With PSU's Professional Science Master's degree, you'll complete advanced specializations that combine theory with real-world applications and practical skills you can apply on the job.

The curriculum allows you to choose your areas of specialization – including hydrology, GIS, geology, sustainability, conflict resolution, food systems, environmental and resource economics, or emergency management and community resilience –  while taking courses in project management and demonstrating your capacities through a capstone project or internship.

The Professional Science Master's degree sets itself apart from our other graduate programs by offering students the ability to combine a rigorous science-based curriculum with professional development skills and perspectives.  Through your degree, you'll learn how to successfully organize and manage a project, and communicate and interact with community partners and other stakeholders.

With your internship or project, you'll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to real-world settings by working with a community partner and advisor to tackle an environmental problem. Past projects have ranged from a review and recommendations of statewide wetland policies to recommendations for a site-specific restoration.

You'll graduate ready to address relevant, urgent environmental challenges.

Our master of science degree prepares you to become a skilled researcher and professional in the growing field of environmental science and management. Our program blends courses in fundamentals such as ecological, physical, and management sciences, with technical courses in statistics and GIS and specialty courses in an area of your choice.

You'll become familiar with the scientific literature in your concentration and gain skills to analyze environmental problems, develop research questions, conduct field studies or lab experiments, present results and discuss the impact of your work.

Though you'll work independently on your research, you'll have the support of our expert faculty to advise you in developing and completing your thesis and opportunities to work with them in their research labs. Our small classes also provide you with opportunities to extensively interact and learn from them.

Our location in the heart of downtown Portland gives you access to a wide variety of environmental agencies and organizations, including the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland Bureau of Environmental Studies, and The Nature Conservancy.

Our department and the Association of Environmental Science Students also jointly host a weekly Friday Science seminar, providing you with an opportunity to present your work and get feedback from people outside your area of study.

Our innovative program integrates your industry experience with proven business practices and cutting-edge research to create real-world impact. Our curriculum goes beyond theory, focusing on: 

• AI implementation strategies
• Project management in technology, research, and development
• State-of-the-art management practices
• Technology foresight
• Strategic business leadership
• Data-driven decision making
• Innovation and R&D Management

You’ll collaborate with faculty who are actively shaping technology leadership through their research and industry partnerships. You’ll study in the region’s innovation corridor, and connect with leaders from Intel, Nike, Columbia Sportswear and emerging tech firms. You can apply what you learn through internships, case studies and consulting projects with regional employers. Students often join faculty research projects, gain publication opportunities and develop deep expertise that gives them an edge in the job market. 

Start Where You Are, Advance at Your Own Pace

Start your program any academic quarter — even summer — and choose from evening online classes and hybrid courses. This isn't just convenient; our flexible format lets you immediately apply what you’re learning on the job, so you can accelerate your impact and graduate without pausing your career. Tuition is competitive and often more affordable than similar Engineering and Technology Management graduate programs. 

All of our programs are fully integrated. Start small with a certificate and build toward a master’s or doctorate when you’re ready. Our stackable credential model gives you multiple ways to enter and grow: 

• Graduate certificates: Strengthen your business and technical skills
• Master of Science (MS): Pursue a comprehensive advanced degree
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): Achieve the highest level of expertise 

The Department of Engineering Technology Management at Maseeh College offers a unique opportunity for working professionals in engineering and technology to enhance their careers. ETM students develop crucial business acumen and research skills alongside their technical skills, creating a powerful combination that's highly valued in today's industry. Our faculty and a supportive network of alumni leaders involve students in creating new knowledge through practice-focused projects, setting you apart as a critical thinker and innovator. 
 

The PSU Department of History emphasizes the mastery of advanced knowledge in a variety of specific fields of history. Students develop research skills in data management, analysis, and interpretation. They learn to ask questions, document processes, and communicate clear and persuasive arguments. The program also emphasizes working in diverse environments and building a culturally competent, inclusive and empathetic worldview. The Department partners with several local institutions, including the Oregon Historical Society, to offer internships and specified training opportunities. The Department’s World History concentration allows for the exploration of thematic interests across time and space. 

While designed to be completed in two years, many students attend part-time or take advantage of a growing number of online courses to complete their degree. Many students pursue the MA as a pathway to a Ph.D. program or as a professional credential. Others view the program as an opportunity to develop highly transferable skills that will set them apart in a wide variety of career paths. Finally, the Department includes several students who are pursuing a Master’s degree primarily for personal curiosity and enrichment. The majority are recent college graduates, but we also regularly welcome students who are several years or even a few decades removed from college study.

