Food, Beverage & Goods Leadership

coffee cup

The School of Business


Degree Details

  • Certificate (Undergraduate)
    Total Credits
    24
    Start Term
    Any
    Delivery Method
    In Person

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods


School/College The School of Business

Food, Beverage and Goods Leadership Certificate Overview

Add value to your business degree with a specialization in food, beverage, and consumer packaged goods.

Portland is known for its food, wine, and craft brews, which is why Portland State University’s Food, Beverage & Goods Leadership Certificate is positioned to prepare students for an array of careers in this dynamic industry.

Developed in collaboration with industry leaders, including Kroger, Fred Meyer, and Albertsons Safeway, the Food, Beverage and Goods Leadership Certificate adds a multifaceted specialization to your business degree. You’ll gain versatile skills that apply in many industries beyond food and beverage, building expertise in retailing, marketing, distribution, and more. 

PSU has deep connections in Portland’s world-class retail sector, enabling you to build your professional network quickly. Our Food, Beverage and Goods Leadership Certificate can put you on the fast track to a management job, or prepare you to launch your own food, beverage, or goods business. 

Food, Beverage and Goods Leadership Certificate: Why PSU?

  • Unique location. Portland is known as a food hub offering an amazing culinary experience and access to a diversity of start-up and established companies. The region offers advantages few cities can match, including world-class sectors in retail, consumer goods, and international trade. There’s no better place to study the food and beverage industry.
  • Advanced real-world experience. The food, beverage and goods program benefits from strong industry participation in the classroom and the marketplace, leading to exceptional opportunities for students and alumni. You’ll have the chance to learn from industry leaders and innovators, acquiring workplace knowledge and experience that will bolster your resume and skill set. PSU’s Center for Retail Leadership offers student delegation experiences, including an immersive, all-expense-paid trip to the Private Label Manufacturers Association’s (PLMA) trade show in Chicago, Illinois.  
  • On-campus creativity. The Center for Retail Leadership serves as a proving ground by facilitating creative collaborations between students and industry partners. Experiences range from our pop-up shop experiment to market tests, brand building, new product rollouts, advertising, and more. Our student organization, the Crave Network, sponsors informal networking and educational events both on and off-campus to connect students with food, beverage, and packaged goods professionals.
  • Expert faculty. Our Food, Beverage and Goods Leadership Certificate is taught by industry leaders and veterans. They bring an informed, first-hand perspective into the classroom, sharing knowledge and experience that goes way beyond the classroom.

Food, Beverage and Goods Leadership Certificate Highlights

What can I do with a certificate in Food, Beverage and Goods Leadership?

The program offers targeted, marketable expertise for anyone who seeks a career in the food, beverage, and consumer packaged goods industry, including aspiring entrepreneurs who hope to launch their own company. The credential can help you pursue a broad range of career pathways. Possibilities include:

  • Marketing
  • Supply and logistics
  • Retailing 
  • HR Management/Recruitment
  • Buying
  • Merchandising
  • Distribution

Food, Beverage and Goods Leadership Certificate Curriculum

This is not a stand-alone program, but rather a supplementary credential that you earn in conjunction with a business major in marketing, finance, supply, and logistics or another specialized discipline. The program consists of five courses (20 credits) including three required courses, and two electives.

The best way to get started is to schedule a meeting with your academic advisor to discuss how to plan ahead and integrate certificate courses into your educational plan. Explore current requirements

Pathways

Communications, Psychology and Graphic Design students: you can combine your major and passion to explore a diversity of career opportunities in the exciting and dynamic food, beverage and goods industry. Certificate courses deliver current industry insights, trends, and case studies. You'll develop project work and a network of industry contacts that you can leverage during your job search. View pathways requirements and schedules.

More Information

Contact the Executive Director of the Center for Retail Leadership, Lindsey Morse at lindseym@pdx.edu

ACCREDITATION & RANKINGS

Portland State University is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

One of less than 200 business schools worldwide — top 1% — to be accredited in both business and accounting by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB is the elite business school accreditation known internationally.

