==='''New Account Setup===Welcome for 2026:''' MCLA accounts are now created automatically. You no longer need to MCLA! This guide will help you set up claim or activate your MCLA account, so you can log before signing in to all of MCLA's systems, including your classes, WiFi, and more. (Check out this [https://youtu.be/0L9I3J0Tajo TechTip video] that walks you through this process.)
===What You Will Need:Welcome to MCLA! ===*'''Your MCLA User ID'''. This is your unique ID, which looks like '''A00001234'''. New students receive this in their acceptance materials; new staff or faculty receive it from Human Resources. ''If you don't know your MCLA User ID, contact the Registrar at 413-662-5216 or registrar@mcla.edu.''
*'''A laptop / desktop with a web browserYour MCLA account is created automatically and ready to use.''' (We '''don't recommend''' using a mobile device for the setup process.) ''If you encounter an error at any step, we can help! Just contact the Tech Help Desk at 413-662-5276 or helpdesk@mcla.edu.''
=== Step 1: Create Your Banner PIN. === *1. '''Go to''' https://techhelp.mcla.edu/banner.*2. '''Enter''' your MCLA User IDAfter you are admitted, plus your temporary PIN.''The PIN is your birthday as a 6-digit number (MMDDYY): for exampleenrolled, if your birthday is June 15or hired, 2007, your temporary PIN is 061507.''*3. Immediately '''create''' a new (permanent) PIN, to replace the temporary PIN.''FYI, this new PIN is not your password: you'll create that later.''*4. '''Click''' the "Change PIN" button, which will bring you to the next step...receive an email from MCLA containing:
=== Step 2: Create * Your Password. ===MCLA User ID (Student ID)* Your MCLA email address* A temporary password* Instructions for signing in
*1. On the Main Menu page, '''select''' the 1st item, "Set Up Your MCLA account".*2. On the Welcome screen, click the blue button "Continue to set up the account for (your MCLA User ID)".*3. '''Click through''' the process, which gives Once you important information about using MCLA systems.*4. At the end of the processreceive this email, '''copy''' the temporary (one-time use) password.*5. '''Go to''' https://portal.mcla.edu/.''This is the main login page for all your MCLA access!''*6. '''Enter''' your MCLA User ID, and '''paste''' the temporary password you just copied.*7. Immediately '''create''' a new (permanent) password, to replace the temporary password. ''Strong passwords are important for security! Refer can immediately sign in to the [[MCLA Account Password Complexity Requirements|MCLA Account password complexity requirements here]]systems.''
=== Step 3: Log In to MCLA Portal. What You Will Need ==='''Log in at''' https://portal.mcla.edu/ with your MCLA User ID and new password. When you see your personalized MCLA Portal page (as in the screenshot below), you've finished! You'll log in to your Portal for all your MCLA online access.
[[image:Portal-josephine-student* '''Your MCLA account notification email''' containing your MCLA User ID and temporary password.png]]==Related Account Management Links==* '''A computer, tablet, or smartphone''' with internet access.* '''Access to your personal email account''' where MCLA sent your account information.
*[[Reset a Lost MCLA Account Password]] - Instructions on what to do if ''If you have setup did not receive your account but have forgotten your passwordinformation email, contact the Tech Help Desk at helpdesk@mcla.edu or 413-662-5276.''
*[https=== Step 1://sts.mcla.edu/adfs/portal/updatepassword Change Your Password] - You can use this tool Sign In to change your current the MCLA password. '''NOTE: When entering your username, append @mcla.edu at the end of it. (Example:A10001000@mcla.edu)''' Portal ===
*[# Go to '''https://account.activedirectory.windowsazureportal.com/passwordreset/Registermcla.aspx Change Your Self-Service Password Reset Information] - Use this tool to change information that has been recorded to help reset edu'''# Enter your '''MCLA User ID'''.# Enter the '''temporary password''' provided in your account notification email.# Click '''Sign In'''.
*[[How do I reset my Banner PIN?|Resetting ''The MCLA Portal is your central access point for email, Canvas, Self-Service Banner PIN, WiFi resources, and other MCLA technology services.'' === Step 2: Create Your Permanent Password === # The first time you sign in, you will be prompted to change your password.# Enter the temporary password from your email.# Create a new password that meets MCLA password requirements.# 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