Effectively advocate for social justice in the policy process

Work closely with government and community mentors as you earn your MPA

Our MPA program educates public service professionals seeking to advance their careers in local, state, or federal government or the nonprofit sector. You receive a holistic education that promotes engagement and service in our communities, and prepares them with knowledge and skills in critical thinking, analysis, administration, management, policy, and research.

  • Perfect for current or future leaders in the public or nonprofit sectors
  • Choose from government and nonprofit tracks
  • Evening and weekend classes (on campus)
  • Can be completed in 2.5 years, faster than many programs
  • Start any quarter
  • Comparable tuition, scholarships, and no application fee

U.S. News Best Colleges 2022

No application fee

Named a Best Grad School

For Public Affairs, 2023

By U.S. News and World Report


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What Makes Our Program Unique?

  • Focus on social justice and engagement with diverse communities.
  • Service and research from faculty who are active scholars and practitioners, and experienced professionals in their field.
  • A network of experienced students, faculty, alumni, and community leaders.
  • Small class sizes and personal relationships for comparable cost to larger programs.

What Can You Expect?

  • 85% of our 50 students work full-time during their time in the program.
  • Hands-on learning and service opportunities in the heart of an urban community.
  • Internships from organizations like: City of Seattle, King County, Sound Transit, BloodWorks NW, City of Bellevue, and Enterprise Community Partners.

Curriculum

You will complete 57 credits, with an area of emphasis in government or nonprofit

Our Commitment

Where could my degree take me?

Nearly 75 percent of our graduates continue to live and work in the Puget Sound region

Specific examples include: Executive Director, Compass Housing Alliance, Community Engagement Director, Swedish Medical Center,  Budget Analyst, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Executive Director, SkillUp Washington, Research Analyst, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Several of our MPA graduates join the U.S. Presidential Management Fellows program, a prestigious two-year training and development program at a United States government agency. Placements include: Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Labor, and National Institutes of Health.

MPA Program Outcomes

Application Deadlines

Fall: July 20th
Winter: November 20th 
Spring: February 20th
Summer: May 20th

Questions?

Destiny Ledesma

Senior Admissions Counselor

206-296-5960

destiny.ledesma@seattleu.edu

Anna Guenther

Program Coordinator

206-296-5437

aguenther1@seattleu.edu

Olha Krupa, PhD

Program Director

206-296-2509

krupao@seattleu.edu