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Orientation

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Online Student Orientations

Orientation for online students in the MPH Generalist and Online SM programs will be held virtually during the week of August 24, 2026. Although sessions will be recorded, students are encouraged to attend orientation sessions live if they are able. In addition to online orientation sessions, incoming online students may also choose to attend any on-campus orientation sessions that interest them.

More information about online orientation sessions will be communicated to students by email over the summer.  For any questions regarding online orientation, students should contact their degree program at mphgen@hsph.harvard.edu or onlinesm@hsph.harvard.edu. 

MPH Generalist Orientation Schedule

Zoom links for the below sessions will be provided to online students via their cohort Canvas site.

  • Tuesday, August 25
    • 10:00 am-11:30 am ET – Introduction to the MPH Generalist Program 
  • Wednesday, August 26
    • 2:00 pm-3:30 pm ET – Online Learning at Harvard Chan
      • Hear from Media and Educational Technology Services (METS) and our Instructional Design Team about online learning at Harvard Chan. Get introduced to the Canvas learning management platform and learn what to expect from your online courses and what your course instructors will expect from you!
  • Thursday, August 27
    • 10:30 am-11:30 am ET – Get to Know your MPH-GEN Cohort
      • Get to know your fellow MPH-GEN cohort members by joining us for icebreakers and informal breakout conversations!
  • Friday, August 28
  • 12:30 pm-1:30 pm ET – MPH-GEN Drop-In Hour

Online Master of Science Program Orientation Schedule

  • Wednesday, August 26
    • 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm ET – Introduction to Online Master of Science Program
      • Join the Online SM Faculty Director, Jeff Miller, for an overview and expectations of the program in addition to meeting the other students in your cohort. Click here to register. 
    • 2:00 pm-3:30 pm ET – Online Learning at Harvard Chan
      • Hear from Media and Educational Technology Services (METS) and our Instructional Design Team about online learning at Harvard Chan. Get introduced to the Canvas learning management platform and learn what to expect from your online courses and what your course instructors will expect from you!
  • Thursday, August 27th 
    • 9:00 am – 10:15 am ET – Connect and Collaborate
      • Join Anne Occhipinti, Assistant Dean for Professional Education, and your fellow cohort members for a collaborative session designed to help you get to know one another and build connections. Click here to register.
  • Friday, August 28th

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In addition to our degree programs, we offer highly targeted programs through our Advanced Learning Academy, directed and taught by Harvard faculty.

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