Portland State MSW

Portland State University leads Oregon’s social work education landscape. Founded in 1961, it remains the state’s only public institution that awards both graduate and undergraduate Social Work degrees. The school ranks among the top 12% of Social Work Schools nationwide according to U.S. News & World Report.

Portland State University’s Master of Social Work program gives you multiple location choices. Students can earn their MSW on campus in Portland, Eugene, or Central Oregon, or complete it online. PSU pioneered the Pacific Northwest’s first online MSW program. The program welcomes students from 49 states, with Colorado being the only exception due to specific requirements.

PSU’s MSW program has earned special recognition in key areas. Social Work Degree Center ranks it as the #1 online MSW macro degree. This recognition shows PSU’s excellence in teaching community-focused social work. Students learn to create meaningful change at both organizational and systemic levels.

The MSW program at Portland State University has a clear purpose: it prepares leaders who can dismantle oppressive systems, create racial equity and social justice, and improve life for diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and tribal nations. This innovative approach equips you to tackle complex social challenges through critical thinking and theoretical understanding.

The School of Social Work makes education more affordable. Students receive over $250,000 in scholarships each year across all programs. These funds help remove financial obstacles for both undergraduate and graduate students.

The school also leads in research and knowledge creation. Faculty members at the Regional Research Institute and the Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services generate about $11 million in yearly research funding. This active research environment lets you work with innovative developments in social work practice.

The School of Social Work’s 50-year history of community partnerships has created a vast network that opens doors for students’ learning and career opportunities. Yes, it is worth noting that PSU alumni make up more than half of Oregon’s licensed social workers, which shows the program’s lasting effect on the state’s social work profession.

Programs offered

Portland State University’s Master of Social Work program provides multiple pathways that match your educational goals and life circumstances. The complete MSW curriculum requires 78 credits for traditional students and 46 credits for advanced standing students. Students combine challenging coursework with hands-on field experience through 900 hours of practicum education, while advanced standing students complete 500 hours.

The Portland Option gives students maximum flexibility through three different timelines. Students in the Two-Year program take three classes each term and spend 12 hours weekly in practicum during their first year. Their second year includes a 16-hour-per-week practicum. The Three-Year program lets students take two classes each term in the first year. Students choosing the Four-Year option can spread their coursework across four years and complete practicum experiences during their second and third years.

PSU meets the needs of distance learners through several options. The Eugene Option runs at the University of Oregon Baker Downtown Center with Friday classes in a three-year curriculum. The Central Oregon Option at Central Oregon Community College in Bend also follows a three-year format. Students attend Friday classes from 9 am to 5 pm and spend two additional days on field practicum during years two and three.

The Online Option stands out as the Pacific Northwest’s first MSW online program. Students get the same course content as on-campus programs, specially adapted for online learning. The program includes regular synchronous sessions and weekly modules that let students manage their time effectively. Students from 49 states can enroll in the online program, though Colorado residents are not eligible.

Students select between two advanced concentrations after finishing foundation coursework: Advanced Clinical Practice or Advanced Macro Practice (Community and Organizational Practice). These paths create opportunities for careers in community leadership, advocacy, policy practice, human services administration, integrated health, and advanced healthcare practice.

PSU’s MSW program also offers specialized training through:

• School Social Work Licensure – Graduates learn to work in K-12 settings with focus on social justice, ecological viewpoint, and advocacy
• Graduate Certificate in Gerontology – An interdisciplinary program through the Institute on Aging
• Master of Public Health/Master Social Work Dual Degree – Students can choose tracks in Health Management and Policy or Health Promotion

Portland Option’s first-year students typically attend classes on Mondays, Tuesday evenings, and Wednesdays. Most courses run in three-hour blocks. Online students must join two-day virtual synchronous intensives when each academic year begins to promote community building.

About the online program

Made to be accessible, the online MSW at Portland State University is the first such program in the Pacific Northwest. This pioneering program delivers a similar curriculum to the on-campus version that excels in a digital world. Students like Melissa Pola graduated in 2023 while managing her family life and full-time work as an Addiction Counselor.

PSU’s learning management system Canvas delivers courses through 11-week segments with easy-to-follow learning modules. Students typically spend about 10 hours per week on each course. While you can complete most work on your own schedule, regular online meetings with faculty and classmates keep learning interactive. New students must join live seminar meetings during their original practicum throughout the academic year.

After finishing the generalist foundation curriculum, students choose between two advanced concentrations:

1. Advanced Macro Practice (community leadership and organizational change)
2. Advanced Clinical Practice (direct client services)

Students follow a set course order outlined in the Course Map. The program uses innovative teaching methods that support work-life-education balance through student-directed learning. PSU’s online MSW makes education accessible to more people who couldn’t previously access such degrees.

The program accepts students from all but one of these states – Colorado, due to specific program requirements. Healthcare practicum placements might be limited to Oregon because of local school and community partnerships.

Students can complete the program in two or three years. Traditional standing students finish part-time over three years and take six to nine credits each term. Advanced standing students can graduate in just four semesters by completing 46 credits.

The program previously required two-day campus visits at the start of each academic year. Now, these sessions happen online through PSU’s learning management system. This remote format removes travel needs while keeping the benefits of face-to-face interaction.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a vital indicator of program quality that will give a solid social work education meeting professional standards. The Portland State MSW program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This makes it the only public MSW degree offered in Oregon with this respected credential.

The CSWE accreditation covers all program formats, including the online option. Students get the same quality education that meets national standards whether they choose on-campus or online learning at Portland State MSW. Students who graduate can take licensure exams and receive recognition from employers across the profession.

