diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/lms_initialization/__init__.py b/lms/djangoapps/lms_initialization/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a89aa1b1b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/lms_initialization/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+"""
+Initialization app for the LMS
+"""
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/lms_initialization/apps.py b/lms/djangoapps/lms_initialization/apps.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..330d0e3fa2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/lms_initialization/apps.py
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+"""
+Initialization app for the LMS
+
+This app consists solely of a ready method in its AppConfig, and should be
+included early in the INSTALLED_APPS list.
+"""
+
+import analytics
+from django.apps import AppConfig
+from django.conf import settings
+
+
+class LMSInitializationConfig(AppConfig):
+    """
+    Application Configuration for lms_initialization.
+    """
+    name = 'lms_initialization'
+    verbose_name = 'LMS Initialization'
+
+    def ready(self):
+        """
+        Global LMS initialization methods are called here.  This runs after
+        settings have loaded, but before most other djangoapp initializations.
+        """
+        pass
diff --git a/lms/envs/common.py b/lms/envs/common.py
index bbbf537e19..43230c3216 100644
--- a/lms/envs/common.py
+++ b/lms/envs/common.py
@@ -1988,6 +1988,9 @@ INSTALLED_APPS = [
     'django.contrib.staticfiles',
     'djcelery',
 
+    # Initialization
+    'lms_initialization.apps.LMSInitializationConfig',
+
     # Common views
     'openedx.core.djangoapps.common_views',