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 2008 SPHHS Orientation - January 10, 2008
All New Committed Students Spring 2008 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 10th, 2008.

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 question of how to communicate priorities during a public health crisis - in this case, pandemic flu. Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Margaret Hamburg, a Senior Scientist at the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI).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 and Health Services! We hope that the Orientation case study will hook you on the excitement of dialogue and learning at SPHHS. (NOTE: The Fred Friendly Seminar/Trust for America’s Health program titled: Pandemic Flu:  The Virus That Could Change The World is now available for you to view. Please view this video and read the suggested articles listed in the case study document, in prepration for the morning session).

After the case study, you will have the opportunity to meet with the chair and faculty of your department. Student Services Staff 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 Thursday, January 10th, 2008
8:45-9:00 am	Check-In	Marvin Center 3rd floor, Continental Ballroom
9:00-9:30 am	Welcome Dean Ruth Katz, JD, MPH	Marvin Center 3rd floor, Continental Ballroom
9:30-10:20 am	Case Study: Communicating Priorities During a Crisis Keynote speaker: Dr. Margaret Hamburg	Marvin Center 3rd floor, Continental Ballroom
10:30-11:45 am	Case Study Discussion: Break-Out Sessions	Marvin Center 3rd  floor breakout rooms
11:45 am- 1:00 pm	Lessons Learned, A Working Lunch	Marvin Center 3rd floor, Continental Ballroom
1:15-3:00 pm	Departmental Break-Out Sessions: Introductions, Department Orientation, and FAQ’s	See below for Department meeting locations *
3:15-4:00 pm	New Student Inauguration	Ross Hall Room 227
4:00-5:00 pm	Reception	Himmelfarb Library Lobby 1st floor, Ross Hall
5:00 pm	Spring Orientation Happy Hour! Hosted by Public Health Student Association	The 51st State Tavern 2512 L Street Washington, DC 20037
Additional Orientation Events
TBA	Sharpen Your Research Skills
January 16, 4-5 pm or 5-6 pm OR January 22, 4-5 pm or 5-6 pm Choose one session	Career Options A workshop on next steps to take	TBA
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12:30pm Choose one session	Graduate Student Tours	Rice Hall, 2121 Eye Street, Suite 603

|Department Session Locations:

Environmental and Occupational Health	Ross Hall, Suite 202
Epidemiology and Biostatistics	Ross Hall, Room 121
Exercise Science	817, 23rd St. Building K, Rm 303
Global Health	2175 K St. Suite 201
Health Policy	2021 K St. Suite 800
Health Services Management and Leadership	2175 K St. Suite 800
Prevention and Community Health	2175 K St. Room 737
Community Oriented Primary Care Health Communications & Marketing Health Promotion Maternal & Child Health

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. Librarians will be available to meet with you after the New Student Inauguration. They will be able to give you information on library resources.

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

Spring semester 2008 classes begin on Monday, January 14th.
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