New Student Orientation
Orientation is a required pre-enrollment step for ALL degree-seeking students at MSU Denver. The mission of New Student Orientation (NSO) is to facilitate the transition of entering students by helping them learn about and connect with the campus community. A variety of sessions are offered to accommodate the needs of our diverse commuter population, including specialized sessions for first-time college students, transfer students, and adult students returning to college. In addition, transfer students over the age of 20 can complete their orientation requirement through an online orientation course. During orientation, incoming students have the opportunity to interact with current MSU Denver students and staff while they receive valuable information about academic advising, General Studies requirements, the registration process, and financial aid. Student Orientation Leaders also share some of their own tips for college survival, including how to utilize campus resources and how to get involved in campus activities. For further information about orientation, visit the NSO website, msudenver.edu/nso, or call 303-556-6931. The Office of New Student Orientation is located in the Tivoli Student Union, Room 223.
Assessment and Testing
The Office of Assessment and Testing provides testing services that help students determine placement in General Studies courses for their first year at MSU Denver. All first-time students and transfer students who need to take General Studies courses in Written Communication, Oral Communication, and Quantitative Literacy are required to complete the reading, writing, and mathematics Accuplacer placement examinations prior to enrollment, unless they meet at least one of the following exemptions for each examination:
- If the student has ACT or SAT scores within the past five years, some assessment tests may be waived if the following scores are met or exceeded: an ACT subscore at or above 18 in English (SAT verbal of 440), 19 or 20 in Math (SAT math of 460 or 480) or 17 in Reading (SAT verbal of 430).
- Students with Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or College Level Examination Program test results may be exempt from certain placement tests. Students should contact the Transfer Services office at 303-556-3774 for more information.
- Transfer students who have completed the equivalent of Level I General Studies are exempt from the placement examinations. Students should contact the Transfer Services office at 303-556-3774 for more information.
For additional information, see the Assessment and Testing website, msudenver.edu/testing, or call 303-556-3677. For additional information regarding mathematics placement, visit the MSU Denver website, msudenver.edu/testing/placementtests, or obtain a copy of the Mathematics Peer Study brochure from the Academic Advising Center.
Degree-seeking students whose records indicate that they require remedial course work have at their disposal basic skills courses offered through the Community College of Denver and other community colleges in the region. Students are responsible for completing remedial course work within the first 30 semester hours at MSU Denver. The Office of Assessment and Testing is located the Tivoli Student Union, Room 347.
Academic Advising
At MSU Denver students are provided multiple sources of academic advising support. Continuing students with declared majors receive advising assistance from their academic departments. New students and students without declared majors receive advising support from the Academic Advising center. Services available to students in the center include: assistance with course selection, scheduling, and registration; help with long-term degree planning; identification of degree enhancement strategies; and ongoing developmental advising, including assistance with the major/minor selection process, adjustment to college, and more. For additional information visit the Academic Advising website, msudenver.edu/advising, or call 303-556-3680. The Academic Advising Center is located in the Student Success Building (SSB), Suite 170. |
