Spring 2026 Electives-See directions below for how to register
- SW 537-US and Oregon School Law and Policy for Social Workers (3 credits)
- CRN: 62918
- Online, no scheduled meetings
- 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 538-Critical Refugee and Migration Studies (3 credits)
- CRN: 62919
- Mondays, 6pm-8:50pm, ASRC Room 660
- Builds critical theoretical knowledge around the drivers and impact of migration with a particular focus on forced migration, and builds knowledge and skills for working with refugee and migrant populations at the community, organizational, family and individual levels. Critical theories are applied to force social constructs to create space for deeper scholarship on race, refugees, and international law.
- SW 546-Change and Transformation in Social Work (3 credits)
- CRN: 63384
- Wednesdays, 9am-11:50am, ASRC Room 630
- Although change and transformation are a common aspect of social work and social service systems, efforts to make change and transformation in a planful and ethical manner can be difficult. This course identifies micro and macro strategies for change and transformation in social work focusing on change-making to address carceral logics and bureaucratization, and promote anti-oppressive practices, programs, and policies. Intentionally designed to help students learn about change-making through co-participation and co-leadership of the course.
- SW 564-Social Work in Schools (3 credits)
- CRN: 62930
- Online, no scheduled meetings
- 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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