Welcome to the School of Social Work at Portland State University. Whether you are considering entry in to the field of social work or looking to enhance your current social work practice knowledge, you are selecting a challenging and rewarding career.

Students graduating from the M.S.W. program at Portland State University are prepared to enter advanced professional practice in one of three areas: Direct Human Services, Community Based Practice or Social Service Administration and Leadership.

We offer a number of options for completing the M.S.W. program. Depending on your life circumstances, you can select the one that will work best for you.

Two year option: Three classes each term plus a 2 day a week field placement. With this option we encourage you to limit outside employment to part time.
Three year option: Two classes each term in the first year of the program, followed by two years of with two classes each term and a field placement 2 days a week or 16 hours. We do not offer week-end or evening placements.
Four-year option: Two classes per term in the first year and two or three classes per term in the third year. Students take field practicum and one class per term in the second and fourth years.
Distance options are available in two locations in Oregon each year. In this study option students travel to Portland one Friday and Saturday each month for classes during the first year. In years two and three, students take classes at the distance site on Fridays and participate in a 2 day a week field placement in their local communities.
Advanced Standing Option for students who have completed a BSW degree from a CSWE accredited program in the past five years.

The links to the left will assist you in learning more about our MSW program and how you can apply.

Chris Verschuyl (Alumnus, MSW '06) came to social work gradually, without realizing at first what it was called. more

For Prospective Students M.S.W. Program

For Prospective Students
M.S.W. Program