Overview

Within this Social Work BA program from Portland State University we offer:

A transformative experience that unlocks student potential by building self-confidence and honoring students’ identities, experiences, life stages, and backgrounds.
A field placement in a community agency that builds practical, hands-on skills for real-world impact.
Classes that challenge students to learn new perspectives and to become effective agents of social change.
A cohort model that promotes peer learning and mutual support.Post-baccalaureate paths to MSW Advanced Standing programs.
A choice between fully online or in-person program delivery.
Postbaccalaureate paths to graduate education.
Job preparation for direct practice employment in a wide variety of federal, state, local, and non-profit organizations and agencies.
Academic preparation for top social work and social science graduate programs nationally and internationally.

Career

The Social Work program at Portland State University provides you the foundation to build a career path aligned with your passion.

A bachelor's degree in Social Work can lead to work in the following areas:

Advocacy/Activism, Anti-Poverty, Anti-Racism, Anti-ViolenceAddictions/Treatment
Aging
Child Welfare
Community-Based Organizing
Corrections
Disability/Critical Disability/Neurodiversity
Domestic/Interpersonal Violence
Healthcare
Housing
Immigration
Juvenile Justice
Mental and Behavioral Health
Policy
Research
Restorative Justice
School Social Work
Self-Sufficiency
Youth Work

A BSW also qualifies you to apply to Advanced Standing MSW programs across the country. In an advanced standing program, you can obtain an MSW in as little as 15 months. Recent graduates from our program have been accepted to graduate or continuing education programs at Portland State University, the University of Michigan, the University of Chicago, Fordham University, the University of Washington, and other universities throughout the world.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 2011.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Social Work

Oppression and Privilege

Advocacy for Policy Change

Social Justice Practice

Human Behavior Through the Lifespan

Social Work Practice

Field Seminar

Social Research and Evaluation

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-30 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-09-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-08-01 00:00:00 , National

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

110

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus, Online

Campus Location

Portland, United States

Disciplines

Social Work View 783 other Bachelors in Social Work in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.5

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

You must have a cumulative (overall) grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 when converted to the U.S. 4.0 grading scale.
Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement. You may be admitted to Portland State University and an Intensive English Language Program (IELP) pathway if you do not meet PSU's English Language Proficiency Requirement. Learn more about PSU’s English language programs.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

34599 USD / year

≈ 34599 USD / year
Out-of-State

34599 USD / year

≈ 34599 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

12999 USD / year

≈ 12999 USD / year

Living costs

Portland

United States

1271 - 2262 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Social Work.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Career

Accreditation

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Portland

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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