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 17, 2026
Sykes Student Union
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Contact: GradAdmissions@wcupa.edu
Virtual New Graduate Student Orientation
August 18, 2026
Online via Zoom
6 p.m. - 7 p.m. EST
Contact: GradAdmissions@wcupa.edu
WCU Technology Training
We’re offering two dates for these 30-minute virtual training sessions:
August 19th at noon EST
August 20th at 3 p.m. EST
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 23, 2026
7 p.m. EST
Online via Zoom
Contact: Dr. Randall Rieger
Counselor Education (Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling)
August 18, 2026
1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Graduate Center, 1160 McDermott Drive, West Chester
Contact: Dr. Peter Boccone
Doctor of Clinical Psychology (PsyD) and Psychology Master's Programs (General and I/O)
August 17, 2026
12:45 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location TBA
Contact: Dr. Stevie Grassetti
Early Childhood Education
August 25, 2026
6:30 p.m. EST
Online via Zoom
Contact: Dr. Jade Burris
Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs (HEPSA)
TBD
Public Administration (MPA)
August 20, 2026
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. EST
Online via Zoom
Contact: Dr. Angela Kline
Public Health (MPH)
August 18, 2026
5 p.m. - 6 p.m. EST
Online via Zoom
Contact: Dr. Stacie Metz
Social Work (MSW) – Philadelphia
TBD
Social Work (MSW) – West Chester
TBD
Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)
August 20, 2026
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
201 Carter Dr. Ste. 428
Contact: Dr. Reva Zimmerman