New Student and Transfer Orientation
So, you're officially a Cougar! You’ve worked hard to get here, and your academic career at the University of Houston is about to start.
Welcome to New Student Orientation!
Orientation is your official introduction to life as a Cougar! This required experience is designed to help you transition smoothly into the University of Houston community.
The mission of New Student Orientation (NSO) at the University of Houston is to facilitate the successful transition of new students, transfers and supporters by fostering opportunities for academic, social and cultural engagement through intentional, student-centered programming.
Spring NSO is where you'll get to meet fellow new Coogs, current student leaders, faculty and staff. During orientation, you’ll get connected with the UH community and learn about services that are here to help you succeed. You’ll also meet with your academic college advising staff to enroll in classes!
Spring 2026 orientation dates will open for registration on Wednesday, Nov. 5.
Review our FAQs section for important details about Orientation requirements, including information on accommodations and possible exemptions.
Your Orientation Process
Reserve your spot at UH by registering for orientation through the AccessUH portal. Once logged in, click the myUH Self Service icon.
Complete your Pre-Orientation first. After registering, the Pre-Orientation Modules will be available through the AccessUH portal. Click the myUH Self Service icon once logged in.
Removes Pre-Orientation Hold
New Student/Transfer Orientation: Attend your orientation date. Academic advising is included in your orientation experience.
Removes Orientation Hold
Removes Orientation Advising Hold
Enroll in Courses!
Spring Orientation Sample Schedule |
|
|---|---|
| Time | Event |
| 8 - 9:15 a.m. | Check-in & Resource Fair |
| 9:30 a.m. | Welcome |
| 10 a.m. | Be Well, Do Well & Business of Being a Student |
| 11 a.m. | Lunch/Breakout Sessions |
| 1 p.m. | Be Enrollment Ready |
| 1:30 - 5 p.m. | Advising and Enrollment |
Pre-Orientation Checklist
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
- Set up AccessUH & DUO Mobile App
Make sure you have access set up for all of your important UH accounts, like your AccessUH portal and your CougarNet email. Be sure to install and set up the DUO Mobile authenticator app to ensure secure login on your devices. For more information and set up assistance please contact the IT Support Center at 713-743-1411.
- Register for Orientation
Register today through the AccessUH portal. Once logged in, click the myUH Self Service icon to begin.
- Submit Immunization Records
Have you completed the activity guide to upload your documentation into your myUH self-service account?
- Are you TSI compliant?
Check the “Holds” section (Self Service > Tasks) in your account to see if this requirement has or has not been met. To do this, visit the AccessUH portal and click the myUH Self Service icon. Learn more online, and email tsi@uh.edu with questions.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
- Register for Family & Supporter Orientation
Visit the Family & Supporter Orientation webpage for more information on how to register any supporters you want to bring with you.
- Complete Your Pre-Orientation Modules
Your Pre-Orientation opens on Nov. 17. Log in to AccessUH and click the myUH Self Service icon. Click on the “Admissions” tab. Click the “Pre-Orientation Modules” tab. Click “Go to Pre-Orientation Modules.” Pre-Orientation Modules must be completed to enroll in classes on your orientation date.
- Schedule Your Immunization Appointment
The University of Houston Student Health Center offers immunization appointments for students needing a bacterial meningitis vaccination. To schedule an appointment at your orientation, please visit: Immunizations - University of Houston.
- Send Final Transcripts
Did you take any dual-enrollment courses in high school or any other college level coursework? Don't forget to make sure that updated official transcripts are submitted to the Registrar's office once grades are finalized.
- Math Placement Test
Students who are enrolled in the following Academic Colleges may need to complete the math placement test: Natural Sciences & Mathematics and Engineering. If you don't have an account, create one by registering at the CASA Registration Page. Then log in to your account and choose "Math Placement" from the "Course Listing" section. Within the "Math Placement" section, you will have access to practice exams, as well as topic-by-topic videos and quizzes to help you prepare for the placement exams. When you’re ready to take the test, select "Online Placement Exams" and follow the instructions provided.
2-3 WEEKS PRIOR TO ORIENTATION
- Upload Cougar Card Photo
Prior to arriving at orientation, upload a photo through the Cougar Card Connect icon in your AccessUH portal. Learn more on the Cougar Card webpage.
- Change of Major Requests
If you are concerned about your major choice, review the Change of Major information. If you need assistance with how to submit your major change request, please review this tutorial video. The deadline to submit your change of major request is two weeks prior to your registered orientation date.
- Get Enrollment Ready
Prepare for enrollment at your NSO. Use the Schedule Builder to plan and organize your class schedule. This video will help you create your optimal course schedule.
1 WEEK PRIOR TO ORIENTATION
- Download UH Go App
For quick access to orientation-related information, including the daily schedule, campus maps, shuttle times and additional helpful information on campus, download UH Go on your mobile device.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Pre-Orientation
- New Student/Transfer Orientation
- Orientation Advising
The Pre-Orientation hold will be removed when you complete the Pre-Orientation Modules. Make sure you have pop-up blockers disabled:
The New Student/Transfer Orientation and Orientation Advising holds will be removed from your account when you attend orientation.
UH does not offer fee waivers for orientation, however, you may be eligible for a fee deferment. A fee deferment will add the orientation fee to your tuition and fee bill instead of requiring you to pay before registering for orientation. This allows you to pay for orientation once you receive your financial aid package by the tuition and fee bill deadline.