Global Supply Chain Management | Business

supply chain bags

The School of Business


Degree Details

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA)
    Total Credits
    180
    Start Term
    Any
    Delivery Method
    In Person
    Online
  • Bachelor of Science (BS)
    Total Credits
    180
    Start Term
    Any
    Delivery Method
    In Person
    Online

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods


School/College The School of Business

Bachelor's Degree in Business: Global Supply Chain Management Overview

Get ready to make a global impact with a degree in Global Supply Chain Management from Portland State University, one of the best programs for preparing students in one of the job market’s fastest-growing sectors. The curriculum offers a crucial global perspective and equips students with the technical skill and strategic savvy needed to procure resources, distribute products, and tackle the dynamic challenges of supply chain management on a global scale. Through hands-on supply and logistics management experience, you will gain a significant edge in the job market, as demonstrated by the program's graduates who consistently achieve one of the highest job placement rates of any business program and routinely have supply chain management jobs waiting for them at graduation.

The global supply chain management bachelor’s degree includes online and on-campus options, making it convenient for working professionals, full-time students, community college transfers, and military veterans.

The AI Advantage in Global Supply Chain Management

Through our integrated AI in Business Microcredential, undergraduate students gain essential, hands-on experience using AI tools for data analysis, strategic decision-making, and ethical problem-solving, all within your existing coursework and major pathway.

The Result? You leave with the practical knowledge, technical skills, and credential employers demand, giving you a competitive edge in any industry you choose. No extra courses. No extra fees. Just future-ready education.

Bachelor's Degree in Business: Global Supply Chain Management: Why PSU?

  • Unique industry connections. Portland ranks among the nation’s most dynamic supply chain hubs, and our supply and logistics management program immerses you in the industry. You’ll routinely interact with global supply chain management experts at Boeing, Nike, Adidas, Intel, and other global corporations for internships, class projects, competitions, networking sessions, recruitment fairs, and other professional development events.
  • Exceptional faculty. You’ll learn from seasoned pros who’ve spent years in supply and logistics management. Our faculty act as educators and mentors, drawing on their professional experience and industry contacts to help you get your supply and logistics management career off to a fast start.
  • Focus on innovation. PSU’s global supply chain management degree reflects the most current trends and technologies in an industry that’s constantly evolving. You’ll be prepared from day one to tackle present and future supply chain management challenges related to automation, sustainability, international trade, and other issues.
  • Well-rounded business skills. PSU’s global supply chain management degree equip you with holistic business skills that stand out in the workplace. Your fluency in market demand forecasting, production planning, lean management, global supply chain complexity, and trend analysis, and other business knowledge will make you a more effective supply and logistics management professional and help you advance toward leadership roles.

Global Supply Chain Management Degree Highlights

  • Available both online and on-campus
  • Curriculum that offers a global perspective and equips students with the tools and skills needed to tackle the dynamic challenges in the field.
  • Special recruiting and hiring relationship with Boeing, which has designated PSU as a supply chain-focused university
  • Industry affiliation with the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM)
  • Supply and Logistics Management Association (SLMA) student organization deepens your understanding of the supply and logistics field
  • Four consecutive years on U.S. News & World Report’s “Most Innovative Universities” list
  • Nationally ranked business school that holds elite dual accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

What can I do with a degree in GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT?

Demand for supply chain management professionals is exceptionally strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects supply and logistics jobs to grow twice as fast as the overall labor market in the next decade. You’ll find opportunities in:

  • Supply chain analysis
  • Project management
  • Global logistics
  • Transportation
  • Sales
  • Supply chain consulting
  • Procurement analysis
  • Purchasing

Portland State’s supply chain management program boasts a near 100% job placement rate. 

CURRICULUM

PSU’s global supply chain management degree follows the SCOR (Supply Chain Operations Reference) model and focuses on four core competencies: planning, sourcing, manufacturing, and delivery. You can take coursework in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), LEAN management, data analytics and visualization, and end-to-end supply chain management. Download the Global Supply Chain Management Sequence Sheet for additional details about prerequisites, requirements, credits, and suggested sequences.

Accreditation, Rankings, Certifications & Partnerships

Portland State University is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

One of less than 200 business schools worldwide — top 1% — to be accredited in both business and accounting by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB is the elite business school accreditation known internationally.

Best Undergraduate Business Programs, U.S. News & World Report

#11 Best Online Bachelor's in Business Programs, U.S. News & World Report

PSU is one of only 13 Boeing supply chain focused universities, meaning that Boeing recruits PSU supply chain students every fall term.

