Newly Enrolled Students

All GSSWSR communications will be sent to your Bryn Mawr College email: studentname@brynmawr.edu. To access your email, first contact the Help Desk at 610-526-7440 to set up your account and password. If you reach voicemail, leave your full name or Bryn Mawr username, and someone will get back to you. After receiving your password, go to webmail.brynmawr.edu and log in using your email and new password. Please review the Acceptable Use policy before using your account. 

Upon logging in, you'll be prompted to enroll in Duo, the College's multi-factor authentication service. We recommend setting up multiple devices to ensure you can always access your account. 

ABMSS Students: Re-activate your BMC Email 

In addition to your Bryn Mawr email account, you will need access to several other student accounts, including BiONiC and Moodle, during your time at Bryn Mawr.  
 
Your username for these accounts is your Bryn Mawr email address without @brynmawr.edu. The username is case sensitive and your password is the same as your email account password.  
 
If you need help accessing these accounts, contact the Help Desk at 610-526-7440. Please leave a voicemail if no one answers your call.

Soon after your BMC email account is activated, you will receive an email with instructions on how to activate your Sonia account*. Please activate your account. This email may be sent to your personal email address, so please check both. The steps outlined in the email should be completed as soon as possible.

After your BMC email is activated, you will also receive an email from the Practicum Office with instructions on scheduling a meeting with either the Director or Assistant Director of Practicum Education to discuss the practicum placement process. 

Part-Time Students: Part-time students do not need to activate an account in Sonia until their second year. 
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• *What's Sonia? Sonia is the online database used to manage your Practicum Education. You'll have questionnaires and assignments to complete for the Practicum Education Office in the Sonia system.

We invite you to connect with your new classmates and share helpful resources in our exclusive Facebook group for incoming students. This is a great way to get to know your peers and stay informed as you start your graduate school journey. Simply request to join the group at your convenience.  If your Facebook name differs from the one on your application, please reach out to Kate Fuller for assistance. 

We also invite you to follow the GSSWSR at Facebook and Linked In. 

Once we have your Bryn Mawr email, you may create an account on JobX to search for student employment opportunities.  Sign up here. 

TELUS Health Students Support Services  

• Free to all currently enrolled students. 
• Confidential mental health support with a counselor at no cost to you. 
• Speak with a counselor 24/7 via telephone or chat.  
• Telephone, video, and in-person counseling by appointment for short-term support. 
• Language and lived-experience counselor matching upon request.  
• Self-directed resources including articles, videos, assessments, virtual fitness, and much more. 
• Download the app now: iPhone  Android 

Healthiest You 

If you have insurance through Bryn Mawr College, you can login to the UHCSR portal (firststudent.com) to access free online counseling services through Healthiest You. When you sign up for Healthiest You, make sure you choose to sign up using your insurance UnitedHealthcare ID # so that your sessions are 100 percent covered! Even if you do not have the school insurance, telehealth services are available for a fee — go to firststudent.com. 

Click here for information about our Counseling Services during the academic year. 

The Student and Career Services team is dedicated to supporting you holistically throughout your journey at GSSWSR. We offer one-on-one assistance with any aspect of your education and experience, ensuring you have the resources and guidance you need to thrive. Our academic supports include access to the Writing Center, academic coaching, and skill-building in areas like academic reading and writing. Beyond academics, we’re committed to fostering a sense of belonging and connection within our community through student-led activities and groups. We're here to help you succeed both inside and outside the classroom. 

Find the Student Services Team on the ground floor of the GSSWSR building.  Feel free to reach out to Marcy Nyachogo, Director of Student & Career Services, directly at mnyachogo@brynmawr.edu  

Did you know that ALL Bryn Mawr Students (that includes us!) are required to complete Information Security Training Modules each year?  If you’re unsure if this applies to you, please check out the Eligibility Questionnaire on Ask Athena.  After you complete the questionnaire, it will provide a link and instructions to complete the modules.   

Please review instructions and access the training link here: https://askathena.brynmawr.edu/help/information-security-education-program 

Note: You do not need to complete all five (5) modules in one sitting -- your progress is saved automatically! Each module should take ~10 minutes. 

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Help Desk (help@brynmawr.edu, 610-526-7440) if you have any questions or issues! 

Prior to meeting with the Director or Assistant Director of Practicum Education, complete the following: 

• Complete the Pre-Placement Questionnaire in Sonia 
• Upload an up-to-date resume into Sonia 
• Upload your Mandated Reporter Training Certificate into Sonia. If you need to complete the training, the University of Pittsburgh’s Child Welfare Resource Center offers an approved free on-line training at https://www.reportabusepa.pitt.edu/. 

Advanced Standing Students: Part-time students do not need to meet with the Practicum Office until they are preparing for their Foundation year practicum. 

MSS/ABMSS Students:

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with your new colleagues, learn about the resources available to you, and kick off your grad school Experience!  Date, time, location.  

