MDT Student SEP FAQ

Student Educational Planner (SEP) within MyDegree Tracker (MDT) is the University of La Verne’s online 2-and-4-year degree completion planner.  SEP allows you to project your current and future course requirements to ensure you complete outstanding degree requirements.  Timely and accurate course completion plans can save you time and money, ensuring that you take only the courses that you need in the right order.  You and your academic advisor can edit SEPs at any time, but you can only have ONE official (and locked) SEP that will be integrated with the La Verne’s new Banner 9 (XE) registration module.

To access your Student Educational Planner, login to MyDegree Tracker:

  • From any laverne.edu web page, select the “MyLaVerne” link from the top right navigation.
  • Log into MyPortal using your laverne.edu email address (without the @laverne.edu) and password.
  • From the QuickLinks menu on the left, click on MyDegree Tracker.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Do I have to create a Student Educational Planner (SEP) within MyDegree Tracker? A. We expect all degree seeking students to have an active (advisor approved) SEP on record.
What is the value of having an SEP within MDT for me, the student? A. Active and accurate SEPs benefit everyone.  Students benefit because an active and accurate SEP that is advisor approved will help plan your academic career to avoid enrolling in the wrong courses, enroll in courses out of sequence, or waste time and money in taking unhelpful or unnecessary courses.  Also, with Banner XE (9) coming online simultaneously with MyDegree Tracker, your SEP courses can be bucket-dropped to your registration module for faster registration in courses.  Here is a good sample video courtesy of Utah State University.
What is the value of having an SEP for the University? A. Active and accurate SEPs inform department chairs and academic deans to more accurately predict real-time student academic needs, informing them to determine exactly how many sections of desired courses students need.  Predictive analytics to inform course scheduling also saves time, money, and resources.
Q. Can I create my own SEP or do I have to use a template? A. Yes, you can create your own SEP.  No, you don’t have to use a template BUT there are benefits to loading a template.  Your major’s faculty have approved the template to reflect the order (sequencing) in which you should complete your degree, identifying “must take” courses in specific semester or sequence.
Q. I used a major template but I need (want) to change it by moving (deleting) courses to fit my specific circumstances. A. IF you and your academic advisor choose to adjust your SEP after loading the template, you can make adjustments by moving courses around that best fit your individual academic plans BUT always in consultation with your academic advisor to ensure coordination and advisor-student agreement for a plan that is accurate and that makes sense.
Q.  I want to change my SEP, again, to fit changing circumstances.  Can I? A. Yes, but the changes to the SEP must be made in consultation with your academic advisor.  Only your academic advisor can lock or unlock the SEP that both of you agreed to follow.
Q. Can I create a draft SEP? A. Yes, you can create as many draft SEPs that you want but only ONE SEP can be locked and active.  Typically, the locked and active SEP is the one that you and your academic advisor agree to follow.
Q. I want to change or create a new major template because I do not like the one that is current being used, can I? A.  No, you cannot change or create an SEP template.  Only the department chair and department faculty who have officially endorsed the use of the existing template can change templates to reflect catalog requirements.
Q. Why do SEPs have to be tied to specific catalogs? A. It is good practice to ensure that SEPs accurately reflect the major requirements that are published in the university catalog they are based on.  Major requirements sometimes change and these changes are typically reflected in the newest catalog, requiring a new SEP.  SEPs that are aligned with a specific catalog year can  minimize advising errors, disputes with students, unnecessary appeals, and lost time and money.