Undergraduate New Student Orientation (NSO) at Penn State World Campus can help you learn how to be a successful online learner. Many Penn Staters participate in some kind of New Student Orientation.
Completing NSO as an Online Course
Penn State World Campus NSO is a mandatory noncredit course that is offered in the Canvas Learning Management System, in the same way that your upcoming courses will be. By completing NSO, you'll experience what a typical course looks like, form relationships with other online learners, and learn important details about support services at World Campus. NSO must be completed before you begin your classes.
Time Needed and Scheduling Your NSO Course
NSO will take approximately 7–10 hours for you to complete and will take place over several days, providing you with an opportunity to engage with other students getting started at Penn State World Campus.
New students will be invited to schedule their date to begin orientation. However, just like your other courses, NSO does not take place at a specific time of day, nor do you need to complete it in a single session. This allows you the flexibility to access the material on your own schedule. After you complete NSO, the course content will remain available to you in Canvas.
Watch for an email invitation with more details about how and when you can access NSO. For additional information, contact the Penn State World Campus Orientation and Transition Programs team at [email protected].
Information for Non-Degree Undergraduate Students
If you are a non-degree undergraduate student or are enrolled in a stand-alone undergraduate certificate, you are not required to complete Undergraduate New Student Orientation (NSO). However, we strongly encourage you to complete World Campus Essentials, a short online module designed specifically for students who are new to Penn State World Campus but are not pursuing a degree.
This module provides an introduction to the tools, services, and expectations that will help you get started successfully as an online learner. The module covers:
- navigating Canvas and other key Penn State systems
- understanding basic World Campus policies and support services
- important processes related to undergraduate certificates
- where to go for help and answers as a World Campus student
World Campus Essentials is self-paced, requires a minimal time commitment, and is available fully online. Completing the module is optional but highly recommended, especially if this is your first experience taking online courses through Penn State World Campus.
Explore World Campus Essentials.
If you are unsure whether NSO or World Campus Essentials is the right fit for you, please contact [email protected] for guidance.
