New Student Onboarding

ACTION ITEM

New Student Orientation for the MPH, MS in Biostatistics, and MS in Epidemiology Program will take place in person on JUNE 17, 2026.  Orientation is MANDATORY. 

Please fill out RSVP FORM

MPH Orientation:
9:15am-4:00pm
Lurie Cancer Research Center- Hughes Auditorium
303 E. Superior, Chicago IL 60611
ORIENTATION AGENDA

MS in Biostatistics Orientation:
10:15am-4:00pm
Lurie Cancer Research Center- Gray Auditorium
303 E. Superior, Chicago IL 60611
ORIENTATION AGENDA

MS in Epidemiology Orientation:

ACTION ITEM

Please complete the survey below prior to attending orientation. 

NEW STUDENT SURVEY 

ACTION ITEM

All students are issued a Wildcard (Northwestern University ID). Please submit a photo online for your Wildcard by May 29, 2026.

The Wildcard Office is located at 345 E. Superior Street, 15th floor, Chicago, IL 60611 

You will need to either book an appointment to pick up your Wildcard or request for it to be mailed. Please visit the wildcard office for step by step instructions. 

ACTION ITEM

The University Pass (U-Pass) is a discounted fare card that replaces cash/other transit cards for all Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) fares and may be used 365 days/year on CTA trains and buses. The CTA has chosen to make the TGS U-Pass program optional on a quarterly basis. All full-time, part-time, and online TGS students are eligible to opt in to this program. The Graduate School will send out a communication with directions on how to opt in.

Please ensure that you submit your photo for the Wildcard by May 29,2026. The same photo will be used for your U-Pass.

For further questions and eligibility details:  tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu

ACTION ITEM

Once you've accepted the offer of admission, The Graduate School Admissions Office will send an email with your Northwestern NetID activation details. Activate your NetID as soon as you receive it, then set up your university email account. Your Northwestern email address will be used for all academic correspondence from faculty, student account notices and communications from The Graduate School and University. 

ACTION ITEM

Once you have been matriculated as a student in The Graduate School (typically 2 weeks before the start of a quarter), log into CAESAR to enter your Emergency Contact information in your student profile. All new students will have a hold on their account until these details are entered. Get instructions for updating emergency contact details. 

 

To avoid a registration hold, please complete this action item before attending orientation. 

ACTION ITEM

All Northwestern University students will be required to read and acknowledge the Financial Responsibility Agreement (FRA) on an annual basis. This acknowledgment is a mandatory step in the registration process. 

The FRA replaces the previously published Financial Regulations pamphlet, consolidating essential information about student financial obligations into a more accessible and efficient format. 

Failure to complete the FRA within 30 days of assignment will result in a registration hold, and students will be unable to register for classes until the acknowledgment is submitted. 

How to Access: 

To review and sign the Financial Responsibility Agreement (FRA): 

• Log in to CAESAR; Student Homepage appears 
• Go to Student Agreements tile 
• Under To Do, click on Student Financial Responsibility Agreement 

For a step by step guide, please see the FRA Knowledgebase: Preventing or Removing the FRA hold 

To avoid a registration hold, please complete this action item before attending orientation.  

ACTION ITEM

Northwestern University requires all students to review and familiarize themselves with the University Student Handbook. Students must annually attest that they will abide by all policies contained in the handbook.

• Review the Northwestern University Student Handbook 
• Complete the Student Handbook Attestation in CAESAR.  
• For a step by step guide, please see the Knowledgebase: Student Handbook Attestation.  

To avoid a registration hold, please complete this action item before attending orientation. 

ACTION ITEM

Full-time (3 or more classes) and half-time (2 classes) students at Northwestern are required to meet immunization requirements. Part-time (1 class) students are not required to fulfill these requirements. This includes submitting proof of immunizations as required by the State of Illinois, as well as entering their own immunizations via Northwestern Personal Health Portal (PNC).  

Penalties for not fulfilling the immunization requirements include a hold on subsequent registration and a non-refundable $100 late fee. PENALTIES ARE NEVER ASSESSED PRIOR TO THE START OF CLASSES. 
 
