MCLA Account Setup

Contents

New for 2026: MCLA accounts are now created automatically. You no longer need to claim or activate your account before signing in.

Welcome to MCLA!

Your MCLA account is created automatically and ready to use.

After you are admitted, enrolled, or hired, you will receive an email from MCLA containing:

• Your MCLA User ID (Student ID)
• Your MCLA email address
• A temporary password
• Instructions for signing in

Once you receive this email, you can immediately sign in to MCLA systems.

What You Will Need

• Your MCLA account notification email containing your MCLA User ID and temporary password.
• A computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access.
• Access to your personal email account where MCLA sent your account information.

If you did not receive your account information email, contact the Tech Help Desk at helpdesk@mcla.edu or 413-662-5276.

Step 1: Sign In to the MCLA Portal

1. Go to https://portal.mcla.edu
2. Enter your MCLA User ID.
3. Enter the temporary password provided in your account notification email.
4. Click Sign In.

The MCLA Portal is your central access point for email, Canvas, Self-Service, WiFi resources, and other MCLA technology services.

Step 2: Create Your Permanent Password

1. The first time you sign in, you will be prompted to change your password.
2. Enter the temporary password from your email.
3. Create a new password that meets MCLA password requirements.
4. Confirm your new password and complete the process.

For password requirements, see MCLA Account Password Complexity Requirements.

Step 3: Complete Additional Security Setup

You may be prompted to enroll in Multifactor Authentication (MFA) to help protect your account.

Simply follow the on screen instructions for MFA authentication setup