This multidisciplinary degree program affords students flexibility so they can balance learning with work, family, and other life experiences. The major can be completed fully outside of the traditional classroom, and students are welcome to combine online with in-classroom learning. Students also have a wide variety of choices in selecting elective courses from across the disciplines. Courses transferred from other programs may also be used.

Earn an Interdisciplinary Urban and Public Affairs Degree for a Multidisciplinary Profession

Our flexible Urban and Public Affairs degree combines the convenience of online learning with Portland’s unique, innovative spirit of public engagement. Choose our online bachelor’s degree in Urban and Public Affairs for:

• Extraordinary faculty. You’ll learn from professors who’ve earned high distinction in urban and public affairs and remain active in the profession.
• Flexible Credit Policies. Reduce your distance to graduation by applying previously earned credits from Portland State and/or accredited transfer institutions toward the degree.
• Interdisciplinary Focus. You can satisfy degree requirements with courses from several departments in the College of Urban and Public Affairs and OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, customizing the program to build specialized knowledge that serves your goals.
• Career Opportunities. PSU has an outstanding reputation for training urban and public affairs professionals. Our graduates have an excellent job-placement record with public, nonprofit, and private employers, as well as a strong rate of graduate school admissions.
• High-touch online platform. Our online public and urban affairs courses are at least as interactive as on-campus classes. You’ll build strong relationships with classmates, enjoy one-on-one access to faculty, and participate in lively discussions and collaborative assignments.

PSU offers unique opportunities for students who are interested in pursuing careers in the law:

• Portland Law School Fair: This fair is a pretty big deal and brings in 60 - 70 law schools, it's for the entire Portland metro, a great opportunity for students to connect and ask questions. 
• Explore the Law Program: The Oregon State Bar and Multnomah Bar Association partner with PSU and support this program administered through Student Legal Services. It's a free, year-long program for students to explore and prepare for careers in law. They particularly encourage PSU students from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply for the program.

At the heart of transformative messaging is human connection, the inevitability of conflict, and the necessity of transforming and resolving conflict. PSU's Conflict Resolution program prepares students to transform conflict for the achievement of peace and social justice in both small groups and at the community level.

Through your courses, you'll gain communication and conflict resolution skills that are increasingly needed in today's world: de-escalation, calling-in, empathic listening, and grounded theory.

You'll be taught by faculty who are experts in areas that touch social justice, the politics of language, and the challenges and opportunities of social media and technology.

With the Certificate in Transformative Messaging, you'll build a foundation in nonviolent human interaction that'll help you develop your voice in the world and prepare you for work in community engagement.

PSU's location in the heart of Oregon’s Silicon Forest gives you access to a vibrant tech community. You’ll have opportunities to do internships, build your network and explore career paths with established companies and startups. PSU’s University Career Center will also help connect you to Portland-area employers.

Build a Strong Mathematical Foundation for Data Science Success

Unlike data science programs that primarily focus on computer science, our program places a strong emphasis on mathematical rigor and integrates expertise from mathematics, statistics and computer science into your coursework. This helps you develop a deep understanding of every data science method you use. 

Explore Interdisciplinary Applications of Data Science

At PSU, you’ll explore data science within many fields, including environmental science, business analytics, health informatics, urban planning and social sciences. This approach will bring you real-world experience and train you for data science positions in a variety of fields.

Transferring to PSU? We’ve Got You Covered

Thinking about transferring? Our Data Science Transfer Advising Guides make it easy to see how your previous classes fit into PSU’s program. They’ll help you plan ahead, avoid surprises and stay on track to earn your degree.

You will graduate from one of the nation's "top 10 most innovative" universities with a degree that is interdisciplinary and tailored to your interests and career goals.

You can further enhance your learning by going on one of the 200 credit-bearing international opportunities offered by PSU Education Abroad.

Our diverse campus is located in the center of downtown Portland, one of the most vibrant cities on the West Coast.

This degree isn’t offered anywhere else, so it offers a unique opportunity to hone your skills in thinking and communicating about multiple facets of the arts. Portland State University’s location offers endless opportunities to experience Portland’s vibrant creative and cultural scene, we are located just steps from museums, art galleries, and performance spaces. Through our program you'll gain access to the Portland Art Museum’s College Creative License program, offering a reduced-price annual museum pass.