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Before starting this process [[Image:Degree- works.png|right]]Degree Works is "degree audit" software, providing interactive tools for students to accurately track and plan their progress toward graduation. Degree Works integrates '''realtime''' data from Banner, program requirements, and students' academic records to produce a comprehensive and accurate report. Degree Works also provides '''future-mapping tools''' including "What If" and "Look Ahead" features, as well as 3 different GPA calculator functions. The '''purpose''' of Degree Works is to help you will need the following:and your advisor develop your optimal path through college.

Once this is completedFrom the [https://sso.mcla.edu/ MCLA Portal, you can move forward with creating ] click "Degree Works" under the "Student Academics" drop down menu. It will launch in a self signed signature in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC in Windows by following these steps:new browser tab.

== Step 1: Import Signature Reading Your Degree Audit ==*Click on “Edit”*Click on “Preferences”*Click on “Signatures”*Click on “More” within the “Creation & Appearance” area[[Image:readerdcwin1.png]]*Click on “New” within the “Appearance” area[[Image:readerdcwin2.png]]*Enter your name in the “Title” field*Select “Imported graphic” and then select “File” then “Browse”. Select the .jpg/.png/.pdf file of the signature.*Click ‘OK’[[Image:readerdcwin3.png]]

== Step 2: Create Digital ID ==*Click on “Edit”*Click on “Preferences”*Click on “Signatures”*Click on “More” within the “Identities & Trusted Certificates” area*Select ‘Add ID’[[Image:Readerdcwin4.png]]*Select ‘A new digital ID I want Your Degree Audit presents your important information in a single, easy-to create now’[[Image:Readerdcwin5.png]]*Ensure ‘New PKCS#12 digital ID file’ is select then click on ‘Next’*Fill out the Name, Organizational Unit, Organization Name, -read (and Eeasy-mail Address. Click “Next”[[Image:Readerdcwin6.png]]*Set a password to the signature in the Password field-print) format. Confirm the password and select ‘Finish’

== Step 3: Using The top of the Digital Signature ==*'''NOTEAudit, labeled "Student View," shows your high-level information: You will only be able to sign documents when a PDF file is opened directly in Adobe Reader DC. This option is not currently available when using the build-in PDF readers in web browsers. To ensure you are not opening the PDF file within the web browser - download the PDF file to student ID, class, advisor(s), major(s), minor(s), overall GPA, and any holds on your computer and open it directly in Adobe Reader DCaccount.'''

*Click on Next, you'll see 2 Degree Progress '''indicator bars.''' The first indicator bar, "Requirements," shows the overall percentage of graduation requirements you've completed so far. This includes overall credits, but also other factors, such as distribution requirements or certifications. The second indicator bar, labeled "Credits," simply shows the percentage of credits you've earned (out of 120) toward graduation. The body of the Audit is divided into sections, or '''blocks,''' for each of the different types of graduation requirement. General Degree requirements appear first, followed by Physical Education, Core Curriculum, Major, Minor, and Concentration requirements. The Header Bar of each section contains information '''specific to that section''' - for example, the Major Requirements section shows your GPA within your major, which might be different from your overall GPA. Requirements are '''color-coded''' to indicate which have been met successfully, which are still unmet, and which are in progress. Any unmet requirements provide specific information about what you need to do to meet them. Your Audit might contain two other sections: Fallthrough and Insufficient. '''Fallthrough''' contains courses you've taken which don't meet any graduation requirement, while the '''Insufficient''' section contains courses where you didn't earn any credit - for example, an F, withdrawal, or SKIL course. The hyperlinks within your Degree Audit provide "live," realtime information about course offerings, including class schedule and number of '''available seats.''' These "live" links make planning during course registration quicker and easier.   == The "Look Ahead" Feature == During registration, the signature field Look Ahead feature shows you exactly how each course you're considering would '''fit''' into the overall map of your progress toward graduation. This helps ensure you're choosing your courses to maximum effect. You can easily print or save this report for future reference, or to bring to a meeting with your advisor. To use Look Ahead, click "Look Ahead" in the left-hand column. Enter the official number of each course you're considering, then click the "Add Course" button to add it to your list. Repeat for as many courses as you'd like signedto evaluate, then click '''"Process New".''' The Look Ahead audit resembles the standard Degree Audit, except it also shows exactly how your selected courses will affect your progress, assuming you pass them successfully. These courses appear in '''blue font,''' positioned to show you which graduation requirements they would meet. [[Image:Dw-look-ahead-sm.png]] == The "What If" Feature ==*Select When you're considering changing or adding a major, minor, or concentration, the What If feature lets you construct your hypothetical new scenario, then shows you exactly how the Digital ID credits you've already earned would fit into that was createdscenario, including all new program requirements and your overall progress toward graduation. Make a fully informed decision. *To use What If, click "What If" in the left-hand column. Use the ‘Appearance’ drop down dropdown boxes to fill in all the details of your "What If" scenario, including '''all''' majors, minors, and concentrations. Click the "Process What-If" button to select view the signature pictureWhat If audit; to print, click the "Save as PDF" button. The What If audit will show how your '''current earned courses''' would fit your new graduation requirements, updating all requirement blocks, as well as your overall Degree Progress indicator bars. Any courses which, in the new scenario, no longer meet any graduation requirement will appear in the Fallthrough block. [[Image:Dw-what-if-sm.png]] == GPA Calculators == *Enter Degree Works provides 3 different calculators to help you plan for your academic goals. To access the calculators, click the signature password "GPA Calc" tab. The 3 calculators are listed in the lower left corner-hand column. The '''Graduation Calculator''' shows you what average GPA you must maintain, from the present through graduation, in order to mathematically achieve your desired graduation GPA. The calculator automatically fills in your current GPA, and you will enter 3 additional pieces of information: the number of credits you still have to earn, the total number of credits for graduation (typically 120), and the GPA you wish to have at graduation. When you click the "Calculate" button, the Graduation Calculator will show you the average GPA you'll need to maintain to reach your desired graduation GPA. The '''Term Calculator''' shows your end-of-semester GPA, based on the grades you anticipate earning in your current courses. The calculator will automatically populate your currently-enrolled courses; use the dropdown menus to indicate the grades you think you will earn in each course, then click "Calculate". Based on the information you enter, plus your current GPA, the Term Calculator will show your end-of-term GPA. The '''Advice Calculator''' shows all the mathematically feasible paths available to achieve your desired GPA. The calculator automatically fills in your current GPA and your earned credits. When you enter your desired GPA and click "Calculate," the Advice Calculator will show all available alternative paths to achieve the desired GPA. [[Image:Dw-adv-calc-sm.png]] == Video Tutorials == Watch these brief tutorial videos to see how each Degree Works tool works: *<h3>The Degree Audit</h3> <youtube>XyghHpCMRJw</youtube> *<h3>The What If Feature</h3> <youtube>3mUlpkN29JU</youtube> *Click ‘Sign’<h3>The Look Ahead Feature</h3> <youtube>t8SeQ5GjEC8</youtube> *Save the signed PDF file.<h3>GPA Calculators</h3> <youtube>MBG1yHB0bGs</youtube>