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Frequently Asked Questions

• Student FAQs

• Advisor FAQs

General FAQs

• What is Degree Works?

  Degree Works is a web-based tool students can use to monitor their academic progress toward degree completion. Degree Works also allows students and their advisors to plan future academic coursework by viewing the remaining courses needed for their degree or certificate.

• How do I log into Degree Works?

  Once you've logged into myCTState, click on “Access Degree Works” on the Student Self-Service card or Advisor Self-Service card.

• What is a degree evaluation?

  A Degree Works degree evaluation is a review of past, current and in-progress coursework that provides information on completed and outstanding requirements necessary to complete a degree or certificate.

  A degree evaluation will display the courses a student has taken and any courses in progress. It will also show any degree requirements that have been met by the courses taken or that may be met upon satisfactory completion of courses in progress.

• Is a Degree Works evaluation a transcript, or is this the same as a transcript?

  No. Degree Works is a degree evaluation of your progress toward graduation as well as an outline of requirements still needed to complete your program of study. You can access an official or unofficial transcript on the Student Self-Service card in myCTState.

• Are grades visible in Degree Works?

  Yes. Once grades have been processed at the end of the semester, they are viewable in Degree Works. Courses that are currently in progress are listed with a grade of ‘REG’ with the credits in parentheses.

• Can students register for classes in Degree Works?

  No. Degree Works is a snapshot of courses that are in progress and an academic history. Registration, add/drop, etc., are still handled through the registration function in myCTState.

• How does a student know which classes still need to be taken?

  A degree evaluation will outline the courses still needed to meet degree requirements. In order to view only the courses remaining, choose “Courses Remaining” in the drop-down box that displays “Degree Evaluation.” Students can use this information to discuss their plan with their faculty advisor.

• If a student withdraws from a class, will that be reflected in their degree evaluation?

  Courses from which a student has withdrawn will appear in the “Insufficient” block on the degree evaluation.

• What is the “What If” function?

  The “What If” function shows what a degree evaluation would look like with a different program. The new “What If” degree evaluation will show the student what coursework is required for the new major, what courses must be taken that satisfy requirements and what courses are remaining.

  Note: New programs may appear in the ‘What-If’ Function before they appear in the CT State college catalog.

• If a student uses the “What If” function does this mean that they have changed their major?

  No. The “What If” function shows what a degree evaluation would look like with a different program. This DOES NOT officially change the student’s record.

• Can a degree evaluation be printed?

  Yes, you can print a degree evaluation by clicking on the “Print” button at the top. For a more print-friendly view, save the degree evaluation as a PDF (click “Save as PDF” button) and then print the document. Be sure to treat a printed degree evaluation with the same level of confidentiality as you would any other student record.

Student FAQs

• What if I’m enrolled in two programs?

  If you’re enrolled in two academic programs, you can view both programs by choosing from the program drop-down list to the right of your name in the Degree Works display.

• Is my information confidential?

  Yes. Degree Works is accessed through a secure login to myCTState. Degree Works will open in a new window. It is very important that you log out when you are finished to ensure that your information remains confidential.

• Who has the ability to access my Degree Works account?

  Only you and college staff will be able to see your degree evaluation. Other students will not be able to see your degree evaluation unless you let them or if you fail to log out when you are finished on a public computer.

• Can I see a list of all of the classes I’ve taken?

  Yes. Click on the three buttons in the upper right corner and select “Class History” for a printable list of courses you’ve already taken.

• What do I do if I believe my information is incorrect?

  You should consult your Guided Pathway or faculty advisor and review your degree evaluation if you have any questions.

• How can I update information?

  You cannot update course or curriculum information in Degree Works. If you need to change your major you must complete a Change or Declaration of Program form. This form is also available in your campus Enrollment Services office.

• Will I be able to view my entire history of courses taken at CT State?

  Degree Works uses the information that is currently on your student record. You will be able to view any courses that have been completed, registered for or transferred in by the date your degree evaluation was last refreshed (an overnight process each night). Keep in mind that any transfer work or grade changes that have not been formally submitted and accepted will not appear on your degree evaluation.

• Can I view course information in Degree Works?

