Once your degree plan and accompanying rationale essay are approved, you have your personalized map to completing your studies at Empire State College.

You should save and/or print out a copy of your approved degree plan and use it in the following ways:

• Check off the courses that you have already completed, and continue checking off courses as you complete them each term.
• Create a plan for completing the rest of the courses: identify how many courses are left to complete and project how many terms that completion may take.
• When you register for a term, always consult your approved degree plan to make sure that you’re taking something listed on that plan.
• If a new course comes to your attention, something that was not available when you planned your degree, consult your mentor about the possibility of switching courses to accommodate the new course.  Know that although you cannot remove courses that you need to address major guidelines or general learning requirements, you do have some flexibility in changing courses.

When you are entering your last term and taking your last courses, make sure to fill out a graduation application.  This will trigger a final review once your last grades have been submitted.  The college checks to make sure that you completed the specific courses on your approved degree plan.