All students are required to complete the academic orientation and must register for the Orientation Seminar course:

Course Number (Fall 2025): ADMN-6700-01//CRN 72907

Credits: 0 
Grading: S/U

At the start of the Fall semester you will have access to the course through RPI's Learning Management System (LMS). On the LMS, you will be asked to confirm that you received and read all relevant information and upload any needed certificates (such as completion of the Responsible Conduct of Research training). However, you may begin working on the orientation requirement before the Fall semester, please follow the links below for instructions.

WELCOME EVENT

In addition to the online component, we will have a welcome event on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM:

All incoming students: at 10am the Graduate Council will host a Grad Guide Brunch on the 86 Field. Please join them for field games and socializing.

For PhD students:  Lunch will begin at 12pm at Heffner Alumni house. We will then take a quick campus tour ending in DCC308 for welcome notes and a panel discussion with faculty advisors (1:30-3pm). The campus resource fair will begin at 3:30pm, and while you wait you can get to know your peers better over coffee and cookies. Orientation will end at 5pm.

For Masters students:  Lunch will begin at 1:30pm at Heffner Alumni house. During lunch, you will have a chance to ask questions and learn about your expected journey at RPI. We will walk together to the campus resource fair, which will begin at 3:30pm in DCC. Orientation will end at 5pm.

TA TRAINING

The mandatory TA training will take place on August 27. There will be two sessions: morning (9am-2pm) and afternoon (1pm-6pm). You will need to register to one. Registration links and additional information will be posted here later in the summer. Below is the program for both sessions:

ORIENTATION KEY TOPICS (with links to relevant documents): 

• Setting up your campus accounts
• Registering for courses
• Health requirements, insurance, and campus health/counseling services
• Percipio Orientation Journey:
  • Academic Integrity at Rensselaer-Graduate Student Edition
  • Managing Your Time So It Doesn’t Manage You
  • At-Risk Mental Health for Students (note: this module might not open properly on Safari)
  • Building Shared Understanding across Cultural Divides
  • Conveying Your Message without Words
• Responsible conduct of research (CITI)

For international graduate assistants (Fall 2025): New international students may be required to complete COMM 1350: Effective Communication for Class Pedagogy, which is a language skill building course. Screening will be based on the standard testing scores (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo) submitted with your application.  Students who are required to take the course will be notified via email and asked to register for the course. There is a course fee of approximately $100 for software use.