Multi Factor Authentication Setup Guide

Worcester State University requires Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) to access certain web applications. Please follow the instructions below to set up your MFA.

Video - How to register for Azure Multi-Factor Authentication

MFA Setup Instructions

  1. Log into the MFA setup at ( http://mfa-setup.worcester.edu ) with your wsu email address. After login, you will be redirected to a Microsoft Azure MFA setup page to enter additional verification information.

  2. If you are a new user, you will see the following page requiring more information. Click Next



  3. You will be asked for additional verification information. The available authentication methods are "Authentication phone", "Office phone", and "Mobile app". All 3 options are broken out in steps below.

    Please note if you plan to travel internationally you will want to set up the mobile app since text and phone calls may not work



    If you select "Authentication phone":

    1. Enter your the phone number you wish to use



    2. Choose "Send me a code by text message" or "Call me" click Next

      • "Send me a code by text message" will send a text message with a 6-digit code to enter.

      • "Call me" will make a computer-generated call that asks you to hit the pound button to authenticate.

    3. Follow the prompts to verify by the phone method selected.

      • For the "Send me a code by text message" option: You will receive a text message with a 6-digit code, enter it to complete set up and select verify.

      • For the "Call me option": You will receive a phone call from 855-330-8653. When you answer the phone, an automated voice message will say, "thank you for using the Microsoft sign-in verification system, please press the pound key to finish your verification". If you press the pound key and are successfully authenticated, then you will receive this message, "your sign-in was successfully verified".

    If you select "Office phone":

    1. Enter your office phone number. Click Next



    2. MFA will prompt verification via a phone call to your office phone. Follow the prompts on the phone call.

      • You will receive a phone call from 855-330-8653

      • When you answer the phone, an automated voice message will say, "thank you for using the Microsoft sign-in verification system, please press the pound key to finish your verification".

      • If you press the pound key and are successfully authenticated, then you will receive this message, "your sign-in was successfully verified".

    If you select "Mobile app":

    1. Choose "Receive notifications for verification". or "Use verification code". Click Next



      • "Receive notifications for verification" means your phone will pop up with a notification to tap a button to approve future sign-ins.

      • "Use verification code" means you will be prompted to enter a 6-digit code from your phone to approve the device.

    2. A pop up will appear with more instructions to install the “Microsoft Authenticator App” on your phone and how to register it



    3. Once your device has been registered, click next and verify it.

      • If you chose "Receive notifications for verification" you will get a prompt on the device you register

      • If you choose "Use verification code" you will need to enter the One-time password code shown in the microsoft authenticator app within the 30 seconds allotted.

    4. You will be asked to provide your phone number in case you are unable to use the Authenticator app. Enter your cell phone number with the area code and click Next.

  4. After the MFA setup has been completed, You can now log into any application that requires it. A MFA prompt will look something like this.


    - or -


  5. Once the initial setup has been completed, you can update your MFA settings by going back to
    ( http://mfa-setup.worcester.edu ).

    It is recommended you go back to this link and add multiple verification methods in case the primary MFA method is not available.


  6. Once the initial setup has been completed, you can opt in to use MFA by going to
    ( https://apps.worcester.edu/mfa_opt_in ).

More Information

MFA is provided through Microsoft Azure MFA, which you can get more information on here