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.

Having trouble setting up your WashU Key?  Contact WashU Workday Support at 314-935-5707 and select option #1.

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

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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.

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Advanced Standing MSW Students: Bridge to Brown Course
Bridge to Brown is a required nine-day in-person intensive course for all incoming Advanced Standing MSW students.  The course will take place on the Brown School campus August 4 – 8 and August 11-14.  Later this summer, you will be required to confirm your registration for Bridge to Brown using the assigned form that will be available in your WashU Graduate Admissions Portal.

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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.

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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

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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.

Incoming student registration will begin in Workday on Tuesday, July 22.  PhD, MSW Advanced Standing and all 3-2 students will be able to register starting at 8:30 am CST.  All other students will start registration at 12:30 pm CST.  Part-time MSW students will be pre-registered for first semester courses and notified by their Academic Advisor regarding their schedule.

In order to participate in course registration you must establish your WashU key and systems access, log in to Workday and complete all required tasks in your Workday My Tasks inbox, and address any holds that may exist on your account.

Planning for Registration in Workday
Once all tasks have been completed and holds have been lifted, incoming students must complete the following steps to prepare for registration:

1. Look over the provided Course Sequencing Guidelines for your program to understand which courses you should register for during your first semester.
   Course Sequencing Guidelines
2. Review the Plan for Next Semester guide for step-by-step information to assist you with the registration process in Workday. This guide covers topics such as academic planning, finding course sections offered this fall, creating saved schedules, addressing holds, and troubleshooting registration issues.
3. Create a saved schedule with the courses you want to take based on your Course Sequencing Guidelines. With your saved schedule, you will quickly be able to register on registration day with only two clicks.
4. Locate and contact your Academic Advisor who must review your saved schedule, confirm your course selections, and lift the registration hold on your account. This review process can take up to five business days, so please plan accordingly.

Once Registration Open in Workday
When it is time to register, incoming students should complete these steps:

1. Use your saved schedule to register for multiple classes at once.
2. Review your enrolled classes; use the drop or swap functionality to make any edits.
3. For any unsuccessful registrations, use the Troubleshoot Registration tool to diagnose and resolve issues.
4. Review any waitlisted classes and do not panic!  Class registrations will fluctuate as advisors review enrolment and additional seats may open in any waitlisted courses.  Keep in mind:
   1. If a seat becomes available, you will get a “Confirm Waitlist Advancement” notification in Workday, via email and/or the mobile app, based on your notification preferences.
   2. You will have 72 hours to accept or decline an open seat from the time of notification. If you do not respond, you will be moved to the end of the waitlist.
   3. If you are registered for a course section at the same time as a waitlisted section and a seat becomes available, you must first drop or swap that time-conflicted section to register for the waitlisted one. This can be quickly done within the “Confirm Waitlist Advancement” notification.

As you complete the registration process, there are several ways to get help:

• Read through the frequently asked questions related to registration
• Contact your Academic Advisor (found in Workday)
• Review support materials on the Workday@WashU website
• Attend virtual Workday office hours, submit a help request, or call 314-935-WDAY (9329)

Additional information, specific dates and times, and registration reminders will also be shared with students via email in the weeks leading up to registration.

Make plans to join us for these Incoming Student Orientation events!  Expect a blend of presentations, interactive group discussions, and hands-on activities that ease your transition into graduate school.  Current students, faculty, and staff will also share what it means to belong at the Brown School and highlight the tools and opportunities available to you.

Tuesday, August 19 – Brown School International Student Orientation
Required for international MSW and MSP students; in person
8:30 am – 2:30 pm in Brown Lounge

Wednesday, August 20 – Thursday, August 21 – Brown School Full-time MSW and MSP Student Orientation
Required for all full-time MSW and all MSP students; in person
Wednesday, August 20: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm in Goldfarb, Brown, and Hillman Halls
Thursday, August 21: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm in Goldfarb, Brown, and Hillman Halls

Thursday, August 21 – Brown School Part-time MSW Student Orientation
Required for all part-time MSW students; online
Thursday, August 21: 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm on Zoom

Thursday, August 21 – Friday, August 22 – School of Public Health MPH Student Orientation
Required for MPH students; in person
Thursday, August 21: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Friday, August 22: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Contact the School of Public Health at sphadmissions@wustl.edu for more information

Looking for some additional connections?  Students are also welcome to participate in these optional welcome events hosted by other organizations across WashU designed to help you get oriented and introduced to our community:

Office of International Student Engagement International Graduate Orientation Programs
Saturday, August 16
Immigration Presentation: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm OR 1:00 – 3:00 pm in Graham Chapel
Danforth Campus Welcome Mixer: 2:30 – 4:00 pm in Holmes Lounge
LEARN MORE

The Graduate Center’s Incoming Graduate and Professional Student Welcome Event
Sunday, August 17 from 3:00 – 5:30 pm in Graham Chapel and the Athletic Complex
LEARN MORE

The Graduate Center’s New Student Danforth Campus Walking Tours
August 18 – 22 at 9:00 am and 3:00 pm daily; leaves from The Graduate Center, Women’s Building 005
LEARN MORE