5 CSWE-Accredited BSW Programs in Oregon: Complete Guide 2026
Want to earn your BSW from one of the six CSWE-accredited programs in Oregon? The field shows strong promise with a projected growth of 12% between 2022-2032. Social work stands out as both a rewarding career path and a sought-after degree program, ranking #13 among the most popular majors across the United States.
As you learn about certified BSW programs in Oregon, you’ll discover options that span 4-year full-time studies. The annual tuition varies widely from $12,580 to $55,890. These Oregon social work programs lead to promising careers with median salaries between $52,040 and $86,080. Students should note that all accredited programs require at least 400 hours of field education to build practical skills. Oregon schools award 536 social work degrees each year. This piece will guide you through your options to match you with the ideal program for your future career.
Portland State University – School of Social Work
Portland State University is Oregon’s only publicly funded CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work program. This makes it the premier institution for anyone wanting to become a social worker in the state. PSU’s BSW program blends theory with real-life experience to help you build a meaningful career in social work and related fields.
Program overview
PSU’s BSW program uses a cohort model. Students move through their coursework together, which creates a supportive learning community. You’ll need two years to finish the program and complete 75 credits plus a 400-hour supervised practicum.
The program’s flexibility sets it apart. Students can choose between fully online or in-person options to match their learning style. This makes the program available to students across Oregon who might not be able to move to Portland.
The curriculum equips you to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Core courses include:
- SW 301U Introduction to Social Work (4 credits)
- SW 339 Introduction to Oppression and Privilege (4 credits)
- SW 340 Advocacy for Policy Change (4 credits)
- SW 341 Social Justice Practice (4 credits)
- SW 350 Human Behavior through the Lifespan (4 credits)
- SW 351 Beginning Generalist Practice (4 credits)
Your senior year combines practice courses with field education requirements. The program emphasizes critical self-reflection, racial equity, and social and economic justice throughout.
Admission requirements
Students must first get into Portland State University before applying to the BSW program. The program accepts new students once yearly for fall term. Applications must reach by April 1 at 11:59 pm Pacific time.
You’ll need these prerequisites:
- 90 credits (junior standing)
- Four credits of introductory psychology
- Four credits of introductory sociology
- Four credits of human development
The application needs several components:
- Experience: Share your volunteer, paid work, and military experience, especially those related to social work.
- Essays: Answer four questions about your social work interest, understanding of power and privilege, commitment to racial justice, and personal accountability.
- References: List at least two professional references (not family or friends).
- Criminal conviction statement: Understand that criminal history might affect program completion, especially practicum placements.
The School of Social Work doesn’t judge criminal history but notes certain convictions could limit practicum options.
Field education
PSU considers field education the most important aspect of social work education. BSW students complete a 400-hour supervised practicum during their senior year while taking practice courses.
The School’s partnerships extend to more than 500 agencies throughout Oregon and beyond. Students can learn in various settings like:
- Mental health centers
- Substance abuse programs
- Child welfare agencies
- Schools
- Housing and homelessness programs
- Healthcare settings
Your practicum takes 12 hours weekly over three terms, adding up to 400 hours. Students in rural areas might need to travel up to 50 miles.
Most agencies need background checks. Healthcare settings might require specific immunizations and drug screenings. Students must work during regular business hours when professional staff are present. Specific schedules get worked out with practicum instructors.
Tuition and financial aid
PSU’s 2025-2026 undergraduate tuition and fees cost $12,999 for Oregon residents, $14,094 for Washington Border Discount students, and $34,599 for non-residents. Total costs including books, housing, food, and other expenses reach $33,489 for Oregon residents living off-campus and $55,089 for non-residents.
The School’s scholarship opportunities are available whatever your citizenship status. Notable scholarships include:
- School of Social Work Scholarship
- Maybelle Clark Macdonald Endowed Scholarship
- Duncan and Cindy Campbell Endowed Scholarship
- School of Social Work Dreamers Scholarship
BSW students interested in child welfare can get help through the Child Welfare Education Program. This offers up to $10,000 yearly tuition assistance if you commit to work for Oregon Department of Human Services in public Child Welfare or tribal Child Welfare after graduating.
