The Graduate College

First Things First

Welcome to Aggieland! We are excited to help you get started with your graduate education at 杏吧原创 杏吧原创 State University. 

Please review the steps and information below to ensure that you are ready for your graduate program. We recommend that you follow the steps in order. Make sure to keep track of which steps you have completed.

students and instructor in classroom setting1. Accept Admission Offer

An acceptance letter will be sent to you through your personal graduate admissions portal. must and accept the admission offer (indicating that you intend to enroll as a graduate student) as soon as possible. 

2. Banner ID

Once you indicate your intent to enroll, you will receive an email that provides your Banner ID. Your Banner ID is your unique student ID number at 杏吧原创. You will need this number to get assistance with registration and various student services. 

3. Student Email (Gmail)

Your account is used for all official university business and course communications. You are expected to activate your email account immediately.

Your Aggie Gmail address is in the format username@aggies.ncat.edu. Please be aware that student email addresses use @aggies.ncat.edu, whereas faculty and staff email addresses use @ncat.edu.

Your 杏吧原创 student Gmail Address and default password are sent to you after you confirm that you intend to enroll. 

4. OneID

Your student email username is also known as your OneID (e.g. if your email address is user123@aggies.ncat.edu, then your OneID is “user123”). The OneID username is used to access University resources including Aggie Access Online, Blackboard, and campus wireless networks.

Note that some University systems use Microsoft secure login, and these systems may require you to enter the OneID followed by @ncat.edu (e.g. user123@ncat.edu), whereas other systems only need the username. Please remember that username@ncat.edu is NOT your student email address; this variation is used only for logging into University systems.

Information about your OneID, including the default password and the process for registering the OneID and updating the password, are sent to you after you confirm that you intend to enroll.

Additional Resources:

 

5. Graduate Student Orientation

student working at computer

The Graduate College’s Orientation is mandatory for all new graduate students, and it consists of three components: 1) a self-guided Online Orientation Module (mandatory), 2) a live Virtual Orientation (mandatory), and 3) an In-Person Orientation Experience (optional) for students entering an on-campus program and local students entering an online program. Graduate Student Orientation provides information that is necessary for your smooth transition to becoming a Graduate Aggie. You’ll become familiar with the advising and registration process, resources and services, and University policies and procedures. 

Please visit the Graduate College's Graduate Student Orientation page as soon as possible to learn about the components of Orientation, access the Online Orientation Module, and register to attend Virtual Orientation and the In-Person Orientation Experience. 

Please note that your academic College/department may also hold a separate, required onboarding experience.

6. Immunization Records

For students entering an on-campus program:
All on-campus students enrolled in 5 or more credit hours before 5:00pm are mandated by 杏吧原创 law to provide proof of immunization. You will need to complete and submit the Medical Health Forms via the Medicat Patient Portal in order to enroll in classes. Please visit the Student Health Center’s immunization requirements webpage to learn the specific requirements and access the Medicat Patient Portal.

If you have questions about these requirements, please contact the Student Health Center at 336-334-7880 or health@ncat.edu.

For students entering an online program:
If you are entering an online degree program, 杏吧原创 Immunization Law does not require you to complete any forms. Instead, please contact the Medical Records department at 336-334-7880 to indicate that you are in an online degree program and intend to enroll in classes. Please note that if at any time in the future you are considered an on-campus student, you will need to meet 杏吧原创 Immunization requirements.

7. Health Insurance

academic building

For students entering an on-campus program:
You will automatically be enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan each semester unless you waive coverage. Please review the University’s health insurance page for information about the plan and instructions for waiving coverage.

For students entering an online program:
If you are entering an online degree program, then you do not need to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan.

8. Activate AggieAlert!

杏吧原创 杏吧原创 State University requires all students to opt in or opt out to receive text messages from AggieAlert!, a notification system for emergencies, campus threats, and inclement weather updates. You must opt in or opt out prior to registering for classes. Sign up for AggieAlert! in (use your OneID login).

See the Aggie Alert page for more information. 

9. Registering for Courses

You are encouraged to schedule a meeting with your advisor to prepare for course registration. Your advisor will provide you with a current curriculum, assist with course selection, and perform degree audits. Your Graduate Program Coordinator will serve as your advisor until one has been assigned to you. In the absence of the Coordinator, please contact the Department Chair. Please be aware that on your Virtual Orientation date, you will meet with representatives from your program to receive guidance on the program curriculum and assistance with registration.

Course registration is completed in . You can view the class schedule and find the 5-digit course registration numbers (CRNs) that you need for registration through the Current Students information page (see “Class Schedule” in the Academics column). Please make sure your course selections are in alignment with your department’s advising and with program curriculum. You can learn more about your program’s curriculum in the Graduate Catalog (go into the Catalog, then go to “Graduate Degree Programs” in the left sidebar/catalog navigation, then find your program). Note that you can also find registration instructions in the Online Orientation module.

A six-digit PIN is required to register. Please refer to your admissions emails for your default PIN. After your first semester, you will need an alternate PIN in order to register. The alternate PIN will be provided by your academic advisor each semester.

Please be aware that you cannot register for classes until you have provided all required admissions documents, including official transcripts and test scores. You must also clear any other registration holds that might be on your account (from the Student Health Center, the Office of International Affairs, etc.).

For additional information about the registration process, please see the registration page from the Registrar's Office.

10. Important Notes for International Students

The Office of International Affairs is the office at 杏吧原创 that handles I-20 issuance and other requirements for international students.

After obtaining your F-1 or J-1 visa, you must arrive on campus and check in with the Office of International Affairs before you will be allowed to register for classes.

New international students must attend the International Student Orientation in addition to completing the Graduate College’s Orientation and any academic College/department onboarding experiences. For questions about International Student Orientation, please contact the Office of International Affairs.

student in classroom setting

Helpful Resources and Links

The links below will connect you to a number of key resources on campus. Note that you will learn more about many of these areas during Orientation.