Graduate Student Orientation
Graduate Student Orientation 2026
Welcome to the University of Kentucky! We are planning numerous events to orient our new graduate students to UK and Lexington. This website will help you navigate all the activities so you don't miss out on important information about resources and opportunities to engage with your peers.
August 10, 2026
University-Wide Orientation
All incoming graduate students are invited to this University-wide Orientation event to meet key administrative and student leaders. The speakers will introduce you to UK and highlight services available to you. Attend the Resource Fair to talk to representatives from over two dozen units available to support you.
Register to attend on August 10
Fill out the form below to RSVP for the University-wide orientation on August 10. Indicate if you plan to bring any guests along with you, and let us know topics you are interested in learning more about.
International Students
Incoming International Graduate Students are required to attend an international student session taking place in the afternoon on August 10. More information will be emailed to your UK email address.
August 11-12, 2026
Teaching Assistant Orientation
Required for all new TAs at the university regardless of prior teaching experience; has both in-person sessions and online modules
- Asynchronous online modules available on Canvas beginning Monday, August 3, 2026. Must be completed by the first day of classes.
- In-person session #1 - Microteaching Introduction and Preparation: Tuesday, August 11, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- In-person session #2 - Microteaching Presentation and Feedback: Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
TA Orientation Requirements
Graduate School tuition funding is contingent upon your completion of all required TA Orientation events within the first semester of your teaching assistantship. If you do not complete all of the requirements by the end of your second semester, you may not continue as a TA.
Find more information about all TA Orientation requirements below:
August 13-21, 2026
College and Department Orientations
Your school or program orientation will provide you information about your academic program and requirements including advising and registering for classes.
If available, see more information about each school's new-student orientation schedule, related website links, and contact information below.
Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment
Graduate Student and Post-Doctoral Scholar Welcome:
Date:
Friday, August 21, 2026
Time:
11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location:
Martin-Gatton Agricultural Sciences Building
Welcome Event Information
Program-specific orientation information:
- Animal and Food Sciences
- Date: Monday, August 24, 2026
- Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
- Location: Room 401, Garrigus Building
- Integrated Plant and Soil Sciences
- Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
- Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Cameron Auditorium, Plant Sciences Building
- Forest and Natural Resource Sciences
- Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
- Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Thomas Poe Cooper Building
- Family Sciences
- Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
- Time: 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Scovell Hall
- Nutrition and Food Systems
- Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
- Time: 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
- Location: Scovell Hall
College of Arts and Sciences
Each department within the College of Arts and Sciences facilitates their own orientation. Contact your department's Director of Graduate Studies for orientation information.
Gatton College of Business and Economics
Part-Time MBA Program
- Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
- Time: Starting at 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Gatton College of Business & Economics Building
Specialized Masters Orientation*
- Date: Thursday, August 30, 2026
- Time: Starting at 9:00 a.m.
- Location: Gatton College of Business & Economics Building
*Includes Accounting, Finance, Strategic Human Resource Management & Analytics, Supply Chain Management, and Marketing
Questions? Contact Candace Bramley-Hardesty
College of Communication and Information
For students enrolled in the Communication MA and PHD program:
Contact:
Renee Kaufmann, PhD
Associate Dean of Graduate Programs
Find the full College of Communication orientation schedule below:
Pigman College of Engineering
Each department within the Pigman College of Engineering facilitates their own orientation. Find information about each program's orientation schedule below:
College of Fine Arts
The College of Fine Arts Orientation is mandatory for all College of Fine Arts Teaching Assistants.
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
College of Medicine - Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program
Dates:
Tuesday, August 11 - Saturday, August 21, 2026
Contact:
Diane Lally and J. Kennedy
Find the tentative schedule below:
Integrated Biomedical Sciences Orientation Schedule
Martin School of Public Policy
Patterson School of Diplomacy
Dates:
Wednesday August 19 - Friday, August 21, 2026
Times:
August 19, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
August 20, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
August 21, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Contact:
Nash Meade