Summer 2026 Electives-See directions below for how to register
- SW 510-TOP: Survey of Trauma Across Micro through Macro Social Work (3 credits)
- CRN: 80769
- Online, no scheduled meetings
- Starts 6/22/26; Ends 8/16/26
- Trauma, often described as a mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and communal experience, is a core part of the human lifespan. Trauma shapes nations, cultures, organizations, processes, communities, ethnic groups, spiritual practice, families, behavior, and human development down to the core of the self as we understand it. This elective will prepare all practitioners to support trauma prevention, management, recovery, and reduction in individuals, groups, families, communities, organizations, and systems. Students will receive a broad overview in a variety of trauma theories across all levels of practice. Not just for direct service providers, this course will contextually position traumata and its sequelae, increase understanding of its multiple roots, causes and impacts, and introduce participants to individual, family, and group recovery methods, organizational management strategies, and communal and legal response processes. Students should plan to engage with trauma in all its facets at all levels of practice. This course is not focused solely on clinical intervention, but for those who desire to create change from a broader scope, or from multiple angles.
- SW 523-Healthcare Policies and Programs (3 credits)
- CRN: 80771
- Online, no scheduled meetings
- Starts 6/22/26; Ends 8/2/26
- Advanced policy course analyzes the history of selected health care policies, programs, and disease categories within the context of social work practice in health care. Contemporary outcomes in current health and service delivery systems presented from a policy perspective. Develops skills for policy change.
- SW 537-US and Oregon School Law and Policy for Social Workers (3 credits)
- CRN: 80773
- Online, no scheduled meetings
- Starts 7/20/26; Ends 9/13/26
- Examines U.S. and Oregon law governing educational practice and policy at the school and district levels. We will explore the implications of U.S. and Oregon educational laws and policies for effective, ethical, and just social work practice with students, families, school staff and communities; and how educational law and policy directly impact instruction and student learning, school climate and the organization and management of schools.
- SW 564-Social Work in Schools (3 credits)
- CRN: 80780
- Online, no scheduled meetings
- Starts 6/22/26; Ends 8/16/26
- Uses a policy/practice perspective to prepare students for effective and culturally sensitive social work practice in early childhood and K-12 education. Presents multiple roles of school social workers and educational policies that provide context for practice. Emphasizes collaboration among families, schools, and communities.
Registration Requirements
For PSU Students
PLEASE NOTE: You must obtain permission to enroll. To obtain permission, e-mail mswregis@pdx.edu explaining your background that prepares you for the class. Include information about your previous experience and/or coursework. This will help us determine if you have knowledge and skills to successfully complete the class. Include your PSU ID (if you are admitted to PSU but not to the MSW program).
For Non-PSU Students
If you are not currently admitted to Portland State University there are two options for admission:
- Post-Bac Admission: $60 fee & transcripts required, allows students earlier access to registration and the option of applying for financial aid.
- Non-Degree Admission: $25 fee, students are not eligible for financial aid.
A $2 processing fee will apply to each of the above admission options. The options listed above do not include admission to the MSW program; however, they allow enrollment in specific courses listed on this page. Students are allowed to transfer 6 pre-admission credits to later apply toward the MSW degree requirements.
After obtaining a PSU student ID number through one of the methods listed above, please email mswregis@pdx.edu with your ID number, Course Name/CRN and a brief explanation outlining your request for wanting to take the course.
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