The Criminal Behavior and Justice Undergraduate Certificate prepares students to understand the causes of criminal behavior. This certificate is worthwhile for students who are interested in exploring the complex nature of crime and factors that contribute to criminal behavior in general, and within specific populations and contexts. The certificate can be valuable for students considering a job in social work or community outreach positions, where they would work with individuals involved and affected by crime. Working with community organizations or non-profits to educate the public on crime prevention and justice issues is another avenue that students might consider upon graduation.

Students will delve into questions such as “Who defines crime and criminal behavior?” and “Why do people commit crimes?” And consider how society responds to crime, and most importantly, how it can do so more effectively. Specifically, students explore how criminal justice agencies (e.g., police, courts) can use evidence-based practices to produce equitable and effective outcomes. 

The Criminal Law and Justice Undergraduate Certificate is for students eager to explore the complexities of criminal law. This certificate is worthwhile for students who are interested in gaining job skills related to the law and legal system, students interested in going to law school, and any student who would like to learn more about how laws impact their community.

Students will delve into the principle of “equal justice under the law,” examining its relevance in criminal law-making and enforcement. Specifically, students will gain a deeper understanding of the interaction of the criminal justice system (i.e., law enforcement and prosecution) with the courts. Students will also consider how laws shape their communities, and how it disproportionately impacts certain groups over time. 

Nationwide, there is a critical shortage of orientation and mobility specialists. Orientation and Mobility (O&M) specialists educate students with visual impairments, including those with deafblindness. The need for evidence-based instruction for individuals with visual impairments in all geographic areas is great. It is a particular need in rural and remote communities where there are too few O&M Specialists. Providing quality O&M services to people, regardless of geography, is a matter of equity. In fact, O&M is recognized in special education and rehabilitation laws, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Rehabilitation Act (RA) of 1973. O&M skills have been associated with higher rates of education, employment and quality of life. O&M specialists teach people how to travel safely, efficiently, and with purpose in a variety of environments.

The O&M program is an extension of the Visually Impaired Learner (VIL) program. VIL has been preparing teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs) since 1964. The O&M program is professionally accredited by the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI).

PSU’s Social Justice & the Arts Bachelor’s degree taps into Portland’s rich culture of creativity, artists, and activists, and invites students to explore the powerful connection between artistic expression and civic engagement.

In this first-of-its-kind program, students develop their creativity and discover their potential to effect social change in local and global communities. The core curriculum integrates courses in music, theater, film, architecture, art history, and art and design. As students learn about art theory and apply it to their creative practice, they are also immersed in themes like civic engagement, activism, advocacy, and social change. 

Students have the opportunity to:

• Cultivate their creativity through a wide range of art practices and classes in disciplines from design to film to music.
• Dive deep into courses on the principles of civic engagement and conflict resolution, the arts and social change, the history of social justice movements, and more.
• Collaborate with groups from different cultural backgrounds and identities.  
• Engage with marginalized communities through local service learning activities.
• Learn from expert faculty who are active participants in the creative community as well as educators.

Throughout the program, students will also participate in lectures and workshops with visiting artists and activists from a broad range of cultures and backgrounds. 

By the time they leave PSU, they’ll be able to think critically about personal agency (a person’s belief that they have the ability to do the things they need and want to do, and that they are capable of making a difference in their own life and in the larger world) and will have the skills needed to express their commitments to social justice in creative ways.

Principals provide leadership to their school community with a focus on student needs, school climate, and personnel development. Principal licensure programs at PSU prepare you to feel confident making strong decisions when it matters most, and to move cutting-edge educational practices forward. Our approach integrates anti-racist teaching practices and prepares you to become a culturally-responsive leader.

To become a principal, you will first need to work in a school – in a licensed role – for at least three years. Depending on your educational background, we offer two pathways to becoming a school principal. If you are not already a teacher, school counselor, or other school professional, check out our Become a Teacher page to get started.

Principal License + Master's: This path is for you if you earned a teaching license with your bachelor’s degree. The master’s degree is integrated into the principal license coursework.

Principal License + Graduate Certificate: If you already have a master’s degree, follow this shorter path to licensure as you prepare to become a principal.

PSU’s Principal License programs prepare school leaders to meet the highest professional standards and has regularly earned local and national accolades for its equity focus.

Affordable housing is a complex field – development involves multiple layers of financing, public sector partners, and complicated tax incentives. Once a building is complete, the leasing phase and ongoing community management includes policy and program compliance and specialized resident services. Property maintenance and management often requires re-capitalization and more layers of finance and government relations. The Graduate Certificate in Affordable Housing Development provides knowledge and skills for real estate professionals in the private, nonprofit, and government sectors to be able to enter and advance within this specialized field.

