This guide will help student support agents assist students in downloading their unofficial transcript from the student portal. Reviewing the transcript allows students to identify the courses they have already completed and determine the next course listed in their Program Plan. 

3. Let the student know that the file will be saved in the Downloads folder on their device. 

A Program Plan gives students a recommended schedule for completing their certificates and degree. It shows which courses to take each term and helps them stay on track to graduate on time—typically in about 3.5 years. The Program Plan is especially helpful for new students or for those trying to plan their schedules more effectively. 

Where to Find Certificate and Degree Plans:

• Students can find their Program Plan linked in the Academic Catalog for each program.

Encouraging students to use their Program Plan will help them register for the right courses. 

Student support agents can use the Program Plan to help students decide when to take each course in their degree program. The Program Plan weaves together all the required courses in the Academic Catalog into one helpful schedule. It shows a suggested order for taking courses each block. Most Program Plans recommend that students take 4–6 credits each term—usually one academic course and either a General Education or Institute course. Comparing the Program Plan to the Degree Progress Audit helps students track their academic progress. 

What to Look For:

• Block-by-Block Course List: Each block shows which courses students should take.

• Credits: See how many credits each course and term include.

• Prerequisites: Look for notes about courses that must be completed first.

• Course Substitutions: The Program Plan may indicate that a new course has replaced one that is no longer offered. This is called a course substitution. Completing either the original or the replacement course will satisfy the student’s degree requirements.

Encourage students to use their Program Plan alongside the Degree Progress Audit and the Academic Catalog to register for the right courses in every block.

The Program Plan is a helpful recommendation for students, but they can take more or fewer courses depending on their time and circumstances. Even if students don’t follow the Program Plan exactly, it’s still important to encourage them to use it when registering for classes because it shows the required courses students need to complete in proper order. Following the Program Plan can also help students graduate more quickly. 

Why It Still Matters:
• It helps students take classes in the right order.
• It ensures they complete any needed prerequisites.
• It keeps them on a balanced pace of 4–6 credits per term.

If students are unsure how to use their Program Plan, mentors and support agents can guide them through the process.

A student's Program Plan is organized by academic block. It shows a suggested order for taking required courses. It brings together everything in the Course Catalog into one helpful schedule. Most Program Plans recommend that students take 4–6 credits each term—usually one academic course and either a General Education or Institute course.

What to Look For:

• Term-by-Term Course List: Each term shows which courses the student should take.

• Credits: See how many credits each course and term includes.

• Prerequisites: Look for notes about courses the student needs to complete first. 

Encourage students to use their Program Plan alongside their Degree Progress Audit and Course Catalog to make good choices every term. 

Do Students Need to Follow the Sequence Guide Exactly? 

No. The sequence guide is a helpful recommendation, not a strict rule. Students might want to take more or fewer courses in a term depending on their time and circumstances.

Why It Still Matters:
• It helps students take classes in the right order.
• It ensures they complete any needed prerequisites.
• It keeps them on a balanced pace of 4–6 credits per term.

Even if students don’t follow the guide exactly, it’s still wise to encourage them to use it when planning. If they’re unsure, refer them to a mentor or support agent for help.

The Academic Catalog is a detailed online resource that outlines all degree and certificate programs, course offerings, academic rules, and graduation requirements at BYU-Pathway Worldwide. It helps students navigate their educational path and understand what they need to complete their program. 

What Information Does the Catalog Include?

• Required courses for each program

• Descriptions and expected outcomes for each course

• Overviews of degree and certificate programs

• Institutional policies and graduation standards

• Career opportunities related to specific programs 

Why It Matters:

The academic catalog is the official reference for program planning. It ensures students know what requirements they must meet to graduate successfully.

A student’s catalog year refers to the specific set of program rules and graduation requirements that apply to the student, based on when they began their academic program. It determines which courses they need to take and what criteria they must meet to earn their certificate or degree. It is possible for students to have different catalog years for their certificate, associate's degree, and bachelor's degree. 

Why It Matters:

Using the correct catalog year ensures that students are following the right set of academic requirements. If they are viewing the wrong catalog, they might miss key classes or misunderstand what they need to complete their certificate or graduate with their degree. 

Instructions
How to Help Students Find Their Catalog Year:

1. Have the student log in to the student portal.
   
   

2. Guide them to select the Academics menu group.
   
   

3. Click on Degree Progress Audit.
   
   

4. Instruct them to use the View By Enrollment dropdown menu to choose their program:
   
   

• For certificates: Select the name of the certificate
  
  

• For bachelor’s degrees: Select BS [Degree Name]
  
  

5. Under Program Details, they will find their Catalog Year.