About PSU Online

Portland State University began offering online courses in 1996. Previous to the widespread use of online curriculum, the university reached out to distant students through two-way video conferencing, televised courses, correspondence study and at remote campus locations around the Portland metropolitan area. Courses were designed with the needs of the student foremost in mind - the student whose work, study, or parenting responsibilities prevented them from traveling to the main campus.

Today Portland State University is a leader in distance and alternative education in Oregon. With over 1,300 courses using WebCT, students enjoy a variety of options for learning that include face-to-face traditional classroom experiences using WebCT as an enhancement, as well as fully online options where students never come to campus. Many programs use a hybrid approach which ask students to come to campus perhaps once per term, but the remainder of the course is online. With the addition of our web-conferencing system, even these occasional campus requirements may be waived in some programs. As many as 200 different distance courses and 12 degree and certificate programs are offered fully online via WebCT. Another 250 more courses and 4 additional degree programs require only part-time campus attendance. Courses are taught by expert instructors who emphasize educational excellence in a student-centered environment. They do this by incorporating online discussions, group work, and one-on-one assistance, all at a distance.

Whether you live in Portland and your schedule precludes your attendance at regularly scheduled classes or you travel or live in Shanghai or Amsterdam, you may still have the opportunity to complete courses and a degree program at Portland State University.