Management & Leadership | Business

leadership_image

The School of Business


Degree Details

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA)
    Total Credits
    180
    Start Term
    Any
    Delivery Method
    In Person
    Online
    Flexible
  • Bachelor of Science (BS)
    Total Credits
    180
    Start Term
    Any
    Delivery Method
    In Person
    Online
    Flexible
  • Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)
    Total Credits
    180
    Start Term
    Any
    Delivery Method
    In Person
    Online
    Flexible

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods


School/College The School of Business

Bachelor's Degree: Management and Leadership Overview

Portland State University's Management and Leadership program prepares you to thrive in today's data-driven global economy by equipping you to exercise high-impact leadership at any organizational level, from program director to chief executive. Drawing on the expertise of PSU's nationally-ranked MBA program, this customizable business degree provides specific, outcome-oriented techniques for managing people and addressing universal leadership challenges. The unique curriculum integrates practical know-how with a forward-looking vision, deepening your corporate connections and innovative thinking so you can successfully set your own course and get others to follow.

The AI Advantage in Management and Leadership

Through our integrated AI in Business Microcredential, undergraduate students gain essential, hands-on experience using AI tools for data analysis, strategic decision-making, and ethical problem-solving, all within your existing coursework and major pathway.

The Result? You leave with the practical knowledge, technical skills, and credential employers demand, giving you a competitive edge in any industry you choose. No extra courses. No extra fees. Just future-ready education.

Bachelor's Degree: Management and Leadership: Why PSU?

  • Dynamic community. With its vibrant economy and strong entrepreneurial spirit, Portland nurtures creative leaders in the business, government, and nonprofit sectors. PSU has strong relationships throughout the community, so you’ll enjoy exceptional opportunities to study—and interact directly with—successful managers and leaders from a variety of industries. You might be learning alongside employees from healthcare, the technology industry, the athletic and outdoor industry, or music and entertainment.
  • Practical orientation. Although “leadership” can be an ambiguous concept, our management and leadership program addresses concrete issues and offers applied training. You’ll learn to use storytelling techniques, build an inclusive culture, integrate hard data analysis with subjective judgment, cultivate dialogue, manage resources wisely, and solve other day-to-day challenges.
  • Commitment to innovation. Leadership is central to what we do at The School of Business. With longstanding commitments to civic engagement, corporate responsibility, and social justice, PSU challenges all students to embrace leadership regardless of academic major or career path. It’s one reason we’ve made U.S. News & World Report’s “Most Innovative Universities” list for four consecutive years and earned a rare and prestigious “Changemaker” designation from Ashoka U.
  • Flexibility and convenience. With online and on-campus options, the management and leadership degree is equally accessible to full-time students and working professionals. It also offers maximum academic flexibility. You can apply electives from a variety of business disciplines toward our management and leadership degree, tailoring it to match your skills and support your career objectives.
  • Rigorous academics. PSU’s School of Business holds elite dual accreditation (in business and accounting) from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Only 1% of the world’s business schools have achieved this distinction. You’ll learn from seasoned, highly-published, and well-connected faculty.

Management and Leadership Degree Highlights

  • Available online and on-campus (mix and match to pick whatever fits your schedule in any given term)
  • Customizable credit requirements to fit your academic and career objectives
  • Leadership and management skills apply to organizations in business, government, and nonprofit sectors
  • A broad range of career options
  • University-wide commitment to values of corporate responsibility, social justice, and civic engagement
  • PSU has been featured for four consecutive years on U.S. News & World Report’s “Most Innovative Universities” list
  • Nationally ranked business school that holds elite dual accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

What can I do with a degree inManagement and Leadership?

The management and leadership degree has a wide range of applications because the demand for leadership skills far exceeds the supply. Employers in every industry describe the shortage of leadership and management talent as an obstacle to their organization’s success.

Past graduates of our management and leadership degree have taken a broad range of career paths. Some common choices include: 

  • Business analyst
  • Consultant
  • Entrepreneur
  • General manager
  • Government administration
  • Human resource management manager
  • Management analyst
  • Nonprofit leadership
  • Operations manager
  • Product development
  • Project manager
  • Property manager
  • Public relations
  • Risk manager
  • Sales manager
  • Social media manager

 

Management and Leadership Curriculum

The Management and Leadership degree includes core coursework in four areas: 

  • Human Resource Management
  • Team Processes
  • Organization Design and Change
  • Contemporary Leadership Issues

You’ll also take core business courses in finance, marketing, organizational behavior, information technology, business research, and operations management. Depending on your particular focus, you can apply electives from a wide array of disciplines toward the Management & Leadership degree.

