Orientation for Freshman Students

Welcome to the Bobcat Family!

We are very excited for you to start your academic career at Montana State University! Orientation/Class Registration is your introduction to academic and non-academic life at Montana State University. All new students are required to attend an Orientation/Class Registration session. Through our Orientation/Class Registration program, students will have the opportunity to:

• Register for semester courses
• Connect with your Academic Advisor
• Engage with MSU course planning and class registration systems
• Learn how to use University services and resources

Click or tap on one of the options listed below to learn more.

 
Sessions & General Information

Start Term of Fall 2021

Registration for Fall 2021 Orientation/Class Registration is now open.

All incoming freshman are required to participate in one of our online Orientation/Class Registration sessions. During Orientation, students will meet their Academic Advisor and register for their Fall 2021 semester courses.

This summer, MSU will be conducting Orientation/Class Registration programs online. During these required, online programs, students will complete an online Orientation "class," meet with their Academic Advisor, and register for their fall semester courses. Our online Orientation/Class Registration program introduces students to their academic plan of study, MSU technology, campus resources, items required before the start of school and more. These online Orientation/Class Registration programs will be held four times throughout the summer:

We are also pleased to be able to host a few optional, in-person Bobcat Boot Camp Orientation sessions that will be focused on building community between students and the MSU campus. Students must attend an in-person Orientation session that occurs after their required online Orientation/Class Registration program so that students are registered for their fall classes before coming to campus. These programs will be two days long and students are required to stay on campus. By registering for this in-person Bobcat Boot Camp, students are agreeing to follow MSU's COVID-19 protocols while they are on the MSU campus. Our COVID-19 protocol will be distributed in early Spring to those who register. Protocol will be updated as the program draws closer, but you can view similar MSU Saturday COVID-19 protocols here. Bobcat Boot Camp Orientations will be held on:

*If a student registers for an optional, in-person Bobcat Boot Camp Orientation session, one parent may also be able to register for a FREE, optional, in-person parent Orientation session that will occur at the same time. One parent per one student may attend sessions because we have a strict session capacity as a result of the pandemic. While the student and parent sessions will be happening simultaneously, the programs are separate and there will be very limited free time to see one another. All parents, regardless of if they register for a Parent Boot Camp, will also be sent a webpage with video recordings and more information about how to support their student.

More information about these Bobcat Boot Camps will be coming soon!

Please see here for some of the commonly asked differences between our programs:

Please see our Orientation/Class Registration Frequently Asked Questions for additional questions.

Start Term of Summer 2021

Freshmen students starting in the summer and intending to continue in the fall will need to complete a formal Orientation/Class Registration session during the summer term before registering for their summer and fall course schedules. Please register for an available Orientation/Class Registration session that occurs before the start of the summer course you intend to take. 

Non-degree seeking freshman students that are only taking classes at MSU for the singular summer term do not need to complete a formal Orientation/Class Registration program to register for their summer courses. These students can contact the Academic Advising Center at (406) 994-3532 to discuss their summer course schedule and register for classes. Please note that if you decide to continue taking classes at MSU during the fall semester, you will be required to complete a formal Orientation/Class Registration program.

Start Term of Spring 2022

Please check back later for information on Orientation/Class Registration for Spring 2022.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Orientation Office at (406) 994-2827, toll-free at (888) MSU-CATS or via email at [email protected].

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Orientation Registration Information

All new students are required to attend an Orientation/Class Registration session before they can register for classes.

To register for Orientation/Class Registration, click the Register Now button below. This will take you to a page which provides instructions on how to access your MyInfo student portal and register for Orientation/Class Registration.

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Specialized Orientations

Veteran Orientation

Incoming freshman students who are active duty or former active duty veterans, national guard or reserve members, and dependents of veterans that are using VA Educational Benefits can register for a specialized Veteran Orientation through your Undergraduate Admissions Checklist on MyInfo. Contact the Veteran Support Center at (406) 994-3661 or [email protected] for more information.

