Graduate Student Orientation

WELCOME

We welcome you and commend you for your academic and scholarly pursuits. To help you prepare for a successful start to your MU graduate school experience we have created this page for you.  A graduate student orientation is held on campus or virtually every August just prior to the start of the fall semester. Attendance is strongly recommended.

MU has over 1000 enrolled graduate students pursuing masters or doctoral degrees in 50+ different programs. A growing number of courses are blended or totally online. Our students come from many states and several foreign countries. The 2016 Noel Levitz Adult Student Priorities Survey indicated MU’s strengths as valuable course content, knowledgeable faculty and excellent quality of instruction. We take pride in our commitment to academic excellence. Information on academics, policies and campus amenities can be found in our Graduate School Catalog, an excellent resource if you are not able to attend an Orientation event.

New Graduate Student Orientation in August

The New Graduate Student Orientation session is held for recently admitted students (no matter which start term).  Orientation is designed to help you make a smooth transition to our campus. During orientation, you will have the opportunity to meet the Graduate Dean, Assistant Dean, CGSAL Staff, Graduate Program Coordinators and current graduate students. Presentations will be made on relevant topics including academic policies, academic life, student life and student research/library. Students will receive detailed information prior to arrival with instructions to obtain textbooks, student ID and a parking pass. The event concludes with a complimentary buffet and networking with faculty and program peers. Student feedback from past sessions has been very positive: “The session was very professional and welcoming”, “It really put me at ease” and “Orientation topics covered were very helpful”. Parking passes are not necessary for this event.

Checking In

  • ID Cards
    MU students are required to obtain an ID Card. Instructions are found on the University ID Services web page or click here (Chrome or Firefox). You may upload your own photo (think glamour shot!). You may obtain your ID at Orientation or from the ID Services Office at another time of your choosing as long as you are registered for courses. This excludes waitlisted (only) students. You may continue to use your MU undergrad ID Card.
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  • Registration Guide
    A Registration Guide is available on the Registrar’s web page. This Registration Guide explains registration (how, where and when to enroll in courses) as well as information concerning the drop/add and withdrawal processes, special registration procedures and many other aspects surrounding the registration process that you may find useful.
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  • Desire2Learn
    • Desire2Learn (D2L) is the university’s online learning system. It is used to provide a place for instructors to deliver courses, list assignments, post syllabi and inform students of upcoming events. Instructions for accessing D2L can be found on our Wiki
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  • Parking Permits

    Permits are required for all vehicles Mon - Fri 8 am - 4 pm in order to park on MU's campus. The Parking office is located behind the Library on W. Fredrick St. and opens at 8 am Mon - Fri.

    Free passes for the Ware Center (downtown) will be provided at a later date.

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  • Textbooks

    You must Order textbooks online.

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“I will be the first to admit that being a graduate student does take some adjustment when compared to life at the undergraduate level. Life as a graduate student offers some unique, often challenging, experiences but an opportunity to build relationships with those around you, become a mentor to some and be coached by others. I hope you will build beyond your academic experience with as many opportunities as possible to make your academic-to-career transition impactful.”

- Erin Magee | M.A. History, Class of '21