For most college students, figuring out degree requirements, graduation date and grade-point average is often a dreaded chore. Thanks to a new online system, checking academic records just got a lot easier for UC Merced students.
About 176 undergraduate students tested out
MyAudit- the campus’ new degree audit reporting system in early October. The event garnered valuable feedback used to enhance the system’s navigation before its campus-wide launch.
MyAudit is a fantastic tool that students can use to check progress in completing their chosen academic programs, and it prepares audits in seconds, said University Registrar Laurie Herbrand. Coupled with academic advising, MyAudit helps students create an effective roadmap to assist them in selecting courses to meet their degree-completion goals in a timely manner.
By showing students a clear picture of how close they are to completing their chosen degree program, MyAudit gives students ownership and control over their academic progress. Although students can view audits at any time, there are key times when viewing an updated report is important:
- before and after registering for classes each semester;
- after filing a Declaration of Candidacy;
- after registering for the final semester of courses.
MyAudit gave me a clear view of what I need to do next, said junior
psychologymajor Vinh Tran. Usually you have to go to the catalog or Web site and compile the information yourself.
MyAudit also allows students to play the what if game to see how changing a major or minor will affect when they graduate and the requirements they need to take.
I figured out if I switch from
managementto
economics, it would be easier than I thought, said Lindsey Lu-Pon, a junior majoring in management and psychology. I would not have realized that without MyAudit. Next, I plan to talk to my advisor.
Students who attended the test event were impressed by MyAudit’s colorful pie charts and detailed information. Many said they could envision the benefit of having their own audit reports when preparing for meetings with advisors and registering for classes.
MyAudit will help increase student accountability. said Alisha Kimble, advisor for the
School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts. It will encourage students to be self-reliant and help us promote transparency.
MyAudit is meant to complement advising appointments, not replace them.
Don’t be a stranger - your advisor still wants to see you, Kimble said.
Undergraduate students can access MyAudit from
my.ucmerced.edu. The campus anticipates MyAudit will be available to
graduatestudents in spring 2010.
