Customizing your UMass Amherst Canvas profile and settings is an essential step in making the most out of your online learning experience. As of 2025, Canvas has introduced several new features and updates to enhance user experience. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of customizing your profile and settings with ease.
Accessing Your Canvas Profile
To start customizing your profile, log in to your UMass Amherst Canvas account using your NetID and password. Once you are logged in, click on your profile picture or initials in the top right corner of the screen, then select “Account” from the drop-down menu. This will take you to your Canvas account settings page.
Editing Your Profile Information
On the account settings page, you can edit your profile information, including your name, email address, and profile picture. To edit your profile information, click on the “Edit Profile” button. You can then update your name, email address, and other details as needed. Make sure to click “Save” to save your changes.
| Profile Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Your full name as it appears in the UMass Amherst directory |
| Email Address | Your UMass Amherst email address |
| Profile Picture | A photo that represents you in Canvas |
Customizing Your Canvas Settings
In addition to editing your profile information, you can also customize your Canvas settings to suit your preferences. To do this, click on the “Settings” tab on the account settings page. Here, you can adjust settings such as your time zone, language, and notification preferences.
Notification Preferences
Canvas allows you to customize your notification preferences to receive updates on course activity, assignments, and grades. To set up your notification preferences, click on the “Notification Preferences” tab. You can then select which types of notifications you want to receive and how you want to receive them (e.g., via email or mobile app).
- Course activity: Receive notifications when instructors post new content or make changes to the course
- Assignments: Receive notifications when assignments are due or when instructors post new assignments
- Grades: Receive notifications when grades are posted or updated
Using Canvas Themes and Dashboard Settings
Canvas also allows you to customize the look and feel of your dashboard using themes and dashboard settings. To access these settings, click on the “Dashboard” tab on the account settings page. Here, you can select from a range of themes and customize your dashboard layout.
Dashboard Layout
You can customize your dashboard layout to display the courses and information that are most important to you. To do this, click on the “Dashboard Layout” tab. You can then select which courses to display on your dashboard and how to arrange them.
| Dashboard Layout Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Course Cards | Display courses as cards on your dashboard |
| Course List | Display courses as a list on your dashboard |
| Favorite Courses | Pin favorite courses to the top of your dashboard |
How do I reset my Canvas password?
+To reset your Canvas password, click on the "Forgot Password" link on the Canvas login page. Follow the prompts to reset your password using your NetID and password recovery questions.
Can I use a custom profile picture in Canvas?
+Yes, you can use a custom profile picture in Canvas. To upload a custom profile picture, click on your profile picture or initials in the top right corner of the screen, then select "Account" from the drop-down menu. Click on the "Edit Profile" button and select "Upload a Profile Picture" to upload your custom image.
Customizing your UMass Amherst Canvas profile and settings is a straightforward process that can help you make the most out of your online learning experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can edit your profile information, customize your settings, and use Canvas themes and dashboard settings to create a personalized learning environment.
