Managing your Penn State account
You are automatically assigned a Penn State user ID which looks like “abc123.” You will use your Penn State Account to log in to all the University’s sites and services for as long as you’re affiliated with Penn State. You can log into your Penn State account management page to change your password and personal info and to create email aliases.
You will also need to set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to use your Penn State account.
Using Penn State email
Email is how your academic advisers and other official Penn State units will communicate with you. There could be serious academic or financial repercussions to you if certain messages are missed. We recommend that you make a point to check your Penn State email daily so you don’t miss any vital messages. All Penn State students have access to Penn State email via Outlook, which is part of their MS Office 365 subscription included with their Penn State access account.
Forwarding Penn State email
You can forward your Penn State email to a personal account or create additional aliases at https://accounts.psu.edu/ by selecting “Email Settings” or clicking the envelope icon from the left hand menu. If you are forwarding Penn State email to your personal email account, please make sure you check your spam and junk folders regularly. Emails with attachments or with words that are commonly used by Penn State staff such as “take action,” “payment,” and so on can trigger spam filters. You can go into your spam folder and mark the emails from program staff as “okay” so you do not miss them in the future. Adding our names and emails to your contacts can also be helpful.
Classroom and administrative sites
CANVAS is your classroom platform. This is where you will log in for classes, submit assignments, and communicate with instructors and classmates.
LionPATH is your administrative platform. This is where you will log in to add or drop courses, pay your tuition bill, apply for graduation at the end of your program, and view any holds or administrative to-do items.
IT Help and Support
The 24/7 IT Help Desk is available to help with technology issues. Please note that the IT staff are not academic advisors and will not be familiar with your academic program or your progress in the program. They can troubleshoot technology problems, but please rely on your program advisors (see contact info at the bottom of this page) for administrative questions such as enrolling, dropping classes, taking a semester off, graduating, etc.
MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
All Penn State students have access to the full range of MS Office 365 applications with their Penn State access account. Click here and scroll down to view the complete list of MS Office platforms available to you.
Other Learning and Meeting Tools
Zoom (virtual meeting platform)
Sites @ PSU (web building tool)
Google Workspace (including Docs, Forms, Hangouts, etc.)
Software discounts (a catalogue of free and discounted University-approved software is available to students)
Other discounts for Penn State personnel
Continuing education and development
LinkedIn Learning: Your Penn State account allows you free access LinkedIn Learning courses. Log into LinkedIn Learning here using your Penn State access account. You will then be redirected to the public LinkedIn Learning site.
Newspapers: You are eligible for free access to the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal with your Penn State account via the Penn State Newspaper Readership Program.
Academic and program advising
We are your program advisors and are here to support you throughout your time in the program. Please contact us with any questions.
Molly Margolis, Academic Program Specialist, is your best first contact for any daily inquiries or requests for assistance. Email her at hmm12@psu.edu or click here to schedule an advising appointment.
Michelle Rockower, managing director, assists with concurrent degree questions, program feedback, and academic or personal concerns. She can be reached at mkk114@psu.edu and is available to meet upon request.