Degree Works: Using the Student Educational Planner

The Degree Works Student Educational Planner (SEP) is an advising tool that helps students and advisors plan a clear path for timely degree completion. SEP advising plans outline required courses for students within their program(s) and a recommended schedule for completion. SEP can help you take courses and participate in services that align with your goals to graduate.

Keep reading to learn more about:

  1. Accessing Plans
  2. Plan Types
  3. Creating a Blank Plan
  4. Creating a Plan from a Template
  5. Adding or Deleting a Term
  6. Reviewing Your Plan
  7. Auditing Your Plan

Log in to Degree Works

To access Degree Works:

  1. Log in to Murphy Online
  2. Select Student Services
  3. Select Student Records
  4. Select Degree Evaluation - Responsive Dashboard

 

Accessing Plans

  1. Select Plans from the top menu of the Degree Works Dashboard
  2. A Plan List will be displayed showing any existing plans created by you or an advisor
 Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)

Plan Types

When establishing a new plan, there are two options: blank plans and templates. 

  • Blank Plans enable you to create a personalized plan from scratch. 
  • Templates are pre-filled with courses and semesters. You can modify the plan after selecting your template.

 

Create A Blank Plan

  1. From the Plan List (upper right), select New Plan
  2. Select Blank Plan
  3. Select the Starting Term from the drop-down menu
  4. Click Submit
  5. Enter a description for your plan
  6. If you have more than one program of study, you will see the Degree drop-down menu. Select the degree you want associated to this plan.
  7. Select Active to enable tracking
  8. Click Save
 Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)Image description:
Screenshot of dashboard featuring tab for creation of new plans with button highlighted in red square.
Your plan will be displayed containing the description and starting term you defined. Scroll down to begin adding courses to your plan.

 

Create a Plan from a Template

Currently, templates are not accessible for every major. If you don't find a suitable template for your major, you can create your own plan or consult with your advisor.

  1. From the Plan List (upper right), select New Plan
  2. Select Template
  3. The list of available plans will be displayed. Use the drop-down menu to filter the list by starting term or search plans using keywords. 
  4. Select the template you want to use and click Submit
    NOTE: The starting term must match the term start in the “Term Scheme” column. If they do not match you will receive an error. 
  5. Select the pencil icon at the top to edit the description
  6. If you have more than one program of study, you will see the Degree drop-down menu. Select the degree you want associated to this plan.
  7. Select Active to enable tracking
  8. Click Save
  9. To modify the plan, drag and drop course blocks to another term OR use the ellipsis icon (three stacked dots) to access the edit menu for the requirement
  10. Click the + symbol at the top to add more requirements if needed
 Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)

Image description:
Screenshot on dashboard featuring tabs to select from with informational text.

Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)

Image description:
Screenshot depicting edit options in a template.

Add/Delete a Term

You can add terms to a plan to continue mapping your coursework or delete a term you no longer want included in a plan.

  1. Select Add Term from the upper right in the plan block
  2. Use the drop-down menu to select the term
  3. Click Add
  4. The new term will appear in your plan. Repeat the process to add more terms.
  5. To delete or reassign an existing term, select the ellipsis icon (three stacked dots) next to the term name

 

Review Your Plan

  1. If your advisor made your plan active, then the template will track whether you are on track or off track to graduate based off requirements for the degree. Review the plan to determine whether your registration is “on-track ".
  2. Under the course name, you will see "On-track" or "Warning".
  3. On-Track designates that you have met the requirement
  4. Warning designates you have not met the requirement (not taken, failed, withdrawn, etc.)
  5. Select the printer icon (upper right) to print view to either print the plan or save it as a PDF. Print View condenses the plan and displays the course titles.
 Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)
Image description:
Screenshot showing option to print a plan with printer icon highlighted in red circle.

Planner Audit

The Audit feature enables you to review requirements fulfilled by your created plan. Unlike a traditional degree audit, it incorporates courses you intend to take, not solely those you have already completed or are currently undertaking. Please note that choice requirements marked with the @ symbol will not be displayed as planned in the Audit View.

  1. From the top left corner, select Audit
  2. The Planner Audit page will be displayed. Degree progress reflects the percentage of Requirements and Credits completed through courses taken and planned.
    NOTE: Progress will not be 100% until all courses are completed and graded.
  3. Please review the audit to verify that the plan aligns with the necessary course requirements for graduation. Requirements that are in progress or planned will be indicated by a blue half-filled circle in the Grade column, with "PLAN" specified under Grade and the planned term listed in the Term column. Requirements that have not been completed or planned are indicated by a red circle.
Print Article