MSW Admissions

Application Overview      

Thank you for exploring the Admissions page.  We reserve the right to re-open applications or update due dates for our programs or initiatives periodically. All applications, whether submitted during the initial call or upon re-opening, will undergo the same rigorous review process.  Thank you for your continued interest and understanding.  Refer back to this page for any updates regarding application due dates.

The application for admission in 2026 is open for the MSW Distance Option program in Central Oregon and will be due April 2nd, 2026.

The application for admission in 2026 is closed for the Portland Campus, Eugene Distance Option, and Online MSW Programs.

The application for admission in 2027 will be made available in September 2026.

The School of Social Work admits applicants once a year to the MSW Program starting fall term only (summer term for Advanced Standing). All application materials, including letters of reference, must be submitted electronically and received by the due date. Late application materials are not accepted.

Learn about the admissions process »

*Our online program is available in 49 states (excluding Colorado).  Due to specific program requirements, we are unable to accept applicants who will be residing in Colorado during the duration of the academic program.

Application Due Dates by Program Option

Application Due Dates for Portland Option

The PSU School of Social Work MSW program admits once a year in the fall term. The following table shows the timeline for admission to the MSW program Portland 2yr or 3yr options in fall 2026.  Applications are due by 11:59pm Pacific time on the dates listed below.

Application Due Dates for Distance Option: Central Oregon

The PSU School of Social Work MSW program admits once a year in the fall term. The following table shows the timeline for admission to the MSW program Distance Options in fall 2026.  Applications are due by 11:59pm Pacific time on the dates listed below.

Application Due Dates for Online Option

The PSU School of Social Work MSW program admits once a year in the fall term. The following table shows the timeline for admission to the MSW program Online Option in fall 2026.  Applications are due by 11:59pm Pacific time on the dates listed below.

Application Due Dates for Advanced Standing Option

The PSU School of Social Work MSW program admits once a year in the fall term (summer for advanced standing). The following table shows the timeline for admission to the MSW program Advanced Standing Option in summer 2026. The Advanced Standing Option will be available at Central Oregon, Eugene, Online and Portland Campus.  Applications are due by 11:59pm Pacific time on the dates listed below.

MSW Application Checklist

You may apply to the MSW Program in the School of Social Work at Portland State University by submitting a single application online. All application materials, including letters of reference, must be submitted
electronically. Links to the application will be available when the program for the coming year is open.

Basic Information

• Your contact Information
• Personal Information including your citizenship status, DOB, gender, ethnicity, etc.
• The program option you are applying for admission (e.g. Advanced Standing, Campus, Online, Distance)
• Your residency status for tuition purpose

Review the Criminal Conviction Statement »

Educational Information

• Bachelor’s degree with a Liberal Arts foundation from a regionally accredited college, university or equivalent.
• Advanced Standing applicants must have a BSW degree within the past five years from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
• TOEFL scores if your undergraduate degree was not received from a U.S. college or university. See English Language Proficiency Requirements
• List of every college or university you attended.
• Scanned copy of an unofficial transcript for the schools where a bachelor's degree was awarded and/or any graduate level courses were taken.  Transcripts from high schools and community colleges are not needed. 
• Minimum cumulative GPA requirement: To be considered for regular admission, applicants must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or the equivalent or a graduate GPA of 3.0.

Review Liberal Arts foundation course list »

Transcripts

Unofficial Transcripts

You must upload, using a PDF file, unofficial transcripts for each and every college or university you earned a bachelor's degree or completed graduate level coursework. Unofficial transcripts include:

• Web based transcripts that you download from your institution (institution name should be visible on transcript)
• Photocopies of official transcripts (please include both front and back)

Official Transcripts

Once you have been offered admission, you will be required to submit official copies of your transcripts and/or documents for GPA and degree conferral verification. This is required before you will be given access to register for classes. Failure to provide official documents may result in registration holds that could delay your registration. Official transcripts should be sent to PSU by mail or electronic submission directly from each college or university attended. Enrollment in courses is contingent upon the receipt and verification of these official documents (which must show the awarding of degrees where appropriate). The official transcript will be compared to the document you uploaded in the online application.