Non-Traditional Student Orientation/Class Registration

The Non-Traditional Student Orientation/Class Registration Program is designed to meet the needs of incoming non-traditionally aged students who are attending college for the first time. This program is by invitation only. Eligible students will be notified.

Non-degree Seeking Students

Incoming non-degree seeking students are not required to complete a formal Orientation/Class Registration session before registering for their semester courses. Incoming non-degree seeking students for Fall 2021 may contact the Academic Advising Center at (406) 994-3532 starting on Monday, August 23, 2021 to discuss their course schedule and register for classes. Please note that if you decide to pursue a degree at MSU, you will be required to complete a formal Orientation/Class Registration program.

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Next Steps for Future Bobcats

Follow these steps, in addition to completing each item on your Undergraduate Admissions Checklist, to prepare for the start of school:

1. Claim your NetID and register for Orientation/Class Registration.
2. Secure housing for the fall semester by submitting a housing application. Find the housing application online at the Residence Life Housing Portal. For any questions regarding housing, please contact Residence Life at [email protected].
3. Submit Immunization Records. See “Additional Information” for further instructions. All immunization requirements must be met before the start of your Orientation/Class Registration session and before you will be allowed to register for your courses.
4. Upon high school graduation, request all final, official high school and/or college transcripts, along with official AP/IB scores, be sent to MSU. Transcripts can be sent by mail to MSU Admissions Office, P.O. Box 172190, Bozeman, MT 59717, or by secure electronic delivery service such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse or Credential Solutions to [email protected].
5. Visit the Parking Services webpage for information on University parking. For questions regarding parking accommodations, please contact Parking Services at [email protected].
6. Submit your Cat Card photo by downloading the GET Mobile app and following the instructions on the CatCard website. For questions regarding CatCards, please contact MSU CatCard at (406) 994-2273.
7. Pay your first semester bill. Your fall semester bill will be created once you have completed Orientation/Class Registration. To view your Student Accounts bill, log in to MyInfo and select “Electronic Billing and Payment.” For questions regarding your bill, please contact Student Accounts at (406) 994-1991.

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Additional Information

Placement Process

At Montana State University, we traditionally use ACT/SAT and/or college-level credit to place students into appropriate Math and Writing courses. Be sure that you have submitted any and all placement materials (ACT, SAT, AP, IB, Dual Enrollment transcripts, etc.) that you have to the Office of Admissions prior to your Orientation/Class Registration session to make sure that the courses you are placed into reflect your abilities and will keep you on the right track toward graduation.

We are not requiring test scores for incoming fall 2021 students and have alternative methods of math and writing placement for students who do not have ACT/SAT scores. Students will be contacted ahead of their Orientation/Class Registration session if they do not have ACT/SAT scores and need to take any placement exams.

Immunizations

Students cannot register for classes until all MSU immunization requirements are met. Please ensure that you have met all immunization requirements before the start of your Orientation/Class Registration session. For more information on these requirements, please visit the FAQ guide or contact University Health Partners Medical Services.

Tel: (406) 994-2311 • Fax: (406) 994-2504 • Email: [email protected]

Disability Services

The Office of Disability Services strives to provide access to all college programs, services, activities and facilities for students with disabilities. This includes encouraging self-advocacy for students and connecting them with resources and support services across campus to help them achieve their personal best. If you would like further information on the Office of Disability Services and the resources and services they provide, please visit the Office of Disability Services website.

Parking

Visit the Parking Services webpage for information on University parking. For questions regarding parking accommodations, please contact Parking Services at [email protected].

August Orientation/Welcome Activities

MSU Debut is a collection of co-curricular events and activities at the beginning of each semester with the goal of engaging students and showcasing the best of our campus community. This series of events equips students for a successful transition to Montana State University, empowers them to contribute to the Bobcat community, and fosters inclusion, integrity, and belonging.

If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us! You can email our staff at [email protected], or call us Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm MT at 1-888-MSU-CATS.