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

Explore session options and general program information.

Orientation Registration Info

Learn how to register for an Orientation session.

Specialized Orientation Sessions

Discover information about Veteran, non-traditional student and non-degree seeking  programs.

 

Parent & Family Information

Explore what resources MSU can offer to parents of new Bobcats.

Next Steps for Students

Learn what to do after you register for Orientation/Class Registration.

Additional Information

Discover information on placement, immunizations and more.

 
Sessions & General Information

Start Term of Spring 2022

Registration for Spring 2022 Orientation/Class Registration will open on November 1, 2021.

All incoming freshman are required to participate in Orientation/Class Registration. During Orientation, students will meet their Academic Advisor and register for their Spring 2022 semester courses. MSU's Spring Freshman Orientation/Class Registration program will consist of an online Orientation program and an in-person Orientation welcome session. 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. Both components are mandatory.

  • Online: The online portion of Orientation must be completed between Monday, January 3, 2022, and Friday, January 14, 2022. The online Orientation is self-paced and does not require students to login at specific times. Remote advising for your spring course schedule will take place between Monday, January 3, 2022, and Friday, January 14, 2022.
  • In-person: The in-person portion of Orientation will take place over a half day on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.

 

Start Term of Summer 2022

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 Fall 2022

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

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 2022 semester courses.

 

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

 

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].

Back to Top

 

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. Please note that if you decide to pursue a degree at MSU, you will be required to complete a formal Orientation/Class Registration program.

Back to Top

 

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 University Student Housing Portal. For any questions regarding housing, please contact University Student Housing at [email protected].
  3. Submit Immunization Records. See “Additional Information” below 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.
 

Back to Top

 

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 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 fall 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.

 


Questions? We're here to help.

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.

Email Us