US News & World Report data shows PSU’s first-year students received an average need-based scholarship or grant of $12,922. About 69% of first-year students got need-based financial aid. This makes PSU more affordable than private institutions offering BSW programs in Oregon.
Unique features
PSU’s BSW program stands out from other Oregon social work programs:
First Online BSW in the Pacific Northwest: PSU launched the region’s first fully online BSW option. This helps students who traditionally couldn’t access higher education. You can stay in your community while earning your degree.
Cohort Model: Students progress through courses together. This builds peer learning and mutual support.
Pathway to Advanced Standing: Graduates can apply for Advanced Standing in MSW programs. This might reduce your master’s degree completion time.
Prestige and Recognition: You’ll graduate from one of US News & World Report’s top-ranked social work schools. Faculty bring expertise from major social work fields.
Student Support Services: A Student Inclusion Coordinator connects you with financial, housing, legal, and emotional support services on-campus and in the community.
Racial Equity Focus: The curriculum emphasizes critical self-reflection, racial equity, and social and economic justice. This prepares you to tackle systemic issues.
The program combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience. This prepares you for generalist social work practice in various settings or further graduate education.
University of Portland – School of Social Work
The University of Portland’s Dorothy Day Social Work Program ranks among the few CSWE-accredited BSW programs in Oregon. Since 2003, this private Catholic institution has combined professional training with social justice and human dignity values.
Program overview
The Dorothy Day Social Work Program awards a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work. Students learn to work with diverse populations as generalist practitioners. You’ll develop skills to help individuals, families, organizations, and communities while addressing human needs.
Students learn to recognize and break down oppressive systems through an intersectional justice approach. The program focuses on these key frameworks:
- Critical asking that lifts up hidden knowledge from historically oppressed groups
- Anti-racism and Critical Race Theory (CRT) based on BIPOC experiences
- Anti-Oppressive Practice to explore structural inequalities
- Environmental justice as a vital part of social work practice
Students must complete 49 credit hours of specialized courses along with the university’s liberal arts core curriculum. Key courses include:
Core Social Work Courses:
- SW 101: Social Work and Social Justice
- SW 214: Research Methods: Design
- SW 313: Social Policy, Action, and Advocacy
- SW 325: Power, Oppression, and Critical Consciousness
- SW 343: Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- SW 386: Interviewing and Counseling
- SW 480-481: Generalist Practice courses
The program blends theory with real-life practice, preparing students for immediate jobs or graduate studies after graduation.
Admission requirements
The University of Portland evaluates both general university standards and specific social work program criteria for admission. The university’s academic standards are competitive, with students averaging 1245 on SAT scores.
Senior status and completion of all prerequisite social work courses are needed before starting the practicum component. The social work major doesn’t need a separate application beyond general university admission.
The university’s “test flexible” policy lets you choose whether to submit SAT/ACT scores, though most students do. They use “superscoring,” which takes your highest section scores from multiple test dates.
Good planning helps since practicum applications start in spring before senior year. The program sends detailed instructions to all social work majors yearly.
Field education
Field education is the basis of your professional training at University of Portland. Senior students complete 400 hours of supervised field work over two semesters. This means about 15 hours weekly at a social work agency with guidance from a university-appointed field instructor.
Students also join a process seminar that combines social work theory with hands-on practice. Field placements let you use classroom knowledge in real-life settings while building professional skills.
Recent practicum sites across Oregon include:
- Clackamas County Social Services
- Oregon Department of Human Services
- Catholic Charities (various programs)
- Gateway Center
- LifeWorks Northwest
- Sexual Assault Resource Center
- Roosevelt High School
CSWE now allows more flexible practicum arrangements since COVID-19. Students might use their work settings as practicum sites if the job matches educational goals and social work standards. Federal Work Study students could qualify for Community Service Work Study during their practicum, potentially earning income while learning.
Tuition and financial aid
The University of Portland’s tuition will be $60,350 for 2025-26. Adding room and board ($18,000), books, supplies, and other costs brings the total to $79,862 for on-campus students.
The university offers substantial financial help. About 77% of first-year students get need-based aid. First-year students receive an average need-based scholarship or grant of $47,774. They also get an average non-need-based scholarship or grant of $29,685.
Financial aid options include:
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- Direct Graduate PLUS Loans
- Alternative Loans from private lenders
- Departmental scholarships
- Payment plan options
Family income affects the actual cost after aid. Families earning $0-$30,000 pay around $23,011, while those earning above $110,000 pay about $38,912. The university meets about 80% of student financial aid needs.
Graduates typically have $21,370 in federal loan debt, with $227 monthly payments based on 10-year repayment at 5.05% interest. Looking into all financial aid options helps manage these costs effectively.
Unique features
The Dorothy Day Social Work Program stands out among Oregon’s BSW programs. The program honors Dorothy Day (1897-1980), a Catholic activist, writer, and thinker who championed social justice principles.
CSWE accreditation gives graduates a big advantage. They can qualify for advanced standing in most nationwide MSW programs. This cuts graduate study time by at least one year, saving both time and money.
The program shows a steadfast dedication to anti-racism, Critical Race Theory, and broader global views. Students learn to see social issues beyond traditional U.S.-American perspectives, with global views and environmental justice as key parts of social work practice.
Social work’s professional values shape the curriculum – service, social justice, human dignity, relationships, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific asking. This approach helps students develop technical skills and strong ethical foundations.
The University of Portland combines solid academic preparation with hands-on experience. Their commitment to fixing systemic inequities and small program size creates a close-knit learning community with personal attention.
George Fox University – Department of Social Work
George Fox University’s CSWE-accredited BSW program stands out among certified BSW programs in Oregon. The program sits in Newberg, just 23 miles southwest of Portland, and uniquely blends Christian values with professional social work education to prepare students for various career paths in human services.
Program overview
The Bachelor of Social Work program at George Fox University combines Christian faith with professional social work practice. Students learn to address human suffering through hope and redemption. A cohort model groups 25-30 students who progress through the curriculum together, which encourages supportive relationships throughout their educational experience.
This nationally accredited program by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) gives students knowledge, skills, and values needed to succeed in various fields including:
- Healthcare and child welfare
- Ministry and criminal justice
- Mental health and substance abuse
- School social work and immigration counseling
Social work graduates face promising employment prospects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% growth between 2024 and 2034. Mental health and substance abuse workers can expect even stronger growth at 17%, while healthcare social work positions should increase by 8%.
Graduates can start working immediately or move faster toward a Master of Social Work degree. The program’s “advanced standing” option lets qualified BSW graduates complete their MSW in just one year instead of two.
Admission requirements
The BSW program’s admission process ensures students are ready for professional social work education. Basic requirements include:
- 75 minimum GPA
- Statement of faith compatibility
- Completion of the Introduction to Social Work course
- 40 hours of documented volunteer service
- Background check and references
Students must apply by February 2, while transfer students have until July 1. A complete application packet needs:
- Two recommendations (one academic, one professional/volunteer related)
- Professional resume
- Copy of your unofficial transcript
- Personal narrative
The BSW Admission Committee might request an interview during selection. Students can receive full, conditional, or probationary admission. Conditional admission applies to those missing a “C” or higher in prerequisites, while probationary admission covers candidates with GPAs below 2.5.
George Fox University field education
Field education serves as the basis for practical preparation at George Fox. Senior students complete a year-long internship with 400 hours of supervised experience. This hands-on training splits between junior and senior years, with placements in both faith-based and secular agencies.
The program focuses on rural and suburban placements to help address social work shortages in Oregon’s smaller communities. Field placement requirements include:
- Program acceptance
- BSW Student Field Application completion
- Annual field fair attendance for agency interviews
- Meeting with field education director to finalize placement
- Required background checks
Students use Tevera, an online management system, to track hours, learning activities, supervision, evaluations, and learning contracts. The university maintains strict confidentiality during field education, requiring protection of client identities and agency information during and after placement.
Tuition and financial aid
George Fox University’s undergraduate tuition for 2025-2026 costs $43,710. Room, board, and standard fees bring the total to $59,030. Here’s the cost breakdown:
| Expense | Per Semester | Full Year |
| Tuition (12-18 hours) | $21,855 | $43,710 |
| Room (standard double) | $4,125 | $8,250 |
| Board (Bruin Deluxe) | $3,175 | $6,350 |
| Standard Fees | $360 | $720 |
| Total | $29,515 | $59,030 |
Students can access substantial financial aid. Traditional incoming freshmen receive an average annual financial aid package of $35,483. Yes, it is worth noting that 69% of first-year students get need-based financial aid, with need-based scholarships or grants averaging $32,399.
Families with lower incomes ($0-$30,000) pay approximately $20,659 after aid, making education available to more people across income levels. The university meets 87% of students’ financial aid needs.
Unique features
George Fox’s BSW program stands apart from other Oregon social work programs through its faith integration. Students learn to distinguish personal beliefs from client beliefs while respecting and serving diverse and vulnerable populations.
The program also offers:
- Hybrid learning options: Working adults can take courses through evening and weekend formats
- Trauma-informed focus: Special emphasis on trauma-informed practice and behavioral health prepares students for Oregon’s growing mental health workforce needs
- Accelerated BSW-to-MSW pathway: Students can complete graduate education faster with a 4+1 year option
- Small cohort model: Limited enrollment provides tailored attention and community building
- Trauma and resilience certificate: Students can boost their marketability with this optional specialization
Strategic collaborations with local faith-based organizations complement preparation for secular settings. This balanced approach helps students integrate personal faith within the curriculum and understand how it affects both personal and professional development.
The program operates within Christian higher education’s framework to provide liberal arts, pre-professional, and professional training in an environment that is “vitally Christian, intellectually vigorous, socially wholesome and physically healthful”.
Pacific University – School of Social Work
Pacific University sits in the charming town of Forest Grove. The university has one of Oregon’s six CSWE-accredited BSW programs that takes a culturally sensitive approach to social work education. The Claire Argow Social Work Program blends academic excellence with field opportunities to prepare you for effective careers in various settings.
Program overview
The BSW program at Pacific University gives you knowledge, values, and skills to practice culturally sensitive generalist social work. Students learn to help people’s well-being, support social and economic justice, and improve social functioning of individuals, families, groups, and communities.
Core coursework covers:
- Principles of Social Work (4 credits)
- Micro and Macro Social Work Practice (4 credits each)
- Human Behavior in Social Environment (4 credits)
- Counseling & Interviewing Techniques (4 credits)
- Social Policy & Social Justice (4 credits)
The program follows CSWE’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards and encourages nine essential competencies from ethical behavior to practice assessment. Small class sizes at Pacific University let professors give individual attention to students. You’ll also get chances to learn about social work in both rural and urban settings.
Admission requirements
You must apply to the social work program after finishing the prerequisite course, Social Work 201 — Principles of Social Work. The application process has:
- Formal application
- Letter of reference
- Personal statement
- Entrance interview
After admission, you need to keep a 2.75 average in the major. All core courses must be completed with a grade of “C-” or better. The program assesses applicants based on academic ability, personal values that line up with social work ethics, dedication to improving others’ quality of life, and knowing how to be self-aware and think critically.
The program doesn’t give academic credit for previous life or work experience.
Field education
Field education is a crucial part of Pacific’s social work training. Senior students complete a detailed practicum of 420 hours during the academic year. You’ll work under qualified field instructors who have an MSW degree and two or more years of post-MSW experience.
Your practicum includes at least one hour of weekly supervision. Field experiences connect theory with practice through related coursework. The university helps with required paperwork and finds placement sites that meet program standards.
Pacific University works with many community organizations and social service agencies to offer varied practicum opportunities. These strategic collaborations help you gain ground experience in different settings while helping the community.
Tuition and financial aid
Here’s the undergraduate tuition at Pacific University for 2025-2026:
| Program | Annual Cost |
| Tuition and Fees | $58,348 |
| Room and Board | $16,272 |
| Total Cost | $77,542 |
Pacific University has several financial aid options. Federal work-study funds can help you get part-time jobs based on financial need. Federal student loans come with fixed interest rates, income-driven repayment plans, and loan forgiveness options. Private lenders offer alternative loans based on employment history and credit scores.
The university checks eligibility for all federal grant, loan, and employment programs. They also help find private and alternative loan options.
Unique features
Pacific’s BSW program stands out from other Oregon social work programs in several ways:
The program carries the Claire Argow name, honoring a former faculty member who promoted prisoners’ rights. Pacific’s academic approach balances liberal arts foundation with specialized social work training.
The location gives students unique advantages. You can learn about social work practice in both rural and urban areas. Small class sizes mean you get personal attention from professors in a close-knit learning community.
If you want an advanced degree, Pacific has a smooth path forward. BSW holders can join the one-year advanced standing MSW program. This faster option lets you finish graduate studies sooner.
Pacific’s focus on one-on-one instruction and mentoring from professors creates excellent opportunities for professional growth in a supportive environment.
Warner Pacific University – Social Work Program
Warner Pacific University is the sixth CSWE-accredited BSW program in Oregon. The university provides a more available private education option with a unique urban and faith-centered approach. The program has CSWE accreditation through June 2029.
Program overview
Warner Pacific’s social work program emphasizes ethical, competent generalist practice within a Christ-centered, urban setting. Students need 46 credits in major courses and 12 prerequisite credits. The core coursework has practice sessions with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students also take specialized courses in addictions, mental health, trauma, and human trafficking. Most students finish the major sequence in four semesters after admission.
Admission requirements
The program accepts applications until October 1, and releases admission decisions by November 1. You’ll need 60 college credits and a minimum 2.0 GPA. The prerequisite courses (EN 101, SOC 204, PSY 201/141, SW 200, BIO 121) require grades of C or higher. You’ll also need to interview with the Social Work Dean and faculty.
Field education
Your senior year includes a year-long, 450-hour supervised internship split into 225 hours each semester. The Field Director helps secure placements that line up with your career interests. The planning starts in spring of your third year.
Tuition and financial aid
The 2025-2026 tuition costs $23,500 annually, with total expenses around $41,581 including living costs. Students can access various financial aid options. Payment plans let you pay in monthly installments or twice per semester.
Unique features
Warner Pacific stands out as Oregon’s most affordable private BSW program. The program’s urban focus is a chance to practice in communities of all types while keeping a Christ-centered approach to serving vulnerable populations.
Get Started Today
The right BSW program among the five CSWE-accredited options in Oregon should line up with your personal and professional goals. Each program brings something special to the table. Portland State University gives you affordable public education with online options. The University of Portland blends Catholic values with an intersectional justice approach. George Fox University weaves Christian faith into professional practice. Pacific University stands out for culturally sensitive training. Warner Pacific University provides quality private education with an urban focus.
Money matters show different options at these schools. Annual tuition starts at $12,580 at Portland State and reaches $55,890 at private schools. Good news is that substantial financial aid packages make education available to students of all income levels. Many schools meet 70-87% of their students’ financial needs.
Field education is the foundation of these accredited programs. Students need 400-450 supervised practicum hours to build their practical skills. These hands-on experiences are a great way to get ready for a field that’s set to grow 12% between 2022-2032.
Program structures might vary slightly, but all five universities get you ready for jobs right after graduation. They also offer faster paths to an MSW through advanced standing options. Your choice depends on location, spiritual fit, money, specialization interests, and how you prefer to learn.
Social work continues to attract students as a meaningful career choice nationwide. This piece gives you the key details you need to pick the BSW program that matches your career dreams and life situation. Finding the right educational foundation launches your path to becoming a social worker. One of these five CSWE-accredited Oregon programs could be exactly what you’re looking for.