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For New Students

Welcome new SSW students!

Students gathered outside on campus.

We are delighted you made the decision to pursue your degree in social work here at Smith SSW. We've compiled checklists, forms, schedules and helpful websites here. This site is updated regularly, please check back for new information in the coming months. If you have any questions, please contact us at sswadm@smith.edu. We’re happy to help!
 

Recent Updates

Summer Employment Opportunities

There are several employment opportunities available to students this summer. Be sure to check this page regularly for possible additional opportunities:

  • Two Resident Assistant Positions; to apply use this link.  (Only second and final summer students who have lived on campus at Smith before will be considered for these positions.)
  • Dining Room Positions  (ID checking; dishes; special dinners; etc; rate is $15/hr); apply via this survey by 3/31/23
  • Variety of Wellness Positions (rate is $25/hr); apply via this survey by 3/31/23

On This Page

New Student Checklist ↓
Orientation Weekend Events ↓
Your first summer on campus ↓
Resources ↓
Questions ↓
 

New Student Checklist

To accept your offer of admission and complete enrollment, please complete the following items by their due date:

Due Date Item
Check your admission notification in the application portal for the date, login required
April 10
  • Summer Housing Form: ALL students are asked to complete this form and indicate whether they will OPT OUT of on-campus housing or  REQUEST on-campus room and board for summer 2023. Those requesting housing should submit their requests as soon as possible. The final deadline for submitting a housing request is 4/10; accommodations after 4/10 cannot be guaranteed.
  • Single room housing is available to all enrolled students; housing is all gendered and includes all meals. In addition, students who have minor children (younger than 18) living with them at least half of the summer may request limited Family Housing.
    Room and board costs are listed here.
April 1
April 10
  • Record of Immunizations, including COVID-19 (original series and boosters) must be uploaded to the health portal using Medicat. Medicat access is required and will be available mid-March or within a week of accepting the offer of admission, whichever is later. Entering students who do not clear the immunization record with medical services by the deadline will not be registered for classes. See the College’s COVID policies for the most current information on COVID vaccines
April 20
May 15
  • Tuition payments due: Tuition bills will be posted by April 24, 2023 and are due to be paid by May 15.
May 27 Review and acknowledge the following in Workday: 
  • Smith College SSW Mission Statement
  • SSW Five Core Principles: Students are responsible for reviewing and acknowledging the SSW 5 Guiding Principles.
  • NASW Code of Ethics: In accordance with the professional standards, students are expected to adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics.
  • FERPA Information: Review the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) as amended.
  • M.S.W. or Ph.D. Student Handbook: This form acknowledges that you have read and will follow the handbook.
  • Field Guidelines: Students are expected to review the guidelines for entering the field and use this document for future reference.
  • Statement on Fragrance: Students are expected to review and abide by guidelines in the SSW Statement on Fragrance for the health and comfort of our community.
  • Academic Calendar & Moodle Information: Students acknowledge receipt of the academic calendar and Moodle use information. This can be saved for future reference.
  • Acceptable Use Policy: This form acknowledges that you understand and will follow Smith’s Acceptable Use Policy for technology resources and services.
  • My Friends and Family: Provide information for emergency contacts.
  • My Home Contact Information: Include home mailing address, phone number and email.
  • My Personal Information: Confirm or update personal information, including optional pronouns.
  • My Personal Photo: Upload a digital photo of yourself to be used in Workday.
  • Consent to Receive Form 1098-T Electronically: The IRS form is used to assist the taxpayer in determining eligibility for certain education tax credits.
  • Non-Discrimination and Anti-Hazing Statute: Read and acknowledge Smith’s Non-Discrimination Policy and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hazing Statute.
  • Statement of Shared Responsibility: Students are expected to follow all safety measures to lower and prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19.
June 16
  • Deadline to opt-out of Gallagher Insurance for the June 2023 - May 2024 Period: All students are required to carry health insurance while they are enrolled. In early March you will receive notification of insurance coverage for June 2023 - May 2024 from Gallagher Insurance. You can find information about the plan at this site. You will be billed for this insurance in May and will be responsible for this charge unless you have an alternative insurance plan and waive out of the Gallagher Health Insurance plan. Instructions for waiving the policy can be found on our site. Learn more about Gallagher Insurance.
June 2
  • Term 1 Meal Plans for Off Campus Students: Meal plans for off-campus students (meals plan costs TBD) are available by contacting sswhousing@smith.edu after arriving on campus. Please note that meal plans can only be purchased at the beginning of each term; unused meals can roll from term 1 to term 2.
June 2

Student Check-In: All students are required to arrive on campus on Friday, June 2, 2023 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. To limit density during check-in, reservations will be required. Additional information regarding reservations will be sent in early May. 

