New Student Orientation Schedule 2023
August 20 – 25th, 2023
All times are listed in central standard
At a Glance Schedule 2023
Click on session name to view extended description.
Sunday, August 20th
| 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Incoming Graduate and Professional Student Resource Fair Hosted by WashU Graduate Center and Student Affairs | Optional RSVP | Field House |
Monday, August 21st
| 9:00 a.m. | International Student Orientation | Clark–Fox Forum |
Tuesday, August 22nd
| 9:00 a.m. | International Student Orientation | Clark–Fox Forum | |
| 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Buder Student Orientation | Hillman 300 |
Wednesday, August 23rd
| 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Check in and Continental Breakfast (Coffee, Bagels, Granola Bars, Fruit) | Clark–Fox Forum | |
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Dean’s Welcome | Required | Clark–Fox Forum |
| 9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Introduction to Your Degree Program | Required | Various Locations |
| 9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | MSP Student Academic Advising Overview | Hillman 130 | |
| 11:10 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. | Academic Advising Overview | Required | Various Locations |
| 11:55 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch on Your Own (please see full schedule for more information) | ||
| 1:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Concentration and Specialization Information Sessions Student will have the opportunity to attend four sessions. Session One: 1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Session Two: 2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Session Three: 3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Session Four: 4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Required | Various Locations |
Thursday, August 24th
| 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Check-In (pick up Bear Bucks Lunch Card) | Clark–Fox Forum | |
| 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Field Education: Tips and Tools Session Session One: 9:00 a.m – 10:00 a.m. MSW and Advanced Standing, MSW, MPH Session Two: 10:00 a.m -11:00 a.m DUAL MPH/MSW and MSP | Optional | Various Locations |
| 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Mingling and Continental Breakfast (Coffee, Bagels, Granola Bars, Fruit) | Optional | Hillman 110 for Breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Brown School Tours | Hillman 110 to request tour | |
| 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | St. Louis: An Introduction to the Region and Community Well–Being | Required | Clark-Fox Forum |
| 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch on Your Own (please see full schedule for more information) | ||
| 1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | RSVP Center | Required | Brown 100 |
| 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m | Student Panel | Required | Brown 100 |
| 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m | Brown School Alumni Table | Optional Must RSVP | Clark-Fox Forum |
Friday, August 25th
| 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Check-In (Full-time MSW/MPH/MSP pick up lunch card) | Clark-Fox Forum | |
| 8:30 a.m. | Part-Time Students Welcome | Required for Part-Time Students | Hillman 110 |
| 9:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. | Introduction to Team and Group Learning Session One: 9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. Session Two: 10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. | Required | Various Locations |
| 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Effective Communication with Peers and Navigating Difficult Conversations around Diversity and Inclusion | Required | Brown 100 |
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch on Your Own | ||
| 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | MSW Part-Time Students Get to Know Your Degree Luncheon | Required for Part-Time Students | Hillman 110 |
| 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | MSP Students Get to Know Your Degree | Required for Incoming MSP Students, but open to all interested students | |
| 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m | Department Resource Fair | Optional | Goldfarb Commons |
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m | Brown School Tours | Optional | Clark-Fox Forum |
Thursday, August 31st
| 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m | On-Campus Employment Fair Hosted by WashU Career Center | Optional Must RSVP | Holmes Lounge |
Sunday, August 20th
Incoming Graduate and Professional Student Resource Fair
Hosted by WashU Graduate Center and Student Affairs (Optional)
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Field House, , Danforth Campus
Hosted by WashU Graduate Center and Student Affairs, incoming graduate and professional students from all schools are invited to learn about university resources available to them that are designed to support their academic journey and professional development. Students will also have the opportunity to learn about university-wide graduate student organizations and how to get involved – all while enjoying a variety of St. Louis fare!
Monday, August 21st and Tuesday, August 22nd
International Student Orientation
9:00 a.m.
Clark-Fox Forum in Hillman Hall
The Brown School’s mandatory International Student Orientation will be held on Monday, August 21st and Tuesday, August 22nd starting at 9:00 a.m. CST in the Clark-Fox Forum in Hillman Hall
For more information about the International Student Orientation, please email: orahood@wustl.edu
Tuesday, August 22nd
Buder Student Orientation
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Hillman, Room 300
This orientation is required for incoming and current Buder Center students. It will be held on August 23 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in Hillman 300. Students will meet the staff at the Center and learn about their roles and responsibilities. Students will discover what it means to be a Buder scholar, available resources offered through the Center and academic responsibilities and opportunities. They will also hear more about each other, the community and local alumni.
