Portland State University (PSU) is a public university in Portland, Oregon. It was founded as an extension center in 1946. Now a member of the Oregon University System, it officially adopted the current name in 1969. Today PSU awards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The PSU campus is located in downtown Portland. The campus is dense, with buildings located close together.
Mission
Portland State University defines its mission as “to enhance the intellectual, social, cultural and economic qualities of urban life by providing access throughout the life span to quality Liberal Education for undergraduates and an appropriate array of professional and graduate programs especially relevant to metropolitan areas.”
Portland State University
Academics
The university is composed of seven schools and colleges: the School of Business Administration, the Graduate School of Education, the College of Engineering & Computer Science, the College of Fine & Performing Arts, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the Graduate School of Social Work, and the College of Urban & Public Affairs.
Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in more than 120 different disciplines, including such diverse options as accounting, African studies, art, child and family studies, computer engineering, European studies, health studies, information systems, Japanese, mechanical engineering, political science, sculpture, speech and hearing science, and theatre arts. Minors are offered in many of these fields and also available in several others, such as Arabic, classical studies, computer applications, environmental engineering, international economics, Native American studies, and professional writing.
Additionally, there is an undergraduate Honors College intended for students who plan to attend graduate or professional school. Students in the honors program do not need to meet the general university requirements and instead work within the Honors College and their departmental majors.
Master’s degrees are awarded in the liberal arts and sciences, education, business administration (MBA and MRED), studio arts, engineering, computer science, social work, and the programs in the College of Urban & Public Affairs, among others.
The school awards seventeen doctoral degrees,in the following fields: applied physics, biology, chemistry, civil and environmental engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, environmental sciences and resources, mathematical sciences, mathematics education, mechanical engineering, applied psychology, public affairs and policy, social wrok and social research, sociology and social inequality, systems science, technology management, and urban studies. A doctorate in systems science may focus on business administration, civil and environmental engineering, general systems science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, psychology, or sociology.
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Library Resources
The PSU library system offers a wide range of electronic catalogs and on-line databases, in additional to physical volumes stored on site or available through interlibrary loan. The library is home to the university archives.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Portland State University.
PSU is home to an innovative peer-education program, called Chiron. Students teach the courses offered through Chiron, manage the program, and make administrative decisions. Many report that their peer-led classes are some of the most stimulating and challenging that they take during their time at PSU.
Portland State University
Admissions
Minimum admission requirements include a high school graduation with a 3.0 GPA and fourteen units of college preparatory coursework: four years of English, three years of math, three years of social science, two years of science, and two years of a foreign language. A minimum test score on the SAT or ACT is only required for students who do not meet the 3.0 GPA requirement. Applications to the undergraduate programs are accepted on a rolling basis with a priority deadline of June 1 for the fall semester. Applications can be submitted online.
Graduate students must provide the following for admissions to the graduate school: application and fee, transcripts, and a departmental application form, as well as any additional documents required by the department such as letters of recommendation, test scores, or personal statement.
Financial Aid
In addition to the wide variety of financial aid options open to any college or university student in Oregon, PSU offers several of their own need- and merit-based scholarships.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Portland State University 3034th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best Oregon scholarships and financial aid
PSU offers more than 100 student organizations around campus, including Greek groups and student political groups. The Student Activities and Leadership Program (SALP) offers students with different interests the opportunity to start their own student group if one does not currently exist to fit their needs.
PSU also has a bevy of activities for the whole student body on campus. The more traditional events include movie nights, lectures, and music recitals. Some of the less traditional events include Family Week, community forums, a feminism conference, and culturally-oriented dinners.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Portland State University?
The athletics department at PSU is known as the Vikings. The Vikings compete in NCAA Division I and the Big Sky Conference. Men’s intercollegiate athletics include basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, wrestling, and track. Women’s intercollegiate athletics include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track, and volleyball.
PSU’s Outdoor Program gives students the opportunity to enjoy the natural resources of the surrounding environment by rock climbing, kayaking, and hiking. A sailing club is also available to students interested in boating. The university’s athletic facilities are located in the center of campus and are available to all students.
Local Community
Portland is the heart of America’s northwest region, and it is surrounded by some of the nation’s most beautiful rivers, lakes, forests, and skies. Outdoor leisure opportunities abound. The city of Portland is Oregon’s major metropolitan area, and offers an art museum, a performing arts complex, an NBA team, minor-league baseball, a zoo, public gardens, and urban hiking and biking trails. A large number of affordably priced ethnic cafes, coffeeshops, and unique food trucks dot the city and attract many students.The Portland Art Museum, Oregon Historical Society, and a performing arts facility are all within walking distance of the PSU campus.
Bibliography
About. Portland State University. Web. 19 June 2011.
Academics. Portland State University. Web. 19 June 2011.
Fiske, Edward B. Fiske Guide to Colleges 2011. Chicago: Sourcebooks, 2010. Print.
Pope, Loren. Looking Beyond the Ivy League: Finding the College That’s Right for You. New York: Penguin. 2007. Print.
Feel free to add comments or additional information regarding Portland State University, or discuss this school in the University Discussion Forum
about 1 month agoIan Wu kuanyingwu ((at)) hotmail dot com
Portland State University has the large communication students every term, we do see lots and lots different type of students come in and out. Portland State is not the traditional university which locate in the small village. It is located in south downtown of Portland, it is convenient with MAX and Street Car and it is busy every day.
