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.

Fall 2007 SPHHS Orientation
All New Committed Students for Summer 2007 and Fall 2007 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 Wednesday, August 29^th, 2007.

We begin Orientation by bringing all the new students together to focus on a case study. Following a welcome from the Dean, we will explore the issues surrounding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Following this, you will break into groups where you will have the opportunity to discuss the case and its public health implications with faculty and other new students. The case study document presents important background information, discussion questions, and tells you how to access the readings that will help you prepare for this case study. View this as your very first "homework assignment" as a student of the School of Public Health! We hope that the Orientation case study will hook you on the excitement of dialogue and learning at SPHHS.

After the case study, you will have the opportunity to meet with the chair of your department and faculty. Student Services and current students will also attend the session to field any questions you have about student life at SPHHS and GWU. This is your opportunity 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 coursework, capstone project and/or internship requirements, seminars, and other important department-specific information.

Following the departmental break out session the "New Student Inauguration," hosted by Dean Katz is an event not-to-be-missed. This event has become an important tradition here at SPHHS. At the Inauguration, our Dean, Ruth Katz, will induct incoming students into the public health and health services professions by presenting them with a special, symbolic gift.

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!

New Graduate Student Orientation Events Wednesday, August 29th, 2007
8:00-8:30 am	Check-In	Marvin Center Grand Ballroom
8:30-9:00 am	Welcome Dean Ruth Katz, JD, MPH	Marvin Center Grand Ballroom
9:00-9:15 am	Class Photo	Marvin Center Grand Ballroom Terr.
9:15-10:15 am	Case Study	Marvin Center Grand Ballroom
10:15-11:30 am	Case Study: Break-Out Sessions	Marvin Center – 6 rooms with 30 in each
11:30 am- 12:15 pm	Case Study Discussion: Large Group	Marvin Center Grand Ballroom
12:30-1:30 pm	Lunch	Ross Hall Courtyard Rain plan- Building K Gym
1:45-3:45 pm	Departmental Break-Out Sessions: Introductions, Department Orientation, and FAQ’s	See below for Department meeting locations *
4:00-4:45 pm	New Student Inauguration - Tool Kit	Ross Hall, Room 117
4:45 pm	Reception	Ross Hall Courtyard Rain plan: Student Lounge
5:30 pm	Happy Hour: Join our student associations to meet and greet returning students!	51st State Tavern 2512 L Street NW
Additional Orientation Events
Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday at 12:30 pm	Graduate Student Tour: " Tour Foggy Bottom with a fellow graduate student."	Rice Hall, 2121 I Street, Suite 603
Thursday, August 30th 12:00-1:00 pm	Himmelfarb Library Tour: Learn the "ins & outs" of a medical library and sharpen research skills.	Ross 201
Thursday, August 30th 3:00-5:30 pm	GradLife Fair: Come see what extracurricular orgs. are available for grad students	Marvin Center, Grand Ballroom
Wednesday, Sept. 5th 12-1pm or Monday, Sept. 10th 4:00-5:00 pm	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 where I’m not making coffee all day? Does my resume speak to an employer? What are my next steps?!?!?	Ross Hall 2nd floor Student Lounge

* Departmental Break-Out Sessions' Locations:

Department	Location
Environmental and Occupational Health	2100 M Street, Suite 203
Epidemiology and Biostatistics	Ross Hall, Room 229
Exercise Science	Building K, Room 105
Global Health	Ross Hall, Room 117
Health Policy	2021 K St. Large Conference Room
Health Services Leadership and Management	Ross Hall 643
Prevention and Community Health	Ross Hall 227

You can download a copy (.pdf) of the schedule here.
You can download another version (.doc) of the schedule here.

The Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library located in Ross Hall contains extensive collections of print and electronic journals, books, databases, and software/audiovisual resources supporting the School of Public Health and Health Services and the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The library orientation will focus on skills and resources to help you find the most useful resources in the most effective and efficient way possible.

Sharpening Your Research Skills workshop will strengthen your knowledge of the Himmelfarb Library, and the resources available to you. The Career Options Workshop will introduce you to the many options that will be opening to you in the next few years. It's never too early to think about what you will be doing after graduation! Both workshops will cover the same topics; so pick the one that best fits your schedule.

Graduate Student Tours of GW's Foggy Bottom campus are offered to graduate and professional students three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12:30 p.m. Tours begin at Rice Hall, Suite 603 and last approximately one hour. Current graduate students conduct all of our tours.

SPHHS Student Handbook

You will receive the 2007-2008 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 "Your Student 'To-Do' List: First Things, First" that will help you get your GW email account set up, get your student ID card, and accomplish other important tasks.

The next chapter of the Handbook, "Now That You've Started: Two Requirements You Must Fulfill" also gives you key information about completing your Human Research Training requirements and your Professional Enhancement requirements. Look for more information on these requirements in your Orientation packet.

To view the 2007-2008 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, job postings, 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 "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.

Early registration for Spring 2008 starts in November and ends on January 11^th, 2008. 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
Amir Jahamsir, sphadj@gwumc.edu

GW Academic Calendar

Fall semester 2007 classes begin on Tuesday September 4^th.
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