Portland State University Online MSW Program
The School of Social Work at Portland State University (PSU) offers an online Master of Social Work (MSW) program — the first MSW online option in the Pacific Northwest, now available to students in 49 states (currently excluding Colorado). PSU is the only public MSW program in Oregon accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
The online program is designed for those who have traditionally lacked access to graduate social work education, offering a structure that supports family, work, and school life balance. Courses use the Canvas learning management system and are organized into 11-week terms broken into smaller learning modules, requiring active engagement of approximately 10 hours per week per course. The majority of coursework can be completed asynchronously, though students will be expected to periodically participate in online face-to-face meetings with faculty and classmates. During their first practicum year, students also attend a weekly synchronous seminar for the entire academic year.
Sponsored Online MSW Programs
Learn More: Interview with Lisa Hawash – Coordinator for the Online MSW Program at PSU
“The School of Social Work has a long, successful history (over fifty years!) and is a top-ranked school, nationally.” Read more from Lisa Hawash’s interview
Both a Traditional Standing and an Advanced Standing option are available online. The program admits students once a year — Traditional Standing students begin in fall term; Advanced Standing students begin in summer term.
PSU’s School of Social Work MSW program is fully accredited by CSWE, and the university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
State restriction: The online program is available in 49 states. Due to specific program requirements, students residing in Colorado during the academic program are not eligible.
Program Overview
- Department: The Portland State University School of Social Work
- Email: SSWMSW@pdx.edu
- Phone: 503-725-3000
- Degree Types: Traditional Standing (Two-Year or Three-Year online); Advanced Standing (online)
- Concentrations (chosen after the generalist foundation year): Advanced Clinical Practice, Advanced Macro Practice
- Program Structure: Online with local field practicums (no campus visits required for the online option)
- Instruction Methods: Primarily asynchronous; periodic synchronous online meetings with faculty and peers required; weekly synchronous seminar required during first practicum year; cohort model; courses follow a prescribed sequence; fall/winter/spring terms with optional summer electives
- GRE: Not required
Program Information – Traditional Standing Students
The Traditional Standing online program is for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in any field (or a BSW but do not qualify for Advanced Standing). Students complete the generalist (foundation) year curriculum first, then choose one of two advanced concentrations — Advanced Clinical Practice or Advanced Macro Practice — for the second year. Electives supplement both foundation and advanced courses. Students in the Clinical concentration are required to take a course in Social Work Perspectives on Mental Health Disorders (adult or child/adolescent focus).
Curriculum
- Credit hours: 78
- 39 credits: Foundation/Generalist curriculum
- 21 credits: Advanced concentration curriculum
- 18 credits: Electives
Program Requirements
- Field Education Requirements: 900 hours total — Generalist practicum: 400 hours minimum (12 hours/week, fall–winter–spring of Year 1 or 2); Advanced practicum: 500 hours minimum (16 hours/week, fall–winter–spring of Year 2 or 3). Students are expected to have flexible work schedules to accommodate class and practicum requirements.
- Number of Credits Required: 78 credit hours
Program Length
- Two-Year Option: 13 credits per term (fall, winter, spring); no summer required but electives available
- Three-Year Option: 6–10 credits per term; summer electives available
- Start Dates: Fall only
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts foundation from a regionally accredited college/university or its international equivalent
- Liberal arts coursework demonstrated across three areas: (1) Social and Behavioral Sciences; (2) Natural Sciences; and (3) Humanities and Fine Performing Arts
- Relevant social work experience (paid, volunteer, or internship) in human service settings
- Personal statement demonstrating values, commitment to social work mission, critical thinking, and graduate-level writing ability
- Three letters of recommendation (from academic and/or social service professionals who can attest to academic readiness and professional suitability); all letters must be submitted electronically through the PSU application system; late materials are not accepted
- Official transcripts; GPA reviewed as part of holistic evaluation (no published minimum, though academic success is a key factor)
- GRE: Not required
- No mid-year admissions; students are notified of decisions in late April for fall enrollment
Program Information – Advanced Standing Students
The Advanced Standing option is for students who hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program (or international equivalent recognized through CSWE’s International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Services or a memorandum of understanding). Students skip the generalist foundation year and complete only the 46-credit advanced curriculum, beginning in summer term. The Advanced Standing online option is available for the Summer 2027 cohort.
Curriculum
- Credit Hours: 46
- Advanced concentration curriculum + electives
- Minimum two required courses in first summer; additional electives may also be taken
Program Requirements
- Field Education Requirements: 500 hours (Advanced practicum only — 16 hours/week)
- Number of Credits Required: 46 credit hours
Program Length
- Minimum 4 terms (summer + fall/winter/spring)
- Start Dates: Summer only
Admission Requirements
- BSW from a CSWE-accredited program completed within five years of admission to the MSW program
- Three letters of recommendation; at least one must address academic readiness for graduate-level coursework (preferably from the BSW program)
- Practicum evaluation from the BSW program demonstrating satisfactory generalist practice experience (required for applicants applying before receiving their BSW degree; full admission contingent on final evaluation)
- Preference given to applicants with: 2,000+ hours of human service experience (paid, internship, or volunteer) and a cumulative BSW GPA of 3.0 or above
- All other general MSW admission materials (personal statement, transcripts, etc.)
- Conditional admission possible; full admission contingent on final practicum evaluation and/or reference from a social worker familiar with the applicant’s practice skills
- GRE: Not required
Portland State University’s MSW program information was last updated in March 2026. For more information, visit the university’s website above.
If you have additional information about this program, email us at contactus@onlinemswprograms.com.