Frequently Asked Questions about Academic Plans

SAP-C is a planning tool students can use to create a semester-by-semester plan of courses needed or that they’re interested in to complete degree requirements and meet other goals. It is a simple online form. You search for a course and select it from a drop-down list to add it to a semester-by-semester plan.

The Student Academic Plan for Completion (SAP-C) is a planning tool designed for students to map out course selections based on goals, program requirements, and required course sequencing to successfully complete degree requirements at MC. The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is a financial aid requirement for students who are at risk of losing their financial aid eligibility based on academic challenges.

Students access the SAP-C through MyMC, searching for and selecting the Counseling & Advising tile, and then selecting Student Academic Plan for Completion (SAP-C) from the list. 

Students can only connect to their own SAP-C account. Any faculty or staff member can view a student’s SAP-C by entering the student’s M# in the search field. Students, faculty, or staff can print or save a PDF of a student’s completed SAP-C.

Students can update their SAP-C at any time by logging in and selecting the edit function. Students can save any changes and return to update or edit their plan at any time.

Students are responsible for completing their own SAP-C, whether for a class activity or when working with a program advisor. Counselors and program advisors will not complete SAP-C for you, although they can advise you on the appropriateness of the plan you develop.

There are many resources to help you consider your courses each semester and prepare for your next steps after MC. Several resources are:

1. The Student Advisory Report or SAR (available under the Counseling & Advising tile in MyMC) shows general information such as your name, M#, last term you took classes, current and future registrations, GPA & academic history, and curriculum information (current major, catalog term, home campus and degree type). You should review your major to ensure it is listed correctly; if it is not, follow the steps to change your program of study or major.
2. MC’s online catalognew window allows you to review program requirements and recommended course sequencing. You are encouraged to work with a counselor or program advisor to develop a plan and refer to the recommendations listed in Starfish or that your program advisor gives you.
3. Use the advising worksheet for your program to identify the program requirements.
4. Refer to specific transfer agreements and/or recommended transfer programs for specific institutions in ARTSYSnew window or available at on the MC Transfer page.
5. Consult with pre-transfer advisors or refer directly to another school’s program requirements to get an idea of requirement equivalencies.
6. Many programs have advising guides which offer specific guidance about course selection and sequencing, as well as guidance for successfully completing the program. Advising guides can be found on program home pages or in the Advising Guides section.

After completing a draft of your SAP-C, you can use the program requirements and recommended course sequence listed in the catalog to review the requirements. It is highly recommended that you meet with a program advisor or counselor to review and discuss your plan. Please note that counselors will record recommendations for students’ course selection and other activities in Starfish, and they will not complete your SAP-C for you.

Any program advisor, counselor, or MC staff/faculty can review and comment on a student’s SAP-C using the second tab of the form: “Advisor Information (Step 2).” As part of a class assignment, most faculty ask that the person who reviews the plan with you sign-off on the form. Signing off on the form means completing the “Advisor Information” portion on the second tab, not completing the list of courses. This sign-off acknowledges only that the person has reviewed your plan with you.

The second tab of SAP-C, called “Advisor Information (Step 2),” is a place for advisors to add comments and sign-off. Comments should be included for the students and any others who work or will work with the student on academic planning.

Students can see a program advisor for their degree program or a counselor to get their SAP-C reviewed and signed off.

Counseling faculty are, as always, available for you to consult regarding course selection, academic and goal planning, clarification and questions about program requirements, and any number of other related tasks. Counselors use Starfish to record recommendations for courses and other benchmark requirements. Counselors are not responsible for completing SAP-C for a student. SAP-C is a student-generated document. If you want to get advice from a counselor, you should complete SAP-C before you go to your appointment, or you should plan to complete it after working with a counselor.

SAP-C is designed to be a course-embedded, student-generated academic planning tool. Starfish plans are generated by counseling faculty to capture your goals and better advise you. Neither should take the place of the other; in fact, it is hoped that the two work together to provide holistic support to help you become intentional and self-directed as you work toward your goals.

You should complete, at a minimum, what you intend to take in the upcoming semester, so at least one semester beyond the current semester. You are welcome to plan out further and you can always come back and update the plan.

If you are a visiting student and do not intend to take courses at MC next semester, you should complete the current semester only.

Students transferring after the current semester may enter or update their courses for the current semester. Please add a note in the advising comments tab listing your transfer institution. Meet with a program advisor or counselor to ensure your graduation and/or transfer plans are on track.

Post-baccalaureate students need only complete the current semester with the courses they are currently taking. Please use the advising notes to clarify that you already have a degree and indicate the reasons you are taking courses.