Degree Works - Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
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What is Degree Works?
Degree Works is an academic advising and degree audit tool that helps advisors and students track their degree progress in real-time. It tracks coursework, grades, GPA requirements, credits, and other relevant student data, and displays the information in accordance with program requirements. This tool allows advisors and students to quickly identify outstanding requirements and plan accordingly to achieve degree completion on time. -
What are the key benefits of using Degree Works?
Degree Works will provide students with the ability to generate and view dynamic degree audits which organize a student’s course work in an easy-to-read report identifying completed and outstanding requirements to obtain a degree. Degree Works will also allow students to create what-if scenarios and generate/view academic plans. Estimate how many semesters it will take you to graduate. Plan future course schedules utilizing the Planner option. This will permit you to see how your selections will affect your progress towards your degree. -
Who can access/use Degree Works?
Degree Works is accessible through the myWings portal. My Employee Tools/Degree Works link. -
Does Degree Works replace the need to work with an academic advisor?
No. Degree Works is not a replacement for academic advising. It is a tool to assist both you and your advisor to make sure you stay on track towards your degree. However, information pertinent to your individual situation can best be addressed through regular contact with your general and major/minor academic advisors.
DegreeWorks is designed to aid and facilitate academic advising, but is not intended to replace face-to-face academic advising. DegreeWorks is not an official transcript nor a final notification of degree completion.
Degree Audits
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What is an audit?
A Degree Works audit is a review of past, current, and planned coursework that provides information on completed and outstanding requirements necessary to complete a degree/major/minor.
The audit is divided into block requirements such as Degree, Major, Minor, and General Education requirements. Each block works like a checklist that has boxes that are automatically checked when a requirement is met.
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Is my information confidential?
Yes. Degree Works is accessed through your myWings secure login. Advisors, faculty, and selected staff will also have access for the purpose of supporting your progress through your academic career. Your Degree Works audit is part of your Education Record and is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). As with any other personal information that you access online, you should be sure to log out of your account and close all application windows before leaving a public computer. -
How up-to-date will information be in Degree Works?
The information in Degree Works is refreshed each night. Any changes made today (e.g., grade changes or classes added/dropped) will be seen in Degree Works tomorrow. -
When should I look at my degree audit?
Any time! Degree Works is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from most networked computers.
At least four times a semester. You should always review your audit:
- Before you meet with your academic advisor to discuss registration for an upcoming semester.
- After you register to ensure that the courses you selected applied to your requirements as you thought they would.
- After your grades for each semester are posted.
- Any time you make a change to your schedule or major.
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How does Degree Works determine which set of degree requirements to use?
Degree Works uses a student’s catalog term to determine the degree requirements in place at that time. These requirements are used to produce the degree audit. -
What is a catalog term?
A catalog term is the semester that a student becomes an active student at 老澳门资料. The catalog term identifies which requirements are in place at that time for the student’s desired degree. -
Can students see a list of all the classes taken?
Yes. On the Audits tab, click on the Class History link at the top for a list of courses taken at 老澳门资料 as well as transfer courses. -
Why are courses still in the In-Progress section of the audit when a grade has been already received?
Each term Degree Works will reset the In-Progress term to the upcoming term. This will happen the day after the completion of grade processing.
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Are grades visible in Degree Works?
Yes. Once grades have been processed at the end of the semester, they are viewable in Degree Works. -
How do I know what classes I need to take?
Your audit will outline courses needed to meet degree, major, and minor requirements within each specific block. You may then use this information to discuss your plan with your academic advisor. -
Can I change my major in Degree Works?
No. You must meet with your academic advisor before requesting a change of major. -
I鈥檓 pursuing two degrees but only one appears on the audit. How can I check the requirements for my other program of study?
Look at the degree information next to your name at the top of the screen. You'll notice that the degree box has a drop-down arrow. Use this to select your second degree. Once you select on this, an audit with the additional major will display. -
I鈥檓 a double major. Only one appears on the audit. Can I check the requirements for my other major?
Yes. Utilizing the 'Save as PDF' button, you can save or print a .pdf version of your audit. When doing so, please be aware of FERPA regulations. -
I repeated a course, and I don鈥檛 understand how it appears on the degree audit. Can you explain this to me?
If you successfully repeat a course, only your last attempt counts toward degree requirements. The earlier attempt(s) will be placed in a "Non-credit" category at the bottom of your audit. The courses in this area do not count toward your total hours, and they cannot be used to fulfill requirements. -
I鈥檝e seen the 鈥楡鈥 symbol in several places on my audit. What does this mean?
