Advanced Standing Option – Central Oregon Location
The Central Oregon MSW Option campus is located at the Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Oregon. Bend is renowned for its natural beauty and abundant outdoor recreational activities. Located in Oregon's high desert country, it is also known for its sunshine and winter skiing and snowboarding. Bend is the state's seventh largest city, combining the amenities of city living with clean air and easy access to rivers, lakes and forests.
The primary counties that students in the Bend cohort come from are Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. There have also been students from Klamath, Lake, Harney, Hood and Wasco counties. Thus, the Bend site serves Central and Eastern Oregon for the most part.
The Central Oregon Option classes held on Fridays from 9 am to 4 pm in addition to a field practicum in one of the area's many social service agencies. As an advanced standing Bend campus student, you will also have the option of taking some electives Online. All students receive direct supervision during their practicum by a qualified social worker.
The Central Oregon area is fortunate to have a relatively large and diverse group of social service agencies. The social work program in Bend has a longstanding relationship with the majority of these agencies as field practicum sites and new ones regularly become available as the community works to address the needs of an expanding and more diverse population. Virtually every social work field of practice is represented in this area but what stands out is the prevalence of medical facilities including a growing number of integrated primary care/behavioral health practice opportunities. The site also partners with state and county social services including but not limited to the Department of Human Services Child Welfare division, Deschutes County Health Department, and Juvenile Department. Students complete field practice in agencies in or near their home communities whenever possible.