User ID and Password

Activating Your Account

Your network account is your gateway to access key applications and resources such as email, SOLAR, and network storage space. Full and part–time students, faculty or staff members can obtain a CSUN user ID and Password by doing the following:

Students - After You Apply

If you haven’t set up your account, follow the activation instructions below:

1. After you have applied to CSUN through Cal State Apply, you will receive an “Activate Your CSUN Account” email from Admissions and Records sent to the address you provided in your online application. You should receive the email within 1 or 2 days of applying.
2. Check your CSUN email and CSUN Portal regularly for official communications. The University will stop sending email to your personal address. To forward your CSUN email to a personal inbox, see Email.

Students - Activation

1. Locate the "Activate CSUN User ID and Password" email (see above) sent to you by Admissions and Records. The email will include a link to authenticate your identity and set-up your own password.
2. Visit the CSUN Portal Login page, and enter your user ID and password.
3. Follow the subsequent instructions to activate your user ID and password.

Need password help? Visit the Forgot My Password page.

Faculty

1. Your CSUN user ID and password will be issued when you sign–in with Human Resources. If you have not already done so, bring your completed New Employee Sign–In Form to the Human Resources office located in Room 165 of the University Hall building. The sign–in hours at Human Resources are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For help locating University Hall, please view the CSUN Maps.
2. Visit the CSUN Login page, and enter your User ID and Initial Password.
3. Follow the subsequent instructions to activate your User ID and Password.

Faculty Temporary User ID and Password

A temporary CSUN user ID and password can be issued to those Faculty members who:

1. Have accepted formal offers to work for the University, and
2. Have not yet started teaching at the University (i.e. your start date is a future date)
3. Are sponsored by their department chair's office (this does not have to be your department chair) to have a temporary faculty account

To request a temporary CSUN user ID and password, please have an administrator working in your department chair's office send an email to the IT Help Center with the following information:

1. The complete name, telephone number, and email address of your sponsor
2. Your complete legal name
3. Your start date
4. Your 9–digit CSUN ID number (if available)
5. Your non–CSUN email address (so that we have a way to contact you before your account is set up)
6. Your off campus telephone number (this is not required, but is useful if we need to contact you for any clarifications or additional information)

Staff

1. Your CSUN user ID and password will be issued when you sign in with Human Resources. If you have not already done so, bring your completed New Employee Sign–In Form to the Human Resources office located in Room 165 of the University Hall building. The sign–in hours at Human Resources are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For help locating University Hall, please view the CSUN Maps.
2. Visit the CSUN Login page, and enter your user ID and initial password.
3. Follow the subsequent instructions to activate your user ID and password.

Visitors

To obtain a guest user ID and password, a request must be submitted by an active employee to the IT Help Center.

Forgot Your User ID?

Visit the Forgot User ID page. 

Forgot Your Password?

Visit the Forgot My Password page to request a temporary code. Use this code to log in. You will then be prompted to change your password. If you need additional assistance, contact the IT Help Center by phone (818-677–1400) or stop by in person (University Library, First Floor, Learning Commons). Note: For security reasons, the Help Center is unable to reset your password via email.

Need to Change Your Password?

Visit the Change My Password page and enter your CSUN user ID and current password.

When creating your new password it:

• Can contain any number of alphabetic characters, numbers, capital letters or special characters.
• Can contain a combination of words from the dictionary.
• Must be a minimum of 12 characters – we suggest as long as possible.
• Cannot contain your first or last name, or CSUN userID.
• Must not be one of the last  12 CSUN passwords you have used.

Need to Enroll In Duo?

Multi-factor authentication adds a second layer of security to your online accounts. To enroll in Duo, visit the Duo page. 

Updating Your CSUN Password on Devices or a CSUN Managed Device

Updating your Faculty or Staff Email Password on an Apple iOS Device (.pdf)

Updating/Syncing Your Password on a CSUN Managed Windows Machine

Updating/Syncing Your Password on a CSUN Managed Mac

Steps for updating your password will vary. Please refer to your manufacturer’s documentation.

Updating Your Active Directory Admin Service Account Password Remotely

Change Your AD Admin Service Account Password Remotely (.pdf)  

Password and User ID Standards

Please refer to the CSUN Passwords and Standards Guidelines (.pdf) and the CSUN User ID Standard (.pdf) for more information.