Undergraduate Admissions

Before applying, you must have completed a minimum of 45 university credits and have completed or are currently enrolled in all necessary prerequisites. Candidates are selected based on written statements of intention. Applications for the yearly cohort will be accepted at any time until October 17.

Fall enrollment is strongly recommended to allow students to take core classes in sequence and to build community within each cohort. Applications received after October 17 will be considered for the following year’s cohort. Students who are applying to be part of the current year's cohort are expected to be enrolled in USP 301 or to have taken it previously.

Students may take courses in the major before formal admission. However, required core curriculum courses USP 302 and 303 are restricted to students who have been formally admitted to the Community Development program and who have declared their major with the University Admissions Office.

Pre-requisites

• Complete a minimum of 45 university credits. 
• Complete the pre-requisite courses or equivalents:
  • UNST 220 Understanding Communities (4 credits)
  • SOC 200: Introduction to Sociology
  • ECON 201: Principles of Economics (4 credits)
  • PS 200: Introduction to Politics

• Complete and submit the following documents to Tracy Braden in Room URBN 350-C
  • a completed SUSP application form (also available at the TSUSP office)
  • unofficial PSU transcripts
  • a two page essay that addresses the question of why you wish to be admitted and discusses your relevant life experiences, community activity, and academic choices.

Declaring your Major

To declare your major with University Admissions, use the Student Information Change Form, also available from the Admissions Office in Neuberger Hall, and return it to Admissions Office in Neuberger Hall.

What happens after you apply?

Students who have submitted their application form, essay and transcripts, and have GPA of 3.0 or higher will be administratively reviewed for automatic admission. Students who are not automatically admitted will be reviewed by the Undergraduate Executive Committee. The committee will consider factors such as: evidence of increasing academic maturity, GPA in prerequisites, the strength of the essay in making a case for their involvement and interest in community development.

Admitted students will receive an acceptance letter and the appointment of an advisor. Students not admitted will receive a letter explaining the reasons for non-admission and what factors could improve their prospects for admission in the next enrollment cycle.

Questions?

Tracy Braden 
Student Services Coordinator
(503) 725-5477
tbraden@pdx.edu