New Graduate Student Orientation
New Graduate Student Orientation (NGSO) provides all new graduate and professional school students with a strong foundation for success at SDSU. The university-wide NGSO is part of a comprehensive First Year Experience program for post-baccalaureate students. Students receive introductory information and instruction on university resources, student life, policies and procedures and more! Attendees also participate in activities aimed at facilitating a sense of community, belonging, equity and inclusion. Your graduate program will communicate with you throughout the summer on a graduate-specific orientation program. Your registration and participation in New Graduate Student Orientation is optional but highly recommended.
By making an NGSO reservation, you are agreeing to the First Year Experience (FYE) Fee ($348) and the Acknowledgement of Terms and Conditions.
Students who do not attend NGSO will have to complete a series of mandatory SDSU and CSU trainings at a later date. If students do not complete the trainings (whether through NGSO attendance or completing the trainings at a later date), it may cause a delay in the ability to register for courses in the following semester.
Prior to completing the reservation, we highly encourage new students to become familiar with the information on this website.
Remember to begin checking your SDSUid (@sdsu.edu student email, not your personal email) for updates and communication from the university. After you submit your Intent to Enroll, you will receive information about your @sdsu.edu student email, which is the campus standard for communication and collaboration. Future official communication from the university will be delivered to your @sdsu.edu student email. Learn more about the student official email address use policy on page 149 of the SDSU Senate Policy.
Students will need their SDSUid (@sdsu.edu student email, not their personal email) and password to log in and complete the reservation.
General Dates
- Thursday, May 14, at 10 a.m. PT | NGSO Reservation system opens
- Wednesday, June 17, at 11:59 p.m. PT | Late fee for NGSO begins
- Wednesday, July 15, at 11:59 p.m. PT | Deadline to register for NGSO
- Day before your NGSO date at 7:59 p.m. PT | Deadline to complete pre-orientation modules
- Monday, August 17, at 7:59 p.m. PT | Deadline to complete post-orientation Canvas modules
NGSO Date
Please note: The in-person component of NGSO is a one-day program. Students will choose between Thursday, August 13, and Friday, August 14, from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. There is no concurrent Parent and Family Orientation (PFO) offered during NGSO.
Advantages of Attending NGSO
- An excellent opportunity to connect with fellow graduate students helping you build a support system and expand your professional network.
- Learn about the resources and services available to you at SDSU.
- Meet with staff, advisors and trained SDSU student Ambassadors.
- Learn what it means to be a responsible member of the SDSU community.
- Embrace SDSU's values and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Get a feel for campus culture and student organizations making it easier to become involved in student life at SDSU.
Please review this section in its entirety to ensure you understand the pre-orientation requirements prior to attending New Graduate Student Orientation (NGSO).
Modules
Once you make your NGSO reservation, you will be ready to begin the online pre-orientation modules for SDSU. They were created to prepare you for NGSO, and to provide you with an introduction and overview of your new home. You’ll learn about campus resources and build a strong foundation for your success at NGSO and beyond. Mandatory training for all SDSU students is incorporated into the modules. Registration holds will be placed if these trainings are not completed.
You will receive an email inviting you to complete the online pre-orientation modules when you make your NGSO reservation. Please log in and complete the modules with your SDSUid and password. It is imperative that you complete the pre-orientation modules by 7:59 p.m. PT on your NGSO date.
Tips
- Total time to complete the pre-orientation modules is approximately 45-60 minutes.
- You must complete each section to move on to the next section.
Students should plan to complete the pre-orientation modules in one sitting. Logging in and out of the system may cause issues.
Complete the Steps to Enroll
The new graduate student must complete the steps to enroll before attending NGSO.
SDSU’s Steps to Enroll page for graduate students
SDSUCard
To receive your SDSUid card on your orientation date, you will need to complete the steps below by Sunday, June 21. You will need your student REDID number (nine-digit number) and a government-issued form of identification.
- Create an account on the GET mobile app using your SDSUid email address.
- If you have a preferred first name, please use that to create your account.
- Upload a photo and a valid U.S. government-issued ID on the GET mobile app.
Check out the video on How to Get Your Card Step-by-Step.