  To view any prerequisites required and course sections available for the upcoming semester, use the course search function in myCTState.

• Can my faculty advisor see my “What If” scenario?

  Yes, but only if you process the “What If” while working with your faculty advisor in Degree Works or if you click the “Process as PDF” button and then save the PDF to your desktop. The PDF can then be emailed or printed.

• Can I save my “What If” scenario in Degree Works?

  No. “What If” plans are not saved in Degree Works. You would need to run a new “What If” scenario next time you log in to see it again. However, you may save a “What If” as a PDF by choosing the “Process as PDF” button and then saving to your desktop.

  Note: If you view your “What If” when your advisor is logged into Degree Works, they can save the “What If” to be viewed later.

• If I like what I see in my “What If” scenario, how do I initiate those changes?

  Speak with your Guided Pathway or faculty advisor. If you would like to change your major you must complete a Change or Declaration of Program form or from your campus Enrollment Services office.

Advisor FAQs

• Are advisors restricted to viewing only their advisees’ information?

  No, you can find any student by entering their Banner ID in the ID field (the @ sign must be included) or clicking on “Advanced Search” and searching using different parameters in the search window.

• What group of students are included in Degree Works?

  All students who have attended CT State (or one the previous twelve CT community colleges) since 2018 are included in Degree Works, and all new accepted students since Fall 2023 are included.

• What if a student does not have a degree evaluation in Degree Works?

  There are a couple of reasons that this may occur:

  • The student has not declared a major or is non-matriculating. A student must have a major assigned in Banner to create an audit.
  • The student hasn’t taken classes at a CT community college since prior to Fall 2018.  These students will need to be readmitted to CT State Community College.

• What if a student is enrolled in two programs?

  If a student is enrolled in two academic programs, the advisor will be able to view both programs by choosing from the program drop-down list to the right of the student’s name in the Degree Works display.

• Can an advisor see a list of all of the classes taken by a student?

  Yes. When viewing a student’s degree evaluation, click on the ‘Class History’ link at the top for a printable list of courses taken.

• What do I do if I believe a student’s information is incorrect?

  You should contact the One Stop Enrollment Center, identify the information that you believe is in error, and request that they review the student’s record.

• Will a student’s entire academic history at CT State and former CT community colleges be viewable?

  Degree Works uses the information currently on a student’s transcript. Any courses completed, registered for or transferred in by the date the degree evaluation was last refreshed (an overnight process each night) will be displayed. Keep in mind that any transfer work or grade changes that have not been formally submitted and accepted will not appear on a student’s degree evaluation. 

  Note: If the student’s record has had any Banner changes since the nightly run (grades, registration, add/drop, etc.), advisors can click the “Process New” button to refresh the degree evaluation with the very latest Banner data.

• Can I view a student's course information in Degree Works?

  By clicking on a course in the “Degree Evaluation” or “Courses Remaining” screens, you can view any prerequisites required, as well as course sections available for the upcoming semester.

• Can advisors save a “What If” scenario in Degree Works?

  Yes. “What If” plans can be saved in Degree Works and be viewed later in “What If History” provided the advisors save the “What If.” Students will not be able to view a saved “What If” unless they are viewing it with their advisor logged in.

• How does a student officially change their major?

  If a student would like to change their major they must complete a Change or Declaration of Program form.  This form is also available in your campus Enrollment Services office.

• What are notes?

  Notes track conversations and advice provided to students. All Notes entered into Degree Works are viewable by the student! Never enter personal information about the student, such as about health, disabilities, financial information, etc.

• Does the student see notes on their record?

  Yes! All notes entered in Degree Works are viewable by the student and other college staff! Never enter personal information about the student, such as about health, disabilities, financial information, etc.

• How much information should be included in notes?

  The notes content will be displayed on a student audit and should be kept very succinct.

• Are notes attached to the student’s program degree evaluation?

  No, but notes will print on the PDF audit if a student chooses this option.

• How do I know who entered a note on a student’ record?

  When notes are displayed, the author and date of the note will be included.

• Are notes entered in degree works available in Banner?

  No, notes entered in Degree Works will remain with the student’s audit in Degree Works but WILL NOT appear anywhere in Banner.

