School of Social Work

Advance Your Career

At Portland State University’s School of Social Work, you will find passionate and forward-thinking colleagues and collaborative, inclusive faculty committed to building a socially just and equitable future for all. Our nationally recognized teaching and research faculty will help unlock your potential and prepare you to work with individuals, families, communities, and organizations. Study in the heart of downtown Portland, or enroll in one of our many program options around the state or online.   

We offer:

  • Bachelor’s and master’s degrees with program options online or in locations around the state.
  • A PhD degree in our innovative and progressive social work program.
  • Internships in social work and child, youth, and family studies.
  • Undergraduate and graduate research opportunities with our nationally recognized and funded Regional Research Institute for Human Services, Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services or Center for Interdisciplinary Mentoring Research.

We have extensive community partnerships with top employers including all of the major medical systems, the Oregon Department of Human Services, and local public school systems, giving you opportunities for hands-on learning that are unmatched in Oregon.

At PSU, you will graduate with the skills, experience and connections you need to further your career. You will graduate equipped to change lives and change communities.

Research, Partnerships, and Centers

The School of Social Work hosts a broad range of research activities, from large-scale grant-supported projects to smaller faculty-directed and student-directed studies. Most (but not all) grant-supported projects are managed within one of the affiliated research units.  The School of Social Work has a robust research engine that comprises 20% of the overall external research dollars at Portland State University.

Students in juvenile capstone project

Regional Research Institute (RRI)

Our faculty, students, and staff at the School of Social Work’s Regional Research Institute (RRI) work at the intersection of research, program evaluation, and training in direct partnerships with local, state, regional, national, and international agencies to address numerous critical and social issues.

Kids running through park

Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services (CCF)

The Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services' (CCF) research, training, and consultation are designed to improve equity and effectiveness in services for children, youth, and families.

Multidisciplinary Partnerships

School of Social Work faculty play leadership roles in high impact partnerships shared with multiple departments on campus and/or with other universities.

Learn more about our multidisciplinary partnerships »


BSW/MSW Field Education

The BSW and MSW Programs at the School of Social Work endorse the principle that Field Education is the "Signature Pedagogy" of BSW and MSW social work education. Field Education requires that all students have training experiences in professionally supervised, educationally-based field placements. Field education provides students with an opportunity to increase competence in social work skills and professional values in actual service settings.