Graduate Student Orientation

The School of Graduate Studies welcomes new and current graduate students to the University of North Dakota!

New Graduate Student Online Orientation

Our self-paced online orientation is now hosted on the Graduate Student Resources Blackboard organization. This orientation is designed to help you prepare for and navigate your first year of graduate school. It includes essential information about:

• Campus resources
• Academic support services
• Community and belonging
• Graduate school events and programming
• Research and innovation opportunities

Additional information will be provided to help students learn how to maximize their graduate experience.

Logging Into Orientation

New and returning graduate students are now able to access the online Orientation module for the 2025-2026 academic year through Blackboard. To access the orientation module through Blackboard, complete the following steps:

1. Claim Account and Confirm Enrollment: If you haven't already done so, you must claim your NDUS account and accept your offer at least two business days before you'll be able to complete Step 2 of this process to log into Blackboard.
2. After claiming your account and confirming enrollment, you will be able to access Blackboard.
   • Log in to Blackboard using your UND credentials.
   • Navigate to the "Organizations" tab, located in the left hand navigation menu.
   • Once in organizations, here you will find the Graduate Student Resources organization site.
   • Click through the orientation module. The module will take approximately 30 minutes to complete and does not need to be completed in one sitting. Students can access the module at any time and pick up where they left off.

If you have any questions about Orientation, please contact the School of Graduate Studies at gradschool@UND.edu.

access blackboard

Fall 2025 New Graduate Student Open House

August 25, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. | Check in at the Gershman Graduate Center

Join on August 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. for a welcome event at the Gershman Graduate Center. Check-in starts at 9:30 a.m. at the green tent on the front lawn of the Gershman Graduate Center.

Enjoy light refreshments, networking, and a chance to explore the Gershman Graduate Center, a beautifully restored space designed for graduate students. A presentation led by Graduate School Interim Dean, Soojung Kim, will begin at 10:30 a.m. in Nistler, Room 121.

RSVP required to attend, registration link below.

Fall 2025 Welcome: Online Graduate Student Social

August 26, 2025 | 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CST) | Virtual Event via Zoom

Join us on August 26 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CST) on Zoom for a virtual social for new and returning online/distance graduate students. The event includes a presentation and Q&A with Graduate School Interim Dean, Soojung Kim, plus helpful resources and time to connect with fellow students.

RSVP required to receive the Zoom link, register below. A recording will be made available on the Graduate Student Resources Blackboard page for those who can’t attend the live session.

Register Here