Orientation

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 2026 Events for New Students

Hikes With Mike 

Meet other new students and see Oakland from a whole new perspective! On 7/27, 7/29, 8/10 and 8/12,  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 12, 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 17-23, 2026. The required academic session with the School of Public Health will be on Friday, August 21. 

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

Read more about University Orientation

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 18 
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 19
9 a.m. - 3 p.m., University Club/Public Health Building 

Register

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

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

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

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

1:30-3 p.m. - New Student Social - Public Health Commons Lounge (first floor)

1:30-2 p.m. - 4+1 Orientation session - Room 1155 Public Health

Resource Fair Participants

TBA

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 20
12-2 p.m.
A622 Public Health

Contact Paul Markgraf with questions. 

Biostatistics and Health Data Science

Thursday, August 20
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
A719 Public Health
12:30-1:30 p.m. (lunch and social)
7121A Collaborative Study Room, Public Health

Poster board brainstorm sessions
1:30-3 p.m.
MS students: 7121A 
PhD students: A724A

Contact Helen Chen with questions. 

Environmental and Occupational Health

Friday, August 21
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Anderson Shelter, Schenley Plaza

Contact Bryanna Snyder with questions. 

Epidemiology

Thursday, August 20
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Room A521 Public Health

Contact Amy Rhodes with questions. 

Health Policy and Management

Monday and Tuesday, August 17-18

August 17
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 18
9 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
MHA students: A216 Public Health
MPH students: A215 Public Health

Contact Jessica Dornin-Dunlap with questions. 

Human Genetics

Full Department, Thursday, August 20, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
First Floor Commons and G23, Public Health
1:30-3 p.m. - Info session in G23
3-4:30 p.m. - reception in Public Health Commons

Individual Program Orientations 

MPH: Friday, August 21, 2-4 p.m.
3121C Public Health

MS Genetic Counseling: Friday, August 21, 9 a.m.-noon
3121C Public Health

MS/PhD: Friday, August 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
A425 Public Health

MS Genome Bioinformatics: Friday, August 21, 9 a.m.-noon
A521 Public Health

Contact Noel Harrie with questions. 

Infectious Diseases and Microbiology

Friday, August 21
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
A115 Public Health

Contact Erin Schuetz with questions. 

Multidisciplinary Master of Public Health

Monday, August 18
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
1155 Public Health 

Contact Renee Valenti with questions.