• How can I remove a note that is incorrect or was written in error?

  Only the degree auditors can edit or delete any notes on a student’s record. Email CTState-DegreeWorks@ct.edu with your request and the necessary information (student ID and note to be removed or edited).

• What are exceptions?

  When a substitution request has met all approvals, it will appear on a student’s degree evaluation as an “Exception”. Exceptions are permanently part of the student’s Degree Works audit and will be viewable only in Degree Works.

• Who can add an exception?

  Faculty and Staff can initiate an exception through the online course substitution process. The final step in the waiver process will be the degree auditor entering the exception into Degree Works on the student audit.

• The Gateway and Manchester campuses each house culinary arts programs offering fine dining options to students, faculty and staff, and the local community.

  Learn more about each program's dining options by choosing from the campuses above.

• Café Vincenzo at CT State Gateway

  CT State Gateway is pleased to welcome the public to our culinary program’s restaurant, Café Vincenzo. Touted as a “hidden gem” by Mara Lavitt of NewHavenEats, the café offers a gourmet meal with fine dining ambiance, while Gateway’s culinary students gain real-world work experience preparing for careers in the hospitality industry. 

  Location: South Building, Room 102
  Corner of George and Church. The south building is bordered by George Street (the best entrance for the Cafe), Church Street, M.L.K. Jr. Blvd, and Temple Street. The college validates parking for the Temple Street Garage, which has entrances on Crown and George Street. Guests must check in with security when entering the campus buildings (security validates parking tickets).

  Reservations

  Reservations are required. Reservation requests and questions can be directed to Rich Lint, Culinary Associate, gw-cafevincenzo@ctstate.edu, 203-285-2269. Please include your name, telephone number, the number people in your party, and the date(s) that you’d like to dine. Someone will confirm your request prior to your visit. Payment is due on the date of your visit.

  Buon Appetito!

  For more information about our program and events follow us on Instagram.

• • Open Kitchen Meals at the Manchester Campus Culinary Arts Center

  • Our culinary students are cooking, and the kitchen’s open to the public! Join us at the CT State Manchester Culinary Arts Center for luncheons and dinners featuring a full-course menu of tantalizing, classic dishes. While our student “chefs-in-training” will wow you with their culinary skills, our wait staff of culinary arts and hospitality students will provide you with superior table service. We invite you to join our students as they learn and you enjoy a relaxing and delicious meal.

    Culinary Events

    Savor the vibrant flavors of Morocco at CT State Manchester’s annual Gourmet Dinner! Enjoy a multi-course meal crafted by Culinary Arts and Hospitality students. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program at CT State Manchester.

    Follow Events

    Open Kitchen Meals

    Open Kitchen Luncheons
    Lunches begin at noon and are $19 per person, which includes Eventbrite fees.

    Open Kitchen Dinners
    Dinners begin at 7 p.m. and are $25 per person, which includes Eventbrite fees.

    Reservations for Open Kitchen Meals
    Reservations are required for all meals. All reservations must be placed through Eventbrite. Please continue to check Eventbrite for dates and meals.  

    BYOB Services
    BYOB services are available in our Open Kitchen meals to assist our students with hands-on training in beverage service.

  • Frequently Asked Questions About Dining at the Manchester Culinary Arts Center

    • Which food events at the Culinary Arts Center are open to the public?

      Our most popular public food events are our series of Open Kitchen meals, which are served in the dining room of our Culinary Arts Center during the fall and spring semesters. The meals feature a multi-course menu of classic dishes prepared by student chefs. Meals are served during the week and are scheduled to coincide with our students’ culinary arts classes. For a schedule of meal dates,  please visit Eventbrite. Please note that once reservations are closed, the meal will no longer be featured as an available option.

    • Are the Open Kitchen meals really prepared, cooked and served by Manchesters’s Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts students?

      Yes, Manchester's Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts students are responsible for preparing, cooking and serving the Open Kitchen meals at the Culinary Arts Center. Staging and executing these meals provides students with real-world, hands-on training, which is an integral part of our culinary arts curriculum. Chef instructors carefully coordinate and supervise all meals. Students plan the menus, purchase the food, manage their fellow classmates and serve you in the dining room. Students are evaluated and graded based on their ability to meet the standards we set as part of this learning experience. We appreciate and thank you for joining us and for contributing to this educational process by participating as guests at our luncheons.

