The online version of the IPEDS Glossary provides definitions for almost 500 postsecondary-related terms used in the collection and dissemination of IPEDS data.
| Data Analysis System (DAS) |
The Data Analysis System (DAS) is a software application that allows a user to produce tables from selected NCES data sets. While each collection year uses a separate DAS, all have a consistent interface and command structure. User can select from several output formats, either direct printing or comma-separated file which can be input for other software. |
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| Data collection system |
The Web environment that is used to collect the IPEDS data. |
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| Data dictionary |
A file or a list that contains all known information about variables such as format, data type, field width, and source. |
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| Data revision system |
The Web environment where an institution’s prior year data may be revised by keyholders or data managers. |
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| Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number |
The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) code is a 9-digit number assigned by the Dun & Bradstreet Information Corporation to any entity providing products, goods, or services. |
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| Data year |
The year for which data are reported in a particular IPEDS component. For example, for collection year 2003-04, tuition is for data year 2003-04, whereas completions are for data year 2002-03. |
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| Dataset |
A collection of data records. |
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| Dataset Cutting Tool (DCT) |
An NCES web application that is part of the IPEDS Peer Analysis System (PAS). The DCT allows users to quickly create a customized IPEDS dataset to meet their data needs. |
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| Day care service |
A student service designed to provide appropriate care and protection of infants, preschool, and school-age children so their parents can participate in postsecondary education programs . |
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| Deductions from physical plant assets |
Amounts that represent a decline in the value of physical plant assets resulting from selling, razing, fire, and other hazards, or other disposition of the assets. |
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| Degree |
An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution as official recognition for the successful completion of a program of studies. |
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| Degree of urbanization (urban-centric locale) |
A code representing the urbanicity (city/suburb/rural) by population size of the institution’s location. This urban-centric locale code was assigned through a methodology developed by the U.S. Census Bureau's Population Division in 2005. The urban-centric locale codes apply current geographic concepts to the original NCES Locale codes used on IPEDS files through 2004. |
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| Degree/certificate-seeking students |
Students enrolled in courses for credit who are recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or other formal award. At the undergraduate level, this is intended to include students enrolled in vocational or occupational programs . |
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| Depreciation |
The allocation or distribution of the cost of capital assets, less any salvage value, to expenses over the estimated useful life of the asset in a systematic and rational manner. Depreciation for the year is the amount of the allocation or distribution for the year involved. |
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| Differs by program (calendar system) |
A calendar system classification that is used by institutions that have occupational/vocational programs of varying lengths. These schools may enroll students at specific times depending on the program desired. For example, a school might offer a 2-month program in January, March, May, September, and November; and a 3-month program in January, April, and October. |
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| Diploma |
A formal document certifying the successful completion of a prescribed program of studies. |
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| Disability services |
Programs designed to provide reasonable academic accommodations and support services to empower students who have disabilities to competitively pursue postsecondary education. May also include assistance to campus departments in providing access to services and programs in the most integrated setting possible. |
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| Discounts and allowances |
That part of a scholarship or fellowship that is used to pay institutional charges such as tuition and fees or room and board charges. |
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| Distance learning |
An option for earning course credit at off-campus locations via cable television, internet, satellite classes, videotapes, correspondence courses, or other means. |
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| Dividend earnings |
Distribution of earnings to shareholders that may be in the form of cash, stock, or property. |
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| Doctor's degree |
The highest award a student can earn for graduate study. The doctor's degree classification includes such degrees as Doctor of Education, Doctor of Juridical Science, Doctor of Public Health, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in any field such as agronomy, food technology, education, engineering, public administration, ophthalmology, or radiology. |
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| Doctor’s degree - other |
A doctor’s degree that does not meet the definition of a doctor’s degree - research/scholarship or a doctor’s degree - professional practice. |
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| Doctor’s degree - professional practice |
A doctor’s degree that is conferred upon completion of a program providing the knowledge and skills for the recognition, credential, or license required for professional practice. The degree is awarded after a period of study such that the total time to the degree, including both pre-professional and professional preparation, equals at least six full-time equivalent academic years. Some of these degrees were formerly classified as “first-professional” and may include: Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.); Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.); Law (L.L.B. or J.D.); Medicine (M.D.); Optometry (O.D.); Osteopathic Medicine (D.O); Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); Podiatry (D.P.M., Pod.D., D.P.); or, Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), and others, as designated by the awarding institution. |
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| Doctor’s degree - research/scholarship |
A Ph.D. or other doctor's degree that requires advanced work beyond the master’s level, including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement. Some examples of this type of degree may include Ed.D., D.M.A., D.B.A., D.Sc., D.A., or D.M, and others, as designated by the awarding institution. |
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| Doctoral/Research Universities—Extensive (Carnegie) |
An institutional classification developed by the Andrew W. Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Doctoral/Research Universities—Extensive typically offer a wide range of baccalaureate programs , and they are committed to graduate education through the doctorate. During the period studied, they awarded 50 or more doctoral degrees per year across at least 15 disciplines. |
Carnegie Classification
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| Doctoral/Research Universities—Intensive (Carnegie) |
An institutional classification developed by the Andrew W. Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Doctoral/Research Universities—Intensive typically offer a wide range of baccalaureate programs , and they are committed to graduate education through the doctorate. During the period studied, they awarded at least ten doctoral degrees per year across three or more disciplines, or at least 20 doctoral degrees per year overall. |
Carnegie Classification
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| Dual credit |
A program through which high school students are enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses, taught at their high school, that fulfill high school graduation requirements and may earn the student college credits . |
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| Dual enrollment |
A program through which high school students may enroll in college courses while still enrolled in high school. Students are not required to apply for admission to the college in order to participate. |
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