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 required to attend returning student orientation on Saturday, May 30 and are encouraged to attend Convocation and the SSW (4C) 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. | Seelye Hall |
| 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 | Seelye Hall |
| 9:30 a.m. - noon | Smith Community Fair Meet representatives from the Accessibility Resource Center, Campus Safety, Equity and Inclusion, ITS/Computer Store, Library Services, OneCard, and the SSW Communications and Practicum Learning offices. | Seelye Hall |
| 9:30 a.m. - noon | Campus Tours Tours depart throughout the morning, with the final tour leaving at 11:00 a.m. An accessible tour for those with limited mobility will depart at 10:30 a.m. | Seelye Hall |
| Noon - 2 p.m. | Grab and Go Lunch Visit Seelye Lawn to grab lunch and find a spot on campus to enjoy lunch with friends! | Seelye Lawn |
| 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, 2026 | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 9-11 a.m. | Returning Student Housing Check-in | Lilly Hall |
| 1-3 p.m. | Returning Student Orientation Required for returning students. | Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall |
| 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Convocation, Rebekah Gerwitz, Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers, MA Chapter Required for all incoming students. Strongly encouraged for returning students. | Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall |
| 6:30 - 8 p.m. | SSW [4C] 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) |
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. | Seelye Hall |
| 9:30 a.m. - noon | Smith Community Fair Meet representatives from the Accessibility Resource Center, Campus Safety, Equity and Inclusion, ITS/Computer Store, Library Services, OneCard, and the SSW Communications and Practicum Learning offices. | Seelye Hall |
| 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 | Seelye Hall |
| 10:15 a.m. | Campus Tour | Seelye Hall |
| Noon - 2 p.m. | Grab and Go Lunch Visit Seelye Lawn to grab a lunch and find a spot on campus to enjoy lunch with friends! | Seelye Lawn |
| 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 |
| 5:45 - 7 p.m. | Dinner Entering students with meal cards. | King/Scales Dining Hall |
Saturday, May 30, 2026 | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 9-11 a.m. | Returning Student Housing Check-in | Lilly Hall |
| 1-3 p.m. | Returning Student Orientation Required for returning students. | Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall |
| 2-4 p.m. | Social Justice In Clinical Social Work Workshop Required for incoming students. | Lilly Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room |
| 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Convocation, Rebekah Gerwitz, Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers, MA Chapter Required for all incoming students. Strongly encouraged for returning students. | Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall |
| 6:30 - 8 p.m. | SSW [4C] 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) |
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.