Getting Started With Your Online Classes

Mayville State University Departments are readily available to assist students enrolled in online classes. 

  • If you have changed your plans to attend Mayville State University, please contact the Academic Records Office to withdraw from classes:  1-800-437-4104, ext. 34774 or 701-788-4774 or records@mayvillestate.edu. 
  • If you have any issues with Blackboard, contact Robert Davis at 1-701-788-4645 or robert.davis.4@mayvillestate.edu, or the ITS Help Desk at 1-701-788-4739. 
  • If you need to change classes or talk to an advisor, call 1-701-788-5251 or email: advising@mayvillestate.edu 
  • Order your textbooks at the Mayville State Bookstore.
  • Contact the Financial Aid Office at 701-788-4893 with any financial aid questions. 
  • The MSU Business Office at 701-788-4757 is available to help with your student account questions. 
  • Review the Mayville State Online and Distance Student Handbook. 

Accessing Mayville State University Online Classes

Be sure you have the necessary technology to complete your online classes by using the list of requirements.

Please be aware that students are responsible for ensuring they meet the technical requirements for course participation, including international students and students taking courses while located outside the United States. Students should consider the shipping times and costs associated with shipment of books and materials to their locations abroad, including customs or taxes imposed at the destination location. Be aware there may be restrictions on the types of course materials that may be received in certain locations, and it is the student’s responsibility to be aware of any restrictions.

Mayville State's learning management system is Blackboard Learn (Bb). 

You will have access to your Blackboard account within 24 hours of registration into at least one course. Please give your Blackboard login access a test run at least one week prior to the start of classes or as soon as possible after registering. 

Log into Blackboard at: https://online.mayvillestate.eduClick here for instructions on logging into your Mayville State Blackboard account.

While you will have Blackboard access within 24 hours of registration, classes will not be visible for students in Blackboard until the first day of the academic session at Noon (Central). To ensure you are registered for the correct classes, please log in and refer to your official class schedule in Campus Connection. 

If you have a problem accessing your courses on the first day of class or have any other technical questions, please contact the following support specialists:

MSU Blackboard Support Specialist

MSU Service Desk

Robert Davis

robert.davis.4@mayvillestate.edu 

701-788-4645 (phone)

 

MSU Service Desk

service.desk@mayvillestate.edu

701-788-4739

After hours: NDUS Help Desk 1.866.457.6387

 

Email Required

As a Mayville State student, you will be given an official Mayville State email account. You will receive access to your university email account within 24 hours of registration. Please log in to give your university email a test run at least one week prior to the start of classes. You may be prompted to set up DUO Authentication for added security when accessing your email account.

It is critical that you are able to frequently access your Mayville State email. Important information about your admission, registration, financial aid, and more will be sent ONLY through your Mayville State email account.  Faculty members expect you will communicate ONLY with your Mayville State email address regarding questions about your online classes.

Please be sure to check your Mayville State University email account at least 5-7 times per week at a MINIMUM. You may refer to our How Do I guide for instructions on logging into your email account.

All official communication from university departments (financial aid, business office, etc.) and instructors goes to your MSU email. However, you may also receive online class login information and other important information as a new student at the email address you used when applying for admission or registering for courses. Be sure any non-MSU email account you are using accepts email from Mayville State, and be sure to check both your Inbox and Trash/Junk/Clutter mailboxes in your email account for important email from Mayville State. This is especially important to do prior to the start of an academic term.

If you have any questions or issues accessing your Mayville State email, contact MSU Information Technology Services.

Background Knowledge

To take online courses through Mayville State, you should be familiar with the following:

  • Basic operation of a Windows PC computer.

  • An Internet browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

  • Sending and receiving e-mails.

  • Microsoft Word.

  • Access to Computers and the Internet

To complete online courses, you will need regular access to a computer and reliable internet access. High speed internet access is highly recommended for all courses and is required for most courses. iPads, Chromebooks or devices running Chrome OS, and mobile devices such as iOS or Android phones or tablets do not meet the minimum technology requirements.  You must have access to a personal computer.

If you have any questions on technology issues, contact MSU's Information Technology Services. Please note that the lack of access to a reliable computer, reliable high-speed internet connection, or required technology or software for your MSU online classes is NOT an excuse for submitting late work, or requesting extended exam timeframes, or starting courses late in the semester.  Please be sure you are prepared for the technology demands of online course enrollment at the start of the academic semester.  

Please be aware that students are responsible for ensuring they meet the technical requirements for course participation, including international students and students taking courses while located outside the United States. Students should consider the shipping times and costs associated with shipment of books and materials to their locations abroad, including customs or taxes imposed at the destination location. Be aware there may be restrictions on the types of course materials that may be received in certain locations, and it is the student’s responsibility to be aware of any restrictions.


Computer Minimum Requirements

Please review the Technology Requirements for students attending Mayville State.  Please note that Windows PCs are preferred.  Certain online applications, hardware drivers, plug in equipment such as microscopes, and software packages may not function correctly or be compatible with Mac computers.  Courses may require the purchase of additional software for Mac computers, or access to a Windows PC.  Direct any questions to the MSU Information Technology Service Desk.

Software Requirements

  • PC with Windows 10 or 11; Mac users must have at least Mac OS 13 or newer (and certain courses may require Mac users to purchase additional software).

  • A web browser, such as Google Chrome. Chrome is preferred for Blackboard.

  • Microsoft Office 365 is available to all Mayville State students at no additional cost to the student.  You must first be registered as a student to have access.  Office includes Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and more. To get started with this suite of programs, follow these Microsoft Office download instructions. You will also find how to access other self-help articles.

