New Student Guide for Online Students

Dickinson State offers a variety of degree programs that can be completed entirely online. With access to support and faculty, your online program will fit your goals and your schedule.

Logging in to your student accounts for the first time: Before you will be able to access your student accounts, you will need to Claim Your Account. You will need your Student ID/EMPLID received upon acceptance.

Campus Connection is your DSU/NDUS student portal. The following services/resources can be found within Campus Connection:

  • Student Account Self Service
  • Schedule Information
  • Textbook Information
  • Registration
  • Grades & Transcript
  • Academic Requirements Report
  • Accept Financial Aid

Go to your DSU Email: Please check your DSU email account regularly because it is used for all academic and financial communications. You will use the same login information as Campus Connection, except you will add @ndus.edu to your username.

Visit the financial aid webpage to:

  • Apply for Aid
  • Check Financial Aid Status
  • Scholarships

Using Veterans Affairs Benefits? Contact DSU’s VA representative.

Once you have been accepted in to online course(s) at DSU, you will need to complete the DSU Online New Student Orientation in Blackboard. You will receive a notification once the orientation has been added to your Blackboard Courses (usually within 1-5 business days). We suggest completing the orientation prior to advising to help you prepare for your appointment. The orientation must be completed before the start of classes. The orientation provides you the opportunity to navigate Blackboard as well as help prepare you for your DSU Online and/or DSU Live courses.

  • Placement Exam: Placement in English and Math courses is based on ACT or SAT test scores earned in the past three years. Entering students who have scores older than five years, or who have not taken the ACT or SAT tests, are placed in classes by use of the College Board ACCUPLACER. If you have a valid score within the last 5 years, a placement exam is not required.

Schedule Placement Exam

  • Transfer Credit Evaluation: An important first step in transferring to DSU is to request that ALL final, official transcripts be sent to DSU Admissions at: 291 Campus Dr., Dickinson, North Dakota 58601. Once DSU has received ALL final and official transcripts from ALL previous universities and colleges attended, processing and evaluation may take 1-2 weeks.
    • A good starting point is the Transfer Equivalency Website (TES). This easy-to-use tool helps transfer students identify which of their already completed courses will transfer and how. At times, courses may not be included in TES. In these cases, students can check with their advisor about course substitutions.
  • Academic Catalog: The University’s academic catalog provides information about the institution such as program and graduation requirements, course descriptions, institutional policies, etc. A student is under the governance of the academic catalog in effect upon matriculation to the University.
  • General Education Requirements: Please work with your advisor on general education requirements, as they vary by major.
  • Academic Planning Guides: Academic planning guides are a resource used to assist students in planning their path to graduation. The guide sheets break down each of DSU’s majors by identifying the required courses for each semester. Students use this tool when preparing for registration and when selecting classes. The sheets are truly a guide. When completed, they will not look the same for every student and with the help of an academic advisor, students can create their own customized graduation path. 

As an online student, receiving excellent advising is important. Among other things, your advisor helps you register for classes.  Advising can take place in-person, or by email, phone, or video chat (such as Zoom). You can find your advisor’s contact information in Campus Connection or you can email dsu.online@dickinsonstate.edu if you aren’t sure who your advisor is.

Once you have reviewed your plan of study and course selections with your advisor, you may register for classes in Campus Connection.

Students who have been admitted for the spring semester will be able to register for courses beginning mid to late October.

Students who have been admitted for summer term or fall semester will be able to register for courses beginning late March to early April.

Textbooks for DSU courses can be purchased through the University Store. It is expected that you will have your book when the term begins. Charging books to financial aid begins about 1 week prior to the start of classes.

Ordering Textbooks

Bills should be paid by the semester fee payment due date which can be found in Campus Connection. Payment can be made through Campus Connection.

Courses can be accessed in Blackboard beginning 3 p.m. MT the first day of classes. Be sure your Blackboard courses match your schedule in Campus Connection. Contact DSU Online if there are any discrepancies.

Blackboard: DSU utilizes Blackboard to connect online students with courses and professors. Each course offered online will have a page on Blackboard for you to gain access to online discussions, available resources, and research materials.

Need Help with Blackboard? Check out Blackboard Tutorials. Take some time to view the tutorials prior to the first day of class. Knowing how to navigate and utilize the tools within Blackboard will get your online learning experience started on the right foot.

Technology Requirements: Review the technology and computer requirements needed for completing courses online.

Technology Help: Having trouble with Blackboard, your DSU email, or have other technology questions? Get in touch with our technology experts for assistance.

Course Resources

  • Class Collaborate: Found in Blackboard for joining DSU Live Online courses remotely. Review the tutorials above to learn how to navigate Blackboard Collaborate Ultra.
  • DSU Student Resources: Found in Blackboard, your one-stop access to student resources.
  • YuJa: Records class time and course content for you to watch live or review in your own time. YuJa is used across campus and online by instructors. These recordings can be accessed within Blackboard course pages using the YuJa link.
  • 3rd Party Course Materials: Some instructors opt to use 3rd party course platforms such as Cengage and Pearson. Students will need to work with their instructor or the help desk specific to these platforms for assistance in these classes.

Questions?

Contact dsu.online@dickinsonstate.edu or 701-401-8792.