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ISU is committed to helping students graduate on time. ISU students use the degree audit and other tools provided in MySAM to track their progress towards graduation.
All undergraduate degree-seeking students can access their degree audits online at any time. A degree audit is a record of degree requirements, including courses needed for the program of study (for example, major, minor) and Foundational Studies (general education) as well as University requirements such as grades, grade point average, credit hours earned, and transfer courses accepted. The audit displays the student’s progress toward meeting each requirement and shows how ISU and transfer courses fulfill degree requirements.
Undergraduates can follow these instructions for using MySAM.
These tools are used primarily for academic advising, course scheduling, and certification for graduation. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the degree audits and plans of study, it is the student’s responsibility to make sure s/he meets all degree requirements. The only official documentation of a student’s academic record is an official transcript.
Indiana State University announced a four-year graduation guarantee for students enrolling fall 2012 and beyond. This guarantee assures eligible students they will be able to complete a bachelor’s degree within four years. If not, they will be able to take remaining courses tuition free.
Instructions
To take advantage of the guarantee, students must sign an application during their freshman year. If they meet their commitments under the contract and find themselves unable to graduate in four years, the University will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for any remaining required courses.
Student Requirements
The student is responsible for:
- Entering the University as a first-time, full-time student beginning fall 2012 or after.
- Declaring his/her interest in pursuing the Four-Year Graduation Agreement by signing this application during the freshman year. The four-year time period begins with the start of fall of the student’s first year. Students who sign up after the start of classes in their first semester may have deficiencies that will need to be addressed before the agreement goes into effect.
- Meeting with his/her advisor to develop a four-year plan to identify the courses the student must complete each semester to stay on course to graduate within four years. The student assumes responsibility for monitoring his/her progress to degree utilizing the degree audit reporting tool (MySAM) and is encouraged to meet with his/her advisor each semester to ensure that he/she stays on track.
- Following appropriate course sequencing (per program of study) and completing prerequisites with required grade for progression.
- Declaring and being admitted to a major by August 1, 2022 for students who entered in fall 2021. If major is changed, it must be done in time to meet the requirements of the new major and graduate within the original four-year time period.
- Remaining in good academic standing each term/semester (by both institutional and major standards).
- Completing 30 to 32 credit hours each academic year for four years as required by the college and major and meeting all degree requirements.
- Monitoring his/her progress and notifying his/her advisor by email and the Guarantee program by email at stayontrack@indstate.edu during priority registration period if unable to register for a required course needed to meet progression/graduation standards.
- Ensuring he/she has no holds blocking registration and registering for courses during the priority registration period.
- Applying for graduation by October 1, 2021 for May 2022 graduation.
This agreement applies to all degree programs of 128 semester hours or fewer.
University Responsibilities
The University’s responsibilities under the guarantee include:
- Providing confirmation of acceptance into the program based on student major and any college preparation deficiencies. Confirmation will be given within 60 days of submission.
- Providing appropriate courses for the major to ensure that the degree can be completed during the four-year period.
- Providing access to quality advising throughout a student’s time at Indiana State.
- Providing tools, including but not limited to degree audit reporting to enable the student to monitor his/her progress toward degree.
- Providing an annual assessment report indicating if the student is on track to graduate within four years and, if not, what issues need to be addressed to get back into compliance with the agreement.
- If a student is unable to graduate within four years due to the unavailability of required course work, the University may, when appropriate, allow the student to graduate within four years by substituting a different course or an independent study assignment, as determined by the department and the college offering the student’s major.
- If course substitution is not an option, and the student is unable to graduate after completing four years and complying with all terms of this agreement, Indiana State will pay the tuition and mandatory fees for any additional required courses.
The student must request a course substitution or waiver of tuition and mandatory fees prior to the beginning of classes for the last semester of the student’s four-year plan. The waiver of tuition and mandatory fees will be limited to the required course work and does not extend to any other costs of attendance including room and board fees and textbooks. All other fees will be the responsibility of the student.
At various points, students may fall out of compliance with the agreement due to financial constraints, academic performance, change of major and other issues. Students should work with their advisors to determine what options (summer school, tutoring, etc.) may exist to address those issues and come back into compliance.
MySAM is a suite of tools that includes a plan of study, advising notes, and GPA calculators in addition to the degree audit. These tools promote academic success and four-year graduation.
Overview of MySAM Tools
- Degree Audit: The degree audit shows academic requirements, grades, GPA, and course history (unofficial transcript). It also shows how completed or transferred courses fulfill degree requirements.
- Plan of Study: A student’s plan of study is a term-by-term recommended sequence of courses. Students who follow the plan and successfully complete their coursework can expect to graduate in four years.
- GPA Calculators: There are three types of GPA calculators to help students assess their expected and desired grade point average.
- Notes: Advisors can leave recommendations, suggestions, and other advice in the notes section of the student’s degree audit and/or plan of study.
To access MySAM and see your individualized degree audit and/or plan of study:
- Go to https://isuportal.indstate.edu and use your University ID and password to log in to the portal.
- Select the “Student Self-Service” badge.
- On the bottom left, under the “My Degree Program” section, select “MySAM – My Student Academic Map
For more information, visit www.indstate.edu/registrar/mysam
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