Degree Works – Frequently Asked Questions
What is Degree Works?
Degree Works is an electronic degree audit application and advising tool designed to assist you and
advisors in reviewing your degree progress. A web-based program, Degree Works reorganizes your
transcript chronologically and categorically, easily identifying courses you have completed and courses
you still need in order to fulfill your degree requirements.
How do I access Degree Works?
You can access Degree Works online through your myCampus portal from the Pierpont homepage.
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Students: Click on the myCampus link. Login using your login name and password. Access your
degree audit in the “Degree Works / Advising Information” tab in myCampus.
Faculty and Staff: Click on the myCampus link. Login using your login name and password.
Access the Degree Works program on the “Faculty/Advisor” tab in myCampus.
Who can see my degree audit?
You have access to your Degree Works information through your MyCampus portal account. Academic
Advisors, Deans and selected staff within the Enrollment Services Center will also have access to a
student’s degree audit.
How is the Degree Works audit organized?
Audit information appears in categories (or blocks). As individual requirements are fulfilled, the box
next to each requirement is checked off.
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Student Information View: This section includes items such as: Student Name, Pierpont ID #,
Academic advisor, Level (CC), Degree, Major, Concentration, Classification and Overall GPA.
Progress Bar: This visual graphic shows the percent complete. The percentage is calculated
from number of check boxes completed not actual degree completion.
Legend: This section provides an explanation of all the symbols used in the degree audit.
Degree Block: At the top of the audit, the high level requirements are listed. This section
includes: Academic Year for the catalog requirements, Credits Required, GPA, and Credits
Applied.
Major and Concentration Requirements – Each major and concentration will be displayed in
separate blocks indicating the program requirements – courses that may be used to fulfill
requirements and/or the courses you have already taken which complete requirements. Note:
Not all majors have concentrations.
Courses that Do Not Apply to Current Program: This block indicates any courses that do not
directly apply to meeting the degree requirements in the selected major. This could happen for
a variety of reasons; including classes completed which are not required for your major,
insufficient grades earned, and/or developmental coursework.
How are degree requirements completed in my audit?
Courses that you have successfully completed that meet course or elective requirements in your major
will be applied directly to meet those requirements. Courses will be checked off and the progress bar
will reflect completed coursework. Courses that you still need to take will show up as “Still Needed”.
How are In-Progress courses displayed in my audit?
Courses you are currently taking or have registered for in a future semester are included in your degree
audit. These courses also are applied into the blocks where they meet specific requirements. While in
progress they are assigned a grade of “IP” for In-Progress. They are also grouped at the bottom of the
audit in a section titled In-Progress.
Why aren’t some courses applied to the degree requirements?
Courses listed in the “Courses that Do Not Apply to Current Program” section do not meet any of the
current program requirements. Please meet with your academic advisor to clarify the questions you
may have. Note: Courses below the 1000 level are considered developmental and do not apply toward
your graduation requirements.
What does it mean if I have a classes listed under the “Insufficient” heading?
Courses that you withdrew from or do not meet a grade requirement are listed under the Insufficient
heading.
How is a Degree Works audit different from a transcript?
Degree Works is not your academic transcript nor is it an official notification of completion of degree
requirements. This progress report does not supersede the Academic Catalog. Your transcript is your
official college record and can be requested from the Office of the Registrar.
How long does it take for changes to show up on Degree Works?
Changes made to your official Pierpont academic record will take at least 24 hours to be reflected in you
Degree Works audit report.
When should I look at my Degree Works audit?
Degree Works is a valuable tool to help students monitor academic progress and stay on track for
graduation. We encourage you to utilize it regularly, particularly in the following situations:
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Before meeting with an academic advisor.
Before registration periods: review your audit and use the Planner function to plan courses for
future semesters.
View your audit after grades are posted.
Before graduation: when you register for your last semester to confirm all requirements will be
completed.
How do I know what courses to register for?
Review your worksheet. Look for areas that are “Not Complete” or “Still Needed.” If you have a
question about a course, click on the Course Number, which will link you to more information including
available sections and prerequisites. Meet with your academic advisor to develop a plan that meets your
schedule and educational goals. You can use the Planner in Degree Works to map out class selections
for future semesters.
What if my Degree Works audit shows a different program than my intended major?
Meet with your academic advisor to discuss this matter. If a correction needs to be made, please
initiate the formal Change of Major process.
What if there is an error within my degree audit?
Meet with your academic advisor to review your program requirements and your completed
coursework. If an adjustment is needed, your advisor can make an exception where appropriate. The
most common adjustments are for transfer credit that is awarded as “FREL” or Free Elective, which
means it was not a direct course-for-course equivalent. Exceptions will be noted on the degree audit
under their corresponding requirement.
What are the other features available in Degree Works that I can use to plan and stay on track for
graduation?
Degree works includes many additional features to help students and advisors stay organized and on
track toward graduation.
 What If: This feature allows you to create a hypothetical degree audit for a different major
using your current academic history. You can use this tab if you are considering changing your
program of study and would like to view how your completed courses apply to a different major
and/or concentration. This feature does not officially change your major. To officially change
your major, you must meet with your academic advisor and complete the Change of Major
form.
 GPA Calc: The Term Calculator allows you to estimate your end-of-semester cumulative GPA by
entering in the final grades you anticipate earning in your current classes. The Advice GPA
allows you to set a goal GPA for graduation and displays the credit hours at each grade level you
would need to earn to achieve your goal.
 Look Ahead: By inputting courses you are considering for an upcoming term in the Look Ahead
area, you can see how they will be used in your current program of study to meet degree
requirements. Look Ahead does not replace Web Registration for scheduling classes.
 Planner: This feature allows you to plan out course selections for future semesters through to
graduation. Work with your academic advisor to build an academic plan that accommodates
course prerequisites and course rotation schedules. Not all classes are offered every semester.
Your advisor can assist you in selecting appropriate courses each term that lead to on-time
graduation. Planner course selections do not replace web registration.