New Student Orientation
Congratulations and welcome to Marshall University

Congratulations on committing to Marshall! It may seem like a long way off, but your first semester as a part of the Marshall Family will be here before you know it. Attending New Student Orientation this summer is a crucial step in living your Marshall Moment, and registration is now open for all incoming first-time freshmen and transfer students.

All new students, including freshmen and transfers, are expected to participate in an Orientation session. Family and guests are welcome to attend orientation. There will be portions of the program that they can attend alongside their student and portions of the program designed just for family and guests.

The Orientation sessions are the students’ introduction to the #MarshallUFamily and will provide information essential for new incoming students. Students can expect an engaging experience that will include group sessions, individual meetings with academic advisors, student life presentations, housing information, and more – all focused on preparing new students to become #OneOfTheHerd.

Your Moment Awaits!

Confirm Your Enrollment

Students must confirm their enrollment before registering for New Student Orientation. To confirm your enrollment, log back into your portal account and complete the intent to enroll form. Once the form is complete, you may register for an Orientation date.

Register for Orientation

During New Student Orientation, you will:

  • Prepare for your first year at Marshall University, including academic expectations and student life.
  • Get your student ID and learn about Marshall’s student resources and support services.
  • Meet with an academic advisor to register for your first semester of classes.
  • Get to know many of your new Marshall classmates.

We offer two Orientation programs – one for freshmen and one for transfer students. Please see the date options for both types below.

Orientation Dates for Freshmen Fall 2024 Admits
  • Tuesday, June 11, 2024
  • Wednesday, June 12, 2024
  • Thursday, June 13, 2024
  • Friday, June 14, 2024
  • Tuesday, July 9, 2024
  • Wednesday, July 10, 2024
  • Thursday, July 11, 2024
  • Friday, July 12, 2024
  • Wednesday, July 31, 2024
  • Thursday, August 1, 2024
  • Friday, August 2, 2024

Once you have registered for Orientation, visit the site below for more information.

Steps for Admitted Freshman Students

Freshman Daily Schedule – What to Expect

Morning check-in will begin in our Memorial Student Center at 8:15 a.m. The Orientation program will begin at 9 a.m. in the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse, just across the street. Programming is scheduled throughout the day until 4:30 p.m. Please plan to stay all day.  Optional campus tours will be offered at the end of the day.  Parking will be available in the 6th Avenue Parking Garage near the Playhouse.  Parking validation will be available at check-in.

While there are no required items for students to bring to Orientation, we have some recommendations to make your day go as smoothly as possible! We suggest you bring a reusable water bottle, comfortable clothing and shoes, and a light jacket/sweater.

Tentative Schedule (a detailed schedule will be given during check-in):

  • 8:15 a.m. Check-in Opens
  • 9 a.m. Greeting
  • 9:05 a.m. First-Year Student to First-Year Success – A Student Panel Discussion and Presentation
  • 9:45 a.m.  – 12:00 p.m. Morning Program Rotations for Students
  • 10 a.m. Supporting Your Student
  • Noon Lunch Break – Lunch tickets will be provided
  • Resource Fair and Residence Hall Tours will be offered at this time
  • 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Afternoon Program Rotations for Students
  • 1:30 p.m. Optional programming for families and Guests
  • 4:30 p.m. Campus Tours and Residence Hall Tours
Orientation Dates for Transfer Fall 2024 Admits
  • Monday, July 8, 2024
  • Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Transfer Orientation dates are a half-day program. Transfer students who are unable to attend one of these two dates can select one of the Freshman dates.

Once you have registered for Orientation, visit the site below for more information.

Steps for Admitted Transfer Students

Transfer Daily Schedule – What to Expect

Check-in will begin in our Memorial Student Center at 8:15 a.m. The Orientation program will begin at 9 a.m. in the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse, just across the street. Optional campus tours will be offered at the end of the day. Parking will be available in the 6th Avenue Parking Garage near the Playhouse. Parking validation will be available at check-in.

While there are no required items for students to bring to Orientation, we have some recommendations to make your day go as smoothly as possible! We suggest you bring a reusable water bottle, comfortable clothing and shoes, and a light jacket/sweater. You may also want to bring copies of transcripts from the schools you have attended.

Tentative Schedule (a detailed schedule will be given during check-in):

  • 8:15 a.m. Check-in Opens
  • 9 a.m. Greeting
  • 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Morning Program Rotations for Students
  • 9:30 a.m. Supporting Your Student
  • Noon Lunch Break – Lunch tickets will be provided
  • Resource Fair and Residence Hall Tours will be offered at this time
  • 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Afternoon Program Rotations for Students
  • 1:30 p.m. Optional programming for families and Guests
  • 4:00 p.m. Optional Campus Tours and Residence Hall Tours
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Online Orientation

Students who have been admitted to a fully online program or to the Regent’s Bachelor of Arts (RBA) program should complete Online Orientation. New Freshmen and new Transfer students who live over 300 miles from campus can also request to complete Online Orientation. Please email the Orientation Office at orientation@marshall.edu to request Online Orientation. If approved, you will be given a link and password to complete the online program. After completion, the Orientation Office will notify your academic advisor so you can work with them to register for classes.

