You can earn the Certificate of Advanced Proficiency in Russian by participating in PSU’s innovative Russian Flagship Program, either as an undergraduate or as a postbac student.  In the whole of the US, only eight universities host federally-funded Russian Flagship Programs, and PSU is home to one of the two programs available west of the Mississippi.

The Russian Flagship Program encourages students to enhance the major of their choice with professional level proficiency in Russian, and the Advanced Proficiency Certificate can be combined with any major at PSU.

Whether you are starting Russian from scratch at PSU or you know it from previous study or as a home language, PSU’s Flagship Program can help you achieve a professional level of proficiency in Russian and become a global professional.

The program offers students coursework in Russian language and culture, one-on-one tutoring, internships, and extensive study abroad opportunities in the Russian-speaking world. The Flagship Program has generous scholarships to help students participate in the study abroad experiences.

Through these experiences, you'll gain marketable skills and be prepared for exciting careers that use critical language and cultural skills in a globalized world. Graduates of PSU’s Flagship program have gone on to careers in government and business, including U.S.-Russian relations, federal and state government, political science, journalism, law, physics and space exploration, language psychology, and teaching English as a second language.

A career in medicine offers a broad array of opportunities, ranging from clinical practice to biomedical research to public health policy development. Physicians are knowledgeable about the scientific basis of medicine and the abnormal and normal functioning of the human body.

Portland State offers a strong pre-health medical program for students interested in becoming allopathic physicians (MDs) or osteopathic physicians (DOs).

Allopathic medicine is rooted in the practice of using treatment and remedies to reverse the effects of illness and disease. However, today’s allopathic physicians also typically use a preventive approach to medicine, emphasizing health promotion, and disease prevention.

Osteopathic medicine is rooted in a holistic philosophy with an emphasis on viewing the patient as a whole (mind, body, spirit) and understanding the way that structure influences function in the body. Like allopathic physicians, osteopathic physicians utilize remedies such as medication and surgery to reverse the effects of illness and disease; however, they are also trained in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) -- manual manipulation of the musculoskeletal system.

Allopathic and osteopathic schools of medicine require that applicants complete a specific set of prerequisite courses prior to enrollment and typically require students to earn a baccalaureate degree before matriculating to medical school. Students can choose to pursue any major at PSU while completing their pre-medical coursework. You can discuss with your pre-medical advisor how these two components fit together in your course plans.

Portland State offers a strong pre-medicine program that enables students to complete their prerequisite coursework, earn a baccalaureate degree, and obtain assistance in preparing for and applying to medical schools across the country.

Pre-medicine is a professional track (not a major), but common majors for pre-medical students include Science, Biology, Chemistry, Health Studies: Health Science, and Psychology. Students can choose any major while also completing their pre-medical coursework. You can discuss with your pre-medical advisor how these two components fit together in your course plans.

Prospective students interested in PSU can meet with a pre-medical advisor to learn about the pre-medicine track.

Pre-Medicine is a pre-professional track, not a major. Students can select any major of their choice.

Portland State University educates prospective K-12 teachers in the Graduate School of Education, through the Graduate Teacher Education Program (GTEP) and the Special Educator Program (SPED). Both GTEP and SPED are split into separate tracks to emphasize either elementary (K-5) or secondary (middle/high school) education, and both result in a master’s degree (Master of Education or Master of Special Education) and an initial teaching license.

Undergraduates at Portland State University may prepare for competitive admissions by consulting with appropriate advisors, by achieving high academic standards in the recommended and required courses for specialization, and in courses in liberal arts, and by documenting the successful experience with children in public schools. Passing scores on teacher exams mandated by the Oregon Teachers Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) are also required for entry into the GTEP.

Early childhood and elementary education: Students who want to be elementary teachers choose from a wide range of majors to complete their undergraduate degrees. Pre-Education advisers have traditionally recommended interdisciplinary majors – such as Arts and Letters, Social Science, General Science, and Liberal studies – because they can include multiple subjects that are highly relevant to the elementary curriculum. However, specific disciplinary majors can also be fitting for the goal of progressing into GTEP. Such disciplines include (but are not limited to) English or History (especially those wishing to teach at the upper elementary level), Psychology, and Child and Family Studies. Prospective elementary teachers should consult with a Pre-Education Advisor.

Secondary (middle/high school) education: Prospective middle and high school teachers may receive general introductory pre-professional advising with a Pre-Education Advisor; however, subsequent advising for pre-secondary education should be with the academic adviser for the secondary education content area in which they wish to teach. These specialized advisors are familiar with all GTEP admission requirements for their respective content areas, and the Graduate School of Education relies on their recommendations to determine whether an applicant has sufficient understanding of the subject matter they wish to teach.

Academic majors and their respective secondary endorsements are as follows: biology (biology and general science); physical education (physical education); history, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, political science, geography, and economics (social studies); health (health); mathematics (mathematics); English (English language arts); art (art); world languages and literatures (foreign language); music (music); chemistry (chemistry); physics (physics); business and economics (business); drama (drama); speech (speech).

Special education: All prospective special educators, whether they wish to teach special education at the elementary or secondary level, should consult with a pre-education advisor. Students who are interested in teaching special education at the secondary level as well as teaching a specific subject in their middle or high school should also meet with the content area advisor for that subject (see above).

Pre-Teacher Education is a pre-professional track (not a major or certificate), common majors for pre-teacher education students include Science, Biology, Chemistry, Special Education, History, Art Practice, and Mathematics.

