Undergraduate Degree Planning

We have designed this page with the needs of Sprott students in mind to help you stay on track as you progress through your program. Please review this information at least once a year or every time you make changes to your Program Progression Plan.

Develop Your Program Progression Plan

Your Program Progression Plan is your individualized action plan for navigating your degree – it centres around your short-term and long-term goals, including your academic, career, and graduation objectives. Your plan should consider your commitments, extracurriculars, personal circumstances, and your learning needs. The success of your plan will require that you,

• Identify your course requirements, priorities, and interests.
• Find the link between your courses – content and prerequisites.  
• Plan for different scenarios and opportunities for success.
• Revisit your plan every term. 
• Expect changes – your goals and requirements may change throughout your program. 
• Consult and ask for help along the way – your Program Advisors can review your academic plans and help you adjust it when needed. 

It is never too early or too late to develop a clear action plan – whether you are in your first year or starting your last, your Program Progression Plan will provide you with the structure that you need to align your registration with your program requirements. 

Step 1: Identify Your Program Requirements

The Undergraduate Calendar is your first stop to review University Rules and Regulations, as well as program and course requirements. 

This information, combined with your Academic Audit, provide you with the necessary tools to identify and understand your program requirements. 

Your Audit is your personalized map for your program – get your own copy of your audit on Carleton Central, and take the time to review it and understand it. 

Remember that your Audit may reflect your requirements based on the Calendar Catalogue Year that matches your year of admission – if there is a discrepancy between your audit and the current calendar, review the program structure for the corresponding year in the Calendar Catalogue Archives.

For more information about how to read your academic audit check out the Academic Advising Centre’s information on reading the Audit.

Step 2: Understand Your Program’s Structure and Administration Requirements 

Now that you have reviewed your Audit and have a list of your requirements, consider the overall structure of your program.

To do this effectively, start connecting your courses to determine their appropriate sequencing – factor in course prerequisites, preclusions, and how course content builds from one level of study to the next.   

Remember that your Concentration(s) and/or Stream(s) objectives should inform your selection of electives.  

Access to BUSI courses is determined by order of priority based on your program requirements. This information is outlined in the Sprott Registration page. 

In addition to the structure, understand the Rules and Regulations of your program – read all notes in the Undergraduate Calendar to identify additional progression requirements. 

Step 3: Determine Your Pathway Forward

Before finalizing your program mapping and registration plans, take the time to consider your goals, priorities, motivators, and needs. Remember that the best plan is one that accounts for everything that you are navigating in a given term. 

Consider the following questions to help you get started with framing your priorities:

• Are you planning to complete Co-op or an Internship as part of your program?
• Are you motivated to fast track and complete your program as quickly as possible?
• Do you have external obligations (family, work, etc.)?
• What extracurriculars are you interested in (clubs and societies, volunteering, etc.)?
• Are you planning for an international exchange? 

Step 4: Develop and Execute Your Registration Plans Effectively 

Now that you understand your requirements and priorities for the upcoming registration period, start scenario planning to give you several possible plans to execute should you need to pivot based on course availability, access restrictions, and/or scheduling. 

Create multiple Draft Worksheets in the Registration section of Carleton Central and plot different options for each term in advance of your registration time-ticket. Pay close attention to error messages that will help you troubleshoot any course access issues in advance of your registration.

Don’t forget to check the Sprott Registration Page to confirm your priority access to BUSI courses.

Step 5: Connect with the Resources that Can Support Your Success

At Sprott and at Carleton University you have access to many resources that can support you in meeting your objectives. These resources include people, services, support programs, workshops, and spaces that combine opportunities for academic, career, and social engagement. 

Take the time to explore the Carleton Current Students portal and the Sprott Undergraduate Student webpage, to identify and make note of the resources that can help support your success strategically.   

For example, if you have concerns about your success in a Math course, connect with the Math Tutorial Centre; if you are taking an intensive language course and would like to practice your skills, connect with the Language Resource Room and attend a Conversation Group; if you are often struggling with your time management or with other academic success skills, connect with the Centre for Student Academic Support; or if you would like to withdraw from a course but are unsure about the academic implications on your progressions, connect with your Sprott Program Advisors. 

Remember that to support your success, your Program Progression Plan should include when and what resources to access based on your projected challenges.

Graduation

Are you ready to graduate? Congratulations! Now it’s time to review the Graduation Checklist

Assurance of Learning Goals and Objectives