Next Steps: Complete the Survey

After registering for an Orientation date, your next step is to complete a short survey. The information collected will help us customize your Marshall experience and create your first-semester class schedule. We also use it to identify any special programs or opportunities from the Marshall community for which you would be a good fit. Once you’ve completed the survey, we’ll send you a #MarshallBound window cling so you can represent your school proudly!

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More Info
Special Accommodations

We make every effort to accommodate individuals with disabilities. If you have special accommodation needs, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accomodations at least one week before your confirmed Orientation date at 304-696-2467 or wyant2@marshall.edu.

Plan Your Orientation Visit

Please visit the Huntington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau for information on where to stay, what to eat, and things to do.

Questions?

If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page below or contact us at 304-696-3646 or orientation@marshall.edu. Please note that our standard method of communicating with students is via their Marshall email account. If you have not activated your Marshall email account and need help, please contact our IT Service Desk at 304-696-3200 or chat online.

FAQs

New freshmen and transfer students (admitted for Summer 2024 or Fall 2024) can register by clicking on the registration link available at www.marshall.edu/orientation. Please note the specific dates for Freshman and Transfer students referenced above.

All new students must participate in Orientation. Failure to participate in the Orientation program will result in the cancellation of your fall course schedule.

While there are no required items for students to bring to Orientation, we have some recommendations to make your day go as smoothly as possible!

  • A reusable water bottle – many activities will take place outdoors so having a water bottle to stay hydrated is important!
  • Comfortable clothing, socks, and shoes – there will be walking outside to and from different buildings on campus so plan to dress comfortably!
  • A light jacket/sweater – some of our buildings are cooler than others, so we recommend a light jacket or sweater in case you get cool.

If you are a transfer student, you may want to bring copies of transcripts from the schools you have attended.

You can easily reschedule your date by clicking the registration link and then selecting a new date. If you have any trouble, please contact the Office of New Student Orientation to reschedule You can reach the office by calling 304-696-3646 or emailing orientation@marshall.edu

Yes. In advance of your Orientation date, your advisor will have prepared a course schedule for you. Your schedule will include a variety of general education courses and perhaps a course or two specifically related to your academic major. When you meet with your advisor, you will have the opportunity to discuss those courses and make any changes that might be necessary.

Your academic advisor will prepare a course schedule before your Orientation date. This ensures you get the best course seats available. You will have the opportunity to discuss any potential schedule adjustments when you meet with your academic advisor at Orientation.

You will get your new digital student ID when you come to Orientation. You will also set up your Marshall email and multi-factor authentication on your phone.

Before you attend your advising appointment, it would be helpful if you reviewed our general education Core Curriculum available at www.marshall.edu/gened and also review the Academic Map for your chosen program of study. Academic Maps are available at https://www.marshall.edu/advising/curricular-resources/.

The process for changing your academic major depends upon your stage in the Orientation process.

  • Before May 15, you can contact the Office of Admissions to change your selected academic major. You can email admissions@marshall.edu or call 304-696-3160. Be sure to include your name and MUID number.
  • After May 15, you can discuss a change of major when you meet with your academic advisor or, if you change your mind after orientation, you can contact your academic advisor to assist you in transitioning to another major.

Some of our academic colleges have full-time staff advisors, other colleges utilize faculty advisors and some colleges utilize a combination of staff and faculty advisors. So, depending on your academic major, you might have a staff advisor or a faculty advisor. You will find out who your academic advisor will be when you come to orientation.

All incoming freshmen and new transfer students have a New Student Hold. This hold will remain on your record all summer and will be automatically lifted the week before the first day of the Fall 2024 semester. This hold ensures that all schedules are created by an academic advisor. If schedule adjustments are needed after you attend Orientation, you will work with your academic advisor to make those changes.

Yes. Orientation must be completed by every new student for the summer and fall term.  When you have your meeting with your advisor, be sure to mention that you plan to attend one of our regional campuses (be sure to mention which campus), and your schedule will be created for the specific campus you wish to attend. If you are unable to attend Orientation in person, you can email the New Student Orientation office at orientation@marshall.edu. You will then be given a link and password to complete the online orientation program. After completion, the Orientation office will notify your academic advisor so you can work with them to register for classes.