Overview
Welcome to Dakota State University! New students receive a Welcome to DSU! email at the alternate email address provided when applying to DSU.
This email contains your DSU account information and an Account Activation Code to begin setting up your DSU Network Account.
Follow these instructions to activate your account, create a password, configure security questions, and enroll in Duo multifactor authentication (MFA). You must complete Duo MFA enrollment before accessing DSU systems such as email, D2L, and Trojan Net.
Applies To
Users: New DSU students
Service / Application: DSU Network Account and MFA
Devices: Computer or web-enabled device; iPhone or Android phone for Duo Mobile
Before You Begin
Have these ready:
- Access to the alternate email address you provided when applying to DSU.
- Your Welcome to DSU! email and Account Activation Code.
- An internet-connected device to complete account setup.
- An iPhone or Android phone for Duo Mobile enrollment.
Instructions
Step 1: Find Your Welcome to DSU! Email
- Open the alternate email account you provided when applying to DSU.
- Locate the Welcome to DSU! email.
- Review your account information, including your student ID, DSU Network Username, and DSU email address.
- Locate your Account Activation Code. You will need this code to complete account setup.
Security reminder: Do not share your Account Activation Code or password with anyone.
Step 2: Open the DSU Account Setup Page
- In your welcome email, select Account Setup.
- Enter your Account Activation Code when prompted.
- Follow the instructions displayed to continue account activation.
Step 3: Set Up Your Security Questions
- Choose three security questions from the available options, or create your own questions if that option is provided.
- Enter an answer for each security question.
- Select Setup Security Answers to save your answers.
Important: Choose answers you can remember. Your security questions may be needed for future account recovery.
Step 4: Create Your DSU Network Password
Your password must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 20 characters long.
- There is no specific requirement to include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, or special characters.
- Use a unique password that you do not use for other accounts.
- Enter your new password in the password fields provided.
- Select Reset My Password.
- If the page displays Please meet the Password Requirement, update your password to meet the displayed requirements and submit it again.
After your password is successfully created, continue to Duo MFA enrollment.
Step 5: Enroll in Duo Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
Duo MFA adds an additional security check when signing in to your DSU account. You must complete this step to access DSU systems.
- On your iPhone or Android phone, install Duo Mobile from your device's app store.
- Return to your DSU account setup screen.
- Select Continue when prompted to begin Duo enrollment.
- Follow the on-screen Duo enrollment instructions to add your phone and connect the Duo Mobile application.
- Complete the verification steps displayed by Duo to finish enrollment.
Important: Keep Duo Mobile installed on your phone. You will use it to verify your identity when signing in to DSU services that require MFA. Never approve a Duo request you did not initiate.
Still Need Help?
If you have trouble locating your welcome email, activating your account, creating your password, or enrolling in Duo MFA, contact the DSU Support Desk.
If these instructions do not resolve the issue, contact the DSU Support Desk or submit a support request.