Get ahead, catch up or try something new

Choose from hundreds of classes, including many that meet core or prerequisite requirements. You’ll find options to fast track your graduation or explore a personal passion while still enjoying all that Portland summers have to offer.

Not currently a PSU student? No problem. Summer Term at PSU is open to high school students earning college credit, visiting students home for break, and professionals seeking career advancement. Learn more about non-degree enrollment.

Key Dates

  • Registration opens: May 5, 2025
  • Classes begin: June 23, 2025

Browse our highlights below:

Race & Ethnic Studies Requirement

The requirement ensures our graduates are equipped with an understanding of how historically rooted and ongoing racism affects institutions in Oregon, the U.S. and the world. Students satisfy the requirement by completing two RESR-designated courses; one must focus on the U.S. experience (domestic), and the other must focus on European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism (international).

Domestic Focus

  • Intro to Black Studies (BST 202)
    • Online; CRN 83602
  • Race, Class, and Gender (BST 207)
    • Online; CRN 83603
  • Black Feminism/Womanism (BST 342U)
    • Online; CRN 84665
    • American Identities cluster
  • Black Popular Music in Context (BST 345U)
    • Online; CRN 84666
    • Popular Culture cluster
  • Chicano/Latino Communities (302U)
    • Online; CRN 83660
    • American Identities and Global Perspectives clusters
  • Chicana/Latina Experience (CHLA 303U)
    • Online; CRN 83661
    • American Identities, Family Studies, and Global Perspectives clusters
  • Intro to Native American Studies (NAS 201)
    • Online; CRN 84108
  • Diversity, Prejudice & Intergroup Relations (PSY 428)
    • Online; CRN 84238
  • Prejudice, Privilege and Power (SOC 337U)
    • Hybrid; CRN 84256
    • American Identities and Community Studies clusters
  • Women of Color Feminist Theory (WS 305)
    • Online; CRN 84605
  • Race, Class, Gender & Sexuality in U.S. (WS 332U)
    • Online; CRN 84607 or 84663
    • American Identities, Family Studies, and Gender and Sexualities Studies clusters

International Focus

  • African Studies (BST 211)
    • Online; CRN 84761
  • Cuban Film (BST 356U)
    • In-person; CRN 84667
    • Global Perspectives and Popular Culture clusters
  • African Cinema-African Culture (BST 363U)
    • Online; CRN 83606
    • Popular Culture cluster
  • Resource Management (GEOG 345U)
    • Online; CRN 84622
    • Environmental Sustainability cluster
  • Global Migration (GEOG 370U)
    • Online; CRN 84623
    • Global Perspectives cluster
  • African History 1800-Present (HST 313U)
    • Online; CRN 84788 or 84762
    • Global Perspectives cluster

University Writing Requirement

Students must complete 2 college-level composition courses or their approved equivalents for their baccalaureate degree requirements.

  • Composition I (WR 121Z)
    • Online; CRN 84587
  • Technical Writing (WR 227Z)
    • Online; CRN 84590 or 84589
  • Critical Writing in English (WR 301)
    • Online; CRN 84591
  • Writing as Critical Inquiry (WR 323)
    • Online; CRN 84292 or 84593 or 84595
  • Technical Report Writing (WR 327)
    • Online; CRN 84596

Get Out Into the Field

Get hands-on experience outside the classroom with opportunities for field trips and overnight camping.

  • Field Methods: Biodiversity Monitoring Techniques (ESM 342
    • This course will monitor biodiversity of invertebrate pollinators, birds and mammals using a variety of techniques including pan trap surveys, point counts, and motion detect cameras.
    • Aug. 11-17; CRN 83864
    • 2 credits
  • Ecology & Management of Fire (ESM or GEOG 440)
    • This class focuses on the complex challenges of managing wildfire in integrated social and ecological systems, with field-based studies and overnight camping in Deschutes, Linn, and Lane counties. $350 fee per student to pay van rental, gas, and campsite fees.
    • June 23-July 3; CRN 83909 or 83871
  • Field Studies: Columbia River Gorge (G 200)
    • June 23-July 20; CRN 83893
  • Field Studies: Mt. St. Helens (G 200)
    • July 18-20; CRN 83892

Pre-Health Prep

If you have your sights set on a career in healthcare, you can satisfy some of your prerequisites with full-year sequences of biology, chemistry, physics or math, and behavioral science courses. Be sure to first consult with your pre-health advisor.

