Incoming Student Tasks
Students who have confirmed their intent to enroll and submitted their enrollment deposit have several further tasks to complete over the spring and summer months leading up to the start of the academic year. The information shared here is designed to assist you in completing these important steps. You can also contact your assigned admissions specialist with specific questions you might have.
As you begin completing the enrolling student tasks, the first step is to retrieve and activate your 17³Ô¹Ï 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 and submitted your enrollment deposit you will receive an email from 17³Ô¹Ï IT with your assigned email/username. This email 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 17³Ô¹Ï Key, email, and two-factor authentication should be set up and activated as soon as possible so that you can access University systems, including MyOISS to apply for your visa stamp and Workday to begin completing incoming student tasks. Be sure to check your spam or junk folder, as well as your inbox, for this important message.
Having trouble activating your 17³Ô¹Ï Key or two-factor authentication? Contact .
Once your 17³Ô¹Ï 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. 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 17³Ô¹Ï 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:
In addition to tasks in Workday, the 17³Ô¹Ï Office of Graduate & Professional Students and Student Affairs offers a helpful website that compiles checklists and additional University-wide resources for incoming graduate students.
MSW Students – Proficiency Exams
The Brown School offers proficiency examinations for select foundation courses in the MSW program. 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 18 – June 28.
MSW Eligible Courses:
- SWFN 5001: Research Methods with Statistical Applications –
- SWFN 5002: Human Behavior –
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 3 – 7 and August 10-13. 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 17³Ô¹Ï Graduate Admissions Portal.
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.
Incoming student registration for full-time MSW and MSP students will begin in Workday on Tuesday, July 7 with the following schedule:
- PhD and Advanced Standing MSW students will begin registration at 8:30 am CST
- Full-time MSW and MSP students will begin 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 17³Ô¹Ï key and systems access, log in to Workday and complete all required tasks in your inbox, and address any that may exist on your account.
Additional information, course sequencing requirements, 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.
Sunday, August 16
Optional for international students; in person
Encouraged for all incoming students; in person
Tuesday, August 18
Brown School International Student Orientation
Required for international students; in person
Wednesday, August 19 – Thursday, August 20
Brown School Full-time Student Orientation
Required for all full-time students; in person
Meet Your Academic Advisor
As you begin the transition to the Brown School you will be assigned an academic advisor who will work with you to create and finalize your student schedule each semester. Academic advisors will be available to work with you starting in late May and are required to review and approve your saved schedule prior to course registration later this summer.

Da’Shaun Scott, MSEd
Director for Academic Affairs and Advising

Tammy Orahood, MA, EdD
Director of Global Programs

Keeley Barket
Academic and Support Advisor

Enrollment Dates and Deadlines
May 1 – Proficiency exam registration begins
May 18 – Proficiency exams begin
June 28 – Proficiency exams end
July 1 – Deadline to submit a deferral request
July 7 – Course registration begins for full-time students
- 8:30 am CDT – PhD and MSW Advanced Standing
- 12:30 pm CDT – All remaining students
July 17 – First day for international student arrival for students on a new F1 visa
July 31 – Deadline to submit final official transcript
August 1 – Visa appointment deadline for international students
August 3 – Bridge to Brown Course begins for Advanced Standing MSW Students
August 15 – Last day for international student arrival for students on a new F1 visa
August 16 – Incoming Student Orientation events
- OISE Graduate Student Orientation & Mixer
- 17³Ô¹Ï Graduate Student Orientation & Resource Fair
August 18 – Brown School International Student Orientation
August 19 – 20 – Brown School Full-time Student Orientation
August 24 – First day of classes Fall 2025