Degree Works

Degree Works is a web-based academic advising and degree auditing tool that allows students and advisors to monitor curriculum requirements and track progress. Degree Works easily identifies the courses you have already completed along with the courses you still need to take in order to graduate.

Degree Works is designed to aid and facilitate academic advising, but is not intended to replace face-to-face advising sessions, the college catalog or the Registrar’s office.

Degree Works is integrated into the Banner information system and can be accessed via my.Commnet

About Degree Works

What is Degree Works?

Degree Works is a web-based academic advising and degree audit tool for students to monitor their academic progress toward degree completion. Degree Works allows students and their advisors to plan future academic coursework by viewing courses remaining.

What is a degree evaluation?

A Degree Works degree evaluation is a review of past, current and in-progress coursework that provides information on completed and outstanding requirements necessary to complete a degree or certificate.

What if I am enrolled in two programs?

Students who are enrolled in two academic programs will be able to view both programs by choosing from the Academic Program drop-down list next to their name in the Degree Works display.

Why do I not have an audit in Degree Works?

You are not enrolled in a degree program. A student must have a major assigned in Banner to create an audit. However, you can still perform a What-If audit in DegreeWorks.

How do I login to Degree Works?

Once you have logged into myCommNet you will see the Degree works portal with links to the college (or colleges) where you are a student. Choose the Quinebaug Valley Community College link to view your QVCC degree evaluation.

Is my information confidential?

Yes. Degree Works is accessed through secure login to myCommNet. Once logged in you can access Degree Works by clicking the college name in the Degree Works portal. Degree Works will open in a new window. It is very important that you log out when you are finished to ensure that your information remains confidential.

Who has the ability to access my Degree Works account?

Only you and designated college staff will be able to see your degree evaluation, other students will not be able to see your degree evaluation unless you let them, or if you fail to logout when you are finished.

Can I register for classes in Degree Works?

No. Degree Works is a snapshot of courses in-progress and in academic history. Registration, add/drop, etc., are still handled through the registration function in myCommNet.

Are my grades visible in Degree Works?

Yes. Once grades have been processed at the end of the semester, they are viewable in Degree Works. Courses in-progress are listed with a grade of “REG” and the credits in parentheses.

Is a Degree Works evaluation a transcript, or is this the same as my transcript?

No. Degree Works is a degree evaluation of your progress toward graduation as well as an outline of requirements still needed to complete your program of study.

Can I see a list of all the classes I've taken?

Yes. Click on the ellipsis (three dots located at the top right of your audit) and click on Academic History. This will give you a list of all courses taken.

What do I do if I believe my information is incorrect?

You should consult your advisor and review your degree evaluation with him/her to ensure accuracy.

How can I update information?

You cannot update course or curriculum information in Degree Works. If you need to change your major you must complete a Change of Major Form available on the QVCC website at https://qvcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/CHG_STATUS_FORM_Rev_2017APR17.pdf , or they can visit the Records office and fill out the Change of Status form.

Using the Degree Evaluation

What will my degree evaluation show me?

Your degree evaluation will display the courses you’ve taken and any courses that are in progress. The degree evaluation will show you any degree requirements that have been met by the courses you’ve taken or that may be met upon satisfactory completion of courses in progress.

Will I be able to view my entire history of courses taken at QVCC?

Degree Works uses the information that is current on your transcript. You will be able to view any courses that have been completed, registered for, transferred in by the date your degree evaluation was last refreshed (an overnight process each night). Keep in mind that any transfer work or grade changes that have not been formally submitted and accepted will not appear on your degree evaluation.

How do I know what classes I need to take?

Your degree evaluation will outline the courses still needed to meet degree requirements. You will be able to use this information to discuss your plan with your advisor.

Can I view course information in Degree Works?

Yes. By clicking on a course in your degree evaluation you can view any prerequisites required.

If I withdraw from a class, will that be reflected in my degree evaluation?

Courses from which you have withdrawn will appear in the Unused Coursework portion on your degree evaluation.

If I withdraw from a class, will that be reflected in my degree evaluation?

Courses from which you have withdrawn will appear in the Unused Coursework portion on your degree evaluation.

“What If”

What is the "What If" feature?

The “What If” function shows what a degree evaluation would look like with a different program. Your new “What If” degree evaluation will show you what coursework is required for this major, what courses you have taken that satisfy requirements, and what courses are still left for you to take. Note: New programs may appear in the “What-If” Feature before they appear in the CT State college catalog.

If I use the "What If" feature, does this mean that I have changed my major?

No. The “What If” function shows what a degree evaluation would look like with a different program. This DOES NOT officially change the student’s record.

If I like what I see in my "What If" scenario, how do I initiate those changes?

Speak with your advisor. You cannot update course or curriculum information in Degree Works. If you need to change your major you must complete a Change of Status form available on the QVCC website at https://qvcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/CHG_STATUS_FORM_Rev_2017APR17.pdf , or they can visit the Records office and fill out the Change of Status form.

Printing

Can I print my degree evaluation?

You can print your degree evaluation by clicking on the “Print” button at the top right of your audit. For a more print-friendly view, save your degree evaluation as a PDF (click Save as PDF button) and then print the document.

GPA Calculators

What is the Graduation Calculator?

The Graduation Calculator enables you to determine the GPA you will need to earn on AVERAGE for the rest of the courses you need to take in order to graduate with a specific desired GPA.

What is the Term Calculator?

The Term Calculator enables you to estimate the Term GPA based on the projected grades for the classes that you are currently taking.

What is the Advice Calculator?

The Advice Calculator provides you with different “paths” that you can potentially take to earn a desired GPA.

About Degree Works

What is Degree Works?

