New Student Checklist for Graduate Programs

Read your emails
Once you have been admitted to the program, make sure to read all emails and attachments sent to you by our office and the Graduate School. The Getting Started Packet and the Checklist can be especially helpful.

Activate Your Accounts
The login credentials are in your admissions email from the Graduate School.

• Pirate ID is also referred to as your username.  This is how you are identified for logging into most computing resources at ECU.  It is made up of your last name, first letter(s) of your first name, and the two-digit year that you first enrolled at ECU.  Your Pirate ID is the first part of your email address (PirateID@students.ecu.edu). Visit the Passphrase Maintenance Portal to set up your passphrase.
• Banner ID. You have also been assigned a unique “ECU ID” that identifies you as a student at East Carolina University. Your ECU ID is also known as your Banner ID, but different than your Pirate ID.
• Canvas is the primary means of disseminating information regardless if you’re in the face-to-face class or the online class. Your PirateID and passphrase are used to access your Canvas course.
• PiratePort is where you will register for classes, pay your bill, etc. For a Pirate Port tutorial click here.
• Piratemail. Your ECU Outlook 365 email account is your official channel of communication when contacting the university. Use this account when emailing anyone at ECU. DE/Online Student Services will send important information to you using this e-mail address. To access your Piratemail account via the Web, go to mymail.ecu.edu and enter your full email address (Pirate ID@students.ecu.edu) and Passphrase. If you have not already done so, visit the Passphrase Maintenance Portal to activate your Pirate ID.
  You can verify what your email account is by visiting the directory (enter last & first name and select Students Only to access your information). For an e-mail tutorial see the tutorials page.

Helpful Hint: If you forget your ECU ID or passphrase go to https://pirateid.ecu.edu/ and answer your security questions to gain access to your ECU ID, change your passphrase, and/or unlock your account!

Complete Orientation
Complete the Pirates Aboard Online Orientation program in Canvas as soon as possible. It takes about 2 hours and can be completed at your own pace. There is no requirement to come to campus for Orientation, but you must complete the Pirates Aboard online orientation prior to the first day of classes.

You do not need to complete the Graduate School’s Orientation module in Canvas, but you are welcome to do so if you would like.

Academic Advising/Course Registration
Call the office (252-328-6970) to schedule an appointment with your advisor about class registration. Together, you will determine the classes that will be appropriate for you to take during your first semester. Your advisor is available throughout your program to assist with class selection, registration, and other needs. You don’t need a PIN for registration, so an advising appointment is not required, but is strongly encouraged.

Purchase Books/Materials 
Most classes will require books or other course materials. Although we advise students to expect to pay approximately $250 per class, it often ends up costing less. You can find the listing of required books in PiratePort. Search the Course Catalog and click on “Textbook Information” when viewing the course description. You can also search for textbook information online at Dowdy Student Stores.  It does not matter where you purchase or rent your books, as long as they are the correct ones. In order for a student to pay for textbooks with financial aid or any type of scholarship, money must be deferred to a bookstore account.  For more information, see the Dowdy Student Stores Spening Account page.

Pay Tuition
Refer to our Tuition & Payments page for exact costs. No bills will be mailed.  Tuition payments for distance education courses can be made on-line through ECU’s Pirate Port via a secure connection, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can access Pirate Port and click on the Tuition Statements, 1098-T Statements & Payments card. Due dates listed under Important Dates on the Cashier’s Office page.

With the eRefunds process through TouchNet, students have the option for refunds to be deposited directly into a designated bank account of their choice. If direct deposit information is not provided to the University, refund checks will be mailed to the student. Please make sure your mailing address is up to date. For full details and instructions, visit the Cashier’s Office site.

DE Student ID Card
The Distance Education Student Card (paper card) grants students access to ECU computer labs and allows books to be checked out from the ECU libraries. It also allows you access to the libraries of our 16 sister institutions. You have the option to print the card at home or request a mailed card. To print the ID card from your computer, log into Pirate Port, http://pirateport.ecu.edu . Click on the search box and type in “Distance Ed Card.” This paper card includes your ECU ID number (Banner ID), along with a place for your signature. The card is included in letter form; you detach it from the bottom of the letter. The card is valid for one semester only and must be requested each term.

ECU 1 Card

There is also a process in place for those students who would like an official ECU 1 Card, without coming to campus. This card has a $10 fee and you can upload your own picture and pay the cost of mailing the card to your home. Visit the 1 Card Office website for instructions on obtaining your ECU 1 Card.

Laptop Requirement
The Arthur Graduate School of Business requires that all students enrolled in a College of Business course acquire and have available a laptop or mobile computer for use in and out of the classroom environment: Student Laptop Requirement.