Download the Management and Leadership Sequence Sheet for additional details about prerequisites, requirements, credits, and suggested sequences.

ACCREDITATION & RANKINGS

Portland State University is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

One of less than 200 business schools worldwide — top 1% — to be accredited in both business and accounting by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB is the elite business school accreditation known internationally.

Best Undergraduate Business Programs, U.S. News & World Report

#11 Best Online Bachelor's in Business Programs, U.S. News & World Report

Marketing | Business

students studying in KMC

The School of Business


Degree Details

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA)
    Total Credits
    180
    Start Term
    Fall
    Delivery Method
    In Person
    Flexible
  • Bachelor of Science (BS)
    Total Credits
    180
    Start Term
    Fall
    Delivery Method
    In Person
    Flexible

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods


School/College The School of Business

Marketing Overview

Marketing is all about value creation, delivery, and capture—and few marketing degrees are better connected than Portland State University. Our marketing program is housed within a nationally ranked business school and plugged into Portland’s world-class marketing and retail community, giving you a 360-degree perspective on marketing trends, tools, and strategies. You’ll learn from an internationally renowned marketing faculty and industry pros and get hands-on workplace experience, earning a marketing degree that integrates creativity with data fluency, analytical skills, and overall business acumen. Because it’s so broad, PSU’s marketing degree prepares you for a wide range of marketing careers in diverse settings, from businesses to nonprofits and the government sector. And our marketing degree helps you gain the big-picture vision to play strategic roles and advance into leadership positions. 

The AI Advantage in Marketing

Through our integrated AI in Business Microcredential, undergraduate students gain essential, hands-on experience using AI tools for data analysis, strategic decision-making, and ethical problem-solving, all within your existing coursework and major pathway.

The Result? You leave with the practical knowledge, technical skills, and credential employers demand, giving you a competitive edge in any industry you choose. No extra courses. No extra fees. Just future-ready education.

Marketing: Why PSU?

  • Exceptional industry connections. Because of PSU’s strong relationships within Portland’s marketing and retail industries, you’ll have extraordinary opportunities to showcase your talent, develop your portfolio, and build professional connections. You might work as an intern at an iconic corporation like Nike or Whole Foods, get industry feedback for an in-class marketing project, or launch your own venture through PSU’s Center for Retail Leadership.
  • Superior faculty. Our marketing degree is led by a faculty who connect cutting-edge marketing theory with the latest in effective marketing practice. They offer knowledge and savvy that goes way beyond the textbook, providing career guidance and professional mentorship.
  • Strategic focus. At PSU you’ll learn how marketing fits within a broader business context. Our marketing degree equips you to understand how marketing interacts with finance, information technology, supply and logistics, and other core parts of the enterprise. You’ll also gain a global perspective that helps you understand broad economic trends.
  • Flexibility and customization. You can tailor PSU’s marketing degree to fit your own interests, talents, and career goals. Some marketing majors specialize in particular industries (athletic and outdoor or food, beverage, and packaged goods), while others focus their studies on digital media, nonprofits, international marketing, sales, consumer research, or other niches.
  • Emphasis on innovation. New technologies and communication media are constantly changing the way marketers do business. We consistently update our marketing degree to reflect the most current, up-to-date trends. You’ll learn the same concepts and practices that are used in today’s marketing industry, so you’ll stand out in the job market and be prepared to contribute immediately when you enter the workforce.

Marketing Degree Highlights

  • Access to Portland’s dynamic, fast-growing, and high-profile marketing and retailing sector
  • Partnerships with industry leaders like Pepsi-Cola, Nike, Columbia, Adidas, Whole Foods, Weiden & Kennedy, Hershey, Intel, Kroger, Starbucks, Amazon, and P&G
  • On-campus opportunities via Center for Retail Leadership, student-led advertising agency FIR Northwest, and Marketing & Advertising Club
  • Industry-specific certificates in Athletic and Outdoor and Food, Beverage and Goods
  • More than 800 business internships and jobs posted to PSU students each year by corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, and other organizations
  • Four consecutive years on U.S. News & World Report’s “Most Innovative Universities” list
  • Nationally ranked business school that holds elite dual accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

What can I do with a degree in Marketing?

