Pacific University Social Work Program Expands to Portland Area
Pacific University is expanding its Master of Social Work Program to the Portland region.
The Master of Social Work degree prepares students for advanced practice in the social work field, with a focus on values and ethics, theory, and field skills. Launched in 2014, the program is based at Pacific’s Eugene Campus but will expand in Fall 2022 to be available on the Forest Grove Campus as well.
With multiple locations, the MSW Program will continue to serve students throughout Oregon and from around the country as they advance their social work skills or transition into the social work profession.
The program is centered on field experiences, providing students with hands-on opportunities to build their professional skills in real-world settings. With rich partnerships throughout the Portland area and the south Willamette Valley, the dual campus locations will provide students with a wealth of rural and urban practice experiences and networking opportunities.
“The social work program has established many strong relationships with field sites all across Oregon, which allows us to provide students with excellent field experiences,” said Director Del Quest. “We are so excited to expand the reach of our MSW program with the addition of a second site on the Forest Grove Campus, because it allows us to increase the support we can give to our partner agencies and communities.”
Both locations also feature a low student-faculty ratio with individualized instruction and mentoring from experienced and expert professors and professionals in the social work field.
“Being a small program, we really get to know our students and can offer the support they need to be successful,” said Social Work Professor Don Schweitzer. “We know their goals for both their education and their professional plans after graduation.”
The Master of Social Work is part of the Pacific University Claire Argow Social Work Program, which includes an undergraduate Bachelor of Social Work Program in Forest Grove, as well as the MSW in Eugene and now Forest Grove.
Pacific’s MSW Program is a two-year master’s degree, with a one-year advanced track option for qualified students who already hold a recent Bachelor of Social Work degree from an accredited school. The one-year advanced track is already available in both Eugene and Forest Grove, and the coming expansion brings the full-time two-year program to Forest Grove as well.
With a holistic approach to admissions, Pacific considers qualified students from any undergraduate background. Applications are now open for a Fall 2022 start in Forest Grove or Eugene. Early applications are due Dec. 17, and the final application deadline is March 18, 2022, to begin classes in August.
Informational meetings are scheduled for Dec. 10, Jan. 12, and Feb. 3, and Pacific’s admissions team also offers application assistance sessions for prospective students. Learn more by requesting more information or registering for an informational meeting this winter.