  • Students should download Adobe Reader and set up an appropriate digital signature. Students must use the correct type of digital signature when submitting various forms that allow for electronic signatures. 

Software Downloads:

Microsoft Office 365
https://ndus.rightanswers.com/portal/app/portlets/results/viewsolution.jsp?solutionid=150722140037003&page=1&position=1&q=masu%20office  

Adobe Reader Download
http://get.adobe.com/reader/


Internet Access

Distance learners must secure their own Internet Service. Consult local listings for Internet Service Providers. 

Minimum Requirement: 10 Mbps or higher download speed (achieved via DSL, Cable service, or wireless services)

Please ensure you meet the technological requirements for completing your online classes by referring to this list of requirements.

Instructional Technology Support

Mayville State provides technical support and assistance with Blackboard, Yuja, Zoom, PEXIP, or any other instructional technology.

Zoom Getting Started, Installation, and Student User Guides

Getting Started in PEXIP Student User Guide 

Getting Started in Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Guide

Yuja Student Guide

Individual Requirements:

  • A willingness to interact with instructors and other students via e-mail.

  • The ability to work from written directions.

  • A time commitment equivalent to taking an on-campus course.

  • The capability of expressing yourself in writing.

  • The ability to attend synchronous class sections without distractions present. Students taking online, synchronous classes need to ensure they are fully attentive to class activities while attending online class sessions.  Family members, children, pets, cell phones, and other distractions must be out of sight for class sessions.  Distractions for other students and the instructor are not allowed. 

Proctoring

Please work with your instructor for any courses requiring ProctorU, or Yuja Proctoring. 

If you have questions, please contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at: CTL@mayvillestate.edu, 701-788-4645.  

ProctorU Instructions

Important Dates: Add, Drop and Withdrawal Information

Follow these instructions to complete the Financial Obligation Agreement.  Once that is completed each semester, you can follow these instructions to register for class.  Please be sure to speak with your academic advisor before registering for classes.

Online classes are NOT self-paced. They follow the same Academic Calendar as regular on-campus classes so students should log into class the first day of the semester so instructors know they are "attending." It is crucial that you log into your classes regularly in Blackboard to keep up with assignments and any updates or announcements posted by instructors.

If you decide not to continue with your online course or courses, you must take action immediately. Please refer to the cancellation, drop, and withdrawal information provided by Academic Records. 

IMPORTANT--You will be responsible for total tuition and fees due, unless you take the steps necessary to officially drop classes by the established drop dates.  You MUST officially withdraw.  Complete refunds (100%) for dropped classes are only available in the first few days of the term.  After the 100% refund period, an individual class that is dropped will NOT receive a refund.  Total withdrawal from all Mayville State classes will follow the tuition refund schedule. Please see a complete schedule of tuition refund dates on the Business Office webpage

Degree Seeking Students

Continue to work with your advisor to process any course substitutions, if appropriate, for your program of study. Please review the How Do I guide and the Distance Student Handbook for further information on getting started as a Mayville State online/distance student.


Student ID Cards

To get a student ID card, you will need to submit the Campus ID Request Form.  You will be required to submit a recent "headshot" picture. 

Starfish Early Alert System

What is Starfish?

Starfish Early Alert is a web-based advising tool that improves the way we support student success at Mayville State University. Students, faculty, and staff can manually raise alerts or flags. Faculty can support and nurture students through kudos for performance improvements and to recognize outstanding contributions. Success is a moving target and students need different kinds of encouragement at different times. Starfish Early Alert will engage students by keeping them informed and prompting them to act when necessary.


Student Support Services

Student support services are an integral part of Mayville State University and your college career. We offer a variety of student resources for online and distance students including programs and services that can provide student support services to you online, via Zoom, and in person.

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the services and MSU staff members available to assist you in a variety of student support areas. 

Other Questions?

Please contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at 701-788-4645 for answers to any questions on getting started with your online and distance classes.

 

MSU Bookstore

How do I purchase books and materials for my online or distance classes?

You may purchase books and materials online through the Mayville State Bookstore. New students are able to set up an online ordering profile with the bookstore approximately 72 hours after registering in at least one course. Please visit the MSU Bookstore website at www.mayvillestatebookstore.com.

Click on "Online/Distance" to proceed with ordering your books and materials.  If you have any questions, please contact the MSU Bookstore at 800-437-4104, Ext.  34823. 


Student/Blackboard Orientation

Give your Mayville State email and Blackboard login access a test run at least one week prior to the start of classes. Be sure you have the necessary technology to complete your online classes.

Please also take some time to practice Blackboard and learn about being a Mayville State University student in the Student Orientation course located in the Student Knowledge Base within Blackboard.  This optional orientation is available after you register for classes and will appear in your list of Blackboard courses.  It is not required and there is no cost associated with the Student Orientation.  However, students are encouraged to take some time to work through the orientation prior to the start of classes.

Please be sure to check your Mayville State University email account at least 5-7 times per week.  All official communication from university departments (financial aid, business office, etc.) and instructors goes to your MSU email.

The MSU Student/Blackboard Orientation

  • is optional.

  • was designed for distance and online students to ease the transition into online learning.

  • provides information, resources, and tutorials.

  • helps students be successful in their online coursework or programs.

  • familiarizes students with Blackboard, MSU's learning management system.

This orientation will help you:

  • ensure your computer is adequate for online learning.

  • determine whether your learning style matches those required to be online learners.

  • become acquainted with how to log on and use Blackboard.

  • discover the various assistance options available to you as a distance student.

  • find the Mayville State Distance Student Handbook, Academic Catalog, and other important documents you may need while you are a Mayville State Online and Distance student.  

  • help you plan your path to SUCCESS!