This is a wild card in Degree Works. If the @ sign appears with course numbers after it (i.e., @ 1000:4999), it means that you can take any subject area with that level (a 1000-4000 level course from any subject area). -
How is my degree audit different from my transcript?
Your degree audit is a tool to provide you with academic information related to your degree progress. It displays courses required and completed in your degree program. Your transcript is your official university academic record and provides a chronological list of courses completed and other academic information. To obtain an official academic transcript contact the Registrar’s Office. -
My advisor petitioned to waive/substitute a course. How will that course appear on Degree Works?
After it is approved by the dean's office, the designee will record the exception. The course you completed will fulfill the requirement, and an additional line will appear under it that explains why the exception was entered. -
Are in progress courses used to satisfy requirements?
Yes, in-progress courses are used towards requirements and in credits applied. In-progress courses are also used to satisfy University Requirements. -
How are In Progress courses used to create my audit?
Courses you are currently taking, or have registered for in a future semester, are included in your degree audit. These courses are applied into the requirement blocks where they meet a specific requirement, with a grade of IP for in progress. You will also see them grouped in a separate section titled In Progress at the bottom of the Audit. -
Why aren鈥檛 some courses applied to degree requirements?
Courses listed in the “Insufficient Courses” or in the “Courses Not Applied” sections of the audit did not meet specific degree requirements. Please meet with your advisor to clarify. Please note that courses below a 100 level are considered developmental courses and do not apply to your graduation requirements. -
Can I use Degree Works to make my schedule, check course availability or register?
Degree Works provides information about degree requirements. It allows you to plan for registration. However, it does not provide information about specific course offerings for a particular semester. You cannot use Degree Works to make your schedule because it does not include information about meeting dates, times, and room numbers. You also cannot register through Degree Works. However, after you have planned what courses you would like to take, you can go to the registration system in MyWings to check for times and open sections, and register for the appropriate courses. -
How do I use the audit to choose courses?
You will see in your audit those requirements that you have not yet fulfilled. Next to each requirement is a list of courses that fulfill that requirement. Then, you can go to the registration system in MyWings to check for times and open sections, and register for the appropriate courses. -
What if my program requires advisor approved electives?
Though courses may be viewable on your audit, the Registrar’s Office must receive written approval (petition or memo - check the catalog to see if just a memo is acceptable) from your academic advisor before this requirement will be considered met for graduation. -
What do the symbols in Degree Works mean?
- @ = represents a wildcard; it means “any”
- @@ = any SUBJECT and any COURSE NUMBER
- ENGL @ = Any English (ENGL) course
- @ 300 = Any SUBJECT but the course number must be 300.
- A colon (:) = represents a range. For example, instead of writing every course number between 200 and 499, a colon is used to show this in a simpler way.
- MATH 200:499 = Any Mathematics (MATH) course with a course number between 200 and 499.
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Can I see the description of a course, its prerequisites, or its co-requisites from within Degree Works?
Yes. Click on the desired course on the degree audit and a portion of the catalog will open up with the course description, credits, prerequisites, and co-requisites (if they are required). Hovering over the course will display the title and credits of the course. Any class that has an asterisk (*) has a prerequisite. -
Is there an easy-to-view list of all classes I have taken?
Yes. On the degree audit, click the "Class History" link located in the Overflow menu (three dots) near the top of the audit. Degree Works uses the information that is current for your transcript. You will be able to view any courses that have been completed/registered for/transferred by the date your audit was last refreshed. (Data is refreshed nightly.) Keep in mind that any transfer work or grade changes that have not been formally submitted and accepted will not appear on your audit. -
If I withdraw from a class, will that be reflected in my degree audit?
Yes. Courses from which you have withdrawn will appear in the "Excluded Course Work" block toward the end of your degree audit. -
Do I automatically graduate if everything is my audit is checked off?
To graduate, you must file an application for graduation with the Registrar's Office. For more information visit 老澳门资料 Commencement website. -
I think my audit is incorrect. What should I do?
Please ask your advisor for assistance. The first step is to clarify what information you believe is wrong. These are the most common items that may require review, or a course of action be taken:
- My major is wrong on my audit. If you have not officially changed your major, contact your current advisor for instructions. If you have already officially changed your major, the Degree Works audit will only display your active degree audit. If your change is effective for a future term, the change may not reflect until that term.
- The requirements for my major are wrong. Look at the catalog term that appears on the major requirements block of the audit. According to our records this is the catalog (bulletin) that you are using to complete your major requirements. If you believe you should be using older or newer requirements, contact your advisor.
