Orientation Events
WVU offers a variety of orientation events to help our graduate students get acclimated to campus life. Be sure to check with your department and review the following list to determine which of these events may be most relevant (or required) for you:
DEPARTMENTAL ORIENTATIONS
Departmental Orientations: Some departments may hold their own graduate student orientation sessions to introduce students to the faculty, policies, and facilities in your units. Be sure to check with your program faculty to determine if there will be a departmental orientation that you are expected to attend.
GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT ORIENTATIONS
Graduate Teaching Assistant Orientations: The Teaching and Learning Commons offers orientations for new Graduate Teaching Assistants and new International Graduate Teaching Assistants. These sessions have both an online and face-to-face component. Click here for information on dates and times.
SPEAK test: The SPEAK® Testing Program was instituted at West Virginia University requiring that all instructional personnel be proficient in spoken English. All prospective teaching assistants or associates whose native language is not English are required to take and pass the SPEAK Test before they can assume teaching responsibilities. Click here for more information on taking the SPEAK test.
ALL GRADUATE STUDENTS
International Student Orientations: All International students are welcomed to campus for check-in and orientation in mid-August. Watch your e-mail account for more information about this event, which is offered by the Office of International Students and Scholars. NOTE: if you will also be a GTA you will have an additional orientation – See Above
All programs or schools/colleges should provide a new student orientation for incoming graduate students. Information is provided here to assist program directors and administrators in developing orientation sessions and directing students to important resources.
New Student Information – This section of the Graduate Student website provides useful information for new students.
Student Support Services – This section of the Graduate Student website provides information for all students that new students should be aware of.
Graduate Catalog – All students should become familiar with policies described in the Graduate Catalog.
New Student Orientation Toolbox – This document includes suggestions on topics to include in new student orientations. Contact Katherine Karraker, Associate Provost for Graduate Academic Affairs, for a copy of this document.