New Student Orientation
Welcome the newest member of the Shippensburg University family! We are so excited to meet you at New Student Orientation!
New students will complete components of the orientation program in three parts. These components will assist you in your transition to Ship while providing just-in-time information as you prepare to begin this Fall.
Step 1: Discover Ship! Online Orientation
Access your online experience by logging in with your Ship email and password at orientation.ship.edu.
All new students must complete our Discover Ship Online Orientation as part of orientation. This program will include information to assist you with your academic and personal success at Ship. All new students must complete this portal before attending their in-person orientation.
This orientation will take approximately three hours and can be completed on any device. You can go through at your speed and take a break anytime. When you come back, we'll remember where you left off.
Step 2: Summer Orientation
Registration for New Student Orientation will be open in March 2026 and can be found at apply.ship.edu/portal/nso.
All new students (first-year and transfer students) must attend an in-person orientation program. During this program, you will participate in small group discussions with Orientation Leaders and your peers to foster new friendships and connections. Additionally, you will learn about the First-Year Experience/Transferring to Ship, meet faculty in your program, and understand academic expectations and requirements.
We highly encourage all first-year students to select your specific Academic College orientation date. Students who attend that date will have an opportunity to connect with more students in their academic program and gain an in-depth look at their program of study.
Save the Dates for Summer 2026
- Monday, June 15 – College of Business Orientation and College of Education and Human Services Orientation (First-Year ONLY)
- Wednesday, June 17 – College of Arts and Sciences (Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences) and Exploratory Studies Orientation (First-Year ONLY)
- Monday, June 22 – College of Arts & Sciences STEM Orientation (First-Year ONLY)
- Wednesday, June 24 – All Programs Makeup Orientation (First-Year ONLY)
- Friday, July 10 – All Programs Makeup Orientation (First-Year ONLY)
- Saturday, July 11 – Transfer Student Orientation
Step 3: Fall Welcome Week (August 20-23, 2026)
Registration opens for Fall Welcome Week August 1 at apply.ship.edu/portal/FWW
All new students must attend a continuation of the summer orientation. Fall Welcome Week is full of programs to help students explore their Ship home, connect with faculty, staff, and classmates, learn about academic opportunities, and discover something new.
Additional Information
Wood Honors College Orientation
The Wood Honors College will host Honors Orientation for new students in mid-July. Students in the honors college MUST attend Summer Orientation and Honors Orientation. If you have any questions about the Honors Orientation, please email honors@ship.edu.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Admissions at (717) 477-1231 or orientation@ship.edu.
Places to Stay In and Near Shippensburg
If you are traveling here for orientation and need a place to stay overnight, there are many convenient locations to stay in and around Shippensburg. Click here for more information on lodging and local attractions.