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== Accessing What is Degree Works and why is it important for you to reference it often? ==

From the [https://sso.mcla.edu/ MCLA Portal,] click "Degree Works" under the "Student Academics" drop down menuis “degree audit” software that provides you and your advisor with a clear representation of an individualized path toward graduation. It Your degree audit will launch track courses you have taken, your grades in a new browser tabthose courses, any waivers that may be applied to your record, notes that may record items discussed with your advisor, your current overall and program GPA, as well as what coursework is still required in your academic program and core curriculum.

== Reading Your Degree Audit ==degree audit can be accessed through the MCLA Portal Page under the “Students” tab.

The top of the Audit, labeled "Student View," shows your high-level information: student ID, class, advisor(s), major(s), minor(s), overall GPA, and any holds == How can Degree Works help you stay on your account.track toward graduation? ==

Next, you'll see 2 Degree Progress '''indicator bars.''' The first indicator bar, "Requirements," shows Works has a number of features designed to minimize the overall percentage chance of you enrolling in a course that will not fulfill either an academic program requirement or core curriculum – keeping you on track toward graduation requirements you've completed so far. Each academic department has worked carefully to infuse any individualized “double dipping” rules that they may have. This includes overall credits, but also other factors, such as distribution requirements or certifications. The second indicator bar, labeled "Credits," simply shows the percentage will provide you with a clear understanding of credits you've earned courses within your program that fulfill more than one requirement (out of 120major/minor/core curriculum, etc) 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 Works also has a number 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.interactive features including:

Requirements are * '''color-codedLive data relating to enrollment and registration information.''' You will be able to indicate which have been met successfullysee what courses are being offered in the next semester that fulfill a specific requirement, which are still unmetwhen the course is offered, and which how many seats are in progress. Any unmet requirements provide specific information about what you need to do to meet themstill available.

Your Audit might contain two other sections: Fallthrough and Insufficient. * '''FallthroughWhat If:''' contains courses If you are considering a change in major, or adding a new minor, this feature allows you've taken which don't meet any graduation requirementto run a new audit, while taking your current academic coursework and placing it into the '''Insufficient''' section contains courses where new program which will allow you didn't earn any credit - for example, an F, withdrawal, or SKIL courseto make a fully informed decision.

== The "Look Ahead" Feature Want to learn more about how to use Degree Works? ==

During registration* For technical questions about Degree Works, the 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.please contact MCLA Techhelp at 413-662-5276

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 to 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 == 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 credits you've already earned would fit into that scenario, 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 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 view the What 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 * For questions regarding student records shown in the Fallthrough block. [[Image:Dw-what-if-sm.png]] == GPA Calculators == Degree Works provides 3 different calculators to help you plan for your academic goals. To access the calculators, click the "GPA Calc" tab. The 3 calculators are listed in the left-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 please contact the GPA you wish to have Registrar’s Office 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 end413-of662-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-sm5216 or registrar@mcla.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> *<h3>The Look Ahead Feature</h3> <youtube>t8SeQ5GjEC8</youtube> *<h3>GPA Calculators</h3> <youtube>MBG1yHB0bGs</youtube>edu