Not sure what classes to take in your first term at PSU? Use the guides below for suggestions, and connect with your academic advisor if you need more help. You can also email sipathway@pdx.edu.
GENERAL SUGGESTIONS:
- Full-time is 12 credits. Most courses are 4 credits, so three courses is typically considered full-time. You should also budget 2-3 hours per credit outside of class for homework and studying.
- You can earn either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Social Work. Consider your future goals and whether having a language background will be helpful to you.
- Program admission is required to SW courses in the junior and senior years. Applications are due March 1 for admission to the coming fall term.
First-Year Students:
| For BA degree | For BS degree | Advisor Pro Tips |
|---|
| UNST 1XX First Year Inquiry or Honors 101 The Global City (5 credits) | UNST 1XX First Year Inquiry or Honors 101 The Global City (5 credits) | These are yearlong sequences, so check out the First Year Inquiry Planning Guide and Honors website for descriptions and bios, and pick a theme that interests you. |
| Language course (4-5 credits) | MTH 105Z, 211, STAT 243Z or a science course (4 credits) | Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199. |
SOC 204Z-Intro to Sociology or SOC 206Z-Social Problems (4 credits) PSY 201Z-Intro to Psychology I or PSY 202Z-Intro to Psychology II (4 credits) | SOC 204Z-Intro to Sociology or SOC 206Z-Social Problems (4 credits) PSY 201Z-Intro to Psychology I or PSY 202Z-Intro to Psychology II (4 credits) | These are great classes to take in your first year at PSU. You will also be required to take 1-2 electives this year; don't be afraid to take one! You can choose from this list of introductory classes. |
Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
Transfers with 30-89 credits:
| For BA degree | For BS degree | Advisor Pro Tips |
|---|
| UNST 2XX Sophomore Inquiry or HON 260 Honors Writing for Sophomore Transfers (4 credits) | UNST 2XX Sophomore Inquiry or HON 260 Honors Writing for Sophomore Transfers (4 credits) | Refer to descriptions on the websites linked and pick a theme that interests you. Understanding Communities, Families & Society and Gender & Sexualities are good options for SW majors. |
| Language course (4-5 credits) | MTH 105Z, 211, STAT 243Z or a science course (4 credits) | Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199. |
SOC 204Z-Intro to Sociology or SOC 206Z-Social Problems (4 credits) PSY 201Z-Intro to Psychology I or PSY 202Z-Intro to Psychology II (4 credits) PSY 311 Human Development (4 credits) | SOC 204Z-Intro to Sociology or SOC 206Z-Social Problems (4 credits) PSY 201Z-Intro to Psychology I or PSY 202Z-Intro to Psychology II (4 credits) PSY 311 Human Development (4 credits) | For SW admissions, you are required to have a PSY class, a SOC class, and a human development class by the end of the year. If you have taken PSY or SOC courses already, you don't have to take them again. We strongly recommend an introductory PSY class before taking PSY 311. |
Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
Transfers with 90 or more credits:
All Social Work majors must be admitted to the program to take required classes in the social work major. If you have been admitted to the BSW program, register for the classes in your admissions letter, and also follow the suggestions below.
If not, review the courses above first, and take any courses that are not yet completed.
Registration Issues for Admitted SW Students:
If you have been admitted to the BSW program for Fall term, we hope everything goes smoothly for your registration. Sometimes admitted students will get the error message "College Restriction, you are not in the program that offers this course". Please register for the sections of SW 301 and SW 339 that match the options given in your BSW admissions letter. If you still get a registration error, email bswadv@pdx.edu.
| For BA degree | For BS degree | Advisor Pro Tips |
|---|
| Upper Division Cluster course* or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits) | Upper Division Cluster course* or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits) | There are many other great cluster options, depending on your interests. Some options: American Identities; Understanding Communities; Families & Society; Healthy People, Healthy Places Clusters are not required for students transferring 135 or more credits. |
| Language course (4-5 credits) | MTH 105Z, 211, STAT 243Z or a science course (4 credits) | Language: Take the course recommended by our Language Placement Advice.
Math: Take the math course recommended by the Math Placement Assessment. If you score below 46 or are not confident in your math, take UNST 199. |
Admitted to SW: Take SW 301U & 339 Not Admitted to SW: SW 301U Intro to Social Work (4 credits) and/or cluster classes. | Admitted to SW: Take SW 301U & 339 Not Admitted to SW: SW 301U Intro to Social Work (4 credits) and/or cluster classes. | Admitted to SW: You do not need to take SW 301U if you already have taken it, or have an equivalent. Not Admitted to SW: As you wait on SW Admissions, you can take the SW prerequisites: Introductory SOC, PSY, and human development (PSY 311). If you have those done, focus on your cluster* or Honors courses and take SW 301U Intro to Social Work. Talk to an advisor about your plan to graduation. *If you transferred in with less than 135 credits, you will likely need to take cluster classes in your first term at PSU. |
Helpful video: How to search for Cluster courses
Return to top of page