Lewis and Clark Graduate School
We are united in our commitment to serving others.
A Lewis & Clark graduate school education is built upon the values and practices associated with critical thinking, individual growth, and social justice. Our programs combine rigorous academic work with unparalleled hands-on and field-based experiences—students spend nearly 200,000 hours working in Portland-area schools and mental health agencies each year, beginning the first semester of study.
Foodie
Portland is the second best foodie city in the U.S., according to WalletHub. Our city also has the most restaurants per capita, as well as the most craft breweries and wineries.
36%
The graduate school’s deep connections to the Portland community and greater metro area are compelling reasons for many students to relocate for a top-tier education—36 percent of our 2024 admitted class is from out of state.
20
Average class size at the Graduate School of Education and Counseling.
Artsy
Portland is the third most creative city in America, as reported by alumna Lizzy Acker BA ’05 for the Oregonian.
27%
More than a quarter of admitted students in 2024 are the first in their family to go to graduate school.
200,000
Students at the Graduate School provide approximately 200,000 hours of service in K-12 schools and mental health agencies throughout the year.
1,000
Number of hours teacher education candidates will spend in a K-12 classroom prior to graduation.
100%
Expected employment rate for Secondary Master of Arts in Teaching program graduates seeking teaching positions within six months.
Fun
Portland is #9 on WalletHub’s “10 Most Fun Cities in America” list, beating out Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York City.
Small cohorts enable faculty to offer highly personalized instruction, and students form strong professional networks that help sustain their work throughout their careers.
Strong connections with local K-12 school districts help inform program development and offer graduate students opportunities for experiential learning during internships and practicums.
Sustainability is one of Lewis & Clark’s top priorities, with incentives and resources offered to commuters who choose green travel methods such as cycling.
The picturesque graduate campus attracts visitors from across Lewis & Clark and the local residential neighborhoods, welcoming everyone with its peaceful meadow and shady trees.
Located in the lush hills of South Portland, Lewis & Clark is ideally situated in the city’s “
sixth quadrant,” just 7 miles from a vibrant downtown hub with endless networking, entertainment, and cultural resources.
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 19.3 million acres of pristine wilderness in northeast Alaska.
Commencement is one of the graduate school’s most treasured traditions, and takes place the first Sunday in June.
Sailboats dot the Willamette River at dusk, just down the hill from Lewis & Clark.
Graduate students in the secondary teaching program visit a local middle school to learn classroom management techniques first-hand.
Community partnerships provide both networking opportunities and deep connections with the communities we collectively work to serve.
Secondary MAT students discuss classroom observations during a recent visit to Jackson Middle School in Portland, Oregon.
The emergency meeting drew Native leaders, allies, and organizational partners from across Alaska, Canada, and the lower 48.
Peer to peer discussions provide invaluable opportunities for understanding and growth, both personally and professionally.
Downtown Portland is just 7 miles from the Graduate School campus.
According to Oregon’s 2024 gambling survey, an estimated 640,000 Oregonians (15% of our state’s population) experience either moderate or high-risk gambling behaviors.
Graduate students and faculty from the art therapy program offer weekly open studio sessions, where members of the community can explore art making in a group setting at the Community Counseling Center.
