# Degree Audit > Source: https://ibl.ai/resources/glossary/degree-audit **Definition:** A degree audit is an automated evaluation that compares a student's completed coursework and credits against the requirements needed to earn their degree. It gives students and advisors a clear, real-time picture of what has been fulfilled and what still remains. A degree audit is a structured report generated by a student information system that maps completed courses, transfer credits, and in-progress classes to the specific requirements of a declared degree program. The system works by pulling academic records and matching them against a programmed set of rules — such as required core courses, electives, minimum GPA thresholds, and credit hour totals — then flagging gaps or exceptions that need attention. Degree audits matter because they reduce the risk of students unknowingly missing requirements, help advisors prioritize conversations, and empower students to take ownership of their academic path toward timely graduation. ## Why It Matters In higher education, degree audits are essential tools for academic advising and student retention. They help institutions identify at-risk students early and ensure no one reaches senior year missing a critical requirement. ## Key Characteristics ### Automated Requirement Matching The system automatically maps completed and in-progress courses to degree requirements, eliminating manual cross-referencing by advisors or students. ### Real-Time Progress Visibility Students and advisors can view up-to-date completion status at any point in the academic journey, not just at registration or graduation checkpoints. ### Multi-Program Support Degree audits can simultaneously evaluate progress across multiple majors, minors, concentrations, and certificate programs for students with complex academic plans. ### Exception and Substitution Tracking Advisors can log approved course substitutions or waivers directly in the audit, keeping the official record accurate and transparent. ### What-If Analysis Many degree audit tools allow students to model how changing their major or adding a minor would affect their remaining requirements before making official changes. ### Integration with Student Systems Degree audits connect with SIS platforms like Banner and PeopleSoft to pull live enrollment, transfer credit, and grade data automatically. ## Examples - **Public Four-Year University:** A junior at a public university uses the degree audit tool to discover she is missing one required lab science course before she can apply for graduation. — *She enrolls in the missing course the following semester, avoiding a delayed graduation and saving one full semester of tuition.* - **Community College:** An academic advisor at a community college uses degree audits during registration advising to quickly identify which students are on track for transfer-ready status. — *Advisors reduce per-student advising prep time by 40% and increase the number of students they can support each semester.* - **Private Liberal Arts College:** A transfer student entering a private liberal arts college has 60 credits evaluated through the degree audit to determine which requirements are satisfied and which remain. — *The student receives a clear two-year completion plan on day one, improving confidence and reducing time-to-degree uncertainty.* ## How ibl.ai Implements Degree Audit ibl.ai's MentorAI brings degree audit functionality into an intelligent advising experience. By integrating with existing SIS platforms like Banner and PeopleSoft, MentorAI can surface degree audit data in real time during student interactions — proactively alerting students to missing requirements, suggesting next courses, and escalating concerns to human advisors. Unlike static audit reports, MentorAI turns degree progress data into personalized, conversational guidance available 24/7. Institutions retain full ownership of student data with FERPA-compliant infrastructure, and the agent runs on the institution's own systems with zero vendor lock-in. ## FAQ **Q: What is the difference between a degree audit and a transcript?** A transcript is an official record of all courses taken and grades earned. A degree audit goes further by mapping those records against your specific degree requirements, showing exactly what you still need to graduate. **Q: How often should students check their degree audit?** Students should review their degree audit at least once per semester — ideally before registration — and after any major change like adding a minor, switching majors, or transferring credits. **Q: Can a degree audit replace meeting with an academic advisor?** No. A degree audit is a powerful planning tool, but advisors provide context, handle exceptions, and offer guidance that automated systems cannot fully replicate. The two work best together. **Q: What happens if my degree audit shows an error?** Students should contact their academic advisor or registrar's office. Common issues include transfer credits not yet evaluated, approved substitutions not recorded, or courses mapped to the wrong requirement block. **Q: Does a degree audit guarantee I will graduate on time?** A degree audit shows your current progress but does not account for future course availability, GPA requirements, or prerequisite chains. It is a planning tool, not a graduation guarantee. **Q: How does AI improve the degree audit process?** AI can proactively notify students of gaps, recommend specific courses to fill requirements, predict graduation timelines, and flag at-risk students to advisors — turning a static report into an active support system. **Q: What systems are commonly used to run degree audits?** Common degree audit platforms include Degree Works, uAchieve, and Stellic. These typically integrate with SIS platforms like Banner, PeopleSoft, or Colleague to pull live student data. **Q: Can degree audits track progress for double majors or minors?** Yes. Most degree audit systems support multiple concurrent programs, allowing students and advisors to see progress toward each declared major, minor, or certificate within a single report.