- My transfer courses don't appear in the right place. If you are concerned about a transfer course that should be applied in the audit, contact your advisor.
- Classes are not applying in the “right” place. Degree Works uses a ‘best fit’ approach for meeting requirements so classes may apply to different sections as you take more courses. If you have further questions, please contact your advisor.
- My advisor or department chair gave me permission to substitute a course, but it's not showing on my audit. Talk with your advisor. Advisors can request to the designees of the Dean’s Office an exception to the standard requirements. Once exceptions are entered by the Dean’s office of the given school, the change will appear on the audit.
- My minor is missing from my audit. If you have not officially declared your minor, contact your current advisor for instructions. If you have already officially declared your minor, your department may still be updating your records. Please contact your department for the status of the change.
- My major requires me to complete an area of emphasis, but it didn’t appear on the audit. What’s wrong? If you have not officially declared your area of emphasis, contact your current advisor for instructions. If you have already officially declared your area of emphasis, your department may still be updating your records. Please contact your department for the status of the change.
If none of these problems describe your situation, or if you need additional help identifying what’s wrong, contact your academic advisor.
What-Ifs Audits
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What is the 鈥淲hat If鈥 feature?
The "What If" function allows you to hypothetically change your major, minor, or concentration. The "What If" audit will show you what coursework is required for the new major, minor, or concentration; what courses you have taken that satisfy requirements; and what courses are still left for you to take. -
I am thinking of changing my major. How can I see what would be required if I made this change?
You can use the "What-If" option to view hypothetical major and/or minor changes based on current and projected coursework. Be sure to select a Degree, Catalog term, and Major along with any corresponding Minors or Concentrations. What-If audits do not guarantee that you will be able to major in the area you select. If you decide you'd like to change your major, contact the academic advisor of the new major for information and instructions. -
If I use the 鈥淲hat If鈥 feature does this mean I have changed my major?
No. The "What If" function is for information purposes only. You will see the header "What If Audit" displayed at the top of the audit whenever an audit is run on a "What If" scenario. -
Can I save a 鈥淲hat If鈥 audit?
Yes, you can save the "What If" audit to your personal computer as a PDF document. "What If" audits cannot be saved within Degree Works. To save a “What If” audit:
- Click the “What If” feature next to the “Academic” tab.
- Fill in the hypothetical criteria using the drop-down boxes and free-text course boxes.
- Click the Process button in “What-If”
- Click the Print icon at the top right of the page
- Set the printer destination to Save as Adobe PDF
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Can my advisor see my What-If audit?
Since What-If audits are not ‘saved’ in Degree Works, your advisor can only see outcomes if the two of you work through a What-If procedure together. You can, however, print a copy to show your advisor at your next meeting.
Plans
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What is the 鈥淧lans鈥 tab?
The "Plans" tab in Degree Works allows you to create and modify a plan of study to track your degree progress. -
What is the difference between the degree audit and the 鈥淧lans鈥 tab?
The degree audit is a list of requirements for your degree and cannot be modified. The "Plans" tab allows you to create a plan of study semester-by-semester and can easily be updated to fit your schedule. Both are tools to help keep you on track to graduation. -
Can my advisor see my plan of study?
Yes. Advisors have access to the "Plans" tab. They can make modifications and assist you with your plan of study.
GPA Calculator
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What do the GPA calculators show?
The GPA Calculators (found in the Overflow Menu (three dots) in the upper right corner of the page) will show you your estimated GPA after you fill in hypothetical information. -
What does the 鈥淕raduation Calculator鈥 show?
The "Graduation Calculator" tool shows the amount of average grade points you need to achieve in your remaining credit hours in order to reach your "Desired GPA" by graduation. The "Current GPA" field is automatically filled in. You can use your degree audit to obtain the information necessary for the "Credits Remaining" and "Credits Required" fields. Once all fields are filled in, click the "Calculate" button. The results are an estimate based on the information you enter and do not provide any guarantee, basis for academic distinction, or graduation honors. -
What does the 鈥淭erm Calculator鈥 show?
The "Term Calculator" shows what your "Calculated GPA" will be at the end of your current term with hypothetical grades entered for your current courses. Your "Current GPA", in-progress classes, and their corresponding credits will be entered automatically. The "Credits Earned So Far" field represents all hours taken at Wichita State University (factored into your current GPA) that have been applied to your degree plan. You may select hypothetical grades for the in-progress classes shown then click the "Calculate" button to see what your GPA will be if you receive those grades for these courses. -
Is the calculated GPA guaranteed?
No. This is a hypothetical estimate only.