Introduction
The guide below is organized into sections, corresponding to respective “blocks” in Graduate Degree Works (GDW). If you applied for graduation, please pay close attention to each section. You can access Degree Works through the ñ Portal. You can search for "Graduate Degree Works" in the search bar.
(This page is primarily focused on the browser version of GDW; the mobile version may differ slightly).
Header
The header is at the top of the page. It lists basic information about your record.
- Please make sure your Name is listed correctly. The name displayed here will be what is printed on your diploma.
- Make sure your Major is correct and any Concentrations are listed.
- The header lists your Academic Standing. Options include "Good Standing", "Returned to Good Standing", and "Grad Probation Term X" (where X is the number of consecutive terms on probation).
- Degree Status: If you have applied for graduation, your current degree status should be “Pending”. If it is listed as "Sought", please contact Academic Affairs. More than one degree program may be listed here, so check carefully for your current program.
- Graduation Status: If you have applied for graduation, your current status should be “Plans to Graduate”; if you have applied to graduate in a previous semester, the status may be different. Again, more than one program may be listed, so be sure to check the current one.
Degree Progress
- An "Overall" (i.e., cumulative) GPA of 3.0 is required to graduate. If your cumulative GPA is below this, you are considered to be on Academic Probation.
Degree Requirements Summary
Please refer to the Legend here:
If you plan to graduate:
- Make sure all the requirements listed in this section are either “in progress” (blue semi-circle) or “complete” (green check mark).
- English Requirements: If you were required to take English Language (ELS) courses, these will be listed here.
- For thesis or dissertation students please also see the Graduate NonCourse Requirements section.
- If "Prior Completed Degree Verification" is unchecked, this means that your undergraduate degree is currently not on file! Please reach out to Graduate Admissions to resolve this. (Students in International Partnership Programs will see "Overseas Degree Verification" listed instead, and should contact Academic Affairs for questions).
Major Block
- Please read the summary at the top of the Major block!
- Total credits required for the program will be listed, as well as a title of credits completed or in progress. If you are intending to graduate, these numbers should match. If they don't equal, please see the description of the "Fallthrough" section below.
- The Major block also lists any program restrictions on courses, such as the number of 400-level courses allowed in the program.
Graduate Non-Course Requirements
This section appears for thesis and dissertation (doctoral) students only.
- We will contact you if there are any issues with the Residency Requirement. Academic Affairs will mark it completed shortly before the end of the semester.
- Check to make sure all of your Exams are completed and reach out to your department and Academic Affairs (aa@illinoistech.edu) if you have any questions.
- MS students will have a Master's Comprehensive Exam, and thesis requirements listed.
- PhD students will have a PhD Qualifying Exam, PhD Comprehensive Exam, PhD Oral Defense Exam, and dissertation requirements listed.
- Thesis/Dissertation Documents will both be marked completed at the same time as the thesis/dissertation is approved by the Thesis Examiner.
Fallthrough
Please pay careful attention to this section.
- Courses in Fallthrough are not currently applying to your program!
- If you want a course to apply to your program and it is in Fallthrough, it must be approved through the eform process. Not all eforms will be approved to apply to your program, so it is important to talk with your department before taking a class.
- Eforms is a proprietary approval system that can be accessed from the "Links" tab at the top of GDW. Please reach out to Academic Affairs with specific questions about eforms.
Insufficient
- Classes with a Fail (E), Withdrawal (W), Unsatisfactory (U), or Non-Attendance (NA) grade, and classes that have been repeated will be in this section. Classes with these grades do not count toward fulfilling degree requirements. E and NA grades are counted in your GPA calculation. U and W grades are not.
- Note: Repeated classes will be marked with an "(R)" and are not used in the GPA calculation.
In-Progress
- These are the classes you are currently taking. This section will also include research courses with a current grade of Research (R).
- This is also where your preregistered (future semester courses) will be listed.
Notes
- Sometimes there will be notes viewable to students.
Further Help
If you have questions about Graduate Degree Works, please contact Academic Affairs.