Degree Works Frequently Asked Questions
Image: Students in the Kennedy Center
Degree Works FAQ
What is Degree Works?
Degree Works is a web-based, unofficial degree-auditing, and tracking tool which enables students and advisors to evaluate academic progress towards graduation in accordance with degree completion and major requirements outlined in the Hiram College Catalog. This tool allows students to quickly and easily identify which requirements have been satisfied and which requirements are outstanding.
How do I access Degree Works?
- Visit my.Hiram
- Sign-in and select Student drop-down – Degree Works
- You’ll also see Degree Works in Student Portal
- If you are off campus you will need to use a VPN – Contact HelpDesk@Hiram.edu for more information
Who can use Degree Works?
Degree Works is available to degree seeking undergraduate students.
Do I still need to see an academic advisor?
Yes! While Degree Works provides an accessible, convenient, and organized way for students to know where they are academically and how they can plan the rest of their college careers, it is not a substitution for consultation with an academic advisor. Degree Works is an unofficial advising and planning tool. Students will still need to see an academic advisor to receive access to register for classes.
When is my academic information updated in Degree Works?
The information in Degree Works is updated every time you process a new audit.
Is the Degree Works Audit the same as an Academic Transcript?
No. The Degree Works audit is an unofficial advising and planning tool. It is not your official academic transcript nor is it your official confirmation of degree completion.
Degree Works will not let me log in, who do I contact?
First, Degree Works can only be accessed on campus. So you might be getting this error because of that. If you want to access while off campus, please contact HelpDesk@Hiram.edu to help getting VPN access.
If you are on campus, and getting log in errors, please contact DegreeWorks@Hiram.edu.
How is a degree audit organized?
A degree audit is a review of past, current, and in-progress coursework that provides information on completed and outstanding catalog requirements necessary to complete your degree, major, and minor, when applicable. The degree audit is divided into block requirements such as Degree, General Education, Major Requirements, and Minor Requirements. Each block works like a checklist with boxes that are automatically checked when a requirement is met.
Can a degree audit be printed?
Yes! There is a printer icon located near the top of the audit.
What are some helpful hints for reviewing my degree audit?
- The Legend at the bottom of the degree audit explains the symbols used in the audit.
- The Student View Header contains current student information, including name, student ID, level (undergraduate), class (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior), advisor, level, major, minor, student attributes, and academic standing.
Progress circles in the following blocks show progress towards degree, they indicate whether a requirement or course is complete, in-progress, or still needed.
- Green circles with a checkmark indicate a requirement is satisfied.
- Blue half-filled circles indicate a requirement is in the process of being satisfied.
- Red circles indicate a requirement is still needed.
- Non required courses, insufficient, and in-progress courses are listed in designated blocks at the bottom of the audit.
What does it mean if classes are listed under the Elective?
In-progress or successfully completed courses that do not apply directly to a student’s program of study are listed under the Elective block.
How are In-progress courses used in degree audit?
Courses students are currently taking or have registered for in a future semester are included in the degree audit. These courses are applied in the block where they meet a specific requirement. They are also grouped at the bottom of the degree audit in the in-progress block. These courses may show a grade of IP (in-progress), or if progress grades have been reported they may show as a letter grade, however, the grade will be in parenthesis to indicate that they are not final grades.
Can I view a list of all my complete classes in Degree Works?
Yes! Click on the Class History link at the top of the degree audit for a list of courses taken at Adams State, as well as transfer courses. Please note, this is not an official transcript.
What does my audit look like if I’m pursuing two degrees (BS and BA)?
There is a drop-down arrow next to the degree information at the top of the audit. Use this to select your second degree. The degree audit with the additional major will display.
What if I’m pursuing a double major?
If you’re pursuing a second major within the same degree (BA in Psychology and BA in Sociology), both majors will appear in the Student View header and will display on the same degree audit.
What if my Degree Works audit shows a different program than my intended major?
You should contact your academic advisor to discuss this matter. If a correction needs to be made, you can complete the online Major/Minor & Advisor Change Form.
Does Degree Works include transfer courses?
Yes! Once on official transcript showing your transfer credits are received, reviewed, and articulated by the Transfer Credit Specialist in the Registrar’s Office, they are posted to your record and will appear on your degree audit.
Does Degree Works include credit earned through credit by examination, AP, ACT, CLEP/DANTES, or IB scores?
Yes! Once the official documentation is received and processed by the Transfer Credit Specialist in the Registrar’s Office, credit is posted to your record and will appear on your degree audit.
How does Degree Works decide where to place completed or in-progress courses in my degree audit?
