Registrar
Degree Works Help
Degree Works was updated this weekend (8/12/2023). We are in the process of updating this page to include helpful tips and images. Thank you for your patience during this process.
Introduction to Degree Works:
Degree Works is a new software that enables students and advisors to track students' progress toward degree completion. It will replace degree evaluations in Self-Service Banner for students whose catalog year is 2016-2017 and later. Students will be able to access the correct tool for their degree evaluation via MyBethel.
Features of Degree Works:
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Degree Works always loads with up-to-date data.
- Mobile-friendly, adaptive display automatically adjusts to fit any size computer screens, tablets, or handheld devices
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All majors, minors, and concentrations will display on a single evaluation (as long as they are in the same degree type).
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Clear color coding and icons to help highlight which graduation requirements are met or unmet.
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Click on a course or category link to see the course description(s) and planned section offerings for classes which meet that graduation requirement.
- Advising Notes on the Notes tab, or at the bottom of the degree evaluation worksheet, help record advisors’ guidance and advice for students.
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GPA Calculators help students plan minimum necessary grades in order to achieve overall GPA goals.
Summer 2023 DegreeWorks Update
On August 11, 2023, Bethel University upgraded DegreeWorks to a new dashboard called the responsive dashboard. This version is modern, cleaner, and features an adaptive display that fits well on tablets and smartphones. The original, classic dashboard has been discontinued.
Understanding Your Responsive Dashboard
HOW TO READ A DEGREEWORKS EVALUATION
Read the sections below to learn how to understand and use the key features of DegreeWorks. If you have additional questions, see the FAQ section below. Additional resources for CAS advisors are available on the Advisor Tools Page. More information for CAS students is available on the Advising website.
Student Header
Important information is displayed in the Student Header block, such as the student’s ID, name, academic program information (degree type, level, college, major, minor and concentration, if applicable), holds (if applicable), assigned academic advisor, etc. In the new dashboard, only certain fields with available information will display in the Student Header block. If the student does not have a minor, a concentration, or a hold on their account, etc. then that field header won’t show.
Responsive Style
student-header
Degree Progress
Previously, the Degree Progress percentage located below the Student Header block was displayed as a bar.
In the new responsive dashboard, the Degree Progress that shows the percentage complete of the student’s requirements and credits is displayed as dials. The student’s GPA is also located here, which only includes grades earned in Bethel courses, not transfer courses (courses with a T in the grade such as TA, TB, etc.).
Responsive Style
degree-progress
The Requirements progress will not always equal the Credits progress. Progress will not equal 100% until all courses are complete and grades have been processed in the system. A graduating senior who has completed all credits and course requirements and is preparing for graduation will reach 98% until the grades are submitted at the end of the term.
Previously, degree requirements were color shaded yellow, blue, or white based on the status of the requirement.
Classic Style
classic-style
In the new dashboard, a requirement status is not color shaded. The checkbox icons are now circles, and the colors remain similar to the old dashboard. Requirements completed will show in green, requirements not complete will show in red, and requirements with classes in-progress will show in blue.
Responsive Style
responsive-style
A legend key is included at the bottom of the DegreeWorks audit for reference.
legend
Each block header also displays an Incomplete, In-Progress, Complete, or See Advisor label based on the status of the requirements.
attention-notice
In the new dashboard, Repeated courses are recorded in a separate column on the right and indicated with a notation of (R) next to the course that has been repeated.
repeated-courses
Degree Requirements Layout
The Degree Audit Blocks are located below the Degree Progress section, and list the requirements needed to complete a degree.
The audit is still divided by blocks, but now users can collapse and expand sections for quick navigation and use the arrows within each block to collapse and expand a single block.
degree-requirements
The General Education Requirements, Major, Minor, Endorsement, and Concentration (if applicable), Electives (if applicable), In-progress etc. blocks are all listed in the same order as before.
Other blocks may display depending on the degree that the student is pursuing. Examples of these blocks are the Education Pathways block for the Bachelor of Arts in K-6 Education degree. A Course Program of Study & Financial Aid informational block will always show on the bottom of the DegreeWorks audit.
course-program-of-study
Electives and Extra Courses
An elective is any semester credit hours accepted by Bethel in transfer or awarded by Bethel that, for degree purposes, are not applied to the General Education requirements, major, minor, concentration, etc.
In the new dashboard, electives will display in one of two blocks:
- Electives Credits Required For This Degree - courses that count towards degree requirements and completion
- Extra Elective (Not Required for This Degree) - courses that are not counting towards degree requirements
elective-credits
Courses Not Used
Courses that fall under the Courses Not Used block are coursework that is not counted toward graduation requirements. This includes developmental courses as well as repeat attempts that exceed the one repeat limit, and duplicate courses. Courses fall into this category because they do not meet a rule somewhere in the degree plan. It can be a minimum grade rule, or a maximum number of hours allowed (such as the 8 credit limit on internships counting toward degree completion). In the new dashboard, any course considered not used will display in the Courses Not Used block.
courses-not-used
What-If and Look Ahead
Previously, the What-if function that applies the students’ courses to a different major, minor, concentration, etc. and the Look Ahead function that allows for potential courses to be reviewed against the degree plan to see where the course(s) would fall into a student’s plan, were separate.
In the new dashboard, the Look Ahead function is now labeled Future Classes and is combined with the What-if function to improve efficiency in the user interface. The user must still select the catalog year, degree type and major (some majors also require a concentration and/or a minor) but now the user has the option to include or not include In-progress and Passed classes. The Additional areas of study feature also gives the option to add another major, minor, etc. when using the What-if function.
what-if-analysis
Printing Your Student View Worksheet
To print the Student View of your degree evaluation worksheet, click on the printer icon on the upper right corner of the worksheet screen.
worksheet
A popup window will appear, where dimensions can be specified.
choose-dimension
Click on the desired dimension. Letter - Portrait (8.5 x 11 in) is the standard. Then, click Open PDF. A tab window will open, where the degree evaluation worksheet can be printed (use Ctrl + P or the print button). The degree evaluation worksheet can be printed from any Follow-Me-Printer.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: I think my degree evaluation worksheet has an error. What should I do?
A: CAS students should contact the Registrar's Office and CAPS/SEM/GS students should contact their Student Success Advisor.
Q: Can I register for classes in degree works?
A: No, students can register for classes by following the link to Add or Drop Classes in MyBethel.
Q: I'm pursuing two degrees (a BA and BS or MA and certificate). Only one appears on the degree evaluation worksheet. How can I check the requirements for my other program of study?
A: Use the "Degree" drop down menu to the right of your name to navigate to the evaluation worksheet(s) for your other degree(s).
Q: I'm a double major, but only one appears on the degree evaluation worksheet.
A: Most likely, the reason why the major seems to be missing is that it is part of a different degree. Use the "Degree" drop down menu to the right of your name to navigate to the evaluation worksheet(s) for your other degree(s). If the major is still missing, CAS students should contact the Registrar's Office and CAPS/SEM/GS students should contact their Student Success Advisor.
Q: I want to change my major. How can I see what would be required if I made this change?
A: Read the “What-If and Look Ahead” section. If you've decided you want to change your major, minor, or concentration, CAS students can fill out this form and CAPS/SEM/GS students can contact their Student Success Advisor.
Q: What does the @ symbol mean?
A: The @ symbol is the wildcard. It represents any course subject or course number.
Still have questions? Contact the Registrar's Office.