FAQs

General Overview

A user-friendly online degree audit system and academic planning tool that allows users to view students completed courses and remaining requirements for graduation, in accordance with the University Catalogue.

What is a degree audit? Open

A degree audit is a review of past, current and required courses needed for degree completion. The audit is organized in block format displaying requirements for completion of general education, major, concentration and minor. The boxes are a type of checklist, those areas that are complete have a checked box and those that remain are not checked.

How does Degree Works prepare a degree audit? Open

Degree Works extracts all student courses from Banner and displays how the courses are applied to the requirements for the student's general education, major, concentration and minor in accordance with the University Catalogue.

How current is the information in Degree Works? Open

Degree Works is refreshed every evening from Banner. Therefore the information that is updated during the day will be displayed in Degree Works the following morning. If updated information is needed to review immediately, students and academic advisors may still be able to use Banner or the myTSU web portal.

May I access Degree Works on any computer? Open

Yes, any computer with an Internet connection will be able to access Degree Works. Degree Works is a web-based application. It is directly accessible through your myTSU web portal (https://portal.tsu.edu/cp/home/displaylogin).

Are grades visible in Degree Works? Open

Yes. Once grades are processed, they are viewable in Degree Works following day.

What does the "@" sign mean in Degree Works? Open

The @ symbol is what's known as a wild card in Degree Works. If the symbol appears before numbers it means you may enroll in any subject with the corresponding course numbers, example @ 200 (this means PSY 200, MATH 200, CHEM 200, or any other subject with that number). If the @ appears after a subject it means any number of that subject, example MATH @@@ (this means MATH 133, MATH 231 or any other MATH course). If the symbol appears after a number it means any level of that number is applicable, example MATH 2@@.

Is the information in Degree Works confidential? Open

Yes. It has the same confidentiality and security as logging into your myTSU web portal. Since all users require a log in, the credentials are checked prior to Degree Works being accessible. Please use the same caution you would when you log into any user specific application and be sure to log off when you have completed reviewing your degree audit.

Students

How does Degree Works benefit students? Open

Students are able to easily review the courses they have completed and which remaining courses are needed to complete their degree requirements.
Students are able to review their degree audit prior to meeting with their advisor to prepare specific questions about their information.
Students are able to easily see which courses they should register for in the upcoming semesters in correspondence with the course offerings.
Students are able to see is a minor is required for their major and what the requirements will be for their selected minor.
Students are able to use a "what if" analysis to explore other academic options, such as adding a minor or changing their major and seeing how these scenarios will impact their time to degree.

When should students use Degree Works? Open

Prior to meeting with your academic advisor so that you may determine if you have any specific questions concerning your current status.
Prior to registering for the upcoming semester.
At the end of the semester to view grades and determine which courses apply towards degree completion.

May I use the Degree Works audit as an official transcript? Open

No. Students must still obtain an official transcript from the Registrar's Office (www.tsu.edu/registrar/transcript-request.html). The Degree Works audit is similar to the unofficial transcript students may obtain from the myWeb portal.

My major in Degree Works is not correct, How may I update it properly? Open

You should make sure you have completed a declaration of major form. This document may be obtained from your academic advisor/academic department (http://www.tsu.edu/academics/). The required signatures from the department representatives must be obtained and the form must be delivered to the Registrar's Office so that it may be officially updated.

I didn't know I needed to declare a minor, How may I update the information? Open

You should complete a declaration of minor form. This document may be obtained from the academic department in which you are seeking a minor (http://www.tsu.edu/academics/). The required signatures from the department representatives must be obtained and the form must be delivered to the Registrar's Office so that it may be officially updated.

I believe some of my academic information is incorrect, what do I do? Open

You should consult your academic advisor for a review of your audit. Any exception to major, concentration or minor requirements should be discussed with your major/minor advisor or respective academic department personnel.

What if some of my classes are not in the correct block in Degree Works? Open

Degree Works uses a best fit technique based on courses requirements as published in the University Catalogue. As you complete additional courses, these courses may be applied to different blocks. Be sure to consult your advisor for clarification.

Degree Works indicates I am 100% complete, does this mean I am cleared for graduation? Open

No. You will still need to apply for graduation, meet with your advisor and have the final approval and audit completed by the Registrar's Office.

I have been cleared for gradation by my department and the Registrar's Office, but Degree Works still shows some areas as incomplete. Does this mean I cannot graduate? Open

No. This could be caused by a few reasons, updated grades may not have posted to Degree Works at the time you reviewed the information, allowable substitutions may not have been entered into Degree Works or your declaration of a minor paperwork may not have been entered into the system. Be sure to consult your academic advisor.

May I register for classes in Degree Works? Open

No. Degree Works shows the courses you have completed, courses that are in progress and those that remain as a part of your degree requirements. You will be able use Degree Works to see which courses you need to complete your degree requirements; this will guide your registration process based on course availability. Actual course registration will continue to be either through your academic advisor or by using the student myWeb portal.

Am I able to see how many classes I have left to complete my degree requirements? Open

Yes. Degree Works is organized in block format displaying general education, major, concentration, and minor requirements. The boxes that remain unchecked specify which courses are not complete.

I am a dual-major student and only one major appears in Degree Works. How do I review the audit for my second major? Open

Look at the degree information at the top of the screen near your name. The degree box has a drop-down arrow, click the arrow to select your second major. If you still do not see your second major, make sure you have completed the proper declaration of major paperwork through the proper academic department (http://www.tsu.edu/academics/).

If I am thinking about changing my major, can Degree Works show me where I would stand with my course work under a new major? Open

Yes. You can use a "What If" analysis to select a major of interest and determine which courses you have completed will apply to the major and what courses remain for degree completion. The same process may be used for changing or adding a minor.

If I do not see my catalogue year available, am I still able to see a degree audit? Open

Yes, but you will also need to consult your academic advisor. You can use a "What If" analysis to select a catalogue year that is closets to your actual catalogue entry year. This will allow you to see your audit based on the alternate catalogue year. This process DOES NOT represent an exact audit of your degree, but will be of benefit to you when you consult your academic advisor for further information.

Am I able to change my major in Degree Works myself? Open

No. You must complete a change of major form. This document may be obtained from your academic advisor/academic department (http://www.tsu.edu/academics/). The required signatures from the department representatives must be obtained and the form must be delivered to the Registrar's Office so that it may be officially updated.

Academic Advisors

How does Degree Works benefit academic advisors? Open

Academic advisors are able to easily review a student's academic history and note which courses have been completed and which courses still remain for degree completion.
Academic advisors are able to review courses a student has completed and determine if any substitutions will be available for the student. This can assist in determining is a completed course may be used to meet the requirement of a different courses listed on their degree plan.
Academic advisors are able to assist departmental planning in communicating which courses within their department are needed by students in the upcoming semesters to assist with degree completion.
Academic advisors are able to see various student information on a single screen, i.e., student major, concentration and minor, grade point average, completed courses, currently registered courses.

If you have additional questions about Degree Works:
Please visit our website at this location (http://www.tsu.edu/degreeworks) or send an email to (servicedesk@tsu.edu).