New Student Orientation is a program that is required for all new, entering undergraduates at MSU Texas. Whether you are a first year student or transferring, getting started at MSU Texas is a big step. 

New Student Orientation

Please select your classification below to learn how to complete your university orientation requirement.

I am a Beginning First Year Student

Beginning first year students admitted for Fall are required to complete New Student Orientation in-person. Live out of state? Click the tab below for information on other options.

NSO 2025 Events

Friday, 20 June *Featuring leadership focused optional overnight stay
Tuesday, 24 June
Thursday, 26 June
Friday, 11 July *Featuring first-gen focused optional overnight stay
Tuesday, 15 July
Thursday, 17 July *Featuring student success focused optional overnight stay
Tuesday, 5 August
Thursday, 7 August

I am a Transfer Student

COMPLETE NSO ONLINE

  • About the Orientation Hold on your student account. On the first day you are eligible to register for classes, your New Student Hold (NW) will be deactivated to allow for course registration. Your Orientation Hold (OR) is set to become active about 3 weeks before your first semester begins.
  • What happens after you complete your Online NSO? Once you have successfully completed all required modules, starting 1 May, the New Student Orientation staff will lift your Orientation Hold from your MSU student account and send you a confirmation email of the requirement being satisfied.
  • Processing and confirmation after 1 May usually takes around 1-2 business days following completion of the required Online Orientation modules.
  • TIP: Ready to start your Online NSO? Make sure to have your Mustangs ID  handy when you create your account. Progress and completions are tracked using your Mustangs ID.  [*MXXXXXXXX, no "!"]

If you're having problem registering please contact orientation@msutexas.edu.


If you're having a problem creating a new user account please contact orientation@msutexas.edu.

I am a Distance Education Student

COMPLETE NSO ONLINE

  • About the Orientation Hold on your student account. On the first day you are eligible to register for classes, your New Student Hold (NW) will be deactivated to allow for course registration. Your Orientation Hold (OR) is set to become active about 3 weeks before your first semester begins.
  • What happens after you complete your Online NSO? Once you have successfully completed all required modules, starting 1 May, the New Student Orientation staff will lift your Orientation Hold from your MSU student account and send you a confirmation email of the requirement being satisfied.
  • Processing and confirmation after 1 May usually takes around 1-2 business days following completion of the required Online Orientation modules.
  • TIP: Ready to start your Online NSO? Make sure to have your Mustangs ID  handy when you create your account. Progress and completions are tracked using your Mustangs ID.  [*MXXXXXXXX, no "!"]

If you're having problem registering please contact orientation@msutexas.edu.

I am an Out-of-State Resident Student

COMPLETE NSO ONLINE

  • About the Orientation Hold on your student account. On the first day you are eligible to register for classes, your New Student Hold (NW) will be deactivated to allow for course registration. Your Orientation Hold (OR) is set to become active about 3 weeks before your first semester begins.
  • What happens after you complete your Online NSO? Once you have successfully completed all required modules, starting 1 May, the New Student Orientation staff will lift your Orientation Hold from your MSU student account and send you a confirmation email of the requirement being satisfied.
  • Processing and confirmation after 1 May usually takes around 1-2 business days following completion of the required Online Orientation modules.
  • TIP: Ready to start your Online NSO? Make sure to have your Mustangs ID  handy when you create your account. Progress and completions are tracked using your Mustangs ID.  [*MXXXXXXXX, no "!"]

If you're having problem registering please contact orientation@msutexas.edu.

I am an International Student

As an international student, you will complete the first part of your orientation before you arrive in the U.S. 

COMPLETE NSO (Part 1) ONLINE

  • About the Orientation Hold on your student account. On the first day you are eligible to register for classes, your New Student Hold (NW) will be deactivated to allow for course registration. Your Orientation Hold (OR) is set to become active about 3 weeks before your first semester begins.
  • What happens after you complete your Online NSO? Once you have successfully completed all required modules, starting 1 May, the New Student Orientation staff will lift your Orientation Hold from your MSU student account and send you a confirmation email of the requirement being satisfied.
  • Processing and confirmation after 1 May usually takes around 1-2 business days following completion of the required Online Orientation modules.
  • TIP: Ready to start your Online NSO? Make sure to have your Mustangs ID  handy when you create your account. Progress and completions are tracked using your Mustangs ID.  [*MXXXXXXXX, no "!"]

If you're having problem registering please contact orientation@msutexas.edu.

What's Part 2 of your New Student Orientation? Once you have arrived in the US, a mandatory immigration and international meeting will be coordinated by the Global Education Office. 

 If you're having a problem creating a new user account please contact orientation@msutexas.edu.

I am a Dual Credit (High School) Student

COMPLETE NSO ONLINE

  • About the Orientation Hold on your student account. On the first day you are eligible to register for classes, your New Student Hold (NW) will be deactivated to allow for course registration. Your Orientation Hold (OR) is set to become active about 3 weeks before your first semester begins.
  • What happens after you complete your Online NSO? Once you have successfully completed all required modules, starting 1 May, the New Student Orientation staff will lift your Orientation Hold from your MSU student account and send you a confirmation email of the requirement being satisfied.
  • Processing and confirmation after 1 May usually takes around 1-2 business days following completion of the required Online Orientation modules.
  • TIP: Ready to start your Online NSO? Make sure to have your Mustangs ID  handy when you create your account. Progress and completions are tracked using your Mustangs ID.  [*MXXXXXXXX, no "!"]

If you're having problem registering please contact orientation@msutexas.edu.

Do you know your TSI status?

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) helps identify the right math and English courses for each new student. You will not be able to register for your courses until your TSI-related requirements are determined.

How can you check your TSI status? Current MSU students and newly admitted students can check their TSI status on WebWorld through the MSU Texas Portal. Login and then on the left side under QuickLaunch Navigation, click on Student Records, then click View Holds. If you have a TSI Hold because you need to take the assessment, the sections you need to take will be indicated.

Need to schedule a TSI exam? Visit our Testing Services page for details and instructions for signing up for the TSI.

Already taken the TSI or TSIA2 Assessment elsewhere?  Send an email with your full name, MSU ID number, and date of birth to admissions@msutexas.edu.

Thinking you’re TSI Exempt? Send an email with your full name and MSU ID number to admissions@msutexas.edu. 

Required to take a developmental course in math or English? Talk with your academic advisor, if you have questions about the required course(s).

Questions about TSI policies? Visit the Registrar's Office webpage. Questions about any of the information here? Email orientation@msutexas.edu

 

Academic Advising & Registration

Academic Advisor contact information is listed on our Academic Advising at MSU page. Beginning in April, you may contact your Advisor to schedule an advising appointment. This is required before registering for classes!

Orientation Fee - Students

For all new first year and transfer undergraduate students, a one-time $75.00 Student Orientation Fee is charged the first semester you enroll. 

  • This fee is added to the student's MSU account and is not a fee that must be paid in advance or before completing the orientation.
  • The fee covers the orientation programming, staffing, technology and materials provided to the incoming student at either an on campus or online orientation.

Parent / Guest Orientation Fee

  • For parents or guests that choose to attend the optional in-person parent/guest orientation program, a $20 per person fee can be paid online in advance. Pay Here. 
  • A maximum of 2 guests may attend per in-person session, with each registered student. 

Optional Overnight Stay (Students)

For students attending an NSO event that features an optional overnight stay, the fee is $25. This can be paid in advance online.