Portland State University Reviews of Master's in Social Work

"Instructors are very approachable and care about the future of social Work. The advisors were always willing to provide support and guidance. The time I spent in this program was very useful and rewarding. I learned so much and implemented the knowledge I gained. I highly recommend this program!"

"The advanced standing program was immensely helpful. I appreciate the school's desire to continue to grow and change. They have a lot of practicum options but it takes student being a strong advocate to get the best fit."

"The MSW program at Portland State is well ranked for many reasons. The environment is welcoming and inclusive, the staff and courses push students out of their comfort zone to fully prepare them for their rigorous careers ahead. I feel as if my education is well-rounded and I am acquiring skills that are much needed out in the work force, no matter what setting I end up in. The opportunities provided have enabled me to make connections and learn from experiential practice."

"Good internships and self reflection. Classes were hit or miss"

"Pros: Masters of Social Work (MSW) program at the Portland State University is very competitive due to high quality education and faculty/staff. Graduate students have access to the state of the art library and gym, as well as tutoring resources (such as writing and research). This program offers various concentration/specialization choices to meet diverse interests of social work students. There are several field placement/internship liaisons advocating for students interest in specific occupations. Cons: There is inadequate space in classrooms to meet the need for some required classes, and registration process can be difficult due to insufficient capacity of allotted seats. Advisers and field supervisors are often carrying high student load, and therefore unable to always attend to the unique needs of each student. Parking is also challenging due to high demand and insufficient parking spaces on our commuter campus."

"The pro of this program is that it is in an awesome city, that it is a new program that the staff and school are still excited about. There is great networking."

"PSU is the only campus in Oregon offering an MSW degree. The program has a high interest in student success and works hard to ensure students can do the best they can. There is a lot of support through the school for students in need. I live at home and am an older adult student so I can't address the social life or life on campus aspect"

"MSW program is small and personal... discussion is encouraged. Easy access to instructors"

"I am in PSU's MSW distance program. I feel the program is particularly beneficial for me as I did not have to move to Portland, and was able to keep my current employment. The downside of the distance program is having alternating classes one day per week for eight hours. Overall, I am pleased with the academic content and expertise of the professors. The work load is fairly heavy but it is expected in a graduate program."

"Pros: Highly acclaimed school with many partnerships in the surrounding communities. It is known as the top MSW program in the west. It is close to home. It offers an opportunity for dual Masters options. Cons: Cost"

"Safety score is only because it is a metropolitan college and recently female safety has been an issue, but the college is working on improving the situation. PSU is located in downtown Portland Oregon exactly dead center between skiing in the mountains or enjoying the beach it has great public transportation so having to live on campus is not necessary. Teachers in my MSW program are excellent."