Navigating your path to graduation at the New Jersey Institute of Technology requires keeping a close eye on your academic record. Degree Works is the web-based tracking system that maps your completed credits, transfer courses, and active schedule directly against your specific graduation requirements. Instead of guessing which classes you need next, you can view a real-time audit that breaks down your major, minor, and general education blocks.
Accessing and reading this audit correctly prevents costly registration mistakes and helps you stay on schedule. Whether you're planning your upcoming semester or checking prerequisites, understanding how this platform processes your history ensures a smoother journey through college.
Accessing Degree Works Through Highlander Pipeline
To view your audit, you'll need to log into your student portal. Head over to the NJIT Highlander Pipeline using your UCID and password.
Once you're inside the portal, follow these steps to open your audit:
- Click the three-line navigation icon in the top left corner of the screen.
- Select Academics & Research from the menu options.
- Look under the Registration & Degree Plan section and click on Degree Audit (Degree Works).
The system automatically loads your primary degree evaluation. If you're pursuing a double major or a minor, use the dropdown selectors near the top of the page to switch between your active programs of study.
Decoding Audit Symbols and Requirements
When your audit loads, it organizes your coursework into distinct requirement blocks, such as General University Requirements, major core classes, and electives. Each line item features an icon that indicates your status. Knowing what these symbols mean helps you spot missing requirements immediately:
- Green Check: The requirement is fully satisfied. Either you've passed the course, or an approved transfer credit has filled the slot.
- Blue Half-Circle: The course is currently in-progress (IP). You are registered for it this semester, but final grades aren't posted yet.
- Empty Red Circle: The requirement hasn't been met. You still need to register for and pass an eligible course to clear this line.
- Exclamation Point: This warning flag means you should see your advisor right away. It often points to a prerequisite issue or an administrative hold.
At the very bottom of your audit, you'll find a section labeled Fallthrough or Electives. If you've taken classes that don't directly count toward your current curriculum requirements, they pool here. If a course you expected to count toward your major shows up in this bottom block, it's a clear signal to contact your academic department.
Using the What-If Feature for Major Changes
Thinking about switching your major or adding a minor? You don't need to visit the registrar's office just to see how your credits will transfer over. Degree Works features a built-in simulation tool called What-If.
Click on the What-If tab on the left-hand navigation menu of your audit page. From there, select a prospective catalog year, a new major, and any potential concentrations or minors. When you click Process What-If, the system generates a simulated audit using your exact course history.
This simulation shows you:
- Which of your completed classes instantly satisfy requirements in the new program.
- How many elective credits will carry over.
- Exactly how many additional semesters or classes you'll need to graduate if you make the switch.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Students often run into avoidable registration hurdles because they misunderstand how the software functions. Keep these practical points in mind to protect your schedule:
- Confusing an audit with an official transcript: Your Degree Works evaluation is an informal advising tool, not an official transcript. It cannot be sent to employers or graduate schools as official proof of your degree completion.
- Ignoring prerequisite warnings: Just because a course appears as an open red circle doesn't mean you can register for it blindly. Always check Banner via the NJIT Information Services and Technology portal for course prerequisites and corequisites.
- Failing to check catalog years: Your requirements are tied to a specific catalog year—usually the year you entered the university. If you take a leave of absence or change your catalog year incorrectly, your required blocks might shift unexpectedly.
If you spot an error in your evaluation, such as a missing transfer grade or an unapplied substitution, don't panic. Reach out directly to the NJIT Office of the Registrar or email your department advisor with your student ID number ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Degree Works updated automatically when I finish finals?
Yes. Once professors submit final grades at the end of the term and the registrar processes them, your audit updates automatically to reflect your new GPA and completed course statuses.
Why is an approved substitution not showing up on my audit?
Course substitutions require manual entry by your department chair or advisor using internal system overrides known as Scribe exceptions. If an exception hasn't been processed yet, the course will sit in your electives block until your advisor submits the paperwork to the registrar.
Can I view my GPA calculations inside the platform?
Yes. The graduation calculator and term calculator tools located at the top of your audit page let you input hypothetical grades to project your cumulative GPA for future semesters.
Who can see the notes left on my audit?
Advisors frequently use the notes tab to document meetings. Keep in mind that these notes are permanent parts of your educational record under FERPA regulations and are visible to you as well as authorized university staff.
