Degree Navigator Frequently Asked Questions


Student Focus


Advisor Focus


Student Focus


What is Degree Navigator (DN)?
Degree Navigator (DN) is a web-based advising tool that allows you to track the progress you are making toward your degree, give you a better understanding of degree requirements, and explore the requirements of alternative majors. DN is designed to facilitate higher quality advising sessions, allowing you to engage your advisor at a level beyond just an explanation of the requirements.

Why was DN developed?
DN was developed to meet a student need for a clear picture of what the academic requirements are for graduation in the student's selected degree program.

Why should I use DN?
DN provides you with a clear picture of the requirements for your degree as well as how your academic history applies to those requirements. You can check Degree Navigator to map out the courses you need to enroll for, and to make informed decisions about various degree tracks. Degree Navigator was not designed to replace the traditional academic advising from an Academic Advisor in your major. DN should be used as an advising tool, in conjunction with the Academic Advisor.

How can I access my DN reports?
Degree Navigator is available on the internet at http://degnav.msu.edu. Logging in requires a valid NetID and password.

What are the various reports available to me?
There are several degree reports available to you. The default report is simply a description of the degree requirements. The recommended report is the "Audit - Full Report with Course Status." This report is a complete listing of your full academic history as applied to the program requirements for the degree. It includes all complete, in progress, and incomplete requirements, with a full listing of all the courses, used, unused, and excluded.

Who has access to my DN reports?
Selected advisors in your major(s), and your college have access to view your degree reports. You are also able to print your reports and share them with other advisors.

Can I use my DN reports in place of a transcript?
No. Degree Navigator is not an official University document. Currently, it is an advising tool only and does not take the place of a University transcript. Transcripts may be ordered online at the Registrar's website, http://reg.msu.edu

What do my reports mean? How do I interpret what I'm seeing?
There are a variety of reports available to you. The most comprehensive report is the "Full Report with Course Status." This report is a complete listing of your full academic history as applied to the program requirements for the degree. It includes all complete, in progress, and incomplete requirements, with a full listing of all the courses, used, unused, and excluded. Courses that have been applied to a particular requirement will appear in that requirement block, and in the "Used" section at the bottom of the report.
Information varies in format from report to report. The "Audit - Short Progress" report shows a brief description of each requirement, both met and unmet, and shows the subject and course number of courses applied to the requirement.
The "Audit - Outstanding Requirements" report only shows requirements that are not yet fulfilled.

What if I disagree with something on my report?
Please contact your Academic Advisor if you have any specific questions about your results on any of the reports. All of the reports will display the same basic information, just in a slightly different format.

Who do I contact if something on my report is not the way I expect it?
Please contact your Academic Advisor if you have any specific questions about your results on any of the reports. All of the reports will display the same basic information, just in a slightly different format.

Can I print a report?
You will have better results if you use the Print Report icon at the top of each report instead of using the print option within your browser.

Can I authorize someone other than me to view my report?
Selected advisors in your major(s), and your college have access to view your degree reports. You are also able to print your reports and share them with other advisors.

There are codes on my report that I don't understand. What do they mean?
  • MTHRQMT – The Academic Orientation Program's Proctored Mathematics Placement Examination which waives the University Mathematics Requirement when receiving a score of 19 or better.
  • TOTALCR - The credits listed with this course are the total credits on the student’s record which count toward the University minimum requirements for a degree. This includes enrolled credits (the assumption is they will be passed).
  • PRED – The code placed on a course when that course is repeated. This code is used to determine whether or not the course is eligible to be used to meet the requirements for the degree program. These courses are not included in the total number of credits required for graduation.
  • NOCOUNT– The code that identifies a remedial / developmental / preparatory course. These courses are not included in the total number of credits required for graduation.
  • CSEWAIV– This entry on a student’s record indicates the student passed a CSE 101 Waiver Exam.
  • MTHWAIV– This entry on the student’s record represents the student satisfied Pre-MTH condition placed on the student.
  • ESLMAX– The code used to identify ESL 220, 221, 222, and 223. This code is used to determine whether or not the course is eligible to be used to meet the requirements for the degree program. These courses are not included in the total number of credits required for graduation, after a maximum of six (6) credits are earned.

