Tracking Progress Toward a Degree

Universal Tracking is the university's academic monitoring system that assesses progress toward your degree requirements. There is a recommended semester plan for each major and this plan illustrates an optimal path for completing the degree in four years.

Students who enroll during the fall and spring semesters: Your progress toward a degree is monitored in those semesters to ensure that you are on track. For you, the summer terms provide an excellent opportunity to catch up on critical-tracking courses or to improve your GPA.

Students who enroll only in the spring and summer semesters: Your progress toward a degree is monitored in those semesters to ensure that you are on track. For you, the fall semester provides opportunities to catch up on critical-tracking courses or to improve your GPA.

Each semester you are reminded via GatorLink email to review your degree audit on ISIS before advance registration for the next term. The audit fits your courses and grades into the degree requirements for your major, indicating the requirements that have been completed as well as showing you what requirements still need to be completed.

What is minimum academic progress?

• You do not have to complete all of the courses in the recommended plan each semester to remain on track; you simply have to meet certain minimum requirements known as critical-tracking criteria.
• Critical-tracking criteria usually include a minimum GPA (UF or overall, depending on the college), completion of certain courses toward the major (critical-tracking or preprofessional courses) and a minimum GPA in the critical-tracking courses (tracking or preprofessional GPA). The critical tracking criteria for each major appear just before the recommended semester plan for that major; for many majors, critical-tracking courses are bolded in the semester plan. In the degree audit, a summary of critical-tracking criteria appears near the top of the audit.
• All students admitted as freshmen are monitored in their first semester for the Semester 1 critical-tracking criteria, regardless of the number of hours you have earned through dual enrollment and credit by examination.
• An off-track student will have a hold placed on his/her registration to ensure that the student meets with an adviser to discuss his/her progress. This allows you to determine what is necessary to get back on track, or to change to a more appropriate major.
• If you are off-track for two consecutive terms, you must change to a major more appropriate to your goals and performance. Once you select a new major, you should contact the college offering that major to schedule an appointment with an adviser to discuss changing majors.
• Advisers in the Academic Advising Center (AAC) in 100 Farrior Hall can help you identify potential majors and the AAC can refer you to the appropriate college(s) for information about specific majors.

What is the purpose of monitoring your coursework?

The universal tracking system provides feedback on your progress in a major, helping you to find the best academic path to complete your degree.

How do you stay on track for your major?

You must complete the required critical-tracking courses with the necessary grades each semester. These courses also are listed by major in the catalog. The critical-tracking criteria are minimum requirements for progression; you should consult your degree audit and your adviser to ensure you meet all requirements for graduation.

How are you notified if you are off track for your major?

A hold will be placed on your registration that requires you to meet with an adviser. You should review your holds on ISIS when planning your registration for the next semester.

How can you find the tracking criteria for other majors?

• Explore the requirements for different majors using the degree shopping function (under Degree Audit) in ISIS.
• Speak with an adviser in the college(s) that offers the major(s).
• View the recommended semester plans for each major in this catalog.

How does a hold affect you?

• Holds applied before advance registration prevent you from registering until you consult an adviser to develop an academic plan to complete the critical-tracking courses for the current major or identify a more appropriate major.
• Holds applied at the end of the semester for failure to be on track for two consecutive semesters require you to see an adviser before the next term of enrollment to select a new major and to avoid cancellation of enrollment.

How do you change majors?

Contact the advising office of the college that offers the major.

What other resources are available to help select a new major?

• Consult the AAC's webpages for detailed information about exploring majors at UF. There are suggested plans as well as numerous links and resources to help you.
• The Career Resource Center in the Reitz Union offers workshops and other assistance to find a new major.