Click here to RSVP. Please be reminded that attendance is required for all incoming students. 

Advanced Standing Students: 

You will have your own Welcome Retreat in June before your summer classes begin.  Don't miss this opportunity to connect with your new colleagues, learn about the resources available to you, and kick off your grad school experience!  Date, time, location. 

Click here to RSVP. Please be reminded that attendance is required for all incoming students. 

Join Us This Summer for the GPS Workshop! 

Prepare for success in graduate school while connecting with your colleagues through our Graduate and Professional School (GPS) Program. This unique workshop, offered both virtually and in-person, is designed to help you brush up on essential academic skills before the start of the year. 

Workshop Description 
The GPS Program provides enrolled students with the tools and strategies needed for academic success in graduate school.  

Topics include APA formatting, planning and organizing papers, reviewing scholarly articles, study skills, and time management. Don’t miss this opportunity to build your confidence and get a head start on your academic journey! 

Dates and registration links for virtual and in-person options 

Students entering the GSSWSR may waive the following first-semester courses by passing a waiver exam:  

1. B503 - Research Informed Practice I  
2. B504 –Research Informed Practice II 

Students must have satisfactorily completed undergraduate or graduate coursework in the area in which they are taking the waiver exam. 

This coursework must be supported by an official transcript. Waiver exams must be taken before coursework begins.  

To apply for waiver examinations, please complete this application form. 

ABMSS Students: You have a unique Plan of Study approved by the Undergraduate Dean’s Office, their Major Advisor, and the Graduate School of Social Work Advisor.   

Students enrolling in the GSSWSR who have completed graduate level courses at another accredited college or university (as well as students who are enrolled in an Articulation Agreement) may be eligible for transfer credit. 

1. The GSSWSR will grant transfer credit for up to two foundation-level courses and one elective for a total of three transfer credits. 
2. Courses must have been taken within the last five years and a grade of "B" or better must have been earned. 
3. Students requesting transfer credit must provide a syllabus, an official transcript verifying the course 

and grade, and any other related materials needed.  for an assessment to be made by faculty teaching the comparable Bryn Mawr course. Request for transfer credit must be made before students begin the program. 

Advanced Standing Students:

Students in the Advanced Standing program may receive transfer credit for up to eight courses, including six generalist year courses plus two units of field instruction. All transferred courses must have been taken within the last 5 years and a grade of “B” or better must have been earned. In addition, an official transcript from the institution at which the courses were taken must be submitted along with syllabi and any other related materials. 

In the Advanced Standing program, the potentially transferrable courses from an accredited BSW program are: 

• Foundation Practice I 
• Foundation Practice II 
• Research Informed Practice I 
• Research Informed Practice II 
• Socia Policy Foundations 
• Theoretical Perspectives in Social Work 
• Field I 
• Field II 

Fall 2025 bills will be available in late July and payment will be due in early September. For more information about billing and payment, visit the Student Accounts website. 

To learn more about how to afford your degree, click here. 

Review the  NASW Code of Ethics and sign confirmation here. 

Opt out photo release form 

Learn about this opportunity here.   

To make sure you have access to campus facilities and resources, you will need a Bryn Mawr College OneCard (ID card). This card is your official ID for both Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges, providing access to libraries, meal plans, and various facilities—including the GSSWSR building. Please note that the GSSWSR doors are always locked, and you'll need your OneCard to enter. 

To apply for your OneCard, follow these steps: 

1. Visit this website. 
2. Click "Sign up now!" 
3. Register and upload a photo for your ID card. 
4. Pick up your OneCard at your summer Welcome Retreat or at the Dean’s Office in the GSSWSR building once classes begin 

Make sure to complete this process ahead of time so you have your OneCard ready for the start of the semester!   

For those students who completed the OneCard application process, you may pick up your Welcome Retreat from the Dean’s Office Staff upon check-in at the Welcome Retreat.  If Dean’s Office Staff do not have your card, you should reach out to the One Card Office directly using the contact info below.  Please be ready to reference your OneCard number, which was in the instructional Admission's email on how to set up your own Bryn Mawr email address.  

Phone: 610-896-1111 or 
Email: onecard@brynmawr.edu 

For questions related to your OneCard, please contact the OneCard Office here. 

Parking Pass Information: 

Please be advised that you can obtain your Bryn Mawr Parking Pass (needed for both the GSSWSR lot and all parking lots on campus) at the Campus Safety Building, located across the parking lot from the Campus Center at 908 New Gulph Rd, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010.  To obtain your pass, you'll need to present: 

• Drivers License, 
• Proof of Insurance, 
• Registration, and 
• Bryn Mawr One Card 

Please fill out the request form here first.  The “Department Contact” should be Dr. Michelle Talbert-Horsey.  The fee for the academic year is $35, which can be billed to you or paid on the spot.  Please be sure to put GSSWSR under “Campus Mail Address,” as we have a lower parking rate than undergrad students.  If payment presents a barrier, please connect with Marcy to explore solutions. 