Portland State is a vary diversity school located in downtown Portland. As I’m a current international student, I feel convenient and safety in PSU. I also work on campus, which is really great job that help me to enhance my leadership ability and build personal community. PSU gives me such a wonderful chance and opportunity to both study and work!
To the new student, PSU has many programs and activities that help students not only study toward your degree but also meet lots of friends from everywhere.
Many students groups on campus are very active because everyone are welcome to join and have fun. The most special thing is because PSU is a diversity university, many students from different countries. Every year they will have their culture event to represent their countries, students have many chances to exchange their experience with those international students.
3 months agoKJ
For me, PSU has been a place of opportunity and a chance to grow. There are so many clubs and academic programs that really anyone can participate in. The number of classes you can take is almost overwhelming when choosing electives or classes for your major. It's great to have class options that are not in your major and the undergraduate general studies program lets you explore other areas of study while still making progress toward graduation. The city is a wonderful place to live because you are so close to museums, shopping malls, and plenty of places to go. My one complaint is how early businesses close in the evenings. Coming from a bigger city it was a bit of a disappointment when I went out around 9 and hardly anything was open. Overall the vibe of the city and school is an environmentally conscious and free spirited place to be.
3 months agoLauren Krueger
I am a current student at PSU and have loved the past three years that I've spent at the university. PSU has an awesome general education program called University Studies that has really rounded out my education. As an Electrical Engineering student, my opportunities to take classes other than math, science or engineering are slim. Through the University Studies program I took a class called Cyborg Millennium, which concerned the future of technology and its ethical implications. I also took a Women's Studies course which completely opened my eyes to the impact of gender on all areas of social life. The point is, you get to choose classes that totally interest you and that fulfill general education writing requirements. My extracurricular experience has been equally great. It was tough when I first started taking classes because I was commuting from SE Portland, but I eventually found a lot of opportunities. I started hanging out in a cool vegan cafe on campus, began working in a Physics lab on a nanotechnology project, attended events put on by the Women's Resource Center, and now I'm one of the Student Ambassadors at the university. The addition of the new rec center has also been fantastic. They offer tons of classes, from yoga to cycling to zumba. I can't get enough of them. I absolutely recommend PSU to anyone looking for a non-traditional college experience on an urban campus with a wonderful group of peers! If you love Portland, you'll love going to PSU.
over 2 years agoJudy Peterson (Flagg) tankzgma ((at)) charter dot net
I am looking for a family member who attended this school in 1986. She majored in accounting. Her name is Stephanie Johnson and was 20 at that time. I have old Vancouver address, but can't find new info. If you know her, please give my e-mail to her, she knows who I am. THANX
over 2 years agoRichard Tennant
I attended PSU in the late '60's and have attempted to locate a professor from that era named Dr. John Kovacs. He taught Political Science. If anyone knows anything about his later work, please inform me via this post. I deeply appreciate his Socratic teaching methods.
over 3 years agoLana speakingofdevil ((at)) yahoo dot com
This university is most dishonest, horrible and dumbest universities I have ever seen!!!. Why? Because, no one cares about you as a student, no one calls you with warning regarding your financial situations, your status, etc. This is the fist college ever that provides PRE-RECORDED lectures, that at least needs to be updated ones in a while.
For example, Microsoft Excel education is provided using lectures from 2006, by using Microsoft 2003!!!!. All the students using MS 2007!! Where is the logic? When you want to withdraw due their idiotic ideology, they won't release your transcripts. I lost 3 month out of my academic year, because PSU. Shame on them!!! Don't ever deal with them.
BEST REGARDS.
over 3 years agoGilbert Barbee gib ((at)) intermaxnetworks dot com
I attended Portland State Extension Center In 1955 and 56 in general engineering. I had the GI Bill and a job at St Helen's Hall Episcopalian School for Girls to pay my way. I left to attend The Univ. of Calif. at Berkeley. I hated Cal but I loved Portland State. I don't imagine there are many of us old ones around anymore. Gib Barbee
about 5 years agojeanne montis jeannemontis ((at)) yahoo dot com
Hello! I am interested in learning more specifics about the different academic programs; particularly, graduate and doctoral programs. How can I access programs with course descriptions and names of faculty who teach the different subjects,please? Thanks!
about 5 years agoAaron Berriochoa choa11 ((at)) yahoo dot com
I am a sophmore at mountain view high school and I am a runner in XC and in track and was wondering who was on the teams and what times they get
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kuanyingwu ((at)) hotmail dot com
Portland State University has the large communication students every term, we do see lots and lots different type of students come in and out. Portland State is not the traditional university which locate in the small village. It is located in south downtown of Portland, it is convenient with MAX and Street Car and it is busy every day. Portland State is a vary diversity school located in downtown Portland. As I’m a current international student, I feel convenient and safety in PSU. I also work on campus, which is really great job that help me to enhance my leadership ability and build personal community. PSU gives me such a wonderful chance and opportunity to both study and work! To the new student, PSU has many programs and activities that help students not only study toward your degree but also meet lots of friends from everywhere. Many students groups on campus are very active because everyone are welcome to join and have fun. The most special thing is because PSU is a diversity university, many students from different countries. Every year they will have their culture event to represent their countries, students have many chances to exchange their experience with those international students.