This semester, Mississippi State University is transitioning from the CAPP compliance system of degree audits to a program called Degree Works.
Degree audits are performed to ensure that students have completed all requirements before being awarded their degrees. In the past, CAPP compliance has helped students track audits, but Degree Works will replace this system.
According to the MSU Office of the Registrar, students enrolled at MSU from fall 2020 until now will use Degree Works. Students who enrolled prior to fall 2020 will continue using CAPP to track degree requirements and graduation progress.
Emily Shaw and Amy Adkerson have been working with Information Technology Services to lead this effort.
Adkerson and Shaw said the university has used CAPP since 2008.
According to Adkerson, Degree Works will be very similar to the current system but will have several new features to help users.
“If a degree requirement has multiple courses that can fulfill a rule, Degree Works displays those right there in the audit,” Adkerson said. “Degree Works also shows students which courses have prerequisites, and with one click, they can see if the course is included on future master class schedules.”
Along with easier access of course information, Adkerson said the system will clearly display the academic standing and additional attributes of a student.
Shaw said the change has been initiated to maintain sustainability for updates.  
Both Adkerson and Shaw said they believed students will find the update to be a positive change, but it may be challenging to learn a new system.
Ginger Pizer, an adviser in the Department of English, agreed.
“There will definitely be a learning curve as with any process,” Pizer said.
However, Pizer said Degree Works will be a useful tool. She said she remembered the previous transition to CAPP 15 years ago.
“Before CAPP, everything was on paper,” Pizer said.
Ann Olivia Radicioni, a senior majoring in political science, said she does not think the learning curve will be much of a hurdle in the transition process.
“The transition has not ultimately been difficult, as I have had many of my friends show me Degree Works and how they are using it. I also think the overall new layout of links makes the program so much simpler,” Radicioni said.
Radicioni said she was impressed by the aesthetic of the system.
“I found that CAPP was incredibly useful, but based upon the layout, it was a bit harder to navigate. The overall set-up of Degree Works is much more aesthetically pleasing, and through its graphics, it’s simpler to understand,” Radicioni said.
To learn more about the transition or the degree auditing process, visit the registrar’s website.