How to Check Your UIUC Graduation Progress Using DARS Audit

Wondering about your status for UIUC graduation? You can check it on DARS.

The Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) is an automated system provided by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) to help students, advisors, and administrators track academic progress toward degree completion.

It compares your completed coursework, transfer credits, and current in-progress courses against the official graduation requirements of your specific major, college, and degree program.

How to Access and Run Your DARS Audit

1. Visit the Portal: Go to the official UIUC Registrar DARS page: https://www.registrar.illinois.edu/academic-records/dars-audit/.
2. Log into Student Self-Service: Click on the link to access the DARS system and sign in using your UIUC NetID and Password (with 2-Factor Authentication).
3. Request an Audit:

   • Select "Run Audit" or "Request an Audit".

     

   • Choose to run an audit for your declared program (default) or a "What-If" audit if you are considering changing your major or adding a minor.

4. View the Report: Once generated, click "View Audit" to open the detailed interactive report.

   

Key Components of the DARS Audit Report

The DARS audit uses specific visual indicators and categories to show what you have finished and what you still need to complete:

1. Status Indicators

• Green / OK / Checkmark: Requirement has been fully satisfied.
• Blue / In-Progress (IP): Requirement is currently being met by courses you are registered for this semester.
• Red / NO / Cross: Requirement is incomplete and needs additional coursework.

2. Main Audit Sections

• General Summary: Displays your overall GPA, total earned hours, and current standing.
• General Education (GenEd) Requirements: Tracks completion of campus-wide GenEd requirements (Composition I, Advanced Comp, Foreign Language, Quantitative Reasoning, Cultural Studies, Humanities, Sciences).
• College & Major Requirements: Lists mandatory core classes, major electives, and concentration-specific coursework.
• Advanced Hours & Upper-Level Courses: Details the required minimum number of 300- and 400-level course credits.
• Free Electives: Displays courses that count toward total credit hours but do not fulfill specific major or GenEd requirements.

Essential Graduation Requirements to Verify

When reviewing your DARS report for graduation readiness, pay close attention to the following areas:

• Total Credit Hours: Most undergraduate degrees require a minimum of 120 semester hours (some majors, such as Engineering, may require more).
• GPA Thresholds: Ensure both your Cumulative GPA and your Major GPA meet the minimum requirement (typically a 2.00/4.00, though some colleges require higher).
• UIUC Campus Residency Requirement:
  • At least 60 semester hours of overall credit must be completed at UIUC.
  • At least 21 advanced hours (300/400-level) must be taken in residence at UIUC.
• Composition & Language Requirements: Verify completion of Composition I, Advanced Composition, and the campus Foreign Language requirement.

Next Steps for Senior Students

• Meet with an Academic Advisor: DARS is an unofficial guide. Always schedule an advising appointment to confirm that your audit is clean and free of discrepancies.
• Submit "Intent to Graduate": You must formally apply to graduate. This is usually done through Student Self-Service during your final semester registration or at the beginning of your target graduation term.
• Clear Account Holds: Check your Student Self-Service account for any financial or administrative holds that could prevent degree conferral or transcript issuance.