You can find marketing job opportunities with all kinds of organizations, from corporations to nonprofits, government agencies, consulting firms, and startup ventures. PSU’s rich, diverse marketing degree prepares you for any type of marketing career and lets you explore the full spectrum of possibilities, including:

  • Account management
  • Category management
  • Marketing analytics
  • Product/service management
  • Digital marketing
  • Web design
  • Market research
  • Public relations
  • Professional selling
  • User experience design
  • Social media management
  • Event management
  • Media buying

Marketing Degree Curriculum

Some marketers work at a broad strategic level, while others focus on designing and executing specific tactics. PSU’s marketing degree equips you to do both. More important, you’ll learn to collaborate effectively with marketing teammates, and with colleagues in other parts of the organization. You can customize our marketing degree to fit your own interest, but all marketing majors develop strong writing, communication, research, and critical reasoning skills.

Course subjects in the marketing degree include:

  • Consumer behavior
  • Marketing research
  • Retailing
  • Marketing strategy and management
  • Digital marketing
  • Social media
  • International marketing
  • Sales management
  • Advertising management

Download the Marketing Sequence Sheet for additional details about prerequisites, requirements, credits, and suggested sequences.

ACCREDITATION & RANKINGS

Portland State University is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

One of less than 200 business schools worldwide — top 1% — to be accredited in both business and accounting by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB is the elite business school accreditation known internationally.

Best Undergraduate Business Programs, U.S. News & World Report

Social Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship

hands dealing with plants

The School of Business


Degree Details

  • Certificate (Undergraduate)
    Total Credits
    16
    Start Term
    Any
    Delivery Method
    Online

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods


School/College The School of Business

Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship Online Certificate Overview

Want to make a difference? Our social innovation & social entrepreneurship certificate will show you how.

Portland State University’s social innovation and social entrepreneurship certificate equips you to bring meaning and purpose to your career in business or nonprofit leadership. Offered by PSU’s award-winning and accredited School of Business, the social innovation and social entrepreneurship certificate trains you to create practical, effective solutions to social and environmental challenges.

Whether you’re a social entrepreneur starting something new, or an intrapreneur inside a mission-driven organization, this program can prepare you with the experience and skills to innovate. You can either design a complete social venture—nonprofit, business, government program or advocacy campaign—to address an issue that matters to you, or evaluate and suggest improvements to an existing organization of your choice. 

Social Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship Online Certificate: Why PSU?

Results-oriented skills. Our social innovation and social entrepreneurship certificate equips you with the practical know-how to get a new social venture or internal program past the idea stage. It’s not merely an academic exercise—numerous graduates have successfully launched initiatives they designed in the program. It also teaches some of the most highly-demanded skills by employers worldwide. 

  • Strong faculty mentoring. You’ll receive personalized guidance from experienced faculty every step of the way. They’ll help you avoid common mistakes, push you to take risks, and encourage you to persevere through disappointments and challenges.
  • Interaction with experts. Some of the nation’s most innovative, successful social entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs live and work in Portland. You’ll hear directly from change agents who’ve faced the same obstacles you’re up against and discovered—or invented—the tools to overcome those challenges.
  • Change happens here. As one of fewer than 50 institutions worldwide to hold Ashoka U’s “Changemaker Campus” designation, Portland State is the ideal place to acquire social innovation skills. We’ve also been named one of America’s “Most Innovative Universities” four consecutive years by U.S News & World Report.

Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship Certificate Highlights

  • Entirely online program that exceeds the nationally-recognized Quality Matters rubric for excellence in online education
  • Accelerated two- and four-week field studies that augment classwork with real-world experience
  • Work on your own idea, in your own areas of interest and passion, while learning top skills demanded by employers
  • Open to students from all majors, inside or outside The School of Business, as well as non-degree seeking working professionals

What can I do with a certificate in Social Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship?

Graduates have used the social innovation and social entrepreneurship certificate to design and launch new nonprofits and businesses, advance careers in nonprofit leadership and corporate social responsibility, or find jobs at B Corps and sustainable businesses. Graduates of the social innovation and social entrepreneurship certificate program commonly go into fields such as:

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Intrapreneurship
  • Corporate responsibility
  • Nonprofit leadership
  • Civic engagement and outreach
  • Government administration
  • Community programming

CURRICULUM

The social innovation and social entrepreneurship certificate consist of four courses. By the end of the sequence, you will refine a leadership and career purpose, apply Human-Centered Design best practices, use the Business Model Canvas to map out a venture, learn about funding sources, create a financial forecast, develop a plan for measuring and reporting impact, and practice effective storytelling and presentation. 