See the Requirement Deadlines page for more information. 

ACTION ITEM

All degree-seeking students are required to carry health insurance that meets minimal criteria. The Northwestern University Student Health Insurance Plan (NU-SHIP) is the designated student insurance option that meets mandated requirements. Degree-seeking students will be automatically enrolled in and billed for this coverage plan unless they waive coverage during open enrollment periods.  To complete the online waiver in CAESAR, refer to the instructions on the NU-SHIP webpage and have details about your existing insurance coverage available.  

If you are waiving NU SHIP coverage you must do so during the open enrollment period: 5/20/2026-7/3/2026

***MS in Biostatistics Students Only***

ACTION ITEM

The Calculus Readiness Exam will be held the day after orientation to help ensure students are adequately prepared for success in key biostatistics coursework. Both Probability (BIOSTAT 303) and Statistics Inference (BIOSTAT 403) courses are required for two of the three possible MS in Biostatistics Concentrations: (1) The Concentration in Statistical Bioinformatics, and (2) The Concentration in  Statistical Methods and Practice. 

When students struggle with calculus, it often becomes significantly more challenging to grasp statistical theory, which builds directly on these foundational skills. For students who find the readiness exam particularly challenging, it will be helpful for them to consider the Population Health Analytics concentration as their choice because it does not require these calculus-based courses.

Exam Logistics:

• June 18 @12pm (location and other logistics will be shared at orientation)
• 10 questions paper-pencil format
• No notes and no calculators permitted
• Exam results will be given to students prior to the add/drop deadline to make informed course decisions

Exam Study Resources: 

1. Four-Part Coursera University of Pennsylvania Calculus Course, taught by Robert Ghrist

    Calculus: Single Variable

    Part 1 - Functions

    Part 2 - Differentiation

    Part 3 - Integration

    Part 4 - Applications

2. Calculus (Barron's College Review Series) 1st Edition

3. Paul's Online Notes

Please review the technology requirements below. 

Feinberg School of Medicine Computer Requirements for Incoming Students 2026.

To familiarize you with our campus, please watch the following virtual campus tour and explore the campus map. 

Virtual Campus Tour

Campus Map

Please review the student handbooks:

MPH Student Handbook

MS in Biostatistics Student Handbook

MS in Epidemiology Student Handbook

MD/MPH and DPT/MPH students: if you will be applying for financial aid, please review the instructions provided by the Chicago Graduate Financial Aid Office. 

MS, MPH (both full and part time) and APHP: If you will be applying for financial aid, through The Graduate School, please review the instructions provided by the Evanston Graduate Financial Aid Office. 

For information regarding tuition rates and other fees please visit Student Financial Services. 

All incoming students will register for classes AFTER attending orientation.                                               

Summer 2026 Schedule

Fall 2026 Schedule

Below you will find each degree program's plan of study, organized by concentration, where applicable. As you start reviewing your plan, we encourage you to watch the video below, which walks you through an example on how to complete your plan of study.

You will have time during orientation and at the beginning of the summer quarter to connect with both your staff academic advisor and faculty advisor. They will help answer your questions and guide you as you finalize and submit your plan of study. More details will be shared at orientation.

PLAN OF STUDY VIDEO

Master of Public Health:

Dual Degree DPT/MPH

DPT/MPH Competency Selection Form

Dual Degree MD/MPH

MD/MPH Competency Selection Form

Community Health Research & Evaluation Full-Time

Community Health Research & Evaluation Part-Time

Data Science Full-Time

Data Science Part-Time

Epidemiology Full-Time

Epidemiology Part-Time

Generalist Full-Time

Generalist Part-Time

MPH Generalist Competency Selection Form

Global Health Full-Time

Global Health Part-Time

Implementation Science Full-Time

Implementation Science Part-Time

Maternal Child Health Full-Time

Maternal Child Health Part-Time

 

Master of Science in Biostatistics:

Population Health Analytics

Statistical Bioinformatics

Statistical Methods & Practice

 

Master of Science in Epidemiology:

MS in Epidemiology Full-Time

 

Please review the Program in Public Health Competencies:

 Program in Public Health Competencies