What is the University Residency Requirement?
Students must complete one year's work, normally the year of graduation, earning at least 30 credits in courses given by Michigan State University. Students must earn at least 27 credits on the East Lansing campus after reaching junior standing. Students must complete at least 20 credits at Michigan State University while enrolled in the major in the college in which the degree is to be earned. Additional information can be found in Academic Programs: http://www.reg.msu.edu/AcademicPrograms/

What is the University Diversity Requirement?
Many of the courses in the Arts and Humanities area (IAH) and in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences area (ISS), emphasize national diversity (designated "N" at
the end of the course title), or international and multicultural diversity (designated "I" at the end of the course title). Some courses emphasize both national diversity,
and international and multicultural diversity (designated "D" at the end of the course title). Students must include at least one "N" course and one "I" course in their Integrative
Studies programs. A "D" course may meet either an "N" or an "I" requirement, but not both.

What if I want to change my major?
Freshmen and sophomores with 55 or fewer credits must initiate the change of major preference either in the office of the associate dean of the new college major or in the appropriate Undergraduate University Division Student Affairs Office. Juniors and seniors wishing to change their major must initiate the change in the office of the associate dean of the college to which the student wishes to transfer. Go to the MSU Academics web page for a list of college web sites: http://www.msu.edu/academics_research/index.html

How do I look at the other major's requirements?
At the top of the screen within Degree Navigator, under the Michigan State University header, there is a menu. The first option is "Search," hover over it, then select "Degrees." Type in the name of the major you are investigating. If there are multiple search results, select the major from the list. If there is only one search result, you will be taken directly the Degree Description report. View the Full Report with Course Status to see how your course work will apply to the requirements of this major program.

What is a "visual" requirement? How is it different than a "non-visual" requirement?
A visual requirement is a Degree Navigator term for course requirements which lead to the fulfillment of a degree program. Non-visual requirements include GPA, grade and limitation requirements usually referred to as "Conditions".

What are "Conditions"?
Conditions are special circumstances which must be considered when meeting the requirements for a degree. Some conditions detail the repeat, remedial, GPA, and minimum grade rules. Programs may have additional conditions based on the requirements for the degree.

My advisor told me a particular class would count, but it's not showing up. What do I do?
You will need to contact your Academic Advisor about processing a substitution on your degree program.

I changed majors and a course that used to apply isn't applying correctly now. What do I do?
You will need to contact your Academic Advisor about processing a substitution on your degree program.

My report shows that I've met all the requirements. What do I do now?
Students expecting to graduate must fill out a graduation application before the start of their final semester. Graduation applications are available on the Registrar's website at http://reg.msu.edu.

Advisor Focus


What is Degree Navigator (DN)?
Degree Navigator (DN) is a web-based advising tool that allows students to track the progress they are making toward their degree, give a better understanding of degree requirements, and explore the requirements of alternative majors. DN is designed to facilitate higher quality advising sessions, allowing the student to engage their advisor at a level beyond just an explanation of the requirements.

Why was DN developed?
DN was developed to meet a student need for a clear picture of what the academic requirements are for graduation in the student's selected degree program, and to ease the administrative burden on departmental Academic Advisors. DN has never been intended to take the place of the Academic Advisors.

Why should I use DN?
DN provides the student with a clear picture of the requirements for their degree as well as how their academic history applies to those requirements. Advisors can check Degree Navigator to help students map out enrollment for required courses, and to help students make informed decisions about various degree tracks. DN should be used as an advising tool, in conjunction with the Academic Advisor. Degree Navigator is the tool that tracks substitutions made to a student's degree program. These substitutions will be key for when DN evolves into a true degree audit system.

How can I access my student's DN reports?
Degree Navigator is available on the internet at http://degnav.msu.edu. Logging in requires a valid NetID and password. Each college has a security administrator who grants access to the members of a department or college that requires the ability to view student information. FERPA applies to Degree Navigator.

