Portland State University

What is the accreditation of Portland State University?

Portland State University is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Institutional accreditation reviews the university as a whole; it is distinct from approval or accreditation of an individual degree program.

Some PSU programs also have field-specific accreditation. For example, the School of Business holds AACSB accreditation, and the collaborative OHSU-PSU School of Public Health holds accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health. Applicants to engineering, education, social work or other fields with professional requirements should verify the status of their specific program and, where relevant, its fit with licensing rules in the state where they expect to work.

Institutional accreditation is an important condition for participation in federal student aid programs. It can also matter when seeking to transfer credit or apply to graduate school, although another institution decides which credits it will accept; accreditation alone does not guarantee transfer or professional licensure.

What are the admission requirements at Portland State University?

First-year applicants to Portland State University generally submit an undergraduate application and a secondary-school transcript showing graduation or an accepted equivalent credential. PSU reviews academic preparation and grades; it is not an open-admission institution.

SAT and ACT scores are not generally required for first-year admission. The small share of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores makes reported score medians a poor description of a typical applicant: among those who submitted scores, the SAT composite median was 1125 and the ACT composite median was 21. Class rank and recommendation letters are not generally required. Applicants should follow the current application's instructions rather than sending optional materials in place of required records.

Applicants educated outside the United States, or those who must demonstrate English proficiency, should review PSU's accepted tests, exemptions and score requirements for their applicant category. Requirements can also differ for transfer, international, graduate and selective-program applicants. First-year applicants should check the admissions calendar for their intended entry term and any earlier scholarship or program deadlines.

In the reported first-year admissions cycle, PSU admitted approximately 91% of applicants. That describes the overall applicant pool, not an individual applicant's likelihood of admission or admission to a particular major.

What are the application fees and waivers at Portland State University?

Portland State University's reported standard undergraduate application fee is $60. The fee is separate from tuition, housing charges and any costs that arise after admission.

Applicants with financial need should check PSU's application-fee waiver instructions before submitting an application, since the method for requesting a waiver may depend on the application route or eligibility category. Graduate and specialized programs may use different applications and charges. Confirm the fee displayed for the intended program and term before paying; submitting an application does not itself establish eligibility for a waiver.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Portland State University?

Portland State University students have access to Army ROTC on campus and may pursue Air Force ROTC through a cooperating host institution. The two arrangements are not the same: participation through another university can require travel and schedule coordination in addition to PSU coursework.

Students interested in either branch should confirm where classes and training occur, how ROTC courses apply to their degree, and the current process for joining. Scholarship eligibility, medical and fitness standards, and eventual military service obligations depend on the branch and individual arrangement. Applicants should obtain those terms from the ROTC program before making an enrollment or financial decision.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Portland State University?

Portland State University admits transfer applicants and generally considers college credit earned at accredited institutions. Transfer entry is available in fall, winter, spring and summer, although deadlines and course availability can differ by term.

Applicants should submit official transcripts from each college attended and check PSU's current transfer-admission criteria, including any college-credit and GPA thresholds. A student with limited transferable college coursework may also need to meet first-year preparation requirements. Admission to PSU and admission to a restricted major are separate decisions.

Accepted credit does not necessarily satisfy a major requirement or shorten a degree by the same number of credits. PSU evaluates coursework for transfer and then determines how it applies to general education and the chosen program. Students arriving from an Oregon community college should review applicable transfer pathways and seek a degree-specific evaluation before committing to a course plan. PSU also recognizes some examination and recommended-credit routes, including CLEP and certain ACE recommendations, subject to its credit policies.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Portland State University?

Portland State University offers education-abroad advising and opportunities that may include exchanges, faculty-led travel and approved programs run with outside partners. Destinations, duration, academic credit and eligibility vary, so "study abroad" does not describe a single PSU experience or price.

Students should obtain academic approval before departure, particularly if they need overseas courses to meet a major or University Studies requirement. They should also ask how tuition, program charges, housing and travel will be billed. Federal or institutional aid may apply to an eligible approved program, but the amount and timing depend on the student's aid package and the program's structure. Planning early is especially important for majors with tightly sequenced courses.