CSU uses the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) to deliver online courses. How you access your courses in Canvas differs slightly, depending on whether you are enrolled in a for-credit course (often as part of a degree or graduate certificate program) or a noncredit course (as part of a professional education program).
Accessing Online Credit Courses in Canvas
All students need an Electronic Identity (NetID) to access courses in Canvas. New students should create their NetID as soon as possible after registration to reduce delays in accessing online courses.
How to log in:
- Have you created your Electronic Identity (NetID) yet? If not, visit the NetID website.
- Go to CSU Canvas and select "NetID Login."
- Enter your NetID login information (eName and ePassword) and click "Log in."
- You can display a list of the courses you are enrolled in by hovering your mouse over "Courses." If one of your courses is not listed and the course has already begun, contact your instructor.
If you've forgotten your ePassword, use the NetID forgotten password recovery tool to change your password.
Courses are not viewable in Canvas until the Friday before the start of the term. Courses that start later in the term may not be available at the start of the term, but will become available the first day of class. Get better acquainted with Canvas by checking out Canvas student resources.
Common Problems
I don't see my course.
Your online credit course becomes available in Canvas the Friday before the start of the term, so you will not see it in your course list until then. All open entry courses are available immediately, however.
I can't log in. Why?
First, verify that your NetID (previously called eID) is working by logging into another CSU service, such as RAMweb.
- If you can't log in to RAMweb, visit the NetID website for support to get your eID working.
- If you can log in to RAMweb, contact the Help Desk to make sure your access to Canvas is properly enabled.
Accessing Online Noncredit Courses in Canvas
Once your payment is received and your registration is processed, you'll receive a noncredit Canvas user name and password via email.
Note: Credit students registering for noncredit online courses will also receive a noncredit Canvas username and password — You can not use your NetID to access your online noncredit courses.
How to log in:
- Go to CSU Canvas and select "Noncredit Login."
- Enter your noncredit Canvas user name in the "User name" field.
- Enter your Noncredit Canvas password in the "Password" field.
- Click "Log in" to continue.
- A list of the courses you are enrolled in will be displayed. Enter any course by clicking on its title.
Courses are not available in Canvas until the first day of class. Open entry courses are available immediately. Get better acquainted with Canvas by checking out Canvas student resources.
If you have forgotten your Canvas user name, it is listed in your student profile when you log in to your CSU Online account. If you continue to have problems logging in, contact csu_online_questions@mail.colostate.edu.
