Online MSW Programs in Oregon

Are there online MSW programs based in Oregon?

Yes. Oregon has three CSWE-accredited MSW programs with online options: George Fox University, Pacific University, and Portland State University. CSWE lists online locations for all three programs. Students should confirm each program’s current format, track availability, field placement support, advanced-standing options, and any in-person requirements directly with the school before applying.

Can Oregon residents enroll in out-of-state online MSW programs?

Often, yes. Students should confirm state authorization, admissions eligibility, and the availability of local field placement.

Is CSWE accreditation important?

Yes. CSWE accreditation is commonly required or expected for social work licensure pathways. Verify program status in the CSWE directory.

Does an online MSW automatically qualify you for LCSW licensure in Oregon?

No. An online MSW may help meet Oregon’s graduate education requirement, but students must also meet Oregon licensing requirements, including certification or licensure application steps, supervised post-graduate clinical experience, Oregon rules and laws requirements, background check requirements, and ASWB exam requirements. Students should confirm current requirements with the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers.

State licensing board

Professional licensure for social workers in Oregon is administered by the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers.

Relevant state law and rules

Oregon social work licensure is governed by Oregon Revised Statutes 675.510 to 675.600 and Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 877. These laws and rules cover regulated social work practice, license and certification types, applications, fees, supervision, exams, renewals, continuing education, ethics, complaints, criminal records checks, and disciplinary procedures.

Common MSW-level license path

CSWA to LCSW for clinical social work. Oregon uses the Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) as the supervised post-master’s step for applicants working toward Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensure. Oregon also offers the Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW) credential for master’s-level non-clinical social work practice, so students should review each credential’s scope and confirm which pathway fits their career goals.

Graduate education

Oregon requires CSWA applicants to hold a master’s degree in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or the Canadian Association for Social Work Education.

Exam

Oregon requires national ASWB exams for the LMSW and LCSW pathways. The Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers states that LMSW applicants must pass the ASWB Master's exam and LCSW applicants must pass the ASWB Clinical exam. The CSWA is Oregon’s supervised clinical pathway and does not require a national exam at initial application, though CSWAs may request approval to take the ASWB Clinical exam after meeting board requirements. Oregon also requires new applicants to pass the Oregon Rules and Laws Exam.

Supervised experience

For LCSW eligibility, Oregon requires applicants to complete 3,500 clinical practice hours, including 2,000 direct client hours; 100 hours of supervision, including at least 50 individual supervision hours; at least 24 months of supervised practice; and the ASWB Clinical exam.

State-specific requirements

Applicants should review the Oregon board materials for current application forms, supervision plan, and evaluation requirements, official transcript submission, fingerprint-based nationwide criminal records check, and Oregon Rules and Laws carefully for complete requirements.

Contact Information

Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers

Website: oregon.gov/blsw

Phone: 503-378-5735

Fax: 888-252-1046

Email: oregon.blsw@blsw.oregon.gov

Mailing address: 3218 Pringle Rd SE, Suite 240, Salem, OR 97302-6310

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Schools, child welfare agencies, family service organizations, and community programs

$62,770

Healthcare Social Workers

Hospitals, clinics, hospice, care coordination, and public health organizations

$85,150

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Behavioral health agencies, mental health clinics, substance use treatment centers

$71,830

Social Workers, All Other

Policy, administration, research, community development, and specialized social service roles

$63,350

All Occupations

Summary of all reported wages within the state across all job types

$53,390

Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers

Official requirements for MSW, CSWA, and LCSW or other state social work licenses, applications, supervised experience, exams, fees, and renewal rules. This should be the final source of truth for licensing questions.

CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs

Whether an MSW program is currently CSWE-accredited or in candidacy status. Students can search by school, state, degree level, and accreditation status.

ASWB Exam Information

Which social work licensing exams are available, how exam registration works, and what to expect from the exam process. Students should still confirm which exam their state requires.

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

Whether an institution participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), which helps confirm whether it may offer distance education to students in other SARA states. Students can use this as a starting point for checking online enrollment authorization, but SARA participation does not confirm that an MSW program meets state social work licensure requirements. Students should also confirm state authorization directly with the school before applying.

School Professional Licensure Disclosures

Whether the school has determined that its MSW program meets, does not meet, or has not yet been determined to meet educational requirements for social work licensure in a student’s state. Students should review these disclosures before applying and follow up with the program or state licensing board if the information is unclear.

School Program Pages

Current admissions requirements, tuition, start dates, online format, advanced-standing options, field-placement policies, and whether the program currently accepts students from Oregon.