Degree Works/Course Plan of Study FAQ

Course Plan of Study

What is CPoS?

CPoS stands for Course Program of Study. A program of study consists of courses required to complete a specific degree, inclusive of required coursework within the major, concentration, minor and catalog. The specific courses for a student are identified through a degree evaluation tool (DegreeWorks).

What types of Aid are affected by CPoS?

Disbursement of Federal Aid (i.e., Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Work-Study, and Direct Loans) is based on coursework that counts toward the program of study. State, institutional, and private aid requirements may vary when it comes to CPOS requirements. Please check with your financial aid office to ensure you are meeting all requirements for funding.

How are Degree Works audits produced?

HSU implemented Degree Works and CPoS in Fall of 2023. A student鈥檚 Degree Works audit is scribed directly from the degree requirements listed in the HSU course catalog corresponding to the student鈥檚 entry term.

When registering for classes what should I look for to be proactive and prevent financial aid issues?

After registering for classes for a future term we encourage you to look at your Degree Works Audit. All classes you are enrolled in should be showing as a requirement for your Liberal Arts Core (LAC), major or minor. If you see any classes (鈥淚P鈥�=In progress) showing up in the 鈥淔all Through 鈥� credits excluded鈥� block that would be a red flag the course is not counting for your degree and thus likely won鈥檛 be covered by financial aid. Appropriate actions outlined in the following questions might need to be taken or you might want to change your schedule to find another course that is applicable for your intended program of study.

What about courses that will be substituted and thus become a part of the student鈥檚 program of study?

The appropriate course substitution paperwork must be completed and approved by all necessary parties prior to the census date of the term for it to be included as eligible coursework for federal financial aid purposes. A faculty advisor will email the appropriate program director for approval if a course substitution/waiver/etc. is needed. The program director enters that course petition (substitution, waiver, etc.) into the Degree Works System. The dean then approves or denies. Once approved by all appropriate parties the registrar鈥檚 office makes the necessary changes to the student鈥檚 Degree Works audit. (This process normally takes up to a week from the time the program director submits the request). **If changes are made after census date please alert the registrar鈥檚 staff so a revised audit can be provided to the financial aid office.

How will courses needed for completion of minors or concentration be treated?

Minors or concentrations must be officially declared and reflected in the degree evaluation prior to the census date of the term for it to be included as eligible coursework for federal financial aid purposes. We encourage students to review their academic record on their MyHenderson account to ensure all information is accurate. If a student needs to update/change/add a major, minor, concentration, etc. they can do so by filling out a form online or in the registrar鈥檚 office. Link to online forms can be found here: **If changes are made after census date please alert the registrar鈥檚 staff so a revised audit can be provided to the financial aid office.

How will courses needed for dual majors be treated?

Dual majors must be officially declared and reflected in the student鈥檚 MyHenderson account and on their degree evaluation prior to the census date of the term for it to be included as eligible coursework for federal financial aid purposes. If your degree program is not listed correctly in Banner, work with your advisor to make them aware of your request and ensure you complete the Request for Change your Major/Minor/Concentration. This form can be found online at: . Do not recommend you register for classes toward the new major/minor/concentration until the update to your official degree on records is reflected in Banner.

How do certificates work in relation to CPoS?

Coursework applicable to optional certificate programs is not eligible for Federal Aid.

What about capstone courses, internships, honors course and prerequisite coursework?

These courses count for federal financial aid only if they are required in the student鈥檚 program of study. However, if a student is enrolled as a regular student, in an eligible program of study, and is required to take a prerequisite course prior to enrolling in a required course for the program, the prerequisite may be included in the federal aid determination. No more than a maximum of 30 attempted hours inclusive of remedial / learning support and prerequisite coursework combined can count for federal financial aid purposes. You or academic advisor should notify the financial aid office regarding a required prerequisite.

I鈥檓 a student pursuing a Bachelor of Integrated Studies. How does CPoS work for me?

Because the degree plan and requirements for this degree are unique for each student Degree Works and therefore CPoS do not work for students pursuing this degree. The advisor of record will need to submit an updated degree plan to the financial aid office for documentation each semester. Only courses specified on the submitted degree plan will count for financial aid purposes.

What about graduating seniors in their last semester?