Learn about Graduate Specific Resources
This is a great opportunity to discover the Office for Graduate Life and Diversity (GLaD) and the many resources designed to support your academic and personal success. You'll gain insight into academic support, co-curricular activities, professional development, and mental health and well-being services tailored specifically for graduate students.
Hotels
If you need to make travel accommodations, special discounts can be found on the Bartell Hotels and SDSU page. Bartell Hotels offers eight unique hotels, and you are encouraged to make reservations early. Ask for the “SDSU Friends and Family Rate.”
Air
We are excited to share that we have partnered with Alaska Airlines to offer Aztec students and families 50% off the first month of Alaska Flight Pass. Flight Pass is an annual subscription for frequent flights within California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, all without breaking the bank. Visit the Alaska Flight Pass site to learn more (terms and conditions apply) and enter code AZTECS50OFF at checkout to save 50% on your first month's subscription.
We also offer Aztec Parents Association members a preferred discount of 10% on any Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air flight to San Diego, CA, through June 30, 2026. View details on the Aztec Parents Association page and refer to your confirmation email for the code.
Make sure you’ve read through the pre-orientation section before moving onto this section.
Date
Please refer to the About section for dates. If no dates are available to choose from, please contact us at [email protected]
Schedule
All sessions will be on campus. The in-person component of orientation is a one-day event. Plan to be on campus from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
What to Bring
- Bring valid picture identification, such as a U.S. driver’s license/REAL ID, U.S. ID card, passport or military ID.
- Wear casual clothing (i.e., a light jacket, hat/sunglasses and comfortable shoes for walking around campus).
- Optional: Bring snacks, a reusable water bottle, sunscreen and money if you plan to shop at the SDSU Bookstore. Lunch is provided for confirmed students and paid guest(s).
- Optional: Bring snacks, a reusable water bottle, sunscreen and money if you plan to shop at the SDSU Bookstore. Lunch is provided for confirmed students.
Transportation and Parking
We encourage using the MTS trolley or bus to reach SDSU. SDSU is conveniently located on the MTS Green Line trolley, and many MTS stations offer free parking. Google Maps and the Transit App provide transit directions to the SDSU Station. The Green Line Guide is designed to help you navigate public transportation to and from SDSU with ease. Carpooling is strongly encouraged for those who drive, as campus parking is limited.
If you plan to park at SDSU, a valid parking permit is required at all times. A 1-day valid parking permit for the P3 Parking Structure will be available for purchase through the “Know before you go” email. The digital permit will be valid only during the NSO date and cannot be switched.
Regulations are enforced at all times. Please do not park outside of the P3 Parking Structure or in any reserved, faculty-staff, or other specially marked space. Failure to obtain a valid parking permit may result in a citation.
To pay for additional parking, visitors are encouraged to use the PayByPhone app or a pay station. For more information about parking and transportation options, visit the Transportation Services website.
Tips
- Get a good night’s rest and eat breakfast before arriving.
- Attend the full program (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.).
- Know your RedID number (9 digit number that starts with “1” or “8”).
- Know your SDSUid (@sdsu.edu student email) and password.
After your NSO date, you will be expected to complete the post-orientation modules located in Canvas. The Canvas modules that you must complete include, but are not limited to, Canvas 101, Aztec Culture Education, and Opioid Training and Education. More information on the modules and how to access them will be available in the post-NSO email.
Reservations
- Activate your SDSUid. As an admitted student, you will receive an email from [email protected] with instructions on how to activate your SDSUid account. Complete the steps in the email to activate your account. You will use your SDSUid and password to log in to the New Student Orientation reservation system.
- SDSUid account is required. You must have your SDSUid account set up to receive the confirmation email BEFORE you make your reservation. For instructions to set up your SDSUid account, please visit the: Google G Suite for Students page.
- Confirm your registration before you make travel arrangements. To fully confirm your registration, you must receive a confirmation email.
Your orientation confirmation will be emailed to you. This contains valuable information, so please read it in its entirety.
View First Year Experience (FYE) Fee and the Acknowledgement of Terms and Conditions.
Fee waivers are not accepted.
We can't wait to meet you!
The reservation system opens on Thursday, May 14, at 10 a.m. PT.
