New Student Orientation

The School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS) congratulates you on your admission to The George Washington University! We are pleased that you have chosen to attend SPHHS, and we have created this web information to assist you in making a smooth transition to your studies at GW.

Please explore the rest of this website for more information about the GW School of Public Health and Health Services - learn about your department, student resources, courses and registration, and more.

We encourage you to schedule a visit with us to meet with your advisor, our student services staff, or some current students. To make an appointment, email sphhsinfo@gwumc.edu.

Are you curious about what other SPHHS students are like?
Click here to view the demographics of previously entering SPHHS graduate students.

Spring 2010 SPHHS Orientation
All New Committed Students for Spring 2010 are Invited to Attend!

We are excited about the new entering class and are eager to meet you at Orientation! All new School of Public Health and Health Services students are strongly encouraged to attend the New Student Orientation program. We are striving to have 100% attendance this year. The events and activities are designed to give you an introduction to the School, the University, and the Foggy Bottom area. The date of this Spring's New Student Orientation program is Thursday, January 7th, 2010.

We begin Orientation by bringing all the new students together to focus on a case study. This year's case study is:

"Building Trust in Communities: The Narragansett Indian Tribe and the State of Rhode Island."

The preparatory reading material for the case study can be found here:

After the case study, Dean Parrish will present Student Services 101. This is a great chance to learn more about SPHHS and be introduced to the school and university polices.

Later in the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to meet the chair and faculty in your department. This is your chance to become familiar with what's going on in your department - and of course the faculty are eager to know what makes you tick too. You will learn about course work capstone projects and/or internship requirements, seminars and other important department-specific information.

The Orientation will wrap up with the Student Association Social. Returning students will gather at a neighborhood establishment to welcome you to the SPHHS Family!

SPHHS New Student Orientation Schedule of Events - Thursday, January 7th, 2010
9:15-9:45 a.m.	Check-In	Marvin Center, Continental Ballroom, 3rd Floor
9:45-10:45 a.m.	Welcome, Interim Dean Josef Reum, PhD	Marvin Center, Continental Ballroom, 3rd Floor
10:45-11:30 a.m.	Case Study	Marvin Center, Continental Ballroom, 3rd Floor
11:30-11:45 a.m.	Case Study Charge	Marvin Center, Continental Ballroom, 3rd Floor
11:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.	Break, lunch pick-up	Marvin Center, Continental Ballroom, 3rd Floor
12:00-12:45 p.m.	Case Study Break-Out: A Working Lunch	Marvin Center, 3rd & 4th Floor Rooms
12:45-1:00 p.m.	Break
1:00-2:00 p.m.	Case Study Debrief	Marvin Center, Continental Ballroom, 3rd Floor
2:00-3:00 p.m.	Student Services 101- Intro to SPHHS Student Services Office and administrative policies	Marvin Center, Continental Ballroom, 3rd Floor
3:00-5:00 p.m.	Departmental Break-Out Sessions, Introductions, Department Orientation,	See below for Department meeting locations
5:15 p.m.	Happy Hour... Join SPHHS student associations to meet and greet returning students!	TBA
Additional Orientation Events
Fri., January 8th, 2010 12:30 p.m.	Graduate Student Tours	Rice Hall 2121 I Street Suite 603
Friday, January 8, 2010 11:30-12:30 Monday, January 11, 2010 4-5	Career Focus What types of jobs are available? Am I in the right track for what I want to do? How do I go about finding a PT job? Does my resume speak to an employer?	TBA
Fri., January 8th, 2010 1:30-3:00	Himmelfarb Library Orientation This is not your ordinary library! Sharpen your research skills and become familiar with the resources available at GWU's medical library.	TBA
TBA	GradLife Fair Come see what extracurricular organizations are available for graduate students	TBA

Department Session Locations:

Environmental and Occupational Health	TBA
Epidemiology and Biostatistics	TBA
Exercise Science	TBA
Global Health	TBA
Health Policy	TBA
Health Services Management and Leadership	TBA
Prevention and Community Health	TBA
Community Oriented Primary Care Health Communications & Marketing Health Promotion Maternal & Child Health

SPHHS Student Handbook

You will receive the 2009-2010 SPHHS Student Handbook at Orientation. Or, if you are visiting campus before then, stop by any of our Ross Hall Student Services offices (Ross 202, 221, 222). The Handbook includes a step-by-step guide called "How to get Started" (pg 19) that will help you get your GW email account set up, get your student ID card, and accomplish other important tasks.

To view the 2009-2010 SPHHS Student Handbook please click here

SPHHS Student Listserv

The SPHHS Listserv is a vital communications link, through which you will receive emails about course schedule updates, seminars, internships, fellowships, professional conferences and student activities. This will be helpful to get you connected to the University and to its community. Please contact Robin Delk at sphrad@gwumc.edu so that you can be added to the SPHHS Listserv. Remember that you must use your "gwmail.gwu.edu" email address to subscribe to the Listserv!!

Advising and Course Registration

It's important to meet with your advisor before you register. "Advising by email" also works if you can't make it to campus. Before you contact your advisor, please review the requirements for your program; these were sent to you when you were admitted and are also available on the Academic Programs page.

Registration for Spring 2010 will end on January 8, 2010. It is helpful to register as soon as possible, as some courses fill early. Please see the Courses and Registration page for an overview of advising and registration policies. Consult the Course Schedules page to identify the courses you want to register for, and then the How to Register page will guide you through the mechanics of registration.

Additional Registration Questions? Please contact:
Mallory Boyd, sphmxb@gwumc.edu
Daniela Resh, sphdjr@gwumc.edu
Jennifer Lyles, sphjll@gwumc.edu

GW Academic Calendar

Spring semester 2010 classes begin on Monday, January 11, 2010.
Tuition and Fees are discussed here.
Financial Aid is discussed here.
Finding a Place to Live is discussed here.

Immunization Form

Immunizations are required by District of Columbia law (Immunization of School Students Act) for all GW students under the age of 26. Students must either provide documentation of the required immunizations or obtain vaccinations at the Student Health Services Office before they will be permitted to register for classes. The law requires documentation of a current Tetanus/Diphtheria booster and two vaccinations against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. Although not required, TB screening is recommended for international students. Your immunization card is in your admissions acceptance packet and should be completed and returned promptly. Additional forms can be obtained from the SPHHS Office of Admissions, Ross Hall Room 202. Initial failure to satisfy this requirement will result in a hold on your student account, which will prevent you from registering for future semesters or courses. You can fax your immunization form to the Student Health Services. Be sure to include your date of birth, GW ID or Social Security Number.

Student Health Services
2150 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20052
Phone: 202-741-2650
Fax: 202-741-2660