If you are eligible for a fee deferment, the orientation registration system will automatically defer payment to your first semester of enrollment.
Students who do not have a FAFSA on file cannot qualify for a fee deferment.
Payment is due by the tuition and fee bill deadline. This fee is non-refundable regardless of cancellation or if the student does not enroll in the University after attending orientation. If payment is not made, a financial delinquency hold will be placed on the student’s account.
To receive complimentary event parking for orientation, you are required to park in the University Gateway Garage. Follow these instructions to park. Select freshman or transfer from the drop-down menu. Gates for this garage will be open for orientation attendees only. A parking ticket will not be validated if you park in a garage that is not the University Gateway Garage.
Email orientation@uh.edu at least one week prior to your orientation date if you need assistance during your orientation.
Yes! If you have family or supporters who want to support you in your transition to UH, encourage them to register for the Family & Supporter Orientation. The cost for Family & Supporter Orientation is detailed on the page linked below. Some portions of orientation programming are planned for you and your supporter to experience together while other sessions are just for you and will separate you from your supporter.
Parents and guardians are welcome at all orientations and, if attending, will follow a separate schedule of events. Because of the nature of the program, it is not appropriate for anyone except parents/guardians or spouses to attend as a supporter. Friends or siblings are not allowed to accompany you. Supporters under 18 will not be able to attend the Family & Supporter Orientation without a parent or guardian and will be required to pay the registration fee. The exception would be an older sibling who is acting in a guardian capacity; however, in this case, the sibling would attend the Family & Supporter Orientation and would not be with you during any time parents and students are not ordinarily together.
Policies
Please review the processes outlined below for assistance. For other accommodations or exemptions such as completing orientation, overnight stay, modality and others not included here, please email orientation@uh.edu. All requests must be received at least five business days before your orientation.
Exemptions from Completing Orientation
All incoming students to UH must attend an orientation session. Only students meeting one of the criteria below are eligible to request an exemption:
- Student has paid for and attended a New Student Orientation within the last 13 months.
- Student will be non-degree seeking AND is not planning to transition to a degree-seeking student.
- Student has been admitted as a post-baccalaureate student in the College of Education or in Undergraduate Student Success.
Students who meet any of the above criteria can complete an exemption form. Staff will verify the exemption and, if the criteria is met, remove both holds within three business days. If exemption criteria is not met, the student will be notified within three business days.
Accommodation to Attend Online Orientation
All incoming students to UH must attend an in-person orientation session. However, if you meet one of the criteria below, you can receive an accommodation to attend a self-paced online orientation:
- Student will be completing a UH Extend online-only degree program.*
- Student is a post-baccalaureate student not in the College of Education or Undergraduate Student Success. (Post-baccalaureate students in these two colleges may submit an orientation exemption form.)*
- Student will be pursuing and has been admitted into the Distance Education, B.A. or B.S. in Psychology degree plan and therefore is attempting to complete a Psychology degree online.
- Student’s permanent address is more than 300+ miles from the UH main campus.
- Student will be traveling, studying abroad or participating in an official UH-required
activity during the entirety of the offered orientation dates, which prevents them
from attending any in-person orientation date. Official or compliance documentation
with proof of travel or will need to be uploaded. Examples may include international
travel, a mission trip or other significant commitments such as internships, professional
engagements and/or UH institutional requirements.
- Acceptable forms of documentation include: a confirmed airline ticket, official acceptance letter, official compliance letter, etc. spanning the dates of all orientation sessions.
- Student is or will be serving military orders during the entirety of the offered orientation dates, which prevents them from attending any in-person orientation date. (Official documentation will need to be uploaded.)
Students who meet any of the above criteria can submit an Online Orientation Accommodation form. UH reserves the right to deny a student’s request for Online Self-Paced Orientation without sufficient documentation of need.
*If you are a student completing any UH Extend degree or a post-baccalaureate student not in the College of Education or Undergraduate Student Success, you may move forward with registering for online orientation through your AccessUH account.
Fee Deferment
UH does not offer fee waivers for orientation, however, you may be eligible for a fee deferment. A fee deferment will add the orientation fee to your tuition and fee bill instead of requiring you to pay before registering for orientation. This allows you to pay for orientation once you receive your financial aid package by the tuition and fee bill deadline.
If you are eligible for a fee deferment, the orientation registration system will automatically defer payment to your first semester of enrollment.
Students who do not have a FAFSA on file cannot qualify for a fee deferment.
Payment is due by the tuition and fee bill deadline. This fee is non-refundable regardless of cancellation or if the student does not enroll in the University after attending orientation. If payment is not made, a financial delinquency hold will be placed on the student’s account.
Orientation Fees and Refunds
The orientation fee is due at the time of registration, before you can confirm an orientation date through the AccessUH portal in myUH Self Service.
All orientation fees for both students and family and supporters are non-refundable, regardless of cancellation or failure to enroll in classes at UH.
Accessibility
All videos are closed-captioned for students with accessibility needs. If you need further assistance or have questions about the orientation experience, don’t hesitate to contact us at orientation@uh.edu.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns related to orientation that weren't answered above, please contact us at orientation@uh.edu. We look forward to seeing you!
Meet the O-Team
The Orientation Team (O-Team for short) are your new best friends. Think of them as a family made up of a diverse and unique group of current UH students who serve as leaders across campus. They'll work with you and your family to introduce you to UH, and all the academic, social and cultural aspects of becoming a Cougar.