Portland State University's bachelor's degree in Arts and Letters offers a flexible path for independent-minded students. You'll have the freedom to explore your own interests, with attentive faculty, and a strong academic framework to provide you with a well-rounded education.

Our program will make you a better writer, researcher, communicator, and critical thinker. You'll enter the job market with professional skills that make a strong impression on employers.

Dentistry is the branch of the healing arts and sciences devoted to maintaining the health of the teeth, gums, and other hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. In addition to general dentistry, there are nine recognized specialties. Dentists must have good manual dexterity while working in a very limited space. They also must be very meticulous in their attention to detail.

Students interested in becoming dentists must complete a specific set of prerequisite courses before moving on to complete four years of dental school. Many dental schools require that students complete prerequisite coursework and a minimum of three years of college prior to matriculation. However, most students entering dental school have completed four years of college and most have earned bachelor's degrees. Students can choose to pursue any major at PSU while completing their pre-dental coursework. You can discuss with your pre-dental advisor how these two components fit together in your course plans.

Portland State offers a strong pre-dentistry program that enables students to complete their prerequisite coursework, earn a bachelor's degree, and obtain assistance in preparing for and applying to dental programs.

Pre-dentistry is a professional track (not a major), but common majors for pre-dental students include Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Health Studies: Health Science. Students can choose any major while also completing their pre-dental coursework.

Prospective students interested in PSU can meet with a pre-dental advisor to learn about the pre-dental track.

Pre-Dentistry is a professional track, not a major. Students can select any major of their choice.

At PSU, we know that the best educators are also the best musicians, so we start by building strong fundamental music theory and performance skills followed by a wide variety of pedagogy and techniques classes, instrumental and choral conducting, and a full year of K-12 teaching methods.

Our future teachers gain proficiency in piano, guitar, percussion, winds, strings, voice, and music technology, then choose a targeted track for their final year: elementary, strings, band, or vocal.

Prospective music majors must apply to PSU, submit a secondary application to the School of Music & Theater, and pass the entrance audition.

Naturopathic doctors are primary healthcare practitioners trained in all the same sciences as a doctor of medicine (MD) but they emphasize and practice holistic diagnosis and non-toxic treatment, and proactive prevention to promote wellness. In addition to the medical curriculum, a naturopathic physician studies clinical nutrition, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, and counseling.

According to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, NDs treat all medical conditions; conditions that are commonly treated include but are not limited to allergies, chronic pain, digestive issues, respiratory conditions, heart disease, and cancer. NDs can perform minor surgery and are trained to utilize prescription drugs, though the emphasis in naturopathic medicine is on natural healing.

Portland State offers a strong pre-naturopathic medicine program that enables students to complete their prerequisite coursework, earn a baccalaureate degree, and obtain assistance in preparing for and applying to naturopathic schools.

Pre-naturopathic medicine is a professional track (not a major), but common majors for pre-naturopathic students include Science, Biology, Health Studies: Health Science, and Social Science. Students can choose any major while also completing their pre-naturopathic coursework.

Prospective students interested in PSU can meet with a pre-naturopathic advisor to learn about the pre-naturopathic track.

Pre-Naturopathic Medicine is a pre-professional track, not a major. Students can select any major of their choice.

Accounting is about more than crunching numbers — it’s the language of business. In PSU’s Accounting program in The School of Business, you’ll learn accounting fundamentals and discover how to solve problems, make strategic decisions and become a leader in the workplace.

The AI Advantage in Accounting

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.

Why Choose PSU for Your Accounting Program?

Our flexible, accredited bachelor’s in accounting degree stands out for its big-picture approach. We offer you excellent academics, a CPA-ready curriculum, hands-on accounting experience and professional development opportunities. You’ll gain technical expertise and a broad understanding of the business world to support your future career. If you want to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), we’ll set you up for success with built-in exam prep. 

Whether you plan to go for your CPA, climb the corporate ladder or explore a new career, you’ll graduate with experience that sets you apart in a competitive job market.

We also offer a postbaccalaureate accounting certificate that prepares you to efficiently meet the educational requirements for a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.

Are you curious about new sounds, contemporary styles, and exploring your own musical voice? A music degree in composition through PSU’s School of Music & Theater will give you the individualized instruction and community collaboration crucial to building your skills as a composer.

The Bachelor of Music in Composition provides a thorough music foundation with specialized coursework in composition, analysis, orchestration, counterpoint, and computer music. You’ll receive individualized instruction in composition lessons and prepare live performances of your music in concerts and recitals.

Completing this degree will give you the necessary skills in composition and supporting curriculum to prepare you for continued graduate study, or to pursue professional work in composition, generally with teaching or performing as a secondary area. Our alumni are accepted into top composition graduate programs and have a wide range of career paths to choose from. Join them in this competitive field.

Prospective music majors must apply to PSU, submit a secondary application to the School of Music & Theater, and pass the entrance audition. Learn more about our application process.

Want to hone your craft in a vibrant music school just steps away from the Oregon Symphony? PSU offers world-class instruction to aspiring performing artists. An undergraduate music performance degree from PSU School of Music & Theater will embolden you to become a more confident performer and take a chance on your professional goals.

The Minor in Music: Performance provides a thorough music foundation with specialized coursework in classical instrumental performance, keyboard skills, music theory, and pedagogy. You’ll participate in immersive performance experiences in large ensembles, chamber ensembles, and solo recital performances.

Prospective music minors must apply to PSU and submit a secondary application to the School of Music & Theater.

Learn more about the application process.