Degree Works looks at your program holistically and places each course using a “best fit” scenario. The “best fit” process will not always be perfect, particularly when multiple possibilities exist. Courses may apply to different sections as you take more courses. If a course does not appear in a block that is expected, you should contact your academic advisor for assistance.
Is it okay for Degree Works to place a course in two different places?
In most cases, yes. Degree Works is programmed to recognize that some courses can fulfill more than one requirement. If you have questions, you should contact your advisor.
What if there is an error within my degree audit?
You should meet with your academic advisor to clarify the error and review your program requirements and completed coursework listed on your degree audit. Your academic advisor will make any necessary corrections, possibly in consultation with the Registrar’s Office.
What if my academic advisor petitions to waive or substitute a course? How does that course appear on my degree audit?
If a course waiver or substitution is approved by your advisor and your School Director, they will send it to the Associate Registrar to record the exception. The completed course will fulfill the requirement, and an additional note will appear on the audit that explains why the exception was entered.
What does the @ symbol mean in my degree audit?
This is a wild card in Degree Works. If the @ symbol appears before course numbers (e.g., @ 20000:30000), you can take any subject area with that level (e.g., a 20000 to 30000-level course from any subject area). If the @ symbol appears after a subject prefix (e.g., PSYC @) it means that you can take any course with the subject prefix (e.g., any course in Psychology).
Are there requirements for graduation that Degree Works does not check?
While Degree Works has been designed to check almost everything that you must complete to qualify for graduation, there may be additional requirements for a major that must be completed as well. You should use Degree Works in conjunction with the academic catalog and meet with your academic advisor regularly to ensure you remain on track for graduation.
When should I review my Degree Works audit and information?
- Before meeting with your academic advisor
- Before registering periods
- After registration to ensure that courses selected have been applied to degree requirements correctly
- Any time a change is made to your schedule or major
- After grades are posted each semester
- Before graduation to confirm all requirements will be complete
GPA INFORMATION
Where can I find my Grade-Point Average (GPA)?
The degree block displays your Overall GPA. The remaining blocks display the GPA for the courses listed in the individual block. For example, the Core Curriculum GPA is a calculated GPA based on coursework used to fulfill General Education requirements.
How do I access the GPA Calculator?
There is a link GPA Calculator if you click the ellipsis located near the top right corner of the Degree Works window. It is highly recommended only to be used with your advisor so they can assist you in interpreting the results.
What-If Information
What is the What-If feature?
This feature allows you and your academic advisor to create a hypothetical degree audit for a different major and/or minor using current academic history. You and your academic advisor can use this option if you are considering changing or adding a major and/or minor. What-If audits do not guarantee that you will be able to major in the area selected. If you decide to change your area of study, this feature does not officially change your major or minor. To officially make the change, you must complete the online Major/Minor & Advisor Change Form.
How do I use the “What-If” feature?
Follow these steps to view how courses count in a different major:
- Select the What-If link located between the student header and the progress indicator gauges
- Select a level
- Select a degree
- Select the appropriate catalog year for the semester in which you’d be admitted into this new program of study
- Select the major(s) and/or minor(s) you are considering
- If desired, you can add future courses you are considering
- Select Process What-If
- Review how your existing and future courses would be applied to this new major and/or minor
- Discuss this new major and/or minor with your academic advisor
Can my academic advisor see my What-If scenario?
Yes, Degree Works stores your previous 3 “What-If’s.” You are also able to build plans off of a “What If.”
How to search for a student?
At the top of the page, all you’re your advisees will be preloaded and you can select from a drop down list
Additional details can be found in the How-To-Guide.
What does it mean if classes are listed under the Elective?
In-progress or successfully completed courses that do not apply directly to a student’s program of study (Major/Minor or degree requirements) are listed under the Elective block.
Is it okay for Degree Works to place a course in two different places?
In most cases, yes. Degree Works is programmed to recognize that some courses can fulfill more than one requirement.
What if there is an error within the degree audit?
If the program does not look accurate, please contact DegreeWorks@Hiram.edu, with details about how you want it to look.
If you notice a course not appearing where it needs to, please let the Registrar’s Office know by contacting, DegreeWorks@Hiram.edu. This way it can be discussed whether to update Degree Works or just to submit an exception.
How do I submit an exception?
Working with the student and complete the DW Exception Form. Please indicate where the exception applies (Major, Minor, Gen. Ed). The form will need to be signed by the student, you (advisor), and an appropriate official, whether a School Director, Associate Dean, or Licensure Directors. Once completed please send to DegreeWorks@Hiram.edu.
I created a plan, is the student automatically registered?
No, they will still need to register for courses.
We completed a “What If” have they changed their major/minor?
No the student will still need to submit Major/Minor Declaration form to the Registrar’s Office to change or declare a major/minor.