Check-In will be held under a tent outside of the Smith Campus Center where students will receive their student IDs, dorm keys and other materials.

Move-In: Students living in campus housing may move in on Friday, June 2, 2023 after the mandatory student check-in. For those traveling a distance, housing can be made available by request on Thursday, June 1, 2023. To arrange for early arrival, please contact sswhousing@smith.edu.
Please follow all on-campus requirements based on the operating mode for that week. More details will be posted as the date approaches.
June 2 and 3
  • Convocation & Orientation (attendance required for all entering students): Orientation will be held on Friday and Saturday, June 2-3; Convocation is Sunday afternoon, June 4.  Watch this link for details on the events.
June 5
  • Classes begin: Term 1 Classes begin on Monday, June 5, 2023
July 8 - July 16
  • There is a one week break midsummer which begins on Saturday, July 8, 2023
July 17
  • Term 2 Classes resume on Monday, July 17, 2023
 

Orientation Weekend Events

A brief overview of events follows. Full schedules will be available after May 1, 2023.
Date and Time Location Event
     
Friday, June 2, 2023,
9 a.m. - noon		 Campus Center, 1st Floor

M.S.W. / Ph.D Check-in  

The Check-in process is the final verification that you have completed all requirements for enrollment and are ready to begin classes. Students may drop in between 9 a.m. - noon to collect their OneCard, room key and/or parking passes (if appropriate), meet representatives from offices on campus and check in with the SSW Registrar’s Office.

Friday, June 2 , 2023, 
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

 Wilson Atrium, Campus Center

Smith Community Fair and Lunch
Friday, June 2, 2023,
3-4:30 p.m.		 Carroll Room, Campus Center What to Expect Summer 1 and Practicum Year 1
Saturday, June 3, 2023
All Day		 TBD Orient Yourself to Smith
Sunday, June 4, 2023
4:15-5:15 p.m.		 TBD Convocation
Dr. CarolAnn Daniel
Sunday, June 4, 2023
5:30-7 p.m. 		 TBD Anti-Racism Planning Group Opening Ceremony

What courses will I take my first year?

During the first summer students take 10 courses total (5 in term 1 and 5 in term 2). Each course meets twice a week on either Monday and Tuesday or Thursday and Friday, leaving Wednesday as a reading day. The first year schedule can be found here.

For specific course information, including course descriptions, visit the M.S.W. Curriculum page.

Registration for first summer is completed by the SSW Registrar’s Office. Students will receive their finalized schedule in early May.

During the Winter term, first year students will take SOCW 510 - Entering the Field as a two day intensive on the first two days of the term. After those days, students will enter their internship and field seminar for the remainder of the term.

What courses will I take as an incoming Advanced Standing student?

During the entering summer, advanced standing students will take 8 courses total (7 required courses and 1 elective). The SSW Registrar’s Office will contact newly admitted AS students to conduct registration collaboratively in early March or shortly after accepting admission (if accepted after early March). 

The incoming required courses for AS students are:

Term 1: SOCW 600 - Clinical Social Work Practice, SOCW 615 - Comparative Psychodynamic Theories, SOCW 618 - Racism in the United States, and SOCW 648 - Research for Clinical Social Work Practice
Term 2: SOCW 601 - Clinical Social Work Practice, SOCW 631 - Social Welfare Policy II, and SOCW 516 - Problems in Biopsychosocial Functioning

One elective will be chosen to complete the summer term 2 schedule.
Find degree requirements for Advanced Standing students and detailed course information, including course descriptions on the website. Specific course offerings (with day and times) will be available after mid February in Workday (the student record system).

How do I request a course waiver or transfer credits?

As defined in M.S.W. Handbook section 500.6 and 500.7, students may request the review of prior work for transfer credit or waiver of required courses at the time of admission.

The deadline to submit your request is April 1st or two weeks after accepting admission (whichever is later).

After receiving the completed request with course syllabi, the appropriate sequence chair, in consultation with the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, will make the decision with regard to the waiver or transfer credit.

The difference between waivers and transfers, the application process, and request form can be found on the SSW Registrar’s page.

Resources for Students

Culture of Care: COVID-19 Info on Smith.edu

SSW Buzz for Students

Submit an Item to the Buzz

M.S.W. Handbook

Ph.D. Handbook

SSW Academic Calendar

Parking on Campus

Getting to Campus

Find directions, maps and information about local accommodations. 

Contact SSW


Contact 

 For more information regarding: 

Enrollment checklist:
sswadm@smith.edu

Orientation/convocation: 
sswdean@smith.edu

Transfer credits, waivers and course registration:
sswregistrar@smith.edu

 

Have questions? Our Admission team has answers!

Contact our Admission office!
Students walking out of building