CSWE accreditation involves a detailed peer-review process. It maintains similar outcome requirements across programs while allowing flexibility based on context. The Portland State University MSW program has clear missions and goals that line up with social work practice expectations. This accreditation shows the program’s high standards in training culturally competent practitioners.

PSU also has regional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. This institutional accreditation verifies the university’s academic quality and makes students eligible for federal financial aid programs.

Choosing an accredited program makes a big difference. Oregon only allows graduates from CSWE-accredited BSW or MSW programs to get licensed. This credential helps advance your career. Employers look for candidates from accredited schools because they know these programs provide thorough preparation.

The Portland State MSW stands among the nation’s best according to U.S. News & World Report. This recognition and formal accreditation show the program’s excellence in social work education.

CSWE aims to “ensure a well-educated social work profession equipped to promote health, well-being, and justice for all people in a diverse society”. The Portland State MSW program creates an educational community that prepares practitioners. These professionals can think critically, solve problems, and promote justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity effectively.

Admission Requirements

Portland State’s MSW program looks for students who can show both academic ability and dedication to social work values. The School of Social Work welcomes applicants who are passionate about social justice and can make real changes in their communities.

Students need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA or 3.0 in graduate coursework to join the traditional MSW program. Advanced standing applicants must have earned a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program within the last five years with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The program doesn’t require GRE scores for either option.

The regular standing (78-credit) program welcomes 250-300 students each year, while about 80 students join the advanced standing (46-credit) track. Here are the key parts of the application:

• Academic Background: Transcripts showing completion of a liberal arts foundation with coursework in social/behavioral sciences, natural sciences, and humanities/fine performing arts
• Experience: About 1,000 hours (six months equivalent) of human service work or volunteer experience
• References: Three recommendations from academic or professional sources who can speak to your fit for social work (not from relatives, therapists, or personal friends)
• Statement of Purpose: A 3-4 page personal statement that shows critical thinking and graduate-level writing skills
• Resume: A summary of your education, work history, and relevant social work experience

Students should submit unofficial transcripts during application. Official transcripts become necessary only after receiving an admission offer. International students need to provide proof of English language proficiency and financial documentation.

Most field placement sites require background checks for practicum placement. Your program completion might be affected if certain criminal convictions limit placement options. Students doing practicums in healthcare settings must meet specific immunization requirements and pass a 10-panel drug screen.

A committee of faculty members, community social workers, and current MSW students reviews each application carefully. They consider academic potential, relevant experience, reference quality, and how well candidates match social work values. Students receive application decisions by email, and qualified candidates might be placed on an alternate list if spots open up.

Tuition

The cost of your MSW education plays a crucial role when choosing a program. Portland State University’s tuition rates change based on how long you study, where you live, and how you take your classes.

Portland State MSW program shows clear pricing for all its paths in the 2025-2026 academic year. The Advanced Standing Option (46 credits) costs about $29,226 for residents and $40,542 for non-residents. The traditional 78-credit program comes with different price tags. Students pay $49,158 (residents) and $68,346 (non-residents) for the 2-year option. The 3-year path costs slightly more at $50,589 for residents and $69,777 for non-residents. The 4-year option reaches $52,272 for residents and $71,460 for non-residents.

The School of Social Work sets credit rates at $566 for Oregon residents, $622.60 for Washington Border Discount students, and $812 for non-residents. Online classes need an extra $22 per credit technology fee. Students choosing Central Oregon and Eugene options should know they’ll take 6-7 online courses (18-21 credits) during their program.

Portland State University stays dedicated to keeping graduate programs affordable. Students should factor in other expenses beyond tuition. The yearly cost estimates include:

• Books & Supplies: $750
• Housing & Food: $7,866-$17,445 (depends on where you live)
• Transportation: $828
• Personal Expenses: $921-$1,383

Students should start by looking into financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) if they can’t use FAFSA. PSU’s Scholarship Universe platform lets students apply for many scholarship options. The School of Social Work gives out specific scholarships and awards to help with costs.

Students can pay their full balance at the start of each term or sign up for the PSU Payment Plan. The university creates billing statements on the 16th of each month for accounts that owe money.

Additional Information

Field education is the cornerstone of Portland State’s MSW program. The School of Social Work calls field education its “signature pedagogy” in social work education. Every student must complete supervised training in real service settings. These placements help students become skilled at addressing urgent needs of vulnerable populations.

Students typically spend 16 hours each week at their agency placement sites. The Employed Social Worker Option lets you complete one of your two internships at your current workplace if you already work in social services. Some restrictions apply, but this setup helps you blend academic knowledge with hands-on experience.

The School’s research programs are a big deal as they make up about 20% of Portland State University’s external research funding. Its Regional Research Institute (RRI) and Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services build mutually beneficial alliances with local, regional, and international agencies. Students get opportunities to participate in advanced social work research through these centers.

Library resources are specifically designed to support social work students. A dedicated Social Work & Social Sciences Librarian provides one-on-one help. Students also have access to 24/7 online chat services when they need immediate research assistance. The library offers specialized guides for different courses and complete exam preparation materials for future licensure.

PSU’s student support services are extensive. More than 72% of students receive some type of financial aid. The Financial Wellness Center helps students make smart financial decisions during their education and beyond.

MSW graduates have excellent career prospects, earning a median salary of $57,241. This amount is higher than the national average of $51,347 for social work master’s graduates. Recent graduates work in mental health, substance abuse treatment, child welfare, policy development, community organizing, healthcare, criminal justice, and equity advocacy.