‘Degree Works’ works for GCSU

GCSU is in a constant struggle, along with many universities around the nation, to simplify the graduation process.  Wednesday Feb. 6, Registrar Kay Anderson and SGA took giant steps to solve this problem with the discussion of brining a degree audit program known as Degree Works to GCSU.
    Degree Works is an easy to use web based degree audit and academic advisement tool designed to enhance the advisement process at GCSU.  The program will only be offered to undergraduate students.  Furthermore, GCSU will be one of the first universities in the nation to have it available on a banner system.
    The greatest asset of the program is it will be helpful in developing plans for student’s future at GCSU.
    “Degree Works will allow students to plan ahead and put together a sequence of courses,” Anderson said.  “Students will be able to save future plans and map out courses they wish to take and apply towards degree requirements.”
    The program will feature many tools that will better prepare students for advisor visits, including a reference bar that will track the percentage of student’s progress towards graduation.  Anderson assured SGA that the bar was merely a “reference not a guarantee.”
    Anderson also stressed that degree works would make students more aware of the basic requirements of degree completion such as the required 120 hours, 39 upper class hours, 40 GCSU completed hours, and necessary exams.
    Wellness and orientation classes will automatically be deducted from graduation progress in Degree Works and all courses would be linked to the GCSU course catalog.
    SGA felt comfortable about the program but had some questions.
    President Ryan Greene was adamant of the program’s tracking of elective hours.
    “Will the program tell students when they need to take more elective hours,” Greene asked.
    Anderson clarified that Degree Works will not tell specifically of elective hours needed but of the amount of hours remaining to graduation.
    Attorney General Michael George addressed the inclusion of minor within the program.
    “Will the program keep track of minors,” George asked.
    Anderson responded as long as minors are declared the system will include them.
Degree Works will debut live to GCSU in a couple of weeks.  Anderson left the meeting urging SGA to get the word around of the new addition.
    “It is important to get the message out to students,” Anderson said.  “It might not be perfect the first time around.  I ask all of you to be attentive to the announcements and help the registrar know what we can do better.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 8 2008. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry