Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Oregon

There are a total of three universities in Oregon that offer a master’s degree in social work. This includes programs that have been accredited by the CSWE, online MSW programs, and programs that offer an advanced standing version of the program. These options have benefits for different types of students who want to advance their career in social work or enter the field by earning a degree. 

A career in social work can give you the chance to help others on a daily basis. You might find yourself providing resources for families in need, therapy for those with mental health conditions, helping families through crisis, and much more. As a social worker, you might work for mental health clinics, hospitals, retirement facilities, rehab clinics, and more. By earning an Oregon MSW degree and becoming licensed, you will likely qualify for a wide variety of social work and supervisor jobs. The high-quality MSW programs in Oregon will prepare you for your career and licensing exams through their accredited curricula. While you can become a social worker with a bachelor’s degree, a master’s may open up more opportunities for income and promotions.

According to O*Net Online, the annual wage and career growth for Orengon social workers is as follows:

• Child, Family, and School Social Workers 
  • Projected Growth: 17% 
  • Median Annual Wages: $56,970 
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 
  • Projected Growth: 18% 
  • Median Annual Wages: $49,260 
• Healthcare Social Workers 
  • Projected Growth: 15% 
  • Median Annual Wages: $78,190 
• Social Workers, All Other 
  • Projected Growth: 11% 
  • Median Annual Wages: $59,680 
• Social and Community Service Managers 
  • Projected Growth: 17% 
  • Median Annual Wages: $74,870

As noted above with information from O*Net Online, each area of social work is projected to grow at 11% or more over the next ten years, which is much faster than the average of 5%. Comparatively, social work careers across the US are projected to grow 9%. So, there may be many more social work jobs available in Oregon than in the rest of the US. The median annual income in the US for social workers is about the same as it is in Oregon, ranging from $50,820-$61,420.

Below is an overview of various social work programs offered in Oregon to prepare you for a career of helping people within the social services field.

Oregon Online Masters in Social Work

There is one Oregon university that offers an online option within their master of social work program. Taking online courses can be helpful for students to have busy lives, such as full-time employment and/or families. Online MSW students may also benefit from flexible class schedules and location freedom, such as completing schoolwork in a comfortable home environment. Individuals who are already social workers and want to increase their career and income opportunities can benefit from online work because they may be able to complete the program during their free time without having to quit their job. Online programs often provide the same high-quality education as their in-person counterparts, so long as the program is CSWE-accredited. Certain schools may allow students to attend on a part-time or accelerated basis online, just as they could in-person.

Below is an overview of the university in Oregon that offers an online option.

CSWE Accredited MSW Programs in Oregon

All three of the MSW programs in Oregon have been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), including Portland State University that was reviewed in the previous section. Accreditation is an important feature to look for when deciding what university and program to attend. If you plan to earn a degree in social work, the CSWE is the institution responsible for all universities offering a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work in the United States. The goal of the CSWE is to ensure the excellence of these programs and advance innovation in social work education. This means that accredited social work programs should adequately prepare you for your post-graduate licensing exam and career. Many employers may prefer or require that you have earned your degree from a CSWE-accredited program. 

Below is an overview of the universities in Oregon that have been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education that were not reviewed in the previous section.

No GRE Required MSW Programs in Oregon

There are three MSW programs in Oregon that do NOT require applicants to submit a GRE score, all of which have been reviewed in previous sections. They include:

• George Fox University
• Pacific University
• Portland State University

The GRE, or Graduate Record Exam, is a test that is taken by students who want to enroll in a graduate degree program after earning their bachelor’s degree to ensure that they are ready for more advanced studies. According to the Educational Testing Services website, the purpose of the GRE is to assess a studen’t strengths in various academic skills, including reasoning, thinking, and analytical writing. However, more and more universities are choosing to opt out of requiring the GRE for admissions. Instead, they are analyizing students through methods that demonstrate multiple facets of the applicant. The university may require the undergraduate GPA of a student, several letters of recommendation, an interview, and possibly more depending on the school and program. These requirements may be helpful to programs who are analyizing applicants for their MSW program because it can demonstrate a student’s ability to succeed in school from their grades, their dedication to the career from volunteer work or careers listed on their resume, and more. This is potentially a more well-rounded way of seeing a student’s skills than the GRE.

Oregon MSW programs with Accelerated Advanced Standing Options

There are three universities in Oregon that offer an advanced standing option in their master of social work program. These include:

• George Fox University 
• Pacific University 
• Portland State University

Advanced Standing may be a great option for students who qualify because it can allow someone to graduate an MSW program in half the time. To be admitted into an advanced standing program, you should earn your bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited institution. In addition to this requirement, universities may have different GPA requirements for the advanced standing applicants than those applying for the standard program.

If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a topic other than social work, not to fear. You can still apply for the standard full-time or part-time MSW program. But if you have a bachelor’s in social work, exploring the advanced standing option can allow you to earn your degree and start your career faster.

Affordable MSW Programs in Oregon

There is one MSW program in Oregon that stands out when it comes to affordability: Portland State University (PSU). Cost may be an important factor when deciding where you want to attend to earn a social work masters degree. The MSW tuition at Portland State University comes to $463 per credit hour. Comparatively, George Fox University’s tuition comes to $794 per credit hour, and Pacific University’s tuition comes to approximately $923 per credit hour. Part of the reason for Portland State University’s affordable tuition is that it is a state university that is funded by tax dollars. When a student who is a resident of Oregon attends, they are considered to have paid part of the cost of their education through tax dollars, and therefore, they will have a lower tuition cost if they enroll in a state university. State universities have the same quality education as the other universities, and in Oregon, each MSW program is accredited by the CSWE.

While the cost can be important, remember to consider all factors of an MSW program before applying. You can explore financial assistance through grants, scholarships, and loans. One important resource for this is the Federal Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA). Filling out this application can allow you to obtain federal loans and grants to help you pay for school.

Conclusion

Oregon is a beautiful state for individuals who earn a master of social work degree. Each area of social work is projected to grow at a much higher rate than the average, meaning that there may be many career opportunities for Oregon social workers and graduates. Each of the three MSW programs in the state offer an experience that will prepare you for an advanced social work study, whether you are thinking of expanding your career opportunities in the field, or entering it for the first time. With the great MSW program options, you can enroll in what fits your lifestyle the best, whether you want to attend an online program, enroll in an advanced standing program, or attend the institution that is most affordable. Social work is a rewarding career, and an MSW program can allow you to be involved at a higher level.