Apply to Grad School
Change doesn’t come from just anywhere. It comes from within.
And at Portland State University, it’s here for everybody. We stand out among graduate schools in Oregon with more than 100 master’s degrees, 48 graduate certificates, and 20 doctoral offerings.
Challenge yourself to take the next step in your education and career. Read below for information on how to apply to grad school at Portland State University.
What you'll need to apply
Congratulations on taking the first step to earning your graduate degree at Portland State. Check individual program requirements of the graduate program you’re interested in. Review the program’s deadlines, procedures and requirements in addition to our minimum admissions requirements.
University admissions requirements:
- Copies of transcripts from each college or university attended (other than Portland State)
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
Additional department requirements may include:
- Personal essay or statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation
- Standardized test scores, e.g., GRE (not required by all programs)
- Resume
- Writing samples
- Portfolio
International students
- Copies of official degree certificate/diploma
- Certified translation of transcripts
- Financial documentation demonstrating adequate financial support for at least the first year of study
Review Portland State's minimum requirements
University Requirements
To be admitted to PSU for a graduate certificate, masters or doctoral program, applicants must satisfy University requirements and be accepted by the academic department in which the graduate study will occur. Admission eligibility is based on receipt of a baccalaureate degree equivalent to a United States four-year bachelor's degree from a college or university recognized as an institution of higher education by the Ministry of Education in the relevant country or be regionally accredited within the U.S. prior to matriculating into a graduate program.
Admitted students must meet the university's minimum English language proficiency requirements in order to enroll in graduate courses.
The Graduate School reserves the right to request official or updated transcripts at any time.
Regular Admission
To be considered for regular admission, applicants must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or the equivalent (on the U.S. 4.0 scale). Applicants who have earned 9 or more letter-graded graduate credits must have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 or the equivalent; this graduate GPA supersedes the undergraduate GPA.
Conditional Admission
Applicants who have a cumulative undergraduate GPA between 2.5 and 2.74 or the equivalent are eligible for University Conditional status. After completing 9 letter-graded graduate credits with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, students with University Conditional status will automatically be given Regular status.
United States 4.0 Grading Scale
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) and student performance is evaluated based on the following grades:
| Grade | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent | Excellent |
| B | Good | Satisfactory |
| C | Satisfactory | Below standards |
| D | Inferior | Failure (no credit) |
| F | Failure | Failure |
| A: 4.0 | A-: 3.67 | |
| B+: 3.33 | B: 3.0 | B-: 2.67 |
| C+: 2.33 | C: 2.0 | C-: 1.67 |
| D+: 1.33 | D: 1.0 | D-: 0.67 |
| F: 0.0 |
Departmental Requirements
A department may have additional admission requirements based on previous academic achievement, scores on Graduate Record Examinations or other tests, letters of recommendation, a portfolio, or an autobiographical statement. Information regarding departmental requirements can only be obtained directly from the specific department. Admission is selective and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. The number of students admitted to a particular program is limited to the resources available.
Special Approval Request
In cases when a student does not meet minimum University admission requirements, departments may choose to submit a Request for Special Approval to Graduate Admissions. This process may only be initiated by a department.
Fee waivers
A non-refundable $65 application fee and $2 processing fee is required to successfully complete the Portland State University graduate application.
Qualifying graduate applicants must submit a request for a fee waiver with required documentation while filling out their graduate application. Fee waiver requests should be submitted prior to the completion of the application and at least two weeks before the application deadline for processing. If approved, a waiver will be applied to the application and you will be emailed to complete your graduate application for submission.
Please reach out to your graduate department for other fee waiver options if your need does not fit within these parameters.
| Applicant Type | Required Documentation | Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| Currently enrolled PSU graduate students (adding/changing programs) | PSU ID Number | $0 Fee |
| Applicants submitting an additional PSU graduate application (already paid a $65 fee for the same academic school year, fall - summer) | None | $27 |
| PSU-benefits eligible Faculty and Staff | PSU ID Number | $0 Fee |
| Participant in the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, Gates Millennium Scholars, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, McNair Scholars Program, Project 1000 or TRIO program | Signed letter or dossiers from the program director verifying participation | $0 Fee |
| Participant in Peace Corps, AmeriCorps or Teach for America | A signed letter from program director verifying the applicant's participation within the past year from application date | $0 Fee |
| U.S. armed services active member, reservist, or veteran | Copy of current orders or DD-214 (with SSN redacted) | $0 Fee |
A limited number of application fee waivers are available on a first-come, first-served basis to applicants under the following categories:
| Application Type | Required Documentation | Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| Current recipients of unemployment benefits OR State of Oregon or U.S. Public Assistance (SNAP, TANF, Oregon Health Plan, Medicaid) | Unemployment benefits statement or a signed and dated statement from caseworker verifying receipt of benefits dated within the previous three months. Those experiencing unemployment processing delays due to Covid can submit a copy of the unemployment application as documentation. | $0 Fee |
| Currently enrolled undergraduate student with an expected family contribution (EFC) of $5,234 or less toward tuition for the current academic year | A letter or FAFSA from a representative at the institution where the applicant is currently enrolled as a student indicating the EFC. Alternately, applicants may submit a copy of Part One of Student Aid Report (SAR) from the institution they are currently attending | $0 Fee |
Start your application
If you are ready to start your graduate application, login or create a new account in the application portal. Use this same link to access an existing application and to check your admission status.
Experience Portland State
Virtual graduate information sessions
Visit the Graduate School virtually and learn how to apply
The Graduate School offers group and individual virtual information sessions for prospective graduate students. Set up a time that works for your schedule and learn more.
