CS Degree Glossary
Key terms explained. Understanding these before you choose a programme will save you from common and expensive mistakes.
ABET Accreditation
ABET-CAC (Computing Accreditation Commission) accreditation is a programme-level credential for CS degrees — distinct from institutional accreditation and relevant only for specific employer categories.
Competency-Based Education (CBE)
Competency-based education (CBE) charges per term rather than per credit and lets students advance by demonstrating mastery — not by sitting in class for a set number of hours.
Credit Hour
A credit hour is the standard unit of academic work in U.S. higher education. A typical BS CS requires 120 credit hours — but the cost per credit hour varies by 70% across online programmes.
Regional Accreditation
Regional accreditation is the baseline institutional credential for U.S. universities — required for federal financial aid eligibility and credit transferability.
Transfer Credits
Transfer credits are academic credits from a previous institution that a new programme accepts toward its degree requirements, reducing both the cost and time to complete.