FAQs

Portland State University's general education requirements work differently than many other colleges and universities. The University Studies program aims to combine core education components like writing, math and critical thinking. The first year of University Studies is called Freshman Inquiry. A year-long class, it is aimed at helping new students learn their way around campus as well a focused objective, such as Design and Society, or Race and Social Justice. There are several themes to choose from on the university studies website (www.pdx.edu/unst/). For information on the second, third and fourth years of University Studies, see the website or ask your Freshman Inquiry professor. Transfer students are sometimes able to bypass the portions of University Studies for which they have equivalent amounts of general education classes from their previous school. For questions about Transferring these credits, see an Academic Advisor in Neuberger Hall.