SIAST location at which they are offered. High-demand programs have admission requirements plus additional selection criteria.

Home Study: This method of training allows students to progress through course materials independently. Materials include textbooks, videotapes and course manuals. In some cases, telephone access to course facilitators is provided (see also Independent Study). Students write exams for home study courses at testing sites in or near their communities. Home study may be complemented by laboratory, clinical or practicum requirements.

Independent Study: This method of training allows students to progress through course materials independently. Materials include textbooks, videotapes and course manuals. Access to an instructor is provided (see also Home Study). Students write exams for independent study courses at testing sites in or near their communities. Independent study may be complemented by laboratory, clinical or practicum requirements.

Industrial Attachment: This method of training involves full-time students who work in a selected industry for two weeks. Students are exposed to current industrial environments, and employers have the opportunity to assess prospective employees.

International Student: For reporting purposes, an international SIAST student is a citizen of another country (who is not a Canadian citizen or a Canadian permanent resident) who is legally permitted to study in Canada, or who is taking SIAST training in his home country.

Jack: is a pickle-loving student who came out of hiding to obtain a quality education at SIAST. He is the only jackalope attending this post-secondary institute of applied science and technology.

Lab: A lab is a course or a component of a course that takes place at SIAST or other specified laboratory facilities where students learn, practice and demonstrate psychomotor skills and other critical competencies.

Learning Outcomes: Statements that specify what learners will know or be able to do as a result of a learning activity in a course. Outcomes are generally expressed in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Level (Program): SIAST has three program levels that broadly group program types:  Basic Education, Certificate/Diploma, and Apprenticeship.

Model Office: An office environment on campus where students gain experience working as receptionists, accountants, keyboard operators, proofreaders and mail clerks. Students must demonstrate dependability, teamwork skills and the ability to complete real work (contributed by instructors and students), within a reasonable time frame. Successfully completing the Model Office experience is a pre-requisite to Work Experience.

Non-Credit Courses: Courses that are designed to improve career opportunities or personal skills. These courses are not part of a credit program; therefore, they do not lead to the award of a SIAST credential or meet requirements for licensure.

Online - Asynchronous: A method of training that allows students to access course materials online by logging into the course at any time it is convenient for them. Students can, for example, work for half an hour or several hours at a time depending on their personal needs.

Students have email and telephone access to an instructor and can communicate with the instructor and other students through collaboration tools such as chat groups and discussion rooms.

As part of this learning method, students might also be required to participate in psychomotor skill labs and/or clinical experiences where they apply newly acquired knowledge and skills.

SIAST uses the asynchronous tool Blackboard. To gain an understanding of what a Blackboard course is like at SIAST, login to our Blackboard sample course - How to Change a Flat Tire. (Note that it does not provide the level of interactivity normally found in our online courses.) Students can use this sample course to determine their computer access.

Online - Synchronous: A method of training that allows students to sign onto a computer at a specific time to meet with the instructor and other students. Students can hear the instructor and see text, graphics and/or video streaming on the computer screen.

This learning method is somewhat similar to a traditional classroom or video conference setting because an instructor presents information, answers questions, and monitors discussions. As part of this method, students might also be required to participate in psychomotor skill labs and/or clinical experiences where they apply newly acquired knowledge and skills.

Part-Time Program Enrolment: There are two types of part-time program enrolment:  1. Students enrolled in programs that have a part-time delivery option, who work through courses as they are offered; and 2. Students enrolled in full-time programs, who choose to work through their courses on a part-time basis.

Part-Time Student: A student who is enrolled in a SIAST program and taking less than:

• 15 hours per week per semester (12 week period) - certificate, diploma and apprenticeship programs
• 12 hours per week (less than 12 weeks) - Basic Education programs

Persister: A student who either continues in a program from the point of enrolment to graduation or withdrawal, or who withdraws and returns to the same program within five years.

Post-Secondary Programs: Post-secondary programs are programs that require secondary school completion (Grade 12 or equivalent).

Practicum: A method of training that takes place in a practice-based setting in the student's field of study. Students are monitored and evaluated by SIAST instructors or preceptors based on established learning outcomes. Fifteen hours of practicum time is equal to one credit unit.

• Students receive a pass or fail grade
• Credits are awarded and practicums are required to graduate
• Tuition is assessed per credit unit and in accordance with current Tuition and Fees policy G-3.3

Pre-requisite (Concurrent) Course: A course that must be successfully completed prior to entering the course for which it is a pre-requisite. In some cases, however, the pre-requisite may also be taken at the same time as (concurrent with) that course.

Pre-requisite Course: A course that must be successfully completed prior to entering the course for which it is a pre-requisite.

Preclinical Seminars: A method of training, offered as part of some home-study programs and courses, that introduces students to new clinical intraoral skills through lectures and preclinical labs.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition: Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a process of evaluating the knowledge and skills gained through experiential and non-formal learning for the purpose of obtaining credit in a SIAST course. For more information, refer to our Recognition of Prior Learning page.

Probation, Performance or Learning Contracts: These contracts establish specific requirements, tasks or conditions that individual students must meet within a stipulated time period.

Program: A program is represented by a defined set of credit courses and other requirements leading to a graduation credential in a specific field of study.

Program Inventory: A document that identifies all current SIAST-approved programs. It is available through our Institutional Research and Analysis office.

Required to Discontinue: Students who do not meet the expected performance standards for the SIAST program in which they are enrolled may be required to discontinue for a specified period of time. SIAST Academic Progress Policy A-1.3 outlines in full the conditions of required discontinuation and return.

