M.S.W. Program - Distance Option

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.

The Master of Social Work-Distance Option degree program is designed to prepare graduates for entry into advanced professional practice in social work.  Students graduating from the M.S.W.-Distance Option program enter advanced professional practice in a variety of positions throughout human services. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to work effectively with our increasingly diverse communities. The coursework follows a foundation of courses in Diversity and Social Justice, Social Welfare Policy and Services, Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Social Work Research, and Generalist Social Work Practice and Advanced Social Work Practice.

The M.S.W-Distance Option is a combination of onsite instruction and web-enhanced course delivery instruction with field practice in students’ local communities through a range of human service organizations. The MSW-Distance Option is a three-year program with courses offered on intensive weekends (Friday and Saturday) four times a term on the main campus in Portland during the first year for the Eugene and Salem sites. The second and third year courses are offered every Friday at each of these two sites. Classes are held in the Ashland and Bend sites on Fridays for all three years of the program.

The M.S.W. Program at Portland State University is the only graduate-level social work program in the state of Oregon that is accredited by the national Council on Social Work Education. The M.S.W. Program is a 78 credit program with classes offered in a three-quarter system, in Fall, Winter, and Spring terms.

Before entering the School, all students are encouraged to have obtained paid, volunteer, or practicum experience in human or social services. Students work closely with members of the faculty, and there is ample opportunity for students to pursue particular intellectual and professional interests. Several of the 30 full-time and 25 part-time faculty teach in the M.S.W.-Distance Option.

We are currently recruiting for the Ashland, Bend, and Salem sites, which all begin Fall 2010.

Please contact Erika Gitchell with general questions about the distance program and applying to the Distance Option at 503-725-8065 or by email at erikag@pdx.edu. For program specific information please contact Mindy Holliday, Program Director, at 503-725-8068 or by email at hollidaym@pdx.edu or contact the local site coordinator:

• Ashland – Gretchen Thiel 541-552-8111 or gthiel@pdx.edu
• Bend – Gary W. Smith 541-389-9012 or smithgw@pdx.edu
• Salem – Ginger Edwards 503-725-8538 or gingere@pdx.edu