Upon acceptance, students are required to attend an New Student Orientation (NSO). The five-day sessions occur in September and March, in Santa Barbara, California.

During the NSO, students work with faculty to assess their academic readiness, evaluate research and personal skills, and familiarize themselves with Fielding’s learning model. The NSO gives students a head start on setting academic and professional goals. Students develop a support group of faculty and student peers and become part of the HOD community of scholar-practitioners.