Degree Works is a web-based academic advising and degree audit tool for students to monitor their academic progress toward degree completion. Degree Works allows students and their advisors to plan future academic coursework by viewing courses remaining.

How do I login to Degree Works?

Once you have logged into myCommNet you will see the Degree Works portal with links to the college (or colleges) where you are an advisor. Choose the Quinebaug Valley Community College link.

Are advisors restricted to viewing only their advisees' information?

No, advisors can find any student by entering the student’s Banner ID in the ID field (@ must be included), or by using the Find button and search using different parameters in the search window.

What is a degree evaluation?

A Degree Works degree evaluation is a review of past, current and in-progress coursework that provides information on completed and outstanding requirements necessary to complete a degree or certificate.

What if a student is enrolled in two programs?

If a student is enrolled in two academic programs the advisor will be able to view both programs by choosing from the Academic Program drop-down list near the student’s name in the Degree Works display.

Can students register for classes in Degree Works?

No. Degree Works is a snapshot of courses in-progress and in academic history. Registration, add/drop, etc., are still handled through the registration function in myCommNet.

Are grades visible in Degree Works?

Yes. Once grades have been processed at the end of the semester, they are viewable in Degree Works. Courses in-progress are listed with a grade of ‘REG’ and the credits in parentheses

Is a Degree Works evaluation a transcript, or is this the same as a transcript?

No. A Degree Works degree evaluation shows progress toward graduation as well as an outline of requirements still needed to complete a program of study.

Can an advisor see a list of all the classes taken by a student?

Yes. When viewing a student’s degree evaluation click on the ‘Class History’ link at the top for a printable list of courses taken.

What do I do if I believe a student's information is incorrect?

You should contact the registrar’s office, identify the information that you believe is in error, and request that they review the student’s record.

Using the Degree Evaluation

What will a degree evaluation show about a student?

A degree evaluation will display the courses a student has taken and any courses that are in progress. The degree evaluation will show any degree requirements that have been met by the courses taken or that may be met upon satisfactory completion of courses in progress.

Will a student's entire academic history at QVCC be available?

Degree Works uses the information that is current on a student’s transcript. Any courses that have been completed, registered for, transferred in by the date the degree evaluation was last refreshed (an overnight process each night) will be displayed. Keep in mind that any transfer work or grade changes that have not been formally submitted and accepted will not appear on a student’s degree evaluation.

Note: If the student’s record has had any Banner changes since the nightly run (grades, registration, add/drop, etc.), advisors can click the ‘Process New’ button to refresh the degree evaluation with the very latest Banner data.

How does a student know what classes need to be taken?

A degree evaluation will outline the courses still needed to meet degree requirements. In order to view only the courses remaining choose ‘Registration Checklist’ in the drop-down box that displays ‘Student View’.

Can I view course information in Degree Works?

Yes. By clicking on a course in the degree evaluation or courses remaining you can view any pre-requisites required, as well as course sections available for the upcoming semester.

If a student withdraws from a class, will it be reflected in the degree evaluation?

Courses from which a student has withdrawn will appear in the Unused Coursework portion on the degree evaluation.

“What If”

What is the "What If" feature?

The “What If” function shows what a degree evaluation would look like with a different program. The new “What If’ degree evaluation will show the student what coursework is required for the new major, what courses have to be taken that satisfy requirements, and what courses are remaining.

Note: New programs may appear in the “What-If” Feature before they appear in the CT State college catalog.

If a student uses the "What If" feature, does this mean they have changed their major?

No. The “What If” function shows what a degree evaluation would look like with a different program. This DOES NOT officially change the student’s record.

How does a student officially change their major?

If a student would like to change their major they must complete a Change of Major Form available on the QVCC website at https://qvcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/CHG_STATUS_FORM_Rev_2017APR17.pdf or they can visit the Registrar’s office and fill out the Change of Status Form.

Waivers/Exceptions (Substitutions)

What are exemptions?

When a waiver has met all approvals it will appear on a student’s degree evaluation as an “Exception” also called “substitution.” Exceptions are permanently part of the student’s Degree Works audit and will be viewable only in Degree Works.

Is the waiver procedure different now that we have Degree Works?

No, QVCC’s waiver procedure remains the same. The only difference is that a waiver is visible to the student and their advisor whenever they review the degree evaluation. Exceptions are permanently part of the student’s Degree Works audit and will be viewable only in Degree Works.

Who can add an exception?

The final step in the waiver process is to present the Substitution form to the Registrar’s office. The Registrar’s office will apply the waiver to Degree Works as an exception. Only the Registrar’s office can add an Exception to Degree Works.

Printing

Can a degree evaluation be printed?

Yes, you can print a degree evaluation by clicking on the ‘Print’ button at the top. For a more print-friendly view, save the degree evaluation as a PDF (click Save as PDF button) and then print the document. Be sure to treat a printed Degree Evaluation with the same level of confidentiality as you would any other student record.

GPA Calculators

What is the Graduation Calculator?

The Graduation Calculator enables a student to determine the GPA they will need to earn on AVERAGE GPA.

What is the Term Calculator?

The Term Calculator enables a student to estimate the Term GPA based on the projected grades for the classes that they are currently taking.

What is the Advice Calculator?

The Advice Calculator provides students with different ‘paths’ that they can potentially take to earn a desired GPA.

 

Login to Degree Works – Students and Advisors

 

Search for Students in Degree Works – Faculty and Advisors

 

Review the Degree Audit Worksheet – Faculty and Advisors

 

“What If” and Look Ahead Features – Faculty and Advisors

 

Add Notes to a Student’s Record – Faculty and Advisors

 

Using the GPA Calculators – Students and Advisors