For more questions about Buder Student Orientation, please email: lmitchell24@wustl.edu
Wednesday, August 23rd
Check In and Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Clark–Fox Forum
Please arrive and check in at the tables outside Clark-Fox Forum in Hillman Hall. After checking in you are welcome to grab continental breakfast (bagels, granola bars, fruit, coffee and juice) in Hillman Hall, room 110
Dean’s Welcome
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Clark–Fox Forum
Please join Dean Traube, the Buder Center staff, Student Coordinating Council (SCC), and Da’Shaun Scott for an official welcome to the Brown School community and kickoff to New Student Orientation.
Introduction to your Degree Program
9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Various Locations
Join associate deans, assistant deans, and faculty and staff who will review expectations and information needed to successfully complete your Brown School degree, answering any questions you have about your program.
Sessions tailored to each Brown School degree program will be offered in the following locations:
MSW & Advanced Standing MSW: Clark–Fox Forum
MPH: Hillman Room 60
MSW/MPH Dual Degree: Hillman Room 120
MSP: If you are a dual MPH/MSP or MSW/MSP student, you will attend the MPH or MSW degree program session during this time. Other MSP students will go to Hillman Room 130 for the MSP Academic Advising overview during this time. The MSP Introduction to Your Degree Program full session will be on Friday from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. in Hillman 130.
Academic Advising Overview
11:10 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
Various Locations. See below.
Sessions will take place in various Brown, Goldfarb and Hillman Hall locations.
Brief overview of academic resources, important dates, credit caps and Q&A with your academic advisor.
Advisor’s location:
Melissa Arnold: Goldfarb 37
Elise Harvey: Hillman 120
Jonesey Johnson: Hillman 130
Tammy Orahood: Hillman 70
Zizi Shillig: Hillman 70
Chloé Risto: Hillman 60
Lunch on Your Own
11:55 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
At check–in you were given a Brown School water bottle and a pre-loaded Bear Bucks meal card with $14 to use at any of the campus dining locations. See information on dining including hours of operation, menus, and more here.
Groups will be walking to the DUC Dining Hall from Clark–Fox Forum starting at 11:55 a.m.
You may bring your own lunch and keep in the community fridge in Goldfarb Commons where there are microwaves to heat up your food.
Students are not required to stay on campus during lunch.
Concentration and Specialization Information Sessions
1:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sessions will take place in various Brown, Goldfarb, and Hillman Hall locations
These curriculum breakout sessions will be hosted by MSW and MPH faculty. You will learn in depth about the concentrations and specializations offered in the MSW and MPH degree programs. Please attend the session for your intended concentration/specialization.
MSW Concentrations
Session 1: 1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Session 2: 2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (repeated presentation from session one)
- American Indian and Alaska Native: Hillman Hall, Room 370
- Children, Youth, and Families: Hillman Hall, Room 130
- Mental Health: Hillman Hall, Room 120
- Social Impact Leadership: Goldfarb Hall, Room 37
- Policy (MSW specialization): Goldfarb Hall, Room 132
MPH Specializations
Session 1: 1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Session 2: 2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (repeated presentation from session one)
- Health Policy Analysis: Goldfarb Hall, Room 38
- Epidemiology/Biostatistics: Goldfarb Hall, Room 124
- Generalist and Urban Design: Hillman Hall, Room 200
- Global Health: Hillman Hall, Room 300
- Mental and Behavioral Health: Goldfarb Hall, Room 33
MSW Concentrations and Specializations
Session 3: 3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Session 4: 4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (repeated presentation from session three)
- Older Adults and Aging Societies: Hillman Hall, Room 120
- Social Economic and Development – Domestic: Hillman Hall, Room 130
- Social Economic and Development – International: Hillman Hall, Room 200
- Violence and Injury Prevention: Hillman Hall, Room 300
- Individualized: Goldfarb Hall, Room 33
- Management: Goldfarb Hall, Room 37
- Research: Hillman Hall, Room 370
- Sexual Health and Education: Goldfarb Hall, Room 135
- Social Entrepreneurship: Goldfarb Hall, Room 124
- System Dynamics: Goldfarb Hall, Room 132
Thursday, August 24th
Check-In
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Clark-Fox Forum and Hillman 110
Please arrive to the tables outside of the Clark-Fox Forum to check in to check in and receive your Bear Bucks meal card for lunch. After checking in you are welcome to grab continental breakfast (bagels, granola bars, fruit, coffee and juice) in Hillman Hall 110.
Field Education: Tips and Tools for Success
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Various Locations
Session One:
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
MSW & Advanced Standing MSW: Clark Fox Forum
MPH: Brown Lounge (second floor Brown Hall)
Session Two:
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
MSW/MPH Dual Degree: Brown Lounge (second floor Brown Hall)
MSP: Hillman Hall Room 120
MSW/MPH Dual Degree and MSP students are invited to mingle in Hillman 110 for music and games during session one. MSW and MPH students are invited to hang out in Clark-Fox forum for music and games during session two.
