Portland State University (PSU) offers an online MSW program that focuses on Practice and Leadership with Communities and Organizations or Health Across the Lifespan. Currently, PSU only offers the traditional standing program in a part-time, six to nine credits per term format that takes three years to complete, or an advanced standing option, where students complete 46 credits over a minimum of four semesters. PSU’s online MSW is designed to prepare students for careers in community leadership, advocacy, policy practice, and human services administration and/or integrated health and advanced practice within health care and aging settings.

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

Course content for PSU’s online MSW program is identical to that of their on-campus program. PSU uses an online course delivery platform called D2L to deliver its 11-week long classes. Students can largely decide when they complete the learning modules in each course, but are also required to participate in synchronous, virtual discussions with fellow students and course faculty periodically.

Students must attend one 2-day on-campus intensive every year, in late September (the beginning of the academic year). These on-campus intensives are composed of face-to-face instruction with faculty, discussions and community-building activities with classmates and technology training. Students are required to complete two 500 hour internships for a total of 1000 hours of field education for traditional standing students and 500 hours for advanced standing students. To determine field placement sites, students and field faculty collaborate to find an optimal agency and supervisor.

Students who are currently employed at a social services agency or organization may wish to explore PSU’s Employed Social Worker Option, which is designed to allow students to complete one of their two internships at their current place of employment (restrictions may apply). Students are expected to spend 16 hours each week at their agency in order to fulfill the number of required hours, and must also participate in a seminar in their second year of the program during which they discuss their experiences with faculty and peers.

Admission requirements for PSU’s online MSW program are similar to those of their on-campus program. Applicants are expected to meet certain academic requirements and demonstrate a commitment to social service. Portland State University’s online MSW program is fully accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). PSU is also regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Portland State University’s online MSW program is fully accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). PSU is also regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Department: The Portland State University School of Social Work

Degree Types: Traditional Standing and Advanced Standing

Concentrations: Two advanced concentrations: Community and Organizational Practice (Macro practice) and Health Across the Lifespan (Integrated Health)

Program Structure: Online with field education in student’s home community (Note: students must visit the campus for a two day intensive at the beginning of year one and one day at the beginning of year two)

Instruction Methods: Program follows a cohort model with a pre-designed course sequence – students take 6-9 credits per term with year-round classes (fall, winter, spring, summer). The majority of classes use asynchronous instruction, however, students will be required to periodically attend live classes to interact with professors and classmates.

Program Overview

Program Requirements

Program Length

Admission Requirements

Program Overview

Program Requirements

Program Length

Admission Requirements

Portland State University’s MSW program information was last updated in March 2020. For more information, visit the university’s website above.

If you have additional information about this program, email us at contactus@onlinemswprograms.com.