What are the various reports available?
  • Degree Description: A listing of the program requirements including any substitutions that have been processed for the student, but without the student's academic information applied to it. The basis of these requirements is Academic Programs.
  • Audit - Full Report with Course Status: This report is a complete listing of the student's full academic history as applied to the program requirements for the degree. It includes all complete, in progress, and incomplete requirements, with a full listing of all the courses, used, unused, and excluded. The Full Report with Course Status is included in the Electronic Student Academic Folder (ESAF) in the "Degree Reports" section. You must have access to the ESAF in order to view the report there.
  • Audit - Outstanding Requirements Report: Details only those requirements that have not been fulfilled to date
  • Audit - Short Progress Report: A summary of each requirement. But the report includes both met and unmet requirements. The header info is the same.
  • Substitution Report: The Substitution Report is only available for individuals who have clearance to process substitutions on a student's record.

Who has access to my students' DN reports?
The student can grant access to any individual with a valid MSU NetID and password (up to six), beyond those individuals given access by the departmental security administrator. Usually, access is limited to advisors in the college, department, or major.

What do the reports mean? How do I interpret what I'm seeing?
There are a variety of reports available to you. The most comprehensive report is the "Full Report with Course Status." This report is a complete listing of the student's full academic history as applied to the program requirements for the degree. It includes all complete, in progress, and incomplete requirements, with a full listing of all the courses, used, unused, and excluded. Courses that have been applied to a particular requirement will appear in that requirement block, and in the "Used" section at the bottom of the report.
Information varies in format from report to report. The "Audit - Short Progress" report shows a brief description of each requirement, both met and unmet, and shows the subject and course number of courses applied to the requirement.
The "Audit - Outstanding Requirements" report only shows requirements that are not yet fulfilled.

What if I disagree with something on the report? Requirements, or the way courses are being applied to the requirements.
If you find something on a student's reports that you don't understand, or if you disagree with the way the auditor is applying courses to the requirements, contact the Registrar's Office:
  • E-mail the Registrar's Office at reg@msu.edu (cc: other members of your college as requested)
  • Be as specific as possible
  • Provide the following information:
    • Student Name
    • Student ID
    • Name of the report you're viewing
    • Requirement Number
    • Course or courses affected
    • Description of the correction required
Requests for corrections to degree programs that contradict Academic Programs will have to go through governance. To check the way your program's requirements are reflected in the most up-to-date version of Academic Programs, please go here: http://www.reg.msu.edu/AcademicPrograms/

Our department has changed requirements a few times over the past couple of years, and I want to specify which years' requirements the student has to meet. How do I do that?
The version of requirements that a student is responsible for is determined programmatically based on requests from the colleges. For example, the version could be driven by when a student enters the university, when a student declares a major, or when a student becomes a junior.
Versions become important for students who have separated and returned to the University, to ensure they are following the desired set of requirements.
The ability to update the version of requirements a student is following can be found on the student's DN reports. Click in the drop-down box next to the Version, then select a term from the list and click "Apply." This is necessary every time you view the student, this info is not stored for viewing unless a substitution has been processed against the version, then it will stay the same.
When making substitutions, version is important to note to be sure you're processing against the correct requirements.

What is a substitution?
A substitution is a customized change to the student's degree requirements.

How do I process a substitution?
Click on the student's major. If the change is for a university requirement, you must use the green tool bar at the top of the screen and click on the word 'Edit'. This will give you a drop down box. Select Degree Type Requirements. Now you will see a list of University requirements. Find the one you want to change and click on the 'Edit' tab to the left of the requirement. You now in the edit mode and can add a course, delete a course, or change the number of credits/courses required.
If you wish to do a substitution for a major or college requirement, you will select the student's major, click on the "Edit Degree" tab toward the top of the screen. You will now view a Degree Edit screen. Find the requirement you want to change. You can add a course, delete a course, or change the number of credit/courses required.

Who has access to process substitutions? (Why don't I?)
Not everyone has access to do substitutions. Different levels of security are involved. Contact your Associate Dean's office and they will send the appropriate paperwork to grant your access.

Do substitutions carry over if the student changes majors?
Substitutions done to University requirements carry over from one major to the other. If the student does a major change within your college, some substitutions made on the college requirements will carry over.

