As the CSU moves towards more responsive and dynamic advisement, the implementation of a digital degree planner, or roadmap, systemwide will be essential as it ensures that all CSU students are provided a consistently clear path to graduation. Evidence shows that planners provide students with an accurate, real-time understanding of what courses they need to graduate and real-time corrections when key academic milestones are missed.
Historically underrepresented students and first-generation students benefit significantly when given access to a degree planner as they often accumulate fewer credits in their first year, are retained at a lower percentage and more likely to struggle with navigating the course registration process. Digital degree planners are one critical element for solidifying what are commonly referred to as Guided Pathways that: 1) clarify pathways to a student’s end goal; 2) help students choose and enter particular degree pathways; 3) help students stay on track; and 4) ensure student learning.
A digital degree planner is defined as a personalized, app-based tool that prepopulates degree requirements and course-taking options offering students real-time, semester-by-semester planning for registration and degree completion. The digital tool should be maintained for accuracy and account for all previously earned and applicable credit prior to registration.
CSUCI is specifically focused on these tasks:
- Create an internal measure of CSU students, by campus, who are actively using a digital degree planner by Fall 2022.
- Complete transcript audits for all first-time and transfer students prior to registration for their first term at the CSU.
- Develop an infrastructure plan to maintain accurate degree maps and course availability submitted to the Chancellor’s Office no later than January 15, 2022.
- Ensure that every first-time student has access to and enrolled in General Education A2/B4 courses in their first year. Enrollment tracked by campus to establish improvement targets.
- Automate degree audit and clearance for students.