Only courses that are part of the program of study, as documented in the degree evaluation tool (DegreeWorks), are eligible for federal aid. For example, if you only need 3 hours to graduate but you choose to register for 6 hours to qualify for a Federal Direct Loan, you will not be eligible for the Direct Loan. Though your federal aid does not include ineligible coursework, you may still qualify for state and institutional aid based on your total enrollment. State, institutional, and private aid requirements may vary when it comes to CPOS requirements. Please check with the financial aid office to determine how the funding can be used.

I鈥檓 enrolled in 12 undergraduate hours, but 4 of those hours don鈥檛 count towards my officially declared program of study. How does that affect my financial aid?

Federal Financial aid will be disbursed based on the 8 credit hours that apply towards your officially declared program of study. The Federal Pell Grant award will be reduced from a full-time enrollment award to a half-time enrollment award. You may be eligible to receive Federal Loans because you are enrolled at least half-time status in eligible coursework. State, institutional, and private aid requirements may vary when it comes to CPOS requirements. Please check with the financial aid office to ensure you are meeting all requirements for funding.

For the upcoming semester, I plan to enroll in 17 hours, which includes a 3 hour class that doesn鈥檛 apply towards outstanding requirements in my officially declared program of study. Will financial aid pay for the ineligible 3 hour class?

Financial aid will disburse based on full-time enrollment status. If at least 12 of your credits apply towards outstanding requirements in your officially declared program of study, then you are still considered a full-time student for federal financial aid purposes. If eligible, you may receive a full-time Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Student Loans, if you have accepted them and done the required application items.

***While we are asking advisors to help guide students in taking steps to ensure courses they are taking are counting towards their degree and therefore applicable to financial aid funding it is ultimately the student鈥檚 responsibility. The student鈥檚 advisor will not be held responsible - the student must ultimately take ownership and accountability for their own schedule. Advisors should make appropriate notes to document how the student was advised to schedule.

Degree Works

The following information has been provided to help you with troubleshooting issues related to the鈥疍egree Works鈥痵ystem. If, after reviewing these questions and answers, you need additional information, please contact your departmental advisor or email registrar@hsu.edu with any questions.

ABOUT DEGREE WORKS

What is Degree Works?

Degree Works is a web based tool to help students and advisors monitor students' progress toward the completion of their degree or program requirements. The audit helps to track degree or program progress, prepare for course registration, and plan for graduation. With the click of a tab (the 鈥榃hat If鈥� feature), you will also be able to see how your academic requirements might change if you were to change your major.

What is a degree audit?

A Degree Works audit worksheet is a review of past, current and "planned" coursework that provides information on completed and outstanding requirements necessary to complete a degree or program.

When should I look at my degree audit?

Before you meet with your academic advisor to discuss registration for an upcoming term.

Before registration, use it to plan your course selection for the term.

After you register to ensure that the courses you selected applied to your requirements.

After your grades for each term are posted.

Before you file for graduation, review your academic record. Contact your advisor if anything shows unmet.

Any time you make a change to your schedule.

How do I benefit from using Degree Works?

With Degree Works you can:

Determine what requirements you need to fulfill in order to complete your degree.

View individual course grades and cumulative grade-point average (GPA).

Determine which courses you have taken or transferred, and which ones count as electives.

View transfer credits, waivers, and exemptions applied toward degree requirements.

See how your coursework could be applied toward another major, minor, certificate or major concentration using the 鈥榃hat If鈥� option.

Confirm your academic standing.

Estimate how many semesters it will take you to graduate.

Can I access Degree Works on any computer?

Yes. Degree Works can be accessed through Banner Self Service. Degree Works requires using the HSU Single-Sign On (SSO) sign-in process, which uses your Student email address (XXXXXX@reddies.hsu.edu) and your鈥痯assword.

Is my information confidential?

Yes. Like other processes you use through Banner Self Service, Degree Works is accessed through your secure log in. Remember that your advisor, faculty, and select staff will be able to view the information contained in Degree Works.

Who can access Degree Works?

Currently, Degree Works is available to all degree-seeking students. Advisors, faculty, and select staff will also have access for the purpose of supporting your progress through your academic career.

How current will my information be in Degree Works?

The information in Degree Works is refreshed every night. Any changes made today (e.g., grade changes or classes added/dropped) will be seen in Degree Works tomorrow.

Why isn鈥檛 my information up-to-date?

