Child, Youth, and Family Studies

Child, Youth, and Family Studies (CYFS) is an interdisciplinary blend of liberal arts education and professional preparation for those planning careers with children, youth, and families. Students learn to situate children and young people in current and historical social, political, and cultural contexts while developing the skills to practice effectively in youth work, education, social work, hospital, child welfare, early childhood, and other settings centering children, youth, and families.

The CYFS program is for students interested in improving the lives of children, youth, and families. Whether you are a returning student with years of experience, an activist fighting for justice and equity, or a curious undergrad still exploring your options, CYFS will put you on the path to a career with children and young people.

We offer:

• An outside-the-box interdisciplinary curriculum that breaks the mold of how we think about children and youth
• Nationally recognized faculty who bring original scholarship and real-world experience to the classroom
• Hands-on experience in schools and social service settings committed to awakening the power and potential of children and youth
• Transformative opportunities to build the skills necessary for fast-paced and dynamic workplaces
• Fearless confidence and a strong conviction that the world can be made into a better place and that YOU are an agent of change

Our grads are changing the world through service and direct practice, making a better future with and for children, youth, and families. Our alumni work across education and social service sectors across the greater Portland region and beyond. Across the country, our alumni are accepted into graduate programs in education, social work, youth studies, child life, counseling, public policy, and more.

You can graduate from CYFS with Honors, too! If you're interested in working closely with a faculty mentor, being recognized for your outstanding work, and changing the world in the process, consider our Honors Option. You'll develop and carry out an Honors thesis or project focused on addressing a social problem of your choice, and you'll emerge as a student leader in the CYFS program.

Submit Your Application and $60 Application Fee

Go to Portland State University's online application system and select Create Account. If you have already started an application, or created one for a past term, select Log In.

Submit Academic Records

You are required to submit complete academic records. We accept high school transcripts, grades and other relevant academic records along with your graduation certificate, diploma or exam results or certificates. If you have taken any college or university classes, submit transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. You can submit unofficial transcripts from non-U.S. institutions for review of your application and to receive an admission decision. Official transcripts are required for enrollment, see our official records policy for details.

Electronic Submission: Transcripts may be submitted via Parchment or sent directly from a school official to [email protected].

In Person Submission: You can bring these directly to our office upon arrival to Portland State.

Mail Submission: Submit official transcripts in their original sealed envelopes from all schools attended and mail them to PSU at the address below.

Portland State University
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
PO Box 751
Portland OR 97207-0751

Submit Evidence of English Language Proficiency

Request official test results to be sent directly to Portland State University by ETS (TOEFL), PTE, or IELTS. Students who meet the academic requirements for admission to PSU, but have not yet met English proficiency requirements, will be admitted to PSU and placed into one of our ESL programs. Review PSU’s English Language Proficiency Requirements for more details.

• TOEFL Code: 4610, department code 00
• SAT Code: 4610

Check Your Application Status

If you have submitted an application to Portland State University, you can log in to PSU's application portal to review the status of your application. You will be notified via email for each document you submit and your admission decision.

If you are not receiving email communications from Portland State University, be sure to check your @pdx.edu email account. Once you set up your student account all communications will be sent to that email address. If you are not receiving information from us in any email inboxes, please contact us at [email protected].