
Orientation
New Student Orientation
We are excited you are starting your academic journey at Clayton State University and are here to help you get better acquainted with our campus community and prepare for your first semester here.
How to Register
Choose your New Student Orientation date from the list below and click "Register Here". Complete the event registration form and pay the event fee. Orientation registration and payments can be made online via credit/debit card. You can also stop by our office (Edgewater Hall, Room 150) and use our kiosk to pay online. The orientation fee is one-time, not recurring.
You should receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of successful registration.
Registration must be completed and all fees must be paid by the deadline date for
the designated session. For more information, please contact our team at admissions@clayton.edu.
If you are having issues registering for an orientation session, make sure you have done the following:
- received an acceptance letter from Clayton State with an offer of admission for your intended term of entry
- correctly entered your Laker ID # in the registration form. Use the Laker ID Lookup tool to confirm your information.
- used Firefox browser to register. (We recommend avoiding Safari and Chrome web browsers for registration.)
If you require additional registration assistance, feel free to visit our office or reach out via phone or email. We are happy to help.
To best assist you, please share the following details:
- your full name
- your Laker ID
- a description of the issue and the date you experienced it
- a screenshot of the webpage where you encountered the error
If you are having issues logging into the online orientation portal, make sure you have done the following:
- been admitted as an online-degree seeking student or changed your major to an online-degree program at Clayton State University for your intended term of entry.
- registered for an online orientation. Successful registrants receive a confirmation email with details for completing online orientation and a link to access to online orientation portal.
- activated your student account using the account manager. If you have forgotten your password, you can also use the account manager to reset it.
- correctly entered your Loch ID # on the login page. It is always entered in as lowercase.
If you require additional assistance accessing the online orientation portal, feel free to visit our office or reach out via phone or email. We are happy to help.
To best assist you, please share the following details:
- your full name,
- your Laker ID,
- a description of the issue and the date you experienced it, and
- a screenshot of the webpage where you encountered the error.
If you registered for an in-person or online orientation session AND did not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, there may be an issue with your registration.
Feel free to visit our office or reach out via phone or email. We are happy to help.
To best assist you, please share the following details:
- your full name,
- your Laker ID, and
- the date you attempted registration
The following materials and information are optional but will also help us troubleshoot the issues you're experiencing:
- a description of the browser you used to register,
- any screenshots of the payment confirmation webpage, or
- any screenshots of the event registration confirmation webpage
Orientation Fee
New Student Orientation is mandatory for all newly-enrolled students, including freshman, transfer, online, and non-degree. The fee is a one-time, not recurring.
The fees for New Student Orientation vary for each student. A list of orientation fees* are as follows:
Orientation Type | Student Cost | Guest 1** | Guest 2** |
---|---|---|---|
Freshman | $90.00 | $30.00 | $30.00 |
Transfer and Nontraditional | $90.00 | $30.00 | $30.00 |
Online Students | $45.00 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Non-Degree (Transient and Post-Baccalaureate) | Not required | Not applicable | Not applicable |
*Clayton State is changing the structure of our orientation and its fees to better accommodate our students. These changes are effective as of February 17, 2023. Thank you for your patience.
**Guest fees are for on-campus Orientation sessions. There are no guest fees for online, virtual orientation sessions.
Register early! Space is limited and sessions fill on a first-come, first-serve basis.
All orientation fees are nonrefundable and non-transferable.
Register for Orientation
Registration is now open. To register, select your student type and entry term, and then choose your New Student Orientation session from the links in the drop-down menu below. The event time for New Student Orientation has been updated to 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; however, students may finish earlier depending on advisement and class registration timing.
Spring 2023
*Missed the orientation for Spring Full Session? Consider updating your major to an online program to become eligible for Spring 2023 2nd short session classes that begin in March. For more info about 2nd session, view Spring 2023 Academic Calendar and eCore website.
Not ready to begin classes? Consider updating your semester to Summer 2023 or a later term.
Summer 2023
Summer 2023 Freshmen Orientation
Friday, March 24, 2023 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Register Here
Summer 2023 Freshmen Orientation
Saturday, April 15, 2023 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Register Here
Summer 2023 Freshmen Orientation
Friday, May 12, 2023 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Register Here
Fall 2023
Fall 2023 Freshmen Orientation
Saturday, May 20, 2023 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Registration Link Coming Soon
Fall 2023 Freshmen Orientation
Friday, July 7, 2023 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Registration Link Coming Soon
Fall 2023 Freshmen Orientation
Friday, August 4, 2023 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Registration Link Coming Soon
Spring 2024
Spring 2024 Freshmen Orientation
Friday, November 17, 2023 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Registration Link Coming Soon
Spring 2024 Freshmen Orientation
Friday, December 15, 2023 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Registration Link Coming Soon
Spring 2024 Freshmen Orientation
Friday, January 5, 2024 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Registration Link Coming Soon
Spring 2023
*Missed the orientation for Spring Full Session? Consider updating your major to an online program to become eligible for Spring 2023 2nd short session classes that begin in March. For more info about 2nd session, view Spring 2023 Academic Calendar and eCore website.
Not ready to begin classes? Consider updating your semester to Summer 2023 or a later term.
