diff --git a/src/app/dars/new-degree-audit-dialog/new-degree-audit-dialog.component.ts b/src/app/dars/new-degree-audit-dialog/new-degree-audit-dialog.component.ts
index 175acce078f4f1dddc2b315e0f64d380fe81492c..b3bd47455e61593988ae277ad15a53aa9ed3933a 100644
--- a/src/app/dars/new-degree-audit-dialog/new-degree-audit-dialog.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/dars/new-degree-audit-dialog/new-degree-audit-dialog.component.ts
@@ -77,6 +77,12 @@ export class NewDegreeAuditDialogComponent implements OnInit {
 
   public ngOnInit() {
     this.degreePrograms$ = this.api.getStudentDegreePrograms().pipe(share());
+    this.degreePrograms$.subscribe(programs => {
+      if (programs.length > 0) {
+        this.chosenProgram.setValue(programs[0]);
+      }
+    });
+
     this.institutions$ = this.api.getStaticData().pipe(share());
 
     this.honorsOptions$ = combineLatest([