The Office of the University Registrar’s Degree Audit staff creates and maintains degree audit templates for all undergraduate majors, many minors, certificates, dual degree programs, and, increasingly, graduate and professional programs.
The degree audit templates must match the program requirements as published in the catalog. This ensures that when a degree audit runs for a specific student, the student’s academic record is matched against the appropriate requirements, to create an accurate degree audit report.
Creating Degree Audits Templates for New Programs of Study
Degree audit templates for new programs of study are typically created during the Summer following approval of the program of study. The degree audit template effective term matches the first term of admission into the program. Please see the Catalog Year and Approved Degree Programs, Emphasis Areas, and Other Academic Credentials policy.
Revisions and Updates to Existing Degree Audit Templates
Typically, degree audit templates are revised and updated once a year, starting after the catalog update cycle for the next academic year closes (May 1st or thereabouts) and through summer.
Sometimes, advisors, students, and others, notice issues that require changes during other times of the year. The following rubric was approved by the Undergraduate Deans in consultation with the Office of the University Registrar:
- Errors/Omissions in the audit.
Update audit to match catalog. - Emerging External Mandate (governmental, accrediting, etc.)
Follow the departmental changes request process outlined in the Mechanism for Requesting Exceptions to Catalog Edition or Year Policy (http://catalog.missouri.edu/academicpolicies/catalogyear/). - Emerging Internal Issues (such as the required class can no longer be offered due to faculty unavailability, and a substitute is being proposed)
Follow the departmental changes request process outlined in the Mechanism for Requesting Exceptions to Catalog Edition or Year Policy (http://catalog.missouri.edu/academicpolicies/catalogyear/). - Programs that follow calendar year rather than academic year (start in January)
The revision cycle may be off-set by six months. - Requests to Redesign the Layout of a Degree Audit Report
From time-to-time degree audits are completely redesigned (layout, overall appearance, etc.). These requests will be prioritized and undertaken as time permits; typically, over the summer, but they must still align with the published catalog. - Requests to add alternate, preferred or hidden courses.
Follow the applicable process as outlined in the Options for Managing Courses that are Preferred or Recommended (Sometimes Hidden) policy. - Add courses to a list of elective options when the catalog does not have a course list (e.g., advisor approved electives and CV_ENG Electives for Civil Engineering degree).
Update audit. - Add courses to a list of options when the catalog has a course list (e.g., additional Management Courses for Management emphasis).
Follow generic process below.* - Substitute one course requirement for another when new course is available (e.g., ATHTRN 4800 for NEP 4200 for Athletic Training: ATHTRN 4800 first offered SP2018).
Requirement change. OK if continuing to accept old course; follow the generic process below.* - Add new courses that were previously topics courses to a list of options (e.g., MANGMT 4201 to MANGMT 3900 for Management emphasis; MANGMT 3900 first offered in SP2018).
If approved so late that catalog could not be updated, follow generic process below.* Else, add to catalog going forward only. - Add brand new course.
If approved so late that catalog could not be updated, follow generic process below.* Else, add to catalog going forward only. - Delete courses from a list of options when the catalog does not have a course list (e.g., advisor approved electives and CV_ENG Electives for Civil Engineering degree).
Update future versions only. Old versions will continue to include the course. - Delete courses from a list of options when the catalog has a course list (e.g., additional Management Courses for Management emphasis).
Update future versions only, once the catalog has been updated. Old versions will continue to include it.
*Generic Process
Requester (AU/Department) must make the change to the catalog during the next revision cycle.
If requester expects many students under prior catalogs to take this class going forward, then add it to prior degree audit versions with an effective date of the catalog update. If many students took this class already, and requester wants to make en masse exceptions so that the class applies into past degree audit versions, on a case-by-case basis, a decision is made whether to create batch exceptions (example: MATH 1050). Written approval from appropriate level required (Vice-provost for Undergraduate Studies, etc.).
If few students are affected, the students’ catalog year in myZou can be changed to a subsequent term, to match a version of the degree audit, which includes the new requirements as outlined in the catalog (use this form https://registrar.missouri.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Petition_to_Change_Requirement_Term.pdf), or advisors can enter exceptions in myDegreePlanner for each affected student. Note that if the student’s catalog year is changed, the student’s general education requirements may change as well.
Changing the Title of a Program of Study
The degree audit template will be updated effective the Fall term following the academic year when the change was approved. Please see the Changes to Titles of Credentials portion of the Catalog Year and Approved Degree Programs, Emphasis Areas, and Other Academic Credentials policy.
Deactivating Degree Audit Templates for deleted/discontinued Programs of Study
Degree audit Templates for deleted/discontinued programs of study are deactivated effective the Fall term following the academic year the program last admitted students.
Questions?
If you have additional questions concerning updates to degree audit templates in your area, please email degreeaudit@missouri.edu.