Two people overlooking a map at an Orientation session.

Orientation

Depending on your program or student status, you most likely need to attend one or more Orientation sessions. Here’s what to know.

Graduate student Orientation

Whether you’re new or returning to KU, we encourage you to attend Orientation sessions. In addition to specific Orientation sessions, new Lawrence-campus students admitted for the fall are invited to attend the university-wide Orientation. Over one week in August, you’ll network with other students and faculty, explore the KU and Lawrence communities, and connect with offices that support graduate students.

In addition to in-person events and activities, you’ll have access to online Orientation resources through Blackboard, your virtual student dashboard. Your Blackboard Orientation course is available to you anytime, and provides valuable resources common to all graduate students, regardless of their program or field.

Graduate Orientation
Blackboard

Orientations

International student Orientation

New international graduate students are required to complete YOU at KU, the Orientation programming hosted by International Support Services. Through a week of activities and events, students connect with other new Jayhawks, explore local culture, and enroll in first-semester courses.
ISS Orientation

Departmental Orientations

Many programs host their own new-student Orientation sessions for incoming students. These sessions offer new graduate students the opportunity to get to know their peers and the faculty they’ll be working with as they pursue their degree. For more information, contact your program or adviser.

Edwards Campus Orientation 

If you’re pursuing your graduate degree at KU’s Edwards Campus, we encourage you to attend the new-student Orientation.
Edwards Orientation

Graduate teaching assistant Orientation

Students who are newly appointed to a graduate teaching assistantship are required to attend GTA Orientation. The program is hosted by the Center for Teaching Excellence, and introduces new GTAs to teaching at KU and in their program.
GTA Orientation