Graduate Orientation Overview
Welcome! We have set up this self-guided online orientation for your convenience. This online orientation process is optional for graduate students. However, both new and returning students may find useful information by reviewing this process. Use the orientation information below to complete the following steps:
- Activate your MyNMU account (includes your NMU e-mail address)
- Determine your degree and/or course requirements
- Get your Wildcat Express ID card (for on-campus students)
- Complete the FAFSA if you would like to be considered for federal loans (NMU's code is 002301)
- Register for courses, pay tuition, start classes
- Enjoy the many opportunities available at NMU and in the surrounding area
All graduate students seeking a degree or certificate should work closely with their academic adviser to schedule courses.
Questions?
Please contact us at graduate@nmu.edu or (906) 227-2300
Information for Graduate Assistants
All new fall semester Graduate Assistants are required to attend a portion of new faculty orientation in August and may also have additional departmental orientation requirements. This orientation is only for students that have a new employment contract with NMU as a Graduate Assistant. Please consult with your department to make sure you are meeting all the expectations of your new or continued position.
MyNMU
NMU uses your MyNMU account to distribute information to you, including legally required notices. It is important to set-up your online account as soon as possible and check it regularly. Set-up your MyNMU account on the New User Page by following the instructions provided.
Log-in to your MyNMU account using your NMU username and password. From your account, you can do things such as:
- Update personal information
- Search and register for courses (registration instructions), view course schedule and grades, reserve textbooks
- Run an unofficial degree audit (Degree Evaluation - CAPP), view your unofficial transcript, and request official transcripts
- Allow Proxy Access for someone else to view your account
- Pay tuition, purchase your parking decal ($140 per year), register your bike (free), purchase a recreation membership
- Any many more options
If you have ever set-up your MyNMU account, your username and password are the same. If you need assistance with accessing your previous account, see the MyUser page to reset your password or contact the NMU Help Desk at (906) 227-2468.
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NMU Computer Distribution
Pick-up your NMU mobile device (for full-time students/8 credits a semester) according to the distribution schedule of your starting semester. NOTE: You will need your Wildcat Express ID (see below) to pick up your mobile device on campus. Mobile devices may be picked up at Micro Repair in the lower level of the LRC after fall distribution or for winter semester. Be sure to view NMU's mobile device policies. If you are a web-based full-time student and would like to use a NMU mobile device, see the off-campus mobile device policy and contact (906) 227-2818. Students that are not full-time may choose to rent a mobile device See the Mobile Device Rental Policy for information.
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EduCat
EduCat is NMU's online learning portal. If you are an online student or take any course online, you must complete the Online Course Preparation Tutorial prior to accessing online courses. The tutorial is a self-paced module in NMU EduCat that provides information about the strategies, tools, and technology needed to be a successful online learner at Northern Michigan University. The tutorial is a one-time requirement. After completing it, you will gain access to all of your currently ongoing online courses within 20 minutes, and you will not be prompted to complete it again in future semesters.
Marvelous Marquette
Northern is located in the city of Marquette (pop. 20,000) in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The city combines a dramatic natural wonderland of shoreline, forest and hills with a vibrant cultural community, progressive education, business and healthcare. Residents are known for their can-do attitude and warm friendliness, despite the area receiving over 180 inches of snow each year.
- Marquette County Travel Information
- Marquette County Information (government and services)
- City of Marquette Website
- Downtown Marquette Information (approximately 1 mile from campus)
Master's Degree Requirements
We've highlighted some quick links here from the Graduate Bulletin related to degree completion. Please be sure to consult with your adviser and use the correct graduate bulletin before selecting courses, and note that you are responsible for meeting all areas specified in your graduate program before being granted a degree. NMU uses Curriculum, Advising and Program Planning (CAPP) as an advising tool for both students and advisers to evaluate coursework against degree requirements. CAPP degree evaluations can be accessed through MyNMU.
Getting Started
- Academic Honesty
- Curriculum, Advising and Program Planning (CAPP)
- Grading System (Must have at least a 3.0 overall GPA with no more than six (6) credits below a B)
- Master's Degree Requirements & Capstone Project
Attending
- Repeating Courses - A maximum of two courses may be repeated and each may be repeated only once
- Retention Standards - Degree grade requirements and probation/suspension information
- Time Limitation - Courses expire after seven (7) years
- Graduation
Below are on-campus and off-campus resources which you may find helpful. You can also view a more comprehensive list of links on the Current Students page.
On-Campus
- Academic Calendar
- Alcohol/Drug Policy
- Bike Registration and Bike Storage
- Bookstore
- Wildcat Shuttle Bus Service (see Marq-Tran for service off campus)
- Cafeteria/Restaurants
- Career Services (on- and off-campus jobs)
- Clery Act (Crime Statistics)
- Counseling/Mental Health
- Emergency Notifications (sign-up for emergency text alerts)
- Events Calendar
- Financial Aid
- LGBTQ+ Resources & Support
- Graduate Bulletin
- Graduate Student Association (GSA)
- Graduate Assistantships
- Health Center
- Help Desk (mobile device software help/ Micro Repair for hardware)
- Housing
- Inclement Weather Policy
- Lake Superior Swimming
- Mobile Device Information
- Mobile Device Repair (mobile device software help/ Micro Repair for hardware)
- Library
- Library - Distance Services (many services are offered for students not on campus)
- Measles Immunization Policy
- The North Wind (student newspaper)
- Outdoor Recreation Center
- Parking
- Phone Numbers
- Radio - WNMU Public Radio 90, WUPX Student Radio
- Records (name/address changes, official transcripts, etc.)
- Recreational Sports Membership
- Residency Policy/Requirements
- Scholarships
- Snow Days (inclement weather)
- Student Enrichment (student organizations, etc.)
- Student Government (Associated Students of NMU)
- Student Handbook
- Student Organizations
- TV - WNMU Public TV13
- Veteran Services
- Weapons/Explosives
- Wildcat Shuttle (on-campus bus service)
- Writing Center (help with written assignments)
Off-Campus
This is a partial list of available resources and is intended as a starting point. Existence on the list does not imply endorsement by Northern Michigan University. Please research all of your available options.
- Commuter Student Information
- Marquette Bus Service (Marq-Tran, NMU students ride free on fixed routes during the school year by showing ID card)
- Indian Trails Bus Service
- Sawyer International Airport (approximately 1/2 hour south of NMU--airport code MQT)
- Housing - NMU Dean of Students off-campus housing list
- Medical Resources - Marquette General Hospital, Peninsula Medical Center
- Post Office (set-up local PO Box and mail forwarding)
- Restaurants
- Utilities
- Cable - Charter
- Electric - Marquette Board of Light and Power & UPPCO
- Gas - Semco Energy
- Phone- AT&T, Verizon, Charter, MCI
- Secretary of State (driver's license, car registration, voter registration)
- TV stations - WLUC, WBUP/WBKP
- Upper Peninsula of Michigan (Wikipedia)
- Weather Information