Student Frequenlty Asked Questions

For new students, getting started is a four step process:

  1. Admission
  2. Registration
  3. Payment
  4. Attendance

How do I get admitted to USU?

You must be fully admitted to earn a degree from USU, however full admission is not required to enroll in online courses. Students who want to take courses but not earn a USU degree may complete our simple Non Degree Admission application.

Non-Degree Admission

Non-Degree Admission is typically completed within 1-2 business days and is free! The benefits of Non-Degree Admission are:

  • Admission is free
  • You can register for courses within a couple of days
  • Full admission can still be completed at a later date

However, until you are fully admitted to the university, you cannot receive financial aid. In addition, you can only take a limited number of credits until you must be fully admitted to the university to complete your degree.

Full Admission

To become fully admitted, you must complete a Undergraduate or Graduate admission application. After you are fully admitted, you may apply for financial aid and complete your degree.

After admission through either method, you may register for courses during open registration times. Go to Registration for more information.

How do I set up my login information?

Students who have been accepted to Utah State University and have a student identification number (also known as an A-Number) may complete the following steps to create their login credentials.

  1. Visit http://myid.usu.edu/
  2. Enter your University A-Number and the validation text, then click continue
    • If you do not know your A-Number select "I don't know my A-Number".
  3. Verify you have access to your "Preferred Email" account by placing a check in the I have access box, then click Send Email
  4. Check your "Preferred Email" account for a new email titled Create Your USU Password
  5. Click on the link within the email or copy/paste the link into a web browser. This will open a webpage within the student's default web browser
    • The link is valid for two (2) hours and may be used (1) time
  6. Enter your desired password following the password rules, then click Change Password
  7. Next, create your Challenge Questions, (these will be used if you forget your password), then presscontinue
  8. Your password is now ready to use!
    • Please allow 5 minutes before logging into USU systems to allow your password to replicate to the USU central authentication server

If you have questions or need assistance please contact the IT Service Desk at 797-HELP (4357) or toll-free 1-877-878-8325

How do I register for courses?

Admitted students may go to MyUSU and register for online courses using Access (Banner). Login using the A# you received when you were admitted. If you have not already set up your login information, you must first do so at the USU Identity website. Find the course(s) you wish to register for and then select the campus closest to you. If you are not located in Utah select "Out of State".

Another option is to register in person at your local regional campus.

For more information visit the Registrar's website.

How do I pay for courses?

Payments can be made through the Registrar's Office with cash/check or online through TouchNet with MasterCard, Discover Card, American Express, or web checks.

For financial aid information, application deadlines, and types of financial aid please contact the USU Financial Aid Office at 435-797-1073 or visit the financial aid website. It is suggested students apply early for financial aid because of complex federal requirements. It can take up to three months to process an accurate application. To be eligible for financial aid, student must be fully admitted to USU.

How do I attend my online courses?

Online courses are conducted in an online system called Canvas. You will need regular access to a personal computer to access the course online. Courses are designed for students to submit assignments online and interact with their instructors and classmates via email and online discussions. Most courses follow the academic calendar. On the first day of the course, as listed on your schedule, you should log in to Canvas to become familiar with the course structure and requirements. If the course link does not appear in Canvas on the day when your course should start, contact your instructor.

How much time does an online class take?

For full semester course, you should plan to spend 3 hours a week on coursework for every 1 course credit. For a 7 week course, you should plan to spend 6 hours a week for every 1 course credit.

For example, in a full semester 3 credit course, you should plan 3 hrs. per week, reading content, and participating in discussions, plus an additional 6 hours outside of the course working on homework, readying textbooks, and studying.

The following table displays the expected number homework hours of and the corresponding number of hours expected to be spent on coursework:

# of Course Credits  # of Expected Coursework Hours per week
  Full Semester 7 Week Session
1 3 6
2 6 12
3 9 18
6 18 36
12 36 72

Using this formula, 12-15 credits is considered to be a full-time student, working 36 - 45 hours on coursework.

What do I need to take online classes?

Online classes have some particular technology requirements. There are some other technology tools that may make your experience easier. In order to be able to access your online coursework. You will need at least regular access to a computer with:

  • A reliable internet connection (preferably high speed)
  • The latest version of Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
  • A PDF reader
  • A word processor (Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Open Office, etc.)
  • Speakers or headphones

It is preferred that students have a personal computer (desktop or laptop) with a webcam and microphone (built in or as an accessory) which are required if students intend to use virtual proctoring. A smart phone or tablet will also allow students to access the mobile app available.