Graduate Student Orientation Information
Welcome to the graduate programs in UD’s College of Education and Human Development!
You are joining a talented group of students who are committed to developing academically and professionally in a rigorous and supportive academic environment. Below is an overview of the orientation process, outlining the steps a new graduate student should take upon being accepted to our College.
Course Registration
A few days after accepting your offer of admission, you should have received an email containing login information and your PIN. That information will allow you to log in to UDSIS, where you can register for courses, view and pay your bill and print your schedule. If you encounter any trouble with your login, please contact the Help Desk.
Your graduate program will send you a letter providing you the name of your advisor and a list of recommended courses for your first semester.
Once you have received your PIN and contacted your faculty advisor to verify the courses to take, you can begin your course registration. It is very important that you contact your advisor before registering for courses, to ensure you have the appropriate classes.
If you have credits to transfer that were taken as a Professional and Continuing Studies student (or CEND—Continuing Education Non-degree) or at another institution, you will need to complete the Transfer of Graduate Credit form. Please be aware of policies such as 9-credit limit on transfer credits. For more information, please see Request For Transfer Graduate Credit.
.After registering for classes, your account will be charged the appropriate tuition. You can view your account statement through UDSIS and pay your bill from there. Students who receive scholarships will have the tuition applied to their accounts. If you have questions about your bill, you can contact Student Financial Services.
Orientation Activities
We offer several orientation activities to welcome you as a new graduate student and introduce you to the University of Delaware. Some of these orientation sessions are required, so please plan your schedule accordingly.
- Orientation for new full-time UD graduate students
- Orientation for new International Graduate Students
- On-boarding for new funded graduate students not previously on-boarded
- College of Education and Human Development orientation
- HDFS departmental orientation
Fall 2021 Orientation Dates
- Mid-June: New Graduate Student Orientation modules available via Canvas from the Graduate College.
- July 21 – August 20: International Teaching Assistant Orientation (virtual), for new international students who will be teaching assistants in Fall 2021.
- Tuesday, August 24, 9-5pm: New Graduate Student Orientation (in-person) for all new on-campus Graduate Students beginning in Summer and Fall 2021. Registration available later this summer.
- Wednesday, August 25: New Teaching Assistant Orientation. Further details to follow.
- Thursday, August 26, 7:00-8:30pm: CEHD Orientation. For EdD students, MEd in Exceptional Children and Youth, MEd in Educational Technology, MA in TESL or students who cannot attend or August 30. This orientation will be held through Zoom (meeting link). Participants should sign on with their UD credentials.
- Friday, August 27: New International Student Orientation (virtual) for all new International Students beginning in Summer and Fall 2021.
- Monday, August 30: In-person CEHD Orientation for students in the following programs: PhD, MS in HDFS, MA in Early Childhood Development and Programming, MA/EdS in School Psychology or for students who cannot attend on August 26. We will follow COVID social distancing guidance and attendees should wear a mask.
- 11:00 am – HDFS Department Orientation for the M.A. in Early Childhood, M.S. and Ph.D. in Human Development & Family Sciences programs
- 1:00 to 2:00 pm – CEHD Orientation meeting, 104 Gore Hall (this room has been changed to allow more space)
- 2:00 to 3:00 pm – CEHD Grad Student Ice Cream Social, Alison Hall Courtyard
Additional program orientation meetings may be announced.
Additional Information
- Establish an email account – When you accepted your admission offer, it should have triggered administrative processes like establishing a UD email and log-in. If you have not gotten that information, please check IT’s webpage.
- Health Insurance – UD offers Health and Dental insurance. All full time graduate students are required to provide evidence of health insurance and will automatically be enrolled in the UD health insurance plan. If you have coverage through another source or want to opt out of the UD Plan, it is mandatory that you complete the waiver form in early September. If you do not submit the waiver form by this date, you will automatically be committed to paying for Health Insurance for this academic year.
- University ID card – Students are required to carry their University of Delaware UD#1 Card at all times. The ID Card office is located at Student Services Building, 30 Lovett Avenue. Regular office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Contact the ID Office at (302) 831-2273 or id-card@udel.edu if you have questions.
- Funding Opportunities (see Funding tab)– The Office of Graduate and Professional Education identifies fellowships and awards for master’s and doctoral students offered through the University, as well as external foundations and institutions
- Graduate Resources – Links to other general graduate student information (tuition, parking, student life, emergency numbers, etc.) can be found on the Graduate and Professional Education website.
Other Important Dates for the Start of the Fall Semester
- Early August: International students who are unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccination in their home country should arrive on campus to obtain your first round of the vaccination.
- Sunday, August 15: Health Insurance coverage begins for new Graduate Students. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination due to be uploaded to the SHS portal.
- Prior to Monday, August 23: Fully vaccinated students should arrive to campus.
- Monday, August 23: Human Resources onboarding begins. Further information to follow.
- Tuesday, August 31: First Day of Classes; Graduate/PCS tuition/fee payment deadline for Fall 2021.
If you have any questions, contact your faculty advisor.