The Doctoral Studies Orientation (DSO) is presented in a fully on-line format for students beginning coursework in the doctoral program. The orientation is designed to accommodate the schedules of practicing professionals, thereby providing students with a solid foundation as they embark on their doctoral studies. The orientation provides an overview of six distinct areas related to doctoral studies: program overview, student services, applied research, technology, distance library services, and debt management. Students who have been admitted provisionally or fully to the doctoral program should register for and complete the online DSO within the term prior to the term in which they begin the first “credit bearing” doctoral course. The non-credit DSO is a mandatory requirement for degree completion for all doctoral students in NSU’s Fischler School of Education.