Download the Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship Certificate Sequence Sheet (PDF)

ACCREDITATION & RANKINGS

Portland State University is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

One of less than 200 business schools worldwide — top 1% — to be accredited in both business and accounting by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB is the elite business school accreditation known internationally.

Ashoka Changemaker Campus Designation

LEARN MORE ABOUT SOCIAL INNOVATION AND SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Law & Legal Studies

U.S. Supreme Court Building

Undergraduate Program


Degree Details

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods



Law and Legal Studies Minor Overview

The minor in Law and Legal Studies (LLS) offers an interdisciplinary, liberal arts approach to the study of law. This is an academic program, not a professional training program, emphasizing the political, social, cultural, and philosophical foundations and impacts of law and legal systems. It is designed for pre-law students and also for a broad array of students from across the PSU campus who are interested in the relationship of law to politics, society, and culture. While the core courses concentrate on American law and the American legal system, the electives allow students to focus on aspects of law related to areas such as international law, comparative law, and philosophy.

Law and Legal Studies Minor: Why PSU?

The Law and Legal Studies minor at PSU allows students to take courses across a range of disciplines and approaches. This leads to a breadth of knowledge about the law. PSU offers unique opportunities for students who are interested in the law:

  • Pre-law advising: Portland State offers faculty advising for students interested in pursuing law school after graduation.
  • Portland Law School Fair: PSU hosts the fair for the entire Portland metropolitan area. This fair brings in 60 - 70 law schools from across the country and is a great opportunity for students to connect with recruiters and ask questions. 
  • Explore the Law Program: The Oregon State Bar Association and the Multnomah County Bar Association partner with PSU and support the program which is administered through Student Legal Services: It's a free, year-long program for students to explore and prepare for careers in law.

What can I do with a minor in Law and Legal Studies?

Many students who minor in Law and Legal Studies go to law school after their undergraduate studies, but that is not the only path. The minor offers a well-rounded education that is useful in business, law enforcement, and politics.

Social Innovation | Business

Person holding bowl of water

The School of Business


Degree Details

  • Minor
    Total Credits
    28
    Start Term
    Any
    Delivery Method
    Online
    Flexible

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods


School/College The School of Business

Business Minor in Social Innovation Overview

Be a Force for Good

The majority of college students say making a positive difference through their job is an important life goal. Gain in-demand 21st century human and business skills required to create change by pairing any non-business major with the Business Minor in Social Innovation. This program provides the tools necessary to establish a meaningful career at a social enterprise, sustainable business, nonprofit, or government agency.

The 28-credit Business Minor in Social Innovation teaches students how to design and apply creative concepts to environmental and social issues of their choice. Students are instructed by experienced and practicing social entrepreneurs, interact with leading experts, and work with peer mentors to develop impactful solutions. Gain experience required to create a clear pathway to employment at social enterprises, B Corps, sustainable businesses, and nonprofits or a venture of your choice.

PSU is one of only 50 institutions around the world recognized by Ashoka U as a Changemaker Campus for excellence in teaching social innovation.

Business Minor in Social Innovation: Why PSU?

  • Double Dip. All 300-level courses also count toward the Design Thinking/Innovation/Entrepreneurship University Studies Cluster, and all 400-level courses also count toward the Certificate in Social Innovation in Social Entrepreneurship, allowing students to optimize class time and credit hours while advancing to their career of choice.
  • Take the Lead. With a focus on leadership and purpose, the Business Minor in Social Innovation combines business and management essentials in a well-rounded program that informs students of effective leadership practices. Upon completion of this minor, students will expand their business skillset, enhance their teamwork capabilities, improve their communication, and learn startup methodologies.
  • Make a Difference. The Business Minor in Social Innovation encourages students to use their business expertise to influence change. The three upper-division management courses motivate students to develop new strategies and solutions that produce social and environmental benefits. The program guides students through a transformational and personally meaningful learning experience to become a successful social entrepreneur or intrapreneur.

Business Minor in Social Innovation Highlights

  • Available to all non-business majors
  • Focused on leadership, sustainability, and making a difference
  • Can be completed in one year
  • The three 300-level courses also count towards the Design Thinking/Innovation/Entrepreneurship University Studies Cluster
  • The 400-level courses also count towards the Certificate in Social Innovation in Social Entrepreneurship, allowing students to optimize class time and credit hours while advancing to their career of choice

What can I do with a minor in social innovation?