Reasonable Accommodation: A reasonable accommodation is an economical, efficient and effective variation from an educational or employment rule, standard, policy or practice that enables an individual protected under The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code to enjoy equal opportunities with others. For more about reasonable accommodations, see SIAST policy: Reasonable Accommodation - G-3.5 (pdf).

Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN): See Televised Delivery.

Sequential Student: A sequential student is one whose high school graduation date occurs in a calendar year that matches the SIAST academic term in which the student's program begins. For example, the SIAST academic terms for the year July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013, range from 201202 to 201209. A sequential student may graduate from high school in June 2012 and begin a program in February 2013 (SIAST academic term 201203).

Shop/Lab: This method of training involves the use of a shop or lab environment to assist students in developing skills required for the course or program.

Special Admission: A method of admission whereby students who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program are admitted if evidence of probable success is established through a special admission assessment. This assessment may involve testing or documented evidence of previous learning. The results of the assessment determine acceptance into programs or recommendations for preparatory training.

ACCUPLACER is used to test Math and English skills. Previous successful completion or partial completion of post-secondary certificates, diplomas and degrees from recognized institutions are used as indicators of student success. Where applicable, specific pre-requisite course requirements must be met in order to be admitted under special admission.

Special admission applicants are not admitted or placed on a wait list until they have provided complete documentation and demonstrated that all requirements have been met. An applicant may appeal a special admission decision to the dean of the division.

Special admission applies to most, but not all, programs.

Statement of Achievement: A statement of achievement may be issued upon completion of credit or non-credit courses typically delivered through continuing education for which there is a formal assessment of learning. The credit courses are taken from existing approved SIAST credit programs.

Statement of Attendance: A statement of attendance may be issued upon completion of non-credit courses typically delivered through continuing education for which there is no formal assessment of learning.

Suspension: A disciplinary action issued against a student for unacceptable behavior. This action excludes the student from services, activities, courses, programs or SIAST locations for a specified period of time. For more information, refer to our Academic Progress policy A-1.3.

TBA: To be announced.

Technicians: Specialists who have expertise with, and precise knowledge of, technical equipment and practices. They install, service, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment. Technicians also provide support, monitor production control, define problems and generally use a "hands-on" approach in their work.

Technologists: Technical experts who use their knowledge and skills to solve problems using principles underlying their respective disciplines. Responsibilities may include supervision, designing equipment, processes or systems, project management and participating in short- and long-range planning.

Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL): A learner-centered environment that uses a variety of tools and technologies to enable increased interaction. Through the use of technology, virtual learning communities are developed. Environments such as email, chat rooms and discussion groups enrich and enhance learning whether students are training in a classroom or from a distance.

Televised Delivery (formerly SCN delivery): A method of delivery that uses a television network to provide information and training at centres away from the instructor. The instructor teaches the course through a televised mode.

Televised courses are available at SIAST campuses and regional colleges around the province. Students view lectures on a large-screen television and participate in interactive phone-in sessions with the instructor and fellow students.

Term: A term is an academic period of study defined by the institution.

Training Day: An expression of training time that is generally equivalent to six training hours. In Basic Education, a training day is equivalent to five training hours.

Training Location: The geographic location at which a student is physically located during training (i.e., a SIAST campus, a city or town)

Training Region: The general region in which a student is physically located during training (i.e., SIAST campus, Saskatchewan regional college, other location in Saskatchewan, other location in Canada, or international location (country).

Transcript (Official): A certified document that provides official evidence of courses and programs that a SIAST student has taken, and the results obtained. For more information, refer to our How to Apply page.

Transfer Credit: Credit awarded by SIAST for academic work completed at another approved credit-granting institution. For more information, refer to our Transfer Credit page.

Unclassified Student: A status that refers to students who are registered in a SIAST course (either credit or non-credit) but who are not currently admitted to a SIAST program.

Weighted Average: An expression of the general quality of academic achievement. It is calculated by multiplying the grade earned in each course by the credit unit, resulting in grade points. Total grade points for all courses is then divided by the total credit units attempted, resulting in the weighted average.

Withdrawal (Course): A student's status whereby he has voluntarily and formally withdrawn from a course, and has not completed the requirements of the course.

Withdrawal (Program): A student's status whereby he has either voluntarily and formally withdrawn from a program or has been required to discontinue by SIAST, and has not completed the requirements of the program. (See also Discontinuation and Required to Discontinue.)

Work-Based Training: Learning that is linked to the work role and has three interrelated components: learning structured to the workplace, on-the-job, and off-the-job learning opportunities.

Work Experience: A method of delivery that involves on-the-job training (previously called work placement). Students are supervised by employers and monitored by SIAST faculty.

• Students receive a complete or not complete grade
• Work experience is a requirement for graduating but no credits are awarded
• Minimum length is one week
• Tuition is assessed at a flat rate and in accordance with current Tuition and Fees policy G-3.3.

Work Term: A method of training that involves paid on-the-job work experience monitored by SIAST faculty. Work terms (also called co-op terms) are mandatory components of most Co-operative Education programs. (See Co-operative Education.)

Workplace Clinical Practicum: Some home-study programs and courses have workplace clinical practicum requirements. You will be required to be employed as a chair-side dental assistant in a dental office (either paid or as a volunteer worker) for a specific number of days per week. You will work under the guidance of an experienced mentor to develop and refine the skills introduced in the preclinical seminars.

Year of Study: Identifies the year of the program that a student is in, or the level of study in apprenticeship training.