Orientation will be held May 29-30, 2026. First year students are required to attend events on May 29 and May 30. Second and third year students are encouraged to attend Convocation and the SSW (ARPG) Opening Ceremony which are scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Please note: Orientation schedules below are tentative. Final schedules will be available by March 1, 2026.
Orientation Schedules | ||||
| Full Orientation Schedules | Daily Schedules | |||
| M.S.W. | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Monday |
| Ph.D. | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Monday |
Questions?
M.S.W. orientation: Contact the Office of the Dean
Ph.D. orientation: Contact the Ph.D. Program
Important Dates and Info for Students
M.S.W. Orientation Schedule
Friday, May 29, 2026 | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 9 a.m. - noon | M.S.W. Check-in Check in with the registrar, find out your on-campus housing assignment, grab your OneCard and your keys. | First Floor, Campus Center |
| 9:30 a.m. - noon | Learn more about SSW Student Groups Council for Students of Color, Disability Affinity Group, Trans+forming Social Work (Trans and GNC Affinity Group), Men’s Group | Room 102, Campus Center |
| 9:30 a.m. - noon | Smith Community Fair Meet representatives from campus offices and learn about the services available to SSW students. | Room 103/104, Campus Center |
| 9:30 a.m. - noon | Campus Tours Tours depart every half hour: 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. | First Floor, Campus Center |
| Noon - 2 p.m. | Grab and Go Lunch Visit the first floor of the Campus Center to grab a box lunch and find a spot on campus to enjoy lunch with friends! | First Floor, Campus Center |
| 2 - 2:40 p.m. | Welcome from the Dean
Required for entering M.S.W. and Ph.D. students | Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall |
| 2:45 - 4 p.m. | Introduction to Community Engagement and Student Support at SSW Required for entering M.S.W. and Ph.D. students | Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall |
| 4:15 - 5:45 p.m. | What to Expect Summer 1 and Practicum 1 Required for entering M.S.W. students | Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall |
| 5:45 - 7 p.m. | Dinner Entering students with meal cards. | King/Scales Dining Hall |
Saturday, May 30, 2025 | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| TBA | Convocation Required for all incoming students. Strongly encouraged for returning students. | Various Locations |
| 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. | SSW [ARPG] Opening Ceremony and Dinner Join the SSW community for a grounding opening ceremony and dinner. All members of the SSW community and their families are welcome to attend. | Chapin Lawn (Rain Location: Campus Center) |
Sunday, May 31, 2026 | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| Noon - 1 p.m. | Lunch Students with meal cards | King/Scales Dining Hall |
Monday, June 1, 2026 | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 8:45 a.m. - 5:50 p.m. | First Day of Classes | Varies |
Ph.D. Orientation Schedule
Friday, May 29, 2026 | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 9 - 10 a.m. | Ph.D. Check-in Check in with the registrar, find our your on-campus housing assignment, grab your OneCard and your keys. | First Floor, Campus Center |
| 9:30 a.m. - noon | Smith Community Fair Meet representatives from campus offices and learn about the services available to SSW students. | Room 103/104, Campus Center |
| 9:30 a.m. - noon | Learn more about SSW Student Groups Council for Students of Color, Disability Affinity Group, Trans+forming Social Work (Trans and GNC Affinity Group), Men’s Group | Room 102, Campus Center |
| 10:15 a.m. | Campus Tour | First Floor, Campus Center |
| Noon - 2 p.m. | Grab and Go Lunch Visit the first floor of the Campus Center to grab a box lunch and find a spot on campus to enjoy lunch with friends! | First Floor, Campus Center |
| 2 - 2:40 p.m. | Welcome from the Dean
Required for entering M.S.W. and Ph.D. students | Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall |
| 2:45 - 4 p.m. | Introduction to Community Engagement and Student Support at SSW Required for entering M.S.W. and Ph.D. students | Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall |
| 5 - 7 p.m. | Dinner Entering students with meal cards. | King/Scales Dining Hall |
Saturday, May 30, 2025 | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| TBA | Convocation Required for all incoming students. Strongly encouraged for returning students. | Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall |
| 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. | SSW [ARPG] Opening Ceremony and Dinner Join the SSW community for a grounding opening ceremony and dinner. All members of the SSW community and their families are welcome to attend. | Chapin Lawn (Rain Location: Campus Center) |
Sunday, May 31, 2026 | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| Noon - 1 p.m. | Lunch Students with meal cards | King/Scales Dining Hall |
Monday, June 1, 2026 | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 8:45 a.m. - 5:50 p.m. | First Day of Classes | Varies |
Parking is available for students in any green lined space on campus. Parking permits are required and may be purchased from the parking office. Please print a copy of your receipt and place it on the dashboard of your vehicle until you receive your decal.