The Business Minor in Social Innovation is designed to teach sought-after skills to students who strive to be changemakers. The seven courses inform students of business planning, finance, marketing, management, leadership, and critical thinking so that they can start an impactful career in any field. Program learning objectives include:

  • Understand and develop effective leadership practices
  • Create a solution with the Business Model Canvas
  • Learn about funding for social ventures 
  • Use approachable financial modeling tools
  • Practice storytelling techniques to market ideas effectively
  • Understand the language of business
  • Develop ideas directed towards social and environmental benefits

 

Curriculum

The core courses teach some of the most sought-after skills by employers across sectors. Download the Business Minor in Social Innovation sequence sheet (PDF) for additional details about our pre-requisites, requirements, credits and suggested sequences.

Benefits

  • Tailored to your interests
  • Double-dip your business minor credits
  • Access to School of Business student organizations
  • Get customized career resources from the School of Business Career Center
  • Get access to Grammarly Premium and loaner laptops

Accreditation

Portland State University is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Materials Science & Engineering

Automotive gears

Graduate Program


Degree Details

  • Master's Degree (M)
    Total Credits
    45
    Start Term
    Fall, Winter, Spring
    Delivery Method
    In Person

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods



Earn Your Materials Science and Engineering Master's Degree at Portland State University

Broaden your skills and experience with Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science's Materials Science and Engineering graduate program, which blends fundamental materials science with applied engineering. Through advanced coursework and cutting-edge materials research, our program prepares you to innovate in the field and make an impact through your work.

Why Study Materials Science and Engineering at PSU?

Choose PSU's graduate program in Materials Science and Engineering for an unparalleled educational experience that offers industry connections and engaging, interdisciplinary research opportunities. 

Our downtown Portland location connects you with a vibrant, growing and culturally diverse community and leading materials-focused industries in the Portland metro area. You’ll engage with local industries and gain hands-on applied research experience through partnerships and internships that help you understand industry needs and program applications.

Our state-of-the-art research facilities give students and faculty the opportunity to create, interpret, apply and share their knowledge. From launching zero-gravity materials experiments in space to developing nano-materials for biomedical applications, our internationally recognized faculty conduct cutting-edge research and invite students to work alongside them. 

Flexible Format for Working Professionals

Our flexible program structure gives you time to explore traditional and interdisciplinary materials science research areas. Students can start the program in fall, winter or spring term and many of our classes are offered in hybrid or online formats, giving you convenient options to complete your degree.

Career Paths in Materials Science and Engineering

Students in our program enhance their skills to prepare for their next job and greater economic mobility. Our graduates work in a wide range of industries — from aerospace to patent law — and in roles that include:

  • Bioengineer
  • Energy Engineer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Mechatronics Engineer
  • Process Engineer
  • Project Engineer
  • Quality Engineer
  • Research Engineer
  • Software Engineer
  • Systems Engineer

Graduates of our program also go on to pursue long-term academic and industry research at national laboratories and global companies.

Top Employers of Materials Science and Engineering Graduates

Our graduates work with industry leaders to drive innovation in materials science, engineering design, and advanced manufacturing. Program alumni work at top companies, including: 

  • Autodesk
  • Blue Origin
  • Boeing
  • Daimler Trucks North America
  • Hewlett-Packard
  • Intel
  • Jacobs Engineering Group
  • NASA
  • Nike
  • PCC Structurals
  • Portland General Electric
  • Tektronix
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific

Ready to Shape the Future?

Develop the skills and knowledge to impact the future of materials innovation, advanced manufacturing, and engineering solutions. Apply to Portland State University’s Materials Science and Engineering program today or connect with our admissions team to learn more.

Mechanical Engineering

mechanical engineering students

Graduate Program


Degree Details

  • Master's Degree (M)
    Total Credits
    45
    Start Term
    Fall, Winter, Spring
    Delivery Method
    In Person
  • Doctoral Degree (D)
    Total Credits
    81
    Start Term
    Fall, Winter, Spring
    Delivery Method
    In Person

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods



Mechanical Engineering Master's Degree and Doctorate Overview

Advance your career in mechanical engineering with PSU's graduate programs in the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, which offer industry-aligned coursework and cutting-edge research opportunities. Our master’s and Ph.D. programs blend fundamental engineering principles with practical applications, preparing you for leadership roles in innovation, product design, and applied research.

Why Study Mechanical Engineering at PSU?