Waiver available end of June and due Aug. 31. 

More information about this process and links to the college's insurance provider are available on the Student Accounts website. Domestic students who do not waive the student health insurance by August 31 are automatically enrolled and the charge is added to their student account. International students are automatically enrolled in the international student policy, and waiver is not available. 

Advanced Standing Students: For Advanced Standing Students who need to enroll in health insurance early, please contact  Student Accounts to get prorated insurance before the start of the academic year. 

Meet with the Director or Assistant Director of Practicum Education. They will work with you to secure an approved social work practicum.  

Once matched with an approved social work practicum, schedule an interview with the site’s contact person. Prepare for your interview by researching the site and the population served, develop potential questions to ask, and anticipate questions you might be asked.  After the interview, send a ‘thank you’ email to the site’s contact person to confirm your acceptance of the practicum and inquire about the next steps/on-boarding requirements. Notify the Director or Assistant Director of Practicum Education of your acceptance of the practicum.  

If you do not receive an offer to complete a practicum at the site or have reservations about completing your practicum at the site, please contact either the Director or Assistant Director of Practicum Education to discuss your reservations and next steps.  

Provide your practicum site with the documentation that is required prior to starting.  

Complete the practicum confirmation form in Sonia once initiated by the Practicum Education Office. 

Advanced Standing Students: Part-time students do not need to secure a practicum until later in the year. 

Be sure to attend the optional GPS in-person training on ______. 

Workshop Description 
The GPS Program provides enrolled students with the tools and strategies needed for academic success in graduate school.  

Topics include APA formatting, planning and organizing papers, reviewing scholarly articles, study skills, and time management. Don’t miss this opportunity to build your confidence and get a head start on your academic journey! 

Join the Graduate Admissions Office and members of the faculty and staff of the GSSWSR for our Philly-themed July Summer Social.  You’ll have the opportunity to meet your new classmates, chat with GSSWSR staff, play some lawn games, and enjoy some snacks! 

Welcome Retreat Details

The retreat will take place on Tuesday August 20th 8:30-4 PM in Dalton Hall, Room 300 (230 N. Merion Ave. Bryn Mawr, PA 19010). We encourage you to arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 AM to ensure you have time to check in, grab some breakfast, and get your One Card, which will be essential for your time as a GSSWSR student. 

• Location: 
  Free parking is available in the lot next to the Student Life and Wellness Building in addition to multiple other parking lots. You can map to this pin if you are driving.  If you’re commuting by SEPTA, you should depart at the Bryn Mawr Station, not the Rosemont Station (which is closer to our GSSWSR for class days). Additional maps and directions, including additional parking lots, can be found on the Bryn Mawr College website here. Look for spots labeled for "students and/or visitors."  Further instructions regarding parking passes will be provided during the retreat.   
  Dalton 300 is fully wheelchair accessible from the side entrance indicated on the map.  On the floor of our training room (3rd floor), there are 2 gender-neutral single stall bathrooms available. 
• Food Arrangements: 
  Breakfast and lunch will be provided during the Welcome Retreat. If you indicated any dietary restrictions upon registering, we will be working with Dining Services to attempt to meet your needs as best we can.  Anyone is welcome to pack additional food and/or snacks as well.   
• Orientation Agenda: 
  The morning sessions will focus on orientation information, helping you get to know our community and the GSSWSR program. We’ll be joined for lunch by current students, alums, faculty, and community partners, offering you a great opportunity to connect with key members of our community. In the afternoon, Donna Harris will lead us in an "Engaging Difference" workshop, which promises to be a thought-provoking and valuable experience. 
• Additionally, a virtual tour of our facilities will be offered during the program, and for those who are interested, an optional in-person tour will take place at 4:00 PM, once the program has concluded. 

Advanced Standing Students: You need not attend the August Welcome Retreat, as you've already completed your orientation activities. Part-time students do not need to attend the Practicum orientation on Tuesday, August 19th. 

GPS

Summer Socials

New Student Orientation Activities

Students will be given instructions for course registration via email over the summer. Registration information is also shared in Moodle in the GSSWSR Administrative Information For Students shell. You can access Moodle after you have set up your Bryn Mawr email. Course registration will take place in Bionic once you have received your registration email. 

Student services cover a wide range of topics including career services, writing support, technical support, student groups, student government, and more. For more information, visit the Student Services section of our Student Support page or the GSSWSR Current Students Information and Resources shell in Moodle.

Reach out directly to the GSSWSR Student Support staff:

Marcy Nyachogo, LSW

she/her/hers

Director of Student & Career Services

mnyachogo@brynmawr.edu

Mary Florence Sullivan, MSW, Ph.D. Candidate 

she/her/hers

Program Coordinator, Center for Student Success and Social Sector Leadership

msullivan@brynmawr.edu