Navigating college graduation requirements doesn't have to feel like a guessing game. At the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), students use Degree Works as a centralized web-based tool to track academic progress, map out future semesters, and verify that every class taken counts toward graduation. Instead of cross-referencing paper checklists with transcripts, this digital audit platform pulls real-time student data directly from Banner to show precisely what requirements are complete and what remains.
Whether you're a first-year student mapping out general education requirements or a senior checking off your final concentration credits, understanding how to read and use this platform prevents costly enrollment mistakes. This guide breaks down how to access your audit, interpret block requirements, utilize advanced planning features, and avoid common tracking pitfalls.
Accessing Your UNCG Degree Works Account
Before you can plan courses or check your GPA, you need to log into the system properly. UNCG integrates the platform directly through your standard student credentials, making access straightforward if you know where to look.
To open your audit, follow these steps:
- Navigate to the UNCG Spartan Central Degree Planning page.
- Click the link to access Degree Works or log straight into UNCGenie's Secure Area using your iSpartan username and password.
- Complete any required multi-factor authentication prompts to view your dashboard.
Once logged in, the system instantly generates your student header. This top section displays crucial data elements including your student ID, classification (freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior based on earned hours), major, minor, assigned academic advisor, and cumulative GPA. If you spot an error in your major or catalog year here, contact your Students First Office or departmental advisor immediately, because these fields dictate the exact rules your audit follows.
Decoding Your Degree Audit Blocks
The main body of your audit consists of a series of distinct blocks. Each block acts as a digital checklist evaluating a specific component of your undergraduate career. Learning to read these blocks tells you where you stand at a glance.
The Student Header and General Requirements
At the top, you'll see your overall credit totals and academic standing. Below the header, general education requirements (often aligned with UNCG's General Education Curriculum or MAC system) outline foundational competencies in areas like quantitative reasoning, written communication, and scientific exploration.
Major, Concentration, and Minor Blocks
These specialized blocks list the exact coursework required for your specific program of study.
- Complete items: Courses you've passed show up with a green checkmark, displaying the course code, title, grade received, and term completed.
- In-progress items: Classes you're currently taking display a blue wavy icon and your current registration details.
- Unfulfilled requirements: Empty checkboxes indicate what you still need to schedule, often accompanied by a hyperlink to view eligible course options.
Electives and Fallthrough Courses
If you take a class that doesn't directly fit into your major core or general education buckets, it typically routes to the electives block. Reviewing this section ensures you aren't taking redundant credits that fail to advance your path toward the 120 minimum hours typically required for a bachelor's degree.
Utilizing Advanced Planning and What-If Scenarios
One of the most powerful features of the platform is its capacity for forward-looking simulations. Students rarely stay on a single, linear path throughout college, and the system accommodates curriculum changes seamlessly.
The What-If Tool
Curious about how changing your major or adding a minor will impact your graduation timeline? You don't need to guess or visit an advisor just to ask.
- Select the What-If tab on the left-hand navigation menu within your audit screen.
- Choose your prospective catalog year, new major, and any potential concentrations or minors.
- Click process What-If to generate a simulated audit.
This view instantly recalculates your completed coursework against the new rules, highlighting which classes transfer over as major requirements and which ones drop into electives.
Educational Planner
Advisors often use the built-in planner feature to map out your remaining semesters course-by-course. You can view proposed terms, review prerequisites, and see if your planned schedule aligns with departmental course rotation offerings. Always review this layout before your registration window opens so you can move classes straight into your registration cart with confidence.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though the platform automates academic tracking, relying on it blindly can lead to registration hurdles. Keep these common missteps in mind:
- Ignoring prerequisite warnings: Just because a course fits an empty slot on your audit doesn't mean you've cleared its prerequisites. Always double-check the undergraduate bulletin for course rules.
- Forgetting to refresh: If a grade change goes through or an instructor lifts an incomplete grade, make sure your audit reloads to pull the latest Banner data.
- Treating the audit as official certification prematurely: While the system guides daily planning, the official degree conferral and graduation clearance involve a manual final review by the registrar's office and your academic dean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a completed course showing up in the wrong block?
Sometimes courses fall into general electives instead of your major block if a substitution hasn't been officially processed. If your advisor approves a course substitution, they must submit the paperwork to update your official profile so the system reflects the change correctly.
What should I do if my major or minor is listed incorrectly?
Your degree audit relies entirely on the official data recorded in Banner. If your declared major is wrong, you must submit an official change of major form through your student portal or consult your academic department to update your student record.
Does the system calculate my semester GPA?
The platform displays your overall cumulative GPA prominently in the student header block. For specific term-by-term breakdowns or midterm grade checks, you'll want to cross-reference your student profile directly inside UNCGenie.
Can I register for classes straight from my audit?
While the audit outlines what you need, actual registration happens through the registration portal on UNCGenie. You can click on hyperlinked course names within your audit requirements to view descriptions, meeting times, and section availability before registering.
