Apply for Admission to the MPA program

Applications are accepted all four quarters. To apply for admission, please assemble the following and send to the Admissions Office:

  • Sealed official transcripts from each college and university attended
  • A completed application form and application fee of $55 (refundable for SU alumni).
  • Two completed recommendation forms from current or former supervisors
  • A current resume
  • A letter of intent (one to two pages) summarizing your interest in the MPA program and discussing ways in which the MPA will assist you in reaching your career and educational goals .

Deadlines!

Spring: February 20 / Summer: May 20 / Fall: July 20 / Winter: October 20

Requirements

Both objective and subjective criteria are evaluated in the admission process, including undergraduate record, work experience, your letter of intent, and letters of recommendation. The strong candidate will have a combination of a good undergraduate record, solid communication skills, work experience in the public sector and motivation to complete the program. Specifically, applicants must have:

  • Demonstrated commitment to public service
  • At least one year of work experience
  • A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • A 3.00 undergraduate grade point average.*
  • Two recommendations from individuals who can speak to your qualifications.

There are no entrance exams required for application to the program unless your bachelor's degree was from a non-traditional institution (letter grades not issued), then you must submit GRE scores. We believe factors such as personal goals and motivation are better predictors of success in the program than scores from standardized exams. However, evidence of ability to read and speak English at the graduate level may be requested of applicants for whom English is not a primary language. The TOEFL is the customary instrument used in this assessment. Applicants should have familiarity with basic statistics, spreadsheet, and database programs.

*Applicants without a 3.0 GPA may be admitted on a probationary basis.

More Information

We encourage you to attend one of the regularly scheduled information sessions held on campus.

Please see the Admissions Office for more detailed information on admissions, including information for non-native English speakers. Applications can be submitted online to the Admissions Office.  

Tuition Costs

MPA  tuition for the 2012-2013 academic year is $651 per credit hour (subject to change by the Seattle University Board of Trustees). The MPA degree is a 54-credit program, so the total cost for tuition is $35,154. For financial aid information please contact the Financial Aid office.