Understanding Your UIowa Finance Degree Audit

The University of Iowa's Finance degree audit is a vital tool for students pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a major in Finance. It's an online report, typically accessed through MyUI, that tracks your progress toward meeting all the requirements for graduation. Think of it as a real-time checklist, showing what you've completed and what you still need to do.

Key Components of the Audit

The audit is organized into sections, each representing a different category of requirements:

• General Education Requirements (GE CLAS Core): This section covers the courses you need to take outside of your business and finance coursework, ensuring a well-rounded education. It typically includes courses in areas like rhetoric, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
• Business Core Courses: These courses provide a foundation in fundamental business principles, such as accounting, management, marketing, and business statistics. Successful completion of these courses is usually a pre-requisite for advanced finance courses.
• Finance Major Requirements: This is the core of your finance degree. It outlines specific courses you must complete in finance, including corporate finance, investments, financial institutions, and potentially electives allowing you to specialize in an area of interest.
• BBA Degree Requirements: Requirements specific to the Tippie College of Business, such as minimum GPA requirements, residency requirements, and potentially professional development activities.
• Free Electives: Any additional courses you take to reach the total credit hour requirement for graduation. These courses can be in any subject, giving you the opportunity to explore other academic interests.

Interpreting the Audit

The audit uses clear indicators to show your progress. A green checkmark or "Satisfied" indicates that a requirement has been met. A red "X" or "Not Satisfied" means you still need to complete the requirement. A yellow triangle or "In Progress" signifies that you are currently enrolled in a course that will fulfill the requirement. The audit also provides details about the specific courses that fulfill each requirement.

Using the Audit Effectively

Regularly review your degree audit, especially before registering for classes. Use it to identify any gaps in your plan and ensure that you're on track to graduate on time. Consult with your academic advisor in the Tippie College of Business to discuss any questions or concerns you have about your audit. They can help you interpret the results, plan your course schedule, and address any potential issues. If you believe there's an error in your audit (e.g., a course isn't being counted correctly), contact your advisor or the Registrar's Office to investigate. Taking ownership of your degree audit is crucial for a successful academic career at the University of Iowa.