How to Apply-Higher Education Leadership and Administration

1. Research the Higher Education Leadership and Administration (HELA) program to see if it’s right for you.
   • Review the program info on our website
   • Learn more about scholarships and financial aid
   • Attend an Info Session
   • Schedule a meeting with an Admission Counselor 
2. Review Admissions Dates & Deadlines 
   • The HELA program offers two priority application deadlines.
   • After the second priority application deadline, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis through the final deadline, pending space in the program.
3. No Application Fee
   • We are committed to removing barriers to graduate education by waiving the application fee for all applicants.

Once you start an application you will be able to save your progress and will not have to complete it all at once.

The Higher Education Leadership and Administration application includes the following elements: 

1. Personal Statement 
   • Write a personal statement that traces the evolution of your career interests and addresses the following:  
     
     • Why this field: Explain why you want to pursue graduate study in higher education leadership and administration. If you are changing careers, describe how your skills and interests translate to this work.  
     • Shaping influences: Reflect on how your background including salient identities, experiences or perspectives have shaped your interest and passion for a career in higher education.  
     • Why Seattle University: After reviewing Seattle University’s mission, vision, values, and the program information, explain why Seattle University is the right fit for you
2. Résumé
   • Provide a professional résumé documenting your education, professional and leadership experience and volunteer work, especially as it relates to leadership in higher education.
3. Two Recommendation Forms  
   
   • Forms should be completed by professionals who can describe your academic and professional readiness for this degree program.
   • Once you've started your application, you will add their email address and they will receive a link to the evaluation form. The form should only take them 15 minutes to fill out.  
     • Applicants, especially those changing careers, are encouraged to ask recommenders to complete the optional comment section of the form.
4. Bachelor’s degree or higher 
   • From an accredited college or university in any field.
5. Minimum of 3.00 GPA
   • For information on GPA calculations for admission, please visit the Graduate Admissions How to Apply page.
   • Applicants with less than a 3.00 GPA might be considered for probationary admission and can submit an additional GPA explanation statement. Applicants with a non-graded bachelor's degree are required to submit a GRE/GMAT test score.
6. Required Transcripts  
   • Submit official or unofficial transcripts for your most recent coursework to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
     • For additional information on transcript requirements for admission, please visit the Graduate Admissions How to Apply page. 
   • Transcripts may be submitted electronically to  grad-application@seattleu.edu or mailed.
   • Once accepted to the program, students will need to submit official transcripts within their first quarter of enrollment.

1. Submit your application.
   • Make sure you hit “Submit” on your application.
   • Submitted applications are only considered complete once all application materials have been received including your recommendation forms.
   • The HELA program does not require an interview.

1. Check Your Status
   • You can login here to check the status of your application anytime.
2. Monitor your email
   • Make sure to regularly check the email you listed on your application for updates, including your admission decision. 
   • Applicants should review the application timeline for information on when to expect an admission decision.