New Student Orientation
Meet your future! New student orientation is an important time to learn all about being a social work student at UB.
Thursday, Jan. 14, 2027
6-8:30 p.m. ET via Zoom
In mid-November, you will receive an orientation invitation and information about accessing our required pre-orientation course.
Questions about orientation? Email sw-studentservices@buffalo.edu or call 716-645-1863.
Wednesday, May 19, 2027
6-8:30 p.m. ET on campus
MSW New Student Orientation will help you to successfully transition into graduate school. Prior to our live orientation session, you will be expected to complete an online pre-orientation course. (Information on how to log in and complete this course will be sent via email in early April.) At our live orientation session, you will meet UB School of Social Work faculty, staff and students, and learn about the curriculum and practicum requirements.
MSW Orientation (all seated students)
Wednesday, August 18 (mandatory) and Thursday, August 19, 2026 (strongly encouraged)
Wednesday, August 18:
Full-time students: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Center for Tomorrow
Part-time students: 5-7:30 p.m. in Baldy Hall room 101
Thursday, August 19:
All students: 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Baldy Hall Lobby
MSW New Student Orientation will help you to successfully transition into graduate school. Prior to our live orientation session, you will be expected to complete an online pre-orientation. (Information on how to log in and complete this course will be sent via email in early June.) At our live orientation session, you will meet UB School of Social Work faculty and staff, learn about the curriculum and practicum requirements, and receive valuable resources at our academic readiness workshops.
Online MSW Orientation (online students)
Tuesday, July 20 and Thursday, July 22, 2027
6-8:30 p.m. ET via Zoom
Both nights are mandatory
Prior to our live virtual orientation, you will be expected to complete an online pre-orientation course. (Information on how to log in and complete this course will be sent via email in early June.)
Please note: Online students will have a "pre-registration meeting" hold on their account and will not be able to register for courses until after they attend the mandatory orientation sessions. Spaces in online courses have been reserved for online students, so you will not be locked out of any courses you need.
If you are taking human biology at UB prior to the start of the semester, you may need to contact the Academic Processes Coordinator to discuss a temporary lift on your hold (swinfo@buffalo.edu).
Date TBD
Specifics about the PhD orientation activities will be sent to incoming PhD and MSW/PhD students.
Thursday, August 12 and Friday, August 13, 2027
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET via Zoom
The DSW requires a mandatory orientation session in August before the program starts. Orientation will be held remotely.