    • What type of food is served at the Open Kitchen meals, and what is the cost?

      The Open Kitchen meals at the Culinary Arts Center typically feature a prix-fixe menu, a multi-course meal at a fixed price. Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts students plan, budget, cook and serve the meals.

    • How do I make dining reservations to attend the Open Kitchen meals?

      Guests can make reservations through Eventbrite. 

    • Are dining reservations required for the Open Kitchen meals?

      Yes, because of the popularity of our meals and the limited number of seats, we require that all guests make advanced dining reservations. In fact, we suggest that guests make their reservations as early as possible because most of the meals sell out quickly. We do not accept walk-in guests. Hospitality Manangement and Culinary Arts students plan, budget, cook and serve the meals based on advanced reservations. You may make dining reservations at Eventbrite.

    • When do you publish the dates, times and menus for the Open Kitchen meals?

      Our meals are served during the students’ fall and spring semesters (meals are not served during the summer). Dates, times and menus for our meals are made available to the public at the beginning of each semester (the first week of September for the fall semester and the first week of February for the spring semester). 

    • Once I have reservations for the Open Kitchen meals, how do I locate the Culinary Arts Center?

      All of our Open Kitchen meals are served in the dining room of our Culinary Arts Center, which is located on the second floor of the Student Services Center.

    • Do you offer Open Kitchen meals on weekends?

      We typically do not offer meals on weekends. Students attend classes during the week, and our meals are incorporated into our culinary arts students’ class schedules. What’s more, the majority of our students work at local restaurants, hotels and food service facilities on the weekends, which means many students are not available on Saturdays or Sundays.

    • Can I hire the services of your students or use your Culinary Arts Center facilities to host an event or function for my group or organization?

      We do not have the resources or the equipment to service private functions, such as weddings, but groups or organizations are welcome to contact us to discuss the possibility of making arrangements to tie one of your events or functions into one of our Open Kitchen meals or one of our catering classes. For more information about how you can tie your event or function into one of our Open Kitchen meals or a catering class, please refer to the questions below.

    • Can I reserve the entire dining room of available seats at one of the Open Kitchen meals for my group or organization?

      We invite you to contact us to discuss the possibility of using one of our Open Kitchen meals for the exclusive use of your group or organization. We conduct our meals to coincide with our students’ culinary arts classes; therefore, only certain days of the week are available. As expected, our menu prices are discounted for groups doing business related to the mission of our college.

    • Can you cater events on campus at the Culinary Arts Center?

      We cater a limited number of events on campus to coincide with our students’ catering classes. Similar to our Open Kitchen meals, this type of event has to be held during our students’ scheduled class times. The catering class meets one day a week. Each semester, the catering course alternates between day and evening classes. As part of the learning experience, students work with a local group or organization (their “clients”) and plan—from start to finish—a catered event, which is held in our Culinary Arts Center. Under the direction of a chef instructor, students assist their clients with selecting a menu and calculating the costs. Menus range from hors d’oeuvres only to a complete buffet meal.

    • I need a caterer to provide snacks for a meeting on campus. Can the culinary arts students prepare and cook for my functions?

      Our ability to provide this service depends on whether or not we can recruit enough students (paid or volunteer) to accommodate your request. The Manchester Student Hospitality Association is also a possibility for providing this type of service. We will do our best to accommodate your request.

    • Can you cater events off-campus?

      We do not cater private events held off-campus. We will occasionally cater off-site functions for State of Connecticut agencies and at state facilities. Overall, the department is not equipped to be an off-premise food provider.

    • How can I get more information about tying my event to your Open Kitchen meals or catering class?

      If you are interested in obtaining more information about the opportunities listed above, the department chairpersons, Kathy Kern or Ricardo Aragon, accept email requests from groups and organizations during the semester preceding the semester in which you are interested in hosting your event.

      Please contact either of the department chairpersons and include your name, the name of the group or organization, the estimated number of guests, several dates that would accommodate your schedule, and any other important information regarding your request. We look forward to receiving your request, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.