  • Principles of Biology (BI 211, 212, 213) with lab (BI 214, 215, 216)
    • Online; CRN 83583, 83584, 83585
  • Elementary Microbiology (BI 234) with lab (BI 235)
    • Online; CRN 83591
  • Intro to Genetics (BI 341) with recitation (BI 341R)
    • Online; CRN 83595
  • General Chemistry (CH 221, 222, 223) with lab (CH 227, 228, 229)
    • In-person; CRN 83639, 83640, 83641 or 83642
  • Organic Chemistry (CH 334, 335, 336) with lab (CH 337, 338)
    • Online; CRN 83651, 83652, 83653
  • Biochemistry (CH 350)
    • Online; CRN 83657
  • General Physics (PH 201, 202, 203) with lab (PH 214, 215, 216)
    • In-person; CRN 84135, 84136, 84137
  • Precalculus (MTH 111Z, 112Z)
    • Online; CRN 84066, 84067
  • Elementary Statistics I (STAT 243Z)
    • Online; CRN 84460 or 84461
  • Intro to Psychology I (PSY 201Z)
    • In-person; CRN 84702
  • Intro to Psychology II (PSY 202Z)
    • In-person; CRN 84703
  • Human Development (PSY 311U)
    • Online; CRN 84225
  • Intro to Sociology (SOC 200)
    • Online; CRN 84254 or 84253

There are also several courses that may be of interest to those interested in health:

  • Culture Health & Healing (ANTH 325U)
    • Online; CRN 83516
  • Psychology of Happiness and Wellbeing (PSY 410)
    • Hybrid; CRN 84229
  • Clinical Psychology (PSY 410)
    • Online; CRN 84236
  • Alcohol & Other Drugs (SOC 314U)
    • Online; CRN 84255

Language Immersion

Whether you're brushing up your language skills for a trip or working toward your second language requirement, you can take an entire year of Spanish or Russian this summer.

  • First-Year Spanish (SPAN 101, 102, 103)
    • In-person; CRN 84301, 84303 or 84304 (online), 84306
  • Second-Year Spanish (SPAN 201, 202, 203)
    • Hybrid; CRN 84309, 84310, 84316 or 84314 (online)
  • Third-Year Russian (RUS 301, 302, 303)
    • In-person; CRN 84619, 84620, 84621

Skill Building

Get a handle on skills that will prove helpful in school, work and life.

  • Public Speaking (COMM 111Z)
    • Hybrid; CRN 83698
  • Media Literacy (COMM 312U)
    • Online; CRN 84747
    • Leading Social Change and Popular Culture clusters
  • Intro to Conflict Resolution (CR 301U)
    • Online; CRN 83730 or 83731
    • Community Studies and Leading Social Change clusters
  • Critical Thinking (PHL 320U)
    • Online; CRN 84209
    • Design Thinking and Knowledge, Values, Rationality clusters
  • Personal Decision Making (PSY 300U)
    • Online; CRN 84224

More Cool Courses

  • Anthropology of Coffee (ANTH 399)
    • Hybrid; CRN 84751
    • 1 credit
  • Anthropology of Chocolate (ANTH 399)
    • Hybrid; CRN 84752
    • 1 credit
  • Oregon History (HST 338U)
    • Online; CRN 83960
    • American Identities cluster
  • Manga: Japanese Graphic Novels (JPN 344U)
    • Online; 84022
    • Global Perspectives and Popular Culture clusters
  • Silicon Forest Tech (CH 410 or PH 410)
    • In-person; CRN 83658 or 84148
  • Global Climate Crisis (SOC 410)
    • Online; CRN 84260
  • Sociology of Horror Films
    • Online; CRN 84262