Portland-State-University 2024-2025 Bulletin

Admission requirements

Baccalaureate Social Work

Students must be admitted to the Baccalaureate Social Work (BSW) program in order to complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree with a major in social work (B.A. or B.S.). Students are admitted as juniors (90 credits completed). Two cohorts will be admitted annually during spring term to start in the fall. One cohort will be admitted to our Portland campus program and one cohort to our BSW online program. Information on both options can be found on the website listed below. Additional information and an application form can be obtained by calling 503-725-4712, by writing Portland State University, School of Social Work, PO Box 751, Portland, OR 97207, or by visiting the School’s Web site, www.pdx.edu/social-work/bsw-bachelor-of-social-work.

Applicants to the BSW program must have completed at least one: A) 4 credit 200 level course in psychology; B) 4 credit 200 level course in sociology; C) 4 credit 200 level course in human development. Applicants are also advised to take SW 301 Introduction to Social Work, since this course is designed, in part, to assist interested students in selecting social work as a profession. If applicants have not completed this requirement prior to admission, they must take it once they are enrolled in the major.

The application must include an application form, answers to essay questions, two reference forms, two reference letters, and transcripts from all colleges the student has attended submitted to PSU. Students will be required to attend an on-campus orientation session prior to beginning their course of study. Orientation schedule information will be provided at the time of admission. Students must also read the BSW Program Handbook, which is available online at www.pdx.edu/social-work/bsw-bachelor-of-social-work.

Master of Social Work

Students are admitted once a year. Admission is selective; applications and all supporting materials must be submitted by the appropriate deadlines for consideration for admission in Summer or Fall terms. Early submission of application materials is encouraged. Further application information is available on-line through the school’s website at: http://www.pdx.edu/ssw/.

The M.S.W. program of the School of Social Work is open to qualified graduates from colleges and universities of recognized standing. Undergraduate preparation should include a broad background in liberal arts and sciences including natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Competence in written and spoken English is important for social work practice. Students whose native language is not English should include the scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Graduates of bachelor of social work (B.S.W.) programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education may apply for advanced standing. Students who have completed up to one year of study toward the M.S.W. degree at another graduate school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education may apply for admission and transfer of credits.

Students admitted to the master’s program are required to be in continuous enrollment unless an approved leave of absence has been granted. A student who withdraws from the School must reapply.

For the M.S.W.-M.P.H. dual degree, students must submit separate applications to each program (the School of Social Work and the OHUS-PSU School of Public Health). The MSW Program and the MPH programs admit students in fall term only.. Additional guidelines for admissions for Public Health are at https://ohsu-psu-sph.org/grad -admissions/

To maximize the number of shared credit opportunities, we recommend starting both programs at the same time; however, it is possible to add the MPH after beginning the MSW.  The MSW student would then only submit an application to the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health and be accepted.

Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work and Social Research

Applicants for admission must have a master’s degree in social work or a related field.  Applicants must demonstrate writing ability and the capacity for creative and independent work.  Students must apply to and be accepted into the doctoral program and be admitted to the University as a graduate student. As part of the admission procedure, students must furnish:

  • transcripts of undergraduate and graduate studies;
  • an example of scholarly writing;
  • names of three references, two of whom must be academic; 
  • a personal statement; and
  • a resume

Students whose native language is not English should include the scores of the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE-Academic exam scores. Application materials for the Ph.D. program are available through the school’s Web site at: www.pdx.edu/ssw/.

Application must be made by January 15; admission to the program is for the fall term only.  The program admits students every other year.  The next admission applications will be open in fall 2024.

Residence

The minimum credit hour requirement for the Ph.D. is 90, of which at least 27 must be devoted to the dissertation. See the Portland State University general doctoral degree requirements.