Frequently Asked Questions 

Prospective Students

Current Students

Prospective Students

Schedule

When are classes offered?

Evenings and Saturdays. Evening classes meet once per week throughout the quarter from 6pm-8:40pm; Saturday classes meet three, four, or six times throughout the quarter on a half or full day.

How long does a typical MPA student take to earn the degree?

Approximately 2 ½ years.

Do you offer online courses or distance learning?

No.

Transfer credits

Does the MPA program accept transfer credits? Online transfer credits?

Yes, but at this point, not any online transfer credits.

How many transfer credits can I transfer over?

For MPA transfer students, up to 18 credits from another MPA accredited program.
For non-MPA transfer students, up to 10 credits.

Application requirements

What does one year full-time work experience mean?

One year, continuous, full-time work experience can be paid or unpaid, and from any sector.

Are the GRE scores required?

Only if your undergraduate GPA is below a 3.0 and if your undergraduate institution does not provide letter grades/GPA.

Who should write my recommendation letters?

Individuals who can best speak toward your professional capabilities, i.e., boss, supervisor, etc.

What are the required minimum TOEFL and IELTS scores?

86 for the TOEFL; 7.0 for the IELTS.

Scholarships

Are there any scholarships opportunities?

The Collins Fellowship is a need-