Incoming Student Tasks

As you begin completing the enrolling student tasks, the first step is to retrieve and activate your WashU Key – which includes your assigned email address/username and a password you will select.  This key will allow you to log in to and access university systems and resources.

Once you have completed all required steps to confirm your intent to enroll your record will be passed to Workday (our new student information system), and you will receive an email from WashU IT with your assigned email/username along with specific instructions and a link to access Workday.  This communication is typically sent within 7 days of you completing your intent to enroll and will go to the email address you included in your admissions application.  Your WashU Key should be set up and activated no later than the date listed in your email.  Be sure to check your spam or junk folder, as well as your inbox, for this message.

Questions about your WashU Key?  Contact WashU IT at (314) 933-3333 or troubleshoot using their online resources.

Once your WashU Key has been activated, you will log into Workday to access a series of new student onboarding tasks that must be completed to prepare for your first semester.  Some tasks will be completed directly in Workday, like providing an emergency contact, and some will take you to the appropriate website or system outside of Workday where you need to complete a specific task, like providing a health form or completing a required training.  Some tasks are required for all WashU students, and some tasks apply only to Brown School students, but it is essential that all required tasks in your Workday dashboard are completed in a timely manner before the start of the academic year.  Failing to complete required tasks may result in a hold being placed on your account, which may prevent you from proceeding with future activities, such as course registration.

You will see these checklist items in your My Tasks inbox and the Awaiting Your Action section of the Workday dashboard when you log in as a new student.  Keep in mind these items will not all show at once but will populate over time as you complete the previous tasks.  We recommend enabling notifications from Workday and creating a habit of checking Workday often for additional assigned tasks.

Workday is the primary system you will use as a WashU student, so we recommend spending time learning how to use it.  There are many resources, tutorials, and webinars available to you as you become familiar with navigating this powerful platform:

• Student Tasks Overview
• Navigating Workday Student
• View My Student Profile
• New Student Onboarding
• Manage My Tasks
• Workday Tips & Tricks
• View and Contact My Advisors

MSW and MPH Students: Proficiency Exams
The Brown School offers proficiency examinations for select foundation courses in the MSW and MPH programs.
These exams are available to students entering a full-time program who have confirmed their intent to enroll and submitted their advance-tuition deposit.  Proficiency exams are recommended but not required.  Students are encouraged to take any available exams in which they have background knowledge or prior coursework.  Interested students can review considerations, policies, and eligible courses below and register using the link provided.  Registration begins May 1 and courses will be available to take from May 19 – July 13.

MSW Eligible Courses:

• SWFN 5001-Research Methods with Statistical Applications – Read Course Overview
• SWFN 5002: Human Behavior – Read Course Overview

MPH Eligible Courses:

• PHRS 6000-Research Methods – Read Course Overview
• PHRS 5001-Biostatistics – Read Course Overview

MPH Students: Human Biology Course Requirement
Students admitted to the Master of Public Health program must satisfy a human biology course prerequisite.To meet this requirement, applicants must receive a grade of “B” or higher in a college-level human biology course.  The admissions office will review transcripts for all MPH admitted students and notify you via email if you have fulfilled this requirement. Admitted students who have not met the prerequisite must satisfy the requirement prior to the end of the first academic year in the MPH program.  The Brown School has pre-approved the Ed2Go: Human Anatomy & Physiology course as an affordable and convenient option to fulfill this requirement.  Should you wish to enroll in a different course, please email the course syllabus to the Office of Admissions prior to enrolling.

International Students: English Language Placement Assessment and Support Course
Prior to the start of the fall semester, the Global Programs Office will review each incoming international student’s admission materials (including TOEFL, IELTS, or Gateway scores) to assess each student’s academic English language skills.  Based on this review, students may be required to complete an additional language proficiency exam and be required to enroll in a 0-credit and no cost English Language Support course in their fall semester. The Global Programs Office will reach out individually to students who are required to take the additional exam or enroll in the support course.*Please note that exemption from providing English language proficiency exam scores as part of the admissions process does NOT exempt you from this process if you receive notice that you must complete it.

All Students: Final Official Transcripts
Incoming students must provide a final official transcript from the institution at which your previous degree was conferred.  The final official transcript must include the following:

• Degree(s) earned
• Conferral date
• Coursework completed to fulfill degree requirements
• Official institutional seal, stamp and/or embossed marking

Final official transcripts must be sent in electronic or hard copy format to the Brown School directly by the issuing institution or its authorized agent. We will not accept final transcripts issued to the student or sent from the student to the Brown School.  All final official transcripts must be received no later than July 31. 

Electronic Delivery: Certified electronic transcripts can be sent directly to brownadmissions@wustl.edu from the institution or an academic credential service.

Delivery by Mail: Official paper transcripts must be mailed by the issuing institution to:

Washington University in St. Louis
Brown School Admissions
MSC 1196-251-46
One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130

All Students: Laptop Requirements
The Brown School requires that all students own a laptop.  This personal technology allows students to be productive and connected as they participate in academic coursework.  Laptops are used during classes both on campus and online, in group projects and collaborative work, and for general information access and processing needs.  Students should have their laptop with them when they arrive for the fall semester. If you own a laptop that was purchased in the last two years, it should be sufficient for your time at the Brown School. If your system is older than two years old, we strongly suggest you purchase a new system.

New student registration will take place in July 2025.  Further details and course sequencing will be posted here and shared via email with enrolling students once they are available.

New student orientation sessions give incoming scholars the opportunity to connect, learn, and engage within the Brown School and the wider WashU community.  Many events are mandatory and require a registration. Orientation event dates and registration links will be shared as they become available.

• August 16 – WashU’s OISS International Student Orientation for International Students
• August 18 – Brown Schools International Student Orientation for International Students
• August 20 – 21 – Brown School Orientation for all Incoming Students