Summer 2023
Summer 2023 Transfer, Nontraditional Orientation
Friday, March 24, 2023 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Register Here
Summer 2023 Transfer, Nontraditional Orientation
Saturday, April 15, 2023 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Register Here
Summer 2023 Transfer, Nontraditional Orientation
Friday, May 12, 2023 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Register Here
Fall 2023
Fall 2023 Transfer, Nontraditional Orientation
Friday, June 16, 2023 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Registration Link Coming Soon
Fall 2023 Transfer, Nontraditional Orientation
Friday, July 21, 2023 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Registration Link Coming Soon
Fall 2023 Transfer, Nontraditional Orientation
Friday, August 4, 2023 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Registration Link Coming Soon
Spring 2024
Spring 2024 Transfer, Nontraditional Orientation
Friday, November 17, 2023 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Registration Link Coming Soon
Spring 2024 Transfer, Nontraditional Orientation
Friday, December 15, 2023 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Registration Link Coming Soon
Spring 2024 Transfer, Nontraditional Orientation
Friday, January 5, 2024 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
Registration Link Coming Soon
*These sessions are ONLY for fully online degree-seeking students. Please do not register unless you are a fully online degree-seeking student.
Spring 2023
*Missed the online orientation for Spring Full Session? Consider taking Spring 2023 2nd short session classes that begin in March. For more info about 2nd session, view Spring 2023 Academic Calendar and eCore website.
Not ready to begin classes? Consider updating your semester to Summer 2023 or a later term.
Summer 2023
Dates Coming Soon
*These sessions are ONLY for students enrolled in eCore classes for Second Session. Please do not register unless you are enrolled for Second Session.
Spring 2023
Spring 2023 Second Session Online Orientation
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, March 7 at 11:59 PM
Completion Deadline : Friday, March 10 at 11:59 PM
During Orientation
At New Student Orientation, you will:
- Hear from current students and representatives from Financial Aid, Bursar (student accounts/billing), Student Life, Housing, and more
- Receive information regarding academic policies, procedures, and deadlines
- Get advising assistance
- Learn about multiple academic and campus life resources, programs, and services to aid your transition to Clayton State University
- Access the SWAN Portal to complete course registration
- Feel welcomed into the university community
Please note that attendance of one orientation session is required for all degree-seeking
undergraduate students, including incoming Freshman, Transfer, Non-Traditional/Adult,
and Online degree-seeking students. Our in-person orientation sessions are one half-day in length, with numerous on-campus dates to
choose from.
Frequently Asked Questions
Orientation is required for all new degree-seeking and certificate students, including freshman, transfer, nontraditional, and dual-enrollment students. All other students (Distance Learning, TAP, Transient, Post Baccalaureate, Returning Students, and Senior Citizens) will need to check the website for your student type in order to review your orientation requirements or contact us at (678) 466-4115.
In addition to learning more about your new campus, you are required to attend the program in order to successfully complete your first semester course registration (check your student type on the orientation website). You cannot successfully register for classes if you do not attend your required session. If you are more than 30 minutes late for your scheduled orientation, you will need to register for the next available orientation session.
Orientation fees are non-refundable. If students do not enroll for the term indicated, they may update their application for admission for no more than two subsequent terms by contacting Clayton State University’s Office of Recruitment and Admissions.
Completing a New Student Orientation is also valid for two subsequent terms. If a student pays an Orientation fee but does not complete their initial Orientation registered for, the fee may be transferred once to an Orientation within the two subsequent terms. After two subsequent terms, a new application for admission, application fee, and successful completion of Orientation with a new fee will be required.
For more information, please contact our New Student Orientation team at admissions@clayton.edu
New Student Orientation is a self-supported program; your registration fees cover the cost of program expenses including but not limited to staff, printed materials, and supplies.
We are unable to accept registration over the phone. You may register online with a credit or debit card. You may also utilize our computer kiosk if you prefer to pay online at our office location (Edgewater Hall, Room 150). All registration and fees must be paid by the deadline date for the designated session.
Freshman Premiere Orientation does not have an overnight requirement.
Part-time or Commuter Freshman Students: You must receive documented acceptance regarding on campus housing exemption status with Housing and Residence Life (678-466-HOME) if you do not plan to live on campus for your first year.
Fayette/Peachtree City traditional freshman students must complete a housing exemption form for approval if they are going to complete 100% of their courses at the satellite location during their first year at Clayton State. Please view the orientation website for orientation session and registration assistance regarding your required orientation attendance and location.
All one day sessions (Transfer/Nontraditional, Catch-All Sessions, and Freshman Premiere) require comfortable shoes, an official picture ID, writing utensils, student Laker ID number, student SWAN Portal login information and of course, enthusiasm. Also, please bring any remaining and outstanding documents that you need to turn in to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
For the Freshman Premiere Orientation students please check the Housing & Residential Life website for a checklist of items to bring for your move-in date: http://www.clayton.edu/housing. You will need to bring an official picture ID, writing utensils, notebook, your Laker ID number, SWAN portal log in information and of course, enthusiasm.
Students are allowed to bring up to two guests to their orientation session. See the chart above for the guest fee breakdown.
Yes. All students attending Orientation will meet with an advisor before registering for classes. If you wish to speak with an advisor prior to orientation, please contact the respective college/school to learn more about their pre-orientation processes and appointment process. Find your academic advisor or by calling (678) 466-4081.
Please visit the website for the Department of Housing and Residential Life for specific details regarding freshman on-campus housing requirements or contact them at (678) 466-4665 or housing@clayton.edu.
Please contact the Testing Center at (678) 466-4495 or testing@clayton.edu for information regarding the ACCUPLACER and other tests that may be required before
attending your orientation session.
If you live out-of-state and require placement testing, please contact the Testing
Office at (678) 466-4495 for additional testing option information prior to your scheduled
orientation date(s).
Yes, due to limited laptops on campus the registration of classes process can move more quickly if you have own device. Laptop policy.