The Master of Science in Applied Economics and Data Analytics integrates economic theory with hands-on data analysis, providing graduate training that prepares students for careers in business, government, and nonprofits. Unique in its emphasis on practical applications and real-world problem solving, the program incorporates data analytics into coursework and research, equipping graduates with in-demand analytical and technical skills grounded in economic fundamentals. 

This one-year program covers advanced micro and macroeconomics, econometrics, and data analysis using Python and R. Students complete electives in fields like environmental economics, policy evaluation, and finance. The curriculum develops analytical problem-solving, critical thinking, and data skills. Students can undertake internships or a final project applying their knowledge. Whether looking for a career change, advancement, or simply exploring your options, the MS in Applied Economics and Data Analytics is designed to propel your career to the next level. 

The flexible online format provides access for diverse students while preparing graduates for in-demand careers.

Highlights:

• Data analysis training from a college consistently ranked among the nation's most innovative universities by U.S. News & World Report, a top 50 public affairs school nationally, and the No. 1 spot in Oregon
• Interdisciplinary curriculum that seamlessly integrates economics, business, and policy - equipping you with a versatile, forward-thinking skillset to tackle real-world issues
• Cutting-edge technical coursework in R and Python, ensuring you graduate with highly marketable data analytics capabilities 
• Career support, including personalized mentorship, resume and cover letter workshops, job placement 
• Accomplished, research-active, diverse faculty who are leading experts in their fields 
• Flexible online format allows you to earn your degree on your schedule and from anywhere
• Accelerated 12-month full-time or 18-month part-time paths to graduation

The sustainable fashion minor emphasizes sustainable and inclusive approaches to textiles and apparel. The curriculum centers on circular design philosophies for clothing the body and promotes ethical approaches to research, ideation, and production.

Students in our program:

• Develop a critical understanding of materials at every stage of the process from fiber to final product.
• Engage in maker-driven courses that fuse traditional textile processes with current technologies and digital fabrication.
• Understand the social, economic, and cultural implications of the fashion system, and develop work that is inclusive of people marginalized from the dominant fashion discourse.
• Learn to collaborate and effectively communicate research and design ideas in professional settings and public-facing exhibitions of work.
• Gain entrepreneurial training to develop socially responsible brands or pursue existing opportunities in the industry.

Dig into a rewarding and in-demand career with Portland State’s undergraduate certificate in Cultural Resources Management. The work of preserving and promoting historic properties, including archaeological sites, historic structures and other culturally significant places, on public and private lands is critical — so critical, in fact, that demand for qualified professionals is expected to increase dramatically in the next decade.

With our certificate, you will learn how to identify, document, interpret and manage cultural resources; better understand preservation laws and how they apply to your work; and learn appropriate strategies for engaging and consulting with Indigenous communities, descendant groups and other communities.

You will also hone professional skills needed for any career, including communication, teamwork and collaboration.

Our certificate offers:

• Two tracks to tailor the certificate to your interests and strengths
• Hands-on coursework and opportunities for fieldwork
• Community-based learning experiences with Tribes, governmental agencies and private firms

Whether you are ready to take the first step toward a career in cultural resources and heritage management or you are already in the field and looking to advance your career, you are in the right place. PSU’s certificate equips you with the credentials needed to make an immediate impact in cultural resource programs for Native American Tribes, federal and state agencies and the private sector.

PSU’s Elementary Education master’s degree offers you a path to become an elementary teacher in Oregon — and gives you the opportunity to make an impact in the lives of children and their families.  If you have already earned a bachelor’s degree, you can earn your Oregon Teaching License through completion of this program.

In our immersive program, you’ll learn to work with youth and discover how to take an anti-racist approach to teaching. You’ll develop specialized expertise in social emotional learning, the science of reading, and working with multilingual learners. As you gain the skills and knowledge to enter the education field, you’ll learn to lead in the classroom.

You’ll also:

• Get hands-on experience working with students through a year-long student teaching placement and additional opportunities to observe and help in classrooms.
• Receive valuable instruction and mentorship from faculty who are also experienced elementary school teachers.
• Engage in critical self-reflection based in knowledge about colonial histories and systems of oppression.
• Learn how to design and implement lesson plans that encourage creativity, build community, and help students make meaningful progress toward learning goals.
  Discover practices to build partnerships with families and community members.
• Engage in a teaching style that honors the strengths, culture, and background of your students and their families.

Our licensure in elementary education program (LEEP) will give you the opportunity to do meaningful work, and stand out in a high-demand field. Learn how you can become a teacher and view other teacher pathway programs at PSU.

If you have not yet earned your bachelor’s degree, your path to becoming an Elementary Teacher is through PSU's bachelor’s in Elementary Education.

If you are interested in teaching art, music, or physical education in elementary school, the Graduate Teacher Education Program (GTEP) will be the correct program for you. GTEP leads to a teaching license with a single-subject endorsement.