There could be several reasons. One is that Degree Works may not have refreshed since a change was made (the information is refreshed nightly). Second, there could be some paperwork that needs to be completed. For example, if you have completed transfer courses, it is possible that the university has not received an official transcript, or the coursework is pending departmental review. Check with your academic advisor if your transcript or audit does not reflect transfer work you have completed.

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

You should consult your academic advisor for a review of your audit. If errors are found, your advisor can work with the appropriate office(s) to correct the mistakes.

How can I update information?

You cannot update course information in Degree Works. For course petitions including waivers and substitutions work with your academic advisor. To change your major/minor/concentration, fill out the appropriate form on the registrar's website鈥€�(Remember to declare ALL credentials that you are seeking. For undergraduate students; include Associate degrees, Bachelor Degrees and certificates. Graduate students; Master Degree and certificates.)

Can I register for classes in Degree Works?

No. Degree Works is a snapshot of courses in-progress, planned, and in academic history. Registration will continue to be handled through Self Service.

Are my grades visible in Degree Works?

Yes.鈥� Once grades have been processed they are viewable on your degree audit following the nightly refresh. Courses in-progress are listed with a "IP"=In Progress grade.

Can I see how many classes I have left to fulfill my requirements?

Yes. Degree Works is laid out in block format displaying degree, general education, major, minor, and concentration requirements information. Look for unchecked boxes to identify requirements that you still need to complete.

What should I do if I have a question about my requirements?

Please contact your academic advisor for assistance.

Can I see a list of all of the classes I鈥檝e taken?

Yes. On the Worksheets tab, click on the 鈥楿nofficial Transcript鈥� link at the top for a printable list of both courses taken at HSU and transfer courses that were accepted.

If I have additional questions about Degree Works, who should I contact?

Please contact your academic advisor for assistance.

USING DEGREE AUDIT

What is a degree audit?

Your degree audit worksheet will display the courses you've completed as well as those for which you are registered. The audit will show you any degree, major, minor, or concentration requirements that are being met by the courses you've taken or that may be met upon satisfactory completion of courses in progress.

How is my degree audit different from a transcript?

Your degree audit is an unofficial document and can be viewed as a tool to provide you with academic information related to your degree progress and help you plan your academic schedule.

How is the degree audit organized?

The audit is divided into blocks. The first block provides student information and is displayed at the top of the audit, followed by requirement blocks. These blocks help students to track the progress towards completing their degree.

What are the different blocks after the requirements?

鈥傗€侺iberal Arts Requirement鈥疶his is a list of the requirements for the Liberal Arts Core (undergraduate students only.)

Major Requirements This is a list of the courses required for your specific degree.

鈥傗€侳all Through Credits Included:鈥痠s a list of additional courses that count toward your overall hours and GPA. Open electives may appear here.

Fall Through Credits Excluded:鈥疶hese are classes that are NOT required for your to meet your degree requirements.

Insufficient Classes鈥痠s a list of courses that do not meet academic requirements. (F's, W's, I's and Repeats)

In-Progress鈥痩ists courses that you are registered for but have not yet received grades.鈥� They could be courses in the past, present or future.

Not Counted鈥痠s a list of courses that don鈥檛 count toward overall hour or GPA requirements. Many of these are developmental courses.

How does the audit decide where to place courses that I have completed?

The degree audit places each course using a 鈥渂est fit鈥� scenario.鈥� This process will not always be perfect, particularly when multiple possibilities exist.鈥疘f you have a course that does not appear in the area in which you wanted to use it, your advisor can work with the appropriate office(s) to correct this.

Degree Works placed one of my courses in two different places. Is that okay?

In most cases, yes.鈥疍egree Works鈥痠s programmed to recognize that some courses can fulfill more than one requirement. If you have any concerns, you should contact your advisor.

What does the @ symbol mean?

If the @ sign appears after a course prefix (i.e. PSY @), it means you can take any course with that subject prefix (any course in Psychology). Similarly, 1@, represents anything at the 1000-level. If the @ sign appears with course numbers after it (i.e. @ 1000:4999), this means that you can take a 1000- to 4000- level course from any subject area.鈥疉 requirement of @ @ is a completely open elective and can be satisfied by any course.

Does Degree Works include my AP credit and transfer work?

Yes, all credit by examination and transfer work that was accepted will be included in Degree Works.

Why isn鈥檛 my transfer work meeting a requirement?