Mingling, and Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Hillman 110 for Breakfast
Continental Breakfast will consist of bagels, granola bars, fruit, coffee, and juice.
Brown School Tours
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Tours of Brown School buildings will be offered between 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Students interested should go to Hillman 110 to request a tour.
St. Louis: An Introduction to the Region and Community Well–Being
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Clark–Fox Forum
Join the Brown School’s Assistant Dean of Community Partnerships Cynthia Williams to learn about the diversity and dynamism of St. Louis, as well as the deep historic divides that exist both racially and economically. All of these factors provide unique learning opportunities for our social work, public health and social policy students.
Lunch on your own
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
At check–in you were given a pre-loaded Bear Bucks meal card with $14 to use at any of the campus dining locations. See information on dining including hours of operation, menus, and more here.
Groups will be walking to the DUC Dining Hall from Clark–Fox Forum starting at 12:15 p.m.
You may bring your own lunch and keep in the community fridge in Goldfarb Commons where there are microwaves to heat up your food.
Students are not required to stay on campus during lunch.
RSVP Center
1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Brown 100
The Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center (RSVP) at WashU services the student community through trauma-informed response and prevention education to relationship and sexual violence. The RSVP Center are committed to affirming, inclusive care and programming, and to being lifelong learners in our work. 24-hour services are available for individuals in immediate need of assistance, such as hospital care, reporting an assault to police or emergency housing accommodations.
Student Panel
2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Brown 100
This panel will offer new students an opportunity to ask questions to a group of current Brown School students and hear about their experiences.
Brown School Alumni Table
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Clark-Fox Forum
Students are invited to the Clark-Fox Forum for a welcome from Brown School alumni! This is a great opportunity to make connections with social work, public health and social policy graduates and have your questions about graduate school and St. Louis answered.
Students and alumni will be matched in groups for focused “breakout sessions” followed by open conversation. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Friday, August 25th
Check-In
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Clark-Fox Forum
Full time MSW/MPH/MSP students need to check in to receive their Bear Bucks meal card for lunch.
MSW Part-Time Student Orientation
8:30 a.m.
Hillman 110
The Part-Time MSW Program was developed to increase the accessibility and affordability of the Brown School MSW degree program as well as build a stronger mental health workforce in St. Louis and the surrounding communities. The MSW Part-Time New Student Orientation will offer incoming students in the Part-Time program the opportunity to understand the curriculum, resources and support that are available at the Brown School.
Introduction to Team and Group Learning
9:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Various Locations
Session One:
9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.
MSW & Advanced Standing MSW: Clark Fox Forum
MPH, MSP, and Part-Time Students: Hillman 60
Session Two:
10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
MSW and Advanced Standing MSW: Hillman 60
MPH, MSP, and Part-Time Students: Clark Fox Forum
Teams and groups are considered to be the fundamental unit of organization in government, corporate, education and nonprofit work settings. In higher education, group projects are important and common because they enhance the development of skills and knowledge that are relevant to real-world practice. Group projects provide an opportunity for experiential and collaborative learning. This introductory workshop will support your ability to have successful group projects in the coming semesters. You will be introduced to how groups form and norm, and through interactive activities, you’ll learn more about the strengths that you personally bring to teams and how to successfully navigate the process of working together.
Please join Da’Shaun Scott, the Assistant Director for Student Engagement, and Dr. Vetta Sanders Thompson, E. Desmond Lee Professor of Racial and Ethnic Diversity, on an engaging conversation and presentation about effective communication, diversity, and inclusion.
Lunch on your own
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
At check–in you were given a pre-loaded Bear Bucks meal card with $14 to use at any of the campus dining locations. See information on dining including hours of operation, menus, and more here.
You may bring your own lunch and keep in the community fridge in Goldfarb Commons where there are microwaves to heat up your food. Students are not required to stay on campus during lunch.
Part-Time MSW Students Get to Know Your Degree Luncheon
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Hillman 110
Part-Time MSW students will meet their academic advisor, instructors, and learn more about the foundation and concentration curriculum, and field education.
MSP Students Get to Know Your Degree
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Hillman 130
Join assistant deans, faculty and staff who will review expectations and information needed to successfully complete your Brown School degree, answering any questions you have about the MSP program.
Department Resource Fair
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Goldfarb Commons
Come learn about Brown School and campus wide resources and services and find out how they can support you during your academic journey!
Brown School Tours
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Meet in the Clark Fox-Forum, tours begin at 3:00 p.m.
This is an opportunity for new students to tour the Brown School and learn where classes and departments are located. If you are interested in a tour of the entire WashU campus please visit here for more information.
Thursday, August 31st
WashU Campus Departments Student Employment Fair
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Holmes Lounge
The WashU Campus Departments Student Employment Fair is an event open to all WashU departments and schools to recruit students for paid on-campus internships, part-time positions, and federal work-study jobs.