Orientation | School of Public Health

We offer our main orientation for new students once a year before the start of the fall term. We offer a truncated spring program for graduate students beginning their first academic year in the spring term.

Welcome to Pitt Public Health! We are excited to welcome you to your first term during our upcoming New Student Orientation.

Summer 2025 Events for New Students

Hikes With Mike

Meet other new students and see Oakland from a whole new perspective! Every Thursday starting July 17, Mike Dolinger, director of student services and engagement, will take new students on a hike through Schenley Park, one of Pittsburgh’s great outdoor spaces! We will meet in front of the School of Public Health at 11:30 a.m., and take an hour-long walk through the park, in the wooded areas, and see some of what makes the city unique. Reserve your spot!

Virtual Trivia Night

Wednesday, August 6, 7-8:30 p.m.
Try on your smarty pants and join us for a night of fun, learning new things, and meeting new friends! Oh, and win prizes! Get ready to answer questions on pop culture, movies, music and who knows what else?
RSVP

Map showing Pitt Public Health in Oakland with large location icon overlaid

Find the Public Health Building

Undergraduate Students

New students to the University of Pittsburgh (both first-year and transfer students) will follow the University's Welcome Week schedule August 18-24, 2025. The required academic session with the School of Public Health will be on Friday, August 22.

Welcome Week information will be sent to your Pitt email in July.

Graduate Students

There will be three orientations for graduate students held between August 18-22: University, school, and department/program level.

University of Pittsburgh Graduate Student Orientation

Tuesday, August 19
More details on University-wide Orientation for graduate students.

Learn about other graduate student orientation events, such as International Student Orientation, New Teaching Assistant Orientation, and a Supporting Trans and Non-Binary Students Resource Fair from the Office of the Provost.

School of Public Health Graduate Student Orientation

Wednesday, August 20
9 a.m. - 5 p.m., University Club/Public Health Building

9 a.m. - check-in at University Club

10 a.m.- noon - School of Public Health Presentations - Ballroom B

Noon-1 p.m. - Lunch provided by the school

12:30-2 p.m. - Resource Fair - Ballroom A

2-4:30 p.m. - New Student Social - Public Health Commons Lounge (first floor)

Resource Fair Participants - TBD: Coming soon!

Department/Program Orientation

Days/times vary by department and will be added here as details are available. Contact your department student services staff for more information.

Behavioral and Community Health Sciences

Thursday, August 21
1-3 p.m.
A719 Public Health

Contact Paul Markgraf with questions.

Biostatistics and Health Data Science

Friday, August 22
11 a.m.-noon
A719 Public Health

Contact Helen Chen with questions.

Environmental and Occupational Health

Friday, August 22
Time/Location TBA

Contact Bryanna Snyder with questions.

Epidemiology

Thursday, August 21
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
G23 and First Floor Commons, Public Health

Contact Amy Rhodes with questions.

Health Policy and Management

Monday and Tuesday, August 18-19

August 18
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
First Floor Commons and G23 Public Health

Meet in the Public Health Commons on the first floor for pictures and then proceed into the G23 auditorium.

August 19
9 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
MHA students: A216 Public Health
MPH students: A215 Public Health

Contact Jessica Dornin with questions.

Human Genetics

Department-wide informational session and reception: Thursday, August 21, 1-4 p.m.
G23 and First Floor Commons, Public Health

Individual Program Orientations

MPH: Monday, August 18, 1-3 p.m.
3121C Public Health

MS Genetic Counseling: Friday, August 22, 9 a.m.-noon
A521 Public Health

MS/PhD: Friday, August 22, 10 a.m.-noon
A425 Public Health

MS Genome Bioinformatics: Friday, August 22, 10 a.m.-noon
3121C Public Health

Contact Noel Harrie with questions.

Infectious Diseases and Microbiology

Friday, August 22
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location TBA

Contact Erin Schuetz with questions.

Multidisciplinary Master of Public Health

Contact Renee Valenti with questions.