Degree Audit

As a graduate student, you are governed by the degree program requirements published in the graduate catalog that was in effect at the time you are admitted to the graduate program.

Degree Works is a valuable degree audit tool that makes your path to graduation an easier one to follow, but it is not designed to replace meeting with your faculty adviser.

An official degree audit will be conducted by our office once you have applied for graduation. Final approval for graduation is required by your department and the Graduate School. Any changes to your original, approved Plan of Study must be submitted to the Graduate School in order to be incorporated into the Degree Works online degree audit system. 

Each student is assigned a faculty adviser upon admission to a graduate program. Faculty advisers provide assistance in developing a Plan of Study and selecting appropriate graduate courses that adhere to the program curriculum, as well as discussing career options and alternatives after graduation.

You may choose to meet program requirements published in a later edition of the graduate catalog; however, you must satisfy all the curriculum requirements as specified in that catalog. To change the catalog edition, you must submit the Change Graduate Catalog Edition form to update your online degree audit. If you are readmitted to a graduate program, you must follow all the program requirements and policies published in the graduate catalog in effect at the time of readmission.

Completed in consultation with your faculty program adviser, the Plan of Study details specific courses, exit options, and other requirements you must complete in order to earn your graduate degree.

You should consult with your faculty adviser during the first semester, and no later than the end of the first year in your graduate program, to develop a written Plan of Study. Once approved by your graduate program adviser, your Plan of Study must be submitted to the Graduate School in order to update your Online Degree Audit (Degree Works).

Your Plan of Study can be updated at any time, however, your advisor must notify the Graduate School of any changes, otherwise the update will not be accepted. You are responsible for regularly meeting with your advisor to ensure you are following your Plan and/or updating it if needed.

Degree Works online degree audits are considered unofficial and do not replace the official graduation audit conducted by the Graduate School.

To navigate to Degree Works and check the progress of your graduate program:

• Login to MySail
• The Registration and Degree Planning widget lists Degree Works second from the top
• Near the top of the page, under your name, will be several details about your degree
• The important ones here are Major and Concentration
• Your Major is your program and Concentration should either list your concentration or read (no concentration)
• To check your catalogue year, scroll down to the Degree in section
• Under the bold heading should be Catalog Year, and the ALL CAPS LETTERING will list the Catalog that your degree will be following (ex: FALL SEMESTER 2026)
• If all three are correct, there is nothing that needs to be done. If any are incorrect, please notify the Graduate School and we will direct you on how to update your record.
• If you have any questions regarding your Degree Works audit, please reach out to the Graduate School via [email protected].