New Graduate Student Orientation

New Graduate Student Orientation Options

The Graduate School aims to offer a variety of on-boarding activities and events to help new graduate students acclimate to ECU, Greenville, and their graduate education.  Please feel free to participate in as many options as you would like! Your program may have a required orientation session but all of the Graduate School orientations are optional. Any questions about Orientation can be sent to: gradschool@ecu.edu


Campus Orientation Event – August 12th, 2026

Register for In-Person Orientation here!
(Deadline to register for In-Person Orientation is August 3rd)

9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Main Campus Student Center Ballrooms

Join us on campus on Wednesday August 12th to learn more about getting started as a new graduate student! You will have a chance to meet and engage with other graduate students, faculty, and campus representatives from Student Affairs. There is a $25 fee for this event, and registration is required. This orientation is optional. Please check with your graduate program director to find out if your program has a required orientation.

In-Person Orientation Schedule (Subject to change)

9:30     Check-in begins
10:00   Welcome from the Chancellor
10:15   Welcome from the Graduate School
10:30   Short break
10:45   Graduate Student Panel Discussion
11:30   Engaging with Colleagues – Small group discussions
12:00   Lunch and visit tables
1:00     Information Sessions
– Beyond Graduate School/Beyond the Professiorate
– ECU Connect
1:30    Optional Tours


Live Virtual Orientation Options (via Teams)

Join our online sessions to learn information about getting acquainted with Graduate School at ECU.

All events will be through Microsoft Teams which you can access using your Pirate ID and passphrase.

Fall Virtual Orientation Sessions

(please click the link to register for the session(s) you wish to attend)

July 21, 2026 – 6:00-7:00pm

August 6, 2026 – 6:00-7:00pm

August 13, 2026 – 6:00-7:00pm


Orientation Course in Canvas

All newly admitted graduate students are enrolled in an online orientation course within the system, Canvas.  The course will appear in a student’s course listing (or you will get an invitation to join the course) after you enroll in classes for your first semester. Registration opens in late October/early November for Spring terms and it opens in March for Summer and Fall terms.  You can consult the Office of the Registrar’s website  Office of the Registrar’s website for more registration help. If you are a current ECU undergraduate student or if you are already enrolled in your first semester’s courses and you do not see the New Graduate Student Orientation course in Canvas, please send an email to gradorientation@ecu.edu using your ECU email and notify us.  Please provide your Banner ID and we will be able to get you in the course quickly.

  • This Graduate School sponsored Canvas course is not required by the Graduate School. It may be required by your program, so please check with your graduate program director if you have questions.
  • The College of Business has a separate Canvas orientation for its students and it is required. Please contact gradbus@ecu.edu you have questions.
  • The College of Nursing has a separate Canvas orientation course for its students and it is required.

International Student Orientation – 13th & 14th August 2026

New international students whose visas are being sponsored by ECU are automatically registered for this mandatory orientation. Attendance is in person and required whether you are new to the US or have been on a student visa at another institution.
Thursday, 13th August
09:00 AM – 1:30 PM Content including introduction to ECU resources and student immigration compliance
1:30-2:30 Lunch (optional)
3:00-5:00 Shopping shuttle to Walmart (optional)
Main Campus Student Center
Exact location and details of the day will be sent via email to incoming international students.
Friday, 14th August
This day is optional but strongly encouraged.
11:00 Small group tours with peers
12:00-2:00 PM Welcome Cookout
Questions can be sent to Dr. Mallett on the International Enrollment & Engagement team.
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