From our vibrant urban campus in Portland’s tech corridor, you’ll build strong connections with leading companies in the Portland metro area. You’ll gain hands-on engineering experience through partnerships and internships that help you understand industry needs and program applications.

You’ll collaborate with internationally recognized mechanical engineering faculty on cutting-edge research projects. In PSU’s state-of-the-art research labs, you can pursue research opportunities in design and manufacturing, materials science and thermal and fluid sciences. You can also explore unique research areas like zero-gravity experiments and nano-materials for biomedical applications.

Our flexible graduate program allows you to pursue an advanced degree on your own timeline. You can start the program in fall, winter or spring term and take many of our classes in either a hybrid or online format.

Career Paths in Mechanical Engineering

Careers in mechanical engineering span various industries. Graduates of our programs are well-equipped for diverse roles in fields that include:

  • Additive manufacturing and 3D printing
  • Aerospace
  • Automotive engineering
  • Biomedical engineering and healthcare technologies
  • Construction
  • Defense
  • Electronics
  • Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
  • Industrial
  • Materials science and metallurgy
  • Mechanical design
  • Patent law and intellectual property
  • Railway
  • Renewable energy, sustainability and green building
  • Research and development
  • Robotics and control systems

Top Employers of Mechanical Engineering Graduates

Our graduates work with industry leaders to drive innovation in mechanical engineering across various sectors. Our graduates are well-equipped to enter the workforce and work for top engineering employers, including: 

  • Autodesk
  • Blount
  • Blue Origin
  • Boeing
  • Daimler Trucks North America
  • Galois
  • Hewlett-Packard
  • Hyster-Yale
  • Intel
  • Jacobs Engineering Group
  • PAE Consulting Engineers
  • PCC Structurals
  • Portland General Electric
  • Precision Castparts
  • Tektronix
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific
  • Warn Industries
  • Xerox
  • 3D Systems 

Ready to Advance Your Career?

At PSU, you'll gain real-world experience and theoretical knowledge to drive innovation in the field. Join us to develop the skills and knowledge needed to shape the future of engineering and advanced technology. Apply to Portland State University today or connect with our admissions team to learn more. 

Intercultural Competence for the Workplace

Woman in an office instructing colleagues

Undergraduate Program


Degree Details

  • Certificate (Undergraduate)
    Total Credits
    16-27
    Start Term
    Any
    Delivery Method
    In Person
    Flexible

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods



Intercultural Competence for the Workplace Certificate Overview

In an increasingly global community, the ability to communicate in culturally diverse contexts and show empathy and cultural adaptability are skills that are more necessary than ever. PSU's Certificate in Intercultural Competence for the Workplace prepares you for success in interculturally diverse and complex workplace environments.

Through language classes, you're invited to step into the shoes of another person, from another culture, in another language, and as such, practice and develop empathy and respect. The certificate's core courses will help you cultivate a greater capacity for collaboratively engaging with diversity and communicating across differences in a culturally responsive manner, while the electives will help you better understand international and intercultural issues in your major or chosen career path.

With this certificate, you'll be equipped with the tools and skills that will enable you to negotiate the 21st century successfully and contribute effectively to society.

Intercultural Competence for the Workplace Certificate: Why PSU?

PSU's Certificate in Intercultural Competence for the Workplace offers you the opportunity to combine the study of world languages with interculturally focused coursework.

Our faculty have training and expertise in literature, linguistics, pedagogy, cultural studies, and the use of languages in intercultural contexts, from education to business and commerce, film and digital media, and interpersonal and recreational settings.

The equivalent of at least one year of world language study is the cornerstone of this certificate. In your courses, you'll learn to be reflective about language, recognize that others see the world differently, develop an awareness of the complexity of situations and positions, and appropriately communicate with people across languages and cultures. You'll round out the certificate with courses that focus on intercultural competence and courses that help you look at your major or chosen career path in an international or intercultural context.

You'll graduate with training in a world language, intercultural communication, and international perspectives — credentials that many employers seek.

What can I do with a certificate in Intercultural Competence for the Workplace?

Employers are increasingly looking for global talent: professionals who are proficient in a foreign language in addition to possessing other valuable skills for the job market. This certificate positions you for success by enhancing your intercultural competence in professional and workplace settings.

With this certificate, you can find positions in a variety of fields, including human resources, education (teaching diverse students, leadership, and student services), humanitarian and social work, and work in non-governmental organizations that involve community outreach, health, and other services.

The certificate can also be a strong element of a graduate school application.