Submit copies of your transcripts »

MSW-Specific Information

• Resume, including Social Work-related experience: Employment, volunteer, internship and other
• Three recommendations
  • Choose recommenders from your work, educational, and volunteer experiences who can address your qualities that make you suitable for social work. Do not use relatives, therapists, or personal friends as references.
  • At least one reference should address your ability to do graduate-level academic work.
  • Please read carefully the statement on the Recommendation page in the application system regarding the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.
  • A link will be provided to the recommender to complete a questionnaire regarding the applicant.  There is no need for the recommender to upload a separate letter.  Completion of the questionnaire is sufficient.
• A three- to four-page statement of purpose

View instructions on writing your statement of purpose »

Application Procedures for Transfer Students

The School of Social Work may admit students who have successfully completed MSW coursework in another CSWE accredited MSW program. In reviewing an application, we look for students who have experience in or related to social work prior to beginning their social work studies and have demonstrated strong academic and field performance. Students are notified of admission in late April for admission in the fall. We do not admit mid-year to the MSW program.

Transfer Credits

The MSW Program allows for some transfer credits to be applied toward the MSW degree.  Transfer credits must be from another CSWE accredited MSW program.  The SSW Director of Student Affairs reviews all transfer credit petitions and if approved forwards them to the MSW Program Director and then to PSU Graduate Admissions for approval.  Credits from another discipline or from foreign institutions are generally not transferable.  Students may not receive credit for life experience or previous work experience nor have any field experience or generalist courses waived on this basis.

A master's student must earn a minimum of two-thirds of the credits required for the degree after formal admission to the graduate degree program at PSU and must earn a minimum of two-thirds of the credits required for the degree at PSU.  For example, the MSW program requires 78 credit-hours, as a transfer student, 42 credits must be completed in residency at PSU.  This leaves up to the equivalent of 36 quarter credits that may be transferred into the MSW program (P/NP courses are not transferable).  In most cases, transfer students who have completed the generalist year of field work will not be required to take those credits.  Completion of the required coursework may take more than one academic year. After admission, coursework will be evaluated for comparability to required PSU courses and an individual course of study plan will be developed.  Other conditions regarding transfer credits may apply.

Transfer Student Application Process

To apply, please provide a completed MSW Program Application and the following supplemental transfer materials:

• Study plan and syllabi for all coursework completed or in process from current MSW program.
• A statement from your current MSW program indicating you are in good academic standing using this form.
• Letter of reference from MSW Field Instructor.
• Field placement evaluation, if applicable.

Submit supplemental transfer materials to sswmsw@pdx.edu.  

Application Procedures for International Students

The MSW Program welcomes applications from international students. The student body at Portland State University includes students from many countries. The greater Portland area is home to industries, stores, restaurants, and cultural activities reflecting the diverse populations in the Portland metropolitan area.

In addition to submitting the MSW Program Application, international applicants must also submit:

• Official degree certificate/diploma equivalent to a United States four-year bachelor's degree from a college or university recognized as an institution of higher education by the Ministry of Education in the relevant country.
  View PSU's International Minimum Academic Requirements »
   
• Official Translation of Transcripts »
• Evidence of English Language Proficiency Requirements »
• Financial documentation demonstrating adequate financial support for at least the first year of study

International applicants with a bachelor's degree in social work from outside of the United States will need to complete the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service (ISWDRES).

MSW Estimated Program Costs

These charts are provided to help you estimate the minimum tuition and fees for program completion. Please note that each year the tuition and fee rates change. Please refer to the PSU Tuition and Fees page for the most up-to-date tuition and fee rates.

Prospective and current students are invited to apply for scholarships that are available to any Portland State University student and specific to School of Social Work students.  For more information about scholarships, please visit the SSW Scholarships and Awards page. 

Scholarship applications are submitted through PSU's Scholarship Universe.   Click the preceding link for due dates.  Prospective students should not wait until they receive a decision on their admission application to apply for scholarships.    

Estimated Tuition and Fees (2025-2026)*

Advanced Standing Option (46 credits) 

2-year Option (78 credits)

3-year Option (78 credits)

4-year Option (78 credits)

Notes

• Program cost estimates are based on the 2025–2026 MSW tuition and fees only. 
• Online courses have an additional $22 per credit technology fee.
• Students in the Central Oregon and Eugene option will be required to take 6-7 online courses (18-21 credits).

Additional Information

Read MSW frequently asked questions (FAQs) »

PSU tuition and fees »

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View SSW information sessions calendar »

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