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Degree Audit

Understanding Degree Audits in Higher Education

A degree audit is a system-generated report that tracks a student’s progress toward meeting the requirements of their academic program. It helps students, advisors, and registrars ensure timely degree completion.

This category includes terms used in academic advising, student services, and registrar offices for monitoring academic progress and eligibility.

Glossary Terms
Term
Description
Degree Audit

A report that compares completed and in-progress coursework to program requirements.

Program Requirements

A defined list of courses and credits required for a specific degree.

In-Progress Course

A course currently being taken that will apply toward a degree once completed.

Transfer Credit

Academic credit from another institution that counts toward a current degree.

Graduation Status

A student's official standing regarding completion of all degree requirements.

Audit Exception

A manual override applied when substituting or waiving a program requirement.

Evolving Academic Tracking Tools

Modern degree audit systems integrate with SIS platforms, offering real-time updates, automated alerts, and predictive graduation planning. They empower students to plan effectively and reduce time-to-degree.