How do I remove a substitution?
When in the degree edit mode, find the requirement where the mistake is. There is a box titled Remove Substitutions. Click on that and all substitutions for the requirement will be deleted.

I made a mistake when I processed a substitution, how do I fix it?
The first step is to delete the substitution that was processed in error. Follow the instructions for removing a substitution. Next, re-enter the correct substitution.

Can I print the report?
You will have better results if you use the Print Report icon at the top of each report instead of using the print option within your browser.

Can I authorize someone other than me to view my students' reports?
No. Only the security administrator in your college or department can grant access to an advisor to be able to review students' DN reports.

There are codes on the report that I don't understand. What do they mean?
  • MTHRQMT - The Academic Orientation Program's Proctored Mathematics Placement Examination which waives the University Mathematics Requirement when receiving a score of 19 or better.
  • TOTALCR - The credits listed with this course are the total credits on the student's record which count toward the University minimum requirements for a degree. This includes enrolled credits (the assumption is they will be passed).
  • PRED - The code placed on a course when that course is repeated. This code is used to determine whether or not the course is eligible to be used to meet the requirements for the degree program. These courses are not included in the total number of credits required for graduation.
  • NOCOUNT - The code that identifies a remedial / developmental / preparatory course. These courses are not included in the total number of credits required for graduation.
  • CSEWAIV - This entry on a student's record indicates the student passed a CSE 101 Waiver Exam.
  • MTHWAIV - This entry on the student's record represents the student satisfied Pre-MTH condition placed on the student.
  • ESLMAX - The code used to identify ESL 220, 221, 222, and 223. This code is used to determine whether or not the course is eligible to be used to meet the requirements for the degree program. These courses are not included in the total number of credits required for graduation, after a maximum of six (6) credits are earned.

What is the University residency requirement?
Students must complete one year's work, normally the year of graduation, earning at least 30 credits in courses given by Michigan State University. Students must earn at least 27 credits on the East Lansing campus after reaching junior standing. Students must complete at least 20 credits at Michigan State University while enrolled in the major in the college in which the degree is to be earned. Additional information can be found in Academic Programs: http://www.reg.msu.edu/AcademicPrograms/

What is the University Diversity requirement?
Many of the courses in the Arts and Humanities area (IAH) and in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences area (ISS), emphasize national diversity (designated "N" at the end of the course title), or international and multicultural diversity (designated "I" at the end of the course title). Some courses emphasize both national diversity, and international and multicultural diversity (designated "D" at the end of the course title). Students must include at least one "N" course and one "I" course in their Integrative Studies programs. A "D" course may meet either an "N" or an "I" requirement, but not both.

What if I want to look at another major's requirements?
At the top of the screen within Degree Navigator, under the Michigan State University header, there is a menu. The first option is "Search," hover over it, then select "Degrees." Type in the name of the major you are investigating. If there are multiple search results, select the major from the list. If there is only one search result, you will be taken directly the Degree Description report. View the Full Report with Course Status to see how your course work will apply to the requirements of this major program.

What is a "visual" requirement? How is it different than a "non-visual" requirement?
A visual requirement is a Degree Navigator term for course requirements which lead to the fulfillment of a degree program.
Non-visual requirements include GPA, grade and limitation requirements usually referred to as "Conditions".

What are "Conditions"?
Conditions are special circumstances which must be considered when meeting the requirements for a degree. Some conditions detail the repeat, remedial, GPA, and minimum grade rules. Programs may have additional conditions based on the requirements for the degree.

A particular class should count, but it's not showing up as counting. What do I do?
A substitution will need to be processed for the student. If the requirement itself is incorrect, please contact the Registrar's Office with that information.

Our department is updating our requirements. What steps need to take place in order to get those changes to show up in DN?
Changes to a program's requirements must go through the University curriculum process. Once these have been approved by Faculty Senate, Degree Navigator will be updated.

The report shows that the student has met all the requirements. What do I do now?
Students expecting to graduate must fill out a graduation application before the start of their final semester. Graduation applications are available on the Registrar's website at http://reg.msu.edu.