WELCOME
GRADUATE STUDENTS!
Starting graduate school is an exciting new chapter, and The Graduate School is here to help you make a smooth transition. Through orientation activities, you’ll meet faculty, staff, and fellow students, get to know your way around campus, and discover the many resources available to support you, both academically and personally. You’ll learn how to navigate university systems, access online tools, understand what’s expected in your program, and connect with the services that will help you thrive at West Chester University.
New Graduate Student Orientations
The Graduate School
The Graduate School hosts an in person and virtual orientation the week before classes begin to welcome all new graduate and doctoral students! Choose the option that's best for you!
In-Person New Graduate Student Orientation
August 18, 2025
Sykes Student Union
5-7 p.m.
Contact: GradAdmissions@wcupa.edu
Virtual New Graduate Student Orientation
August 19, 2025
Online via Zoom
6-7 p.m.
Contact: GradAdmissions@wcupa.edu
WCU Technology Training
We’re offering three dates for these 30-minute virtual training sessions:
August 20th at noon
August 20th at 6 p.m.
August 21st at 3 p.m.
Program-Specific Orientations
Many of our academic departments host their own orientations to welcome students to their program and share important program-specific information. Students attending program-specific orientations are still encouraged to join The Graduate School orientation to learn about campus resources, hear from current students, and pick up your free WCU swag!
Applied Statistics
August 24, 2025
7 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Contact: Dr. Randall Rieger
Counselor Education (Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling)
August 19, 2025
1-4 p.m.
Graduate Center (1160 McDermott Dr, West Chester, PA 19380), Room 126
Contact: Dr. Karen Dickinson
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
August 25, 2025
12:30 – 2 p.m.
Location: Sykes Student Union, Ballroom
Contact: Dr. Stevie Grassetti
Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs (HEPSA)
August 19, 2025
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Philips Conference Room
Contact: Dr. Jacqueline Hodes
Public Administration (MPA)
Self-paced, online orientation module in D2L
Contact: Dr. Angela Kline
Public Health (MPH)
August 20, 2025
6-7 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom
Contact: Dr. Stacie Metz
Social Work (MSW) – Philadelphia
August 16, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Contact: Dionne Easton
Social Work (MSW) – West Chester
August 18, 2025
Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Anderson Hall, 4th Floor, Student Lounge
Contact: Dr. Ginneh Akbar
Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)
August 19, 2025 (mandatory)
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: 201 Carter Dr.
Contact: Dr. Reva Zimmerman
August 20, 2025 (optional)
1-4 p.m.
Location: 201 Carter Dr.
Contact: Dr. Reva Zimmerman