A new degree audit system will allow students—with just a few clicks— to review, monitor and track their degree requirements. The system, DegreeWorks, is being implemented by the Office of the Registrar.
“Many institutions have an online advising tool available to students and advisers that assists in understanding degree requirements and how students are progressing toward meeting those requirements,” says Associate Registrar for Degree Audit Doug McKenna. “Degree audit systems are not replacements for advisers; they are an advising tool that students can use collaboratively with their adviser to make the best use of their time in the pursuit of their degree.”
A pilot test of the system will begin in spring 2011 for freshmen in GW’s School of Business and School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Following a successful pilot, the tool will be made available to additional programs and schools over the course of the next year.
To prepare for the new degree audit system, all GW course numbers have been converted to four-digit course numbers rather than the previous three-digit course numbers. A chart has been created to assist students with this process. All students will use the new course numbers to register for the spring semester.
Mr. McKenna says DegreeWorks will help students choose classes and ensure that they’ve met graduation requirements.
“DegreeWorks will provide clear, concise and comprehensive information to students that will help them select appropriate classes at registration, show them what they still need to take to graduate and serve as a launching point for conversations with their academic adviser,” he says.
The new system will also benefit advisers, says Mr. McKenna. “For advisers, DegreeWorks will allow them to spend more time advising the student on the best options to take to accomplish the student’s individual goals, and less time checking boxes to be sure the student has met all of the requirements.”