There could be two reasons. First, the course did not meet either the minimum number of credits and/or minimum grade requirement for use in your program of study. Second, all requirements have been met and this course is simply not needed. Check with your academic advisor to be sure.

Why isn鈥檛 there a check mark next to a requirement I鈥檝e already completed?

Your academic advisor is your primary point of contact. If your advisor determines that your audit is incorrect, they will contact the Registrar鈥� Office for assistance.

My advisor petitioned to waive/substitute a course. How do I know if my substitution has been approved?

Approved substitutions will appear on your degree audit worksheet. You should contact your advisor to resolve any substitution issues.

If I think my audit is incorrect, who should I contact?

Your academic advisor is your primary point of contact. If your advisor determines that your audit is incorrect, they will contact the Registrar鈥檚 Office for assistance.

How do I determine my catalog year?

The catalog year for each set of requirements is listed on the top right of the requirement block. Your catalog year will coincide with when you started at HSU or the year you changed your degree.

My major is incorrect; who should I contact?

Check with your academic advisor for assistance. You can update your major, minor, concentration etc by filling out an online form:鈥�

Where can I see my second major or my minor?

Degree Works is designed to show a listing of your majors and minors in the Student View audit. Additionally, each major and minor is broken out into individual requirement blocks within the audit. Students pursuing simultaneous degrees or a second major in a degree will need to click on the Degree drop-down box at the top of the Student View audit in order to view the additional requirements.

Where can I see my audit for my second degree?

You can access your second degree audit by using the Degree drop down menu at the top of the screen.

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

Courses from which you have withdrawn (grade of W) will appear in the Withdrawn, Failed, or Repeated block on your audit.

Are in-progress courses used to satisfy requirements?

Yes. When used, in-progress courses are highlighted in blue and marked with a blue tilde symbol. The grade for in-progress courses shows as 鈥淚P鈥�.

Why does "Credits Applied" indicate I have more credits than I've actually completed?

Degree Works鈥痗ounts completed and in-progress courses (currently in-progress and future courses you have registered for) in the 鈥淐redits Applied鈥� category.

Why are my newly registered courses not appearing in Degree Works?

Degree Works refreshes overnight, so newly registered courses won鈥檛 appear until the next day.

I鈥檓 thinking of changing my major/minor/concentration. Can I see my courses applied to a different major, minor or other plan?

Yes. The What If function will perform an audit based on the hypothetical major/minor/concentration and will show how your completed, current, and planned coursework meets the requirements of the hypothetical major/minor/concentration.

Can I print a degree audit?

Yes, you can use the "Print" option in your web browser, or click 鈥淐reate PDF鈥� at the top of the audit then open and print the PDF version of the audit.

GRADUATION

If all of the boxes are checked, does that mean I鈥檓 graduating?

Not necessarily. You must apply to graduate. If you have applied to graduate, the Registrar鈥檚 Office will complete a final audit after all final grades have been submitted to determine if you are eligible to graduate. Missing requirements will be communicated to you by the Registrar鈥檚 Office.

Are there requirements for graduation that Degree Works鈥痙oesn't鈥痗heck?

Yes. The Degree Works audit doesn鈥檛 always check for completion of comprehensive exams, or other projects, that some programs require.鈥� At the graduate level, thesis and dissertation paperwork and progress are not included in the audit.

USING WHAT-IF FEATURE

What is the What If feature?

The What If function allows you to hypothetically change your major, minor, or concentration. The What If audit will show you what coursework is required for the new major, minor, or concentration, what courses you have taken that satisfy requirements, and what courses are still left for you to take.

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

No. The What If function is for information purposes only. You will see the header What If Audit displayed at the top of the audit whenever an audit is run on a What If scenario.

Can my advisor see my What If scenario?

Since What If scenarios are not stored on Degree Works, your advisor can only see your results if the two of you work through a What If procedure together.

Can I view multiple What If scenarios on the same screen?

Yes. Degree Works will allow you to select more than one major at a time, or to select multiple major(s), minor(s) and concentration(s).

Can I save a What If scenario?

No. What If plans are not saved on Degree Works. You would need to run a new What If scenario next time you log in to see it again.

Can I print a What If scenario?

Yes. If you want to share it with your advisor at a later date, you should print your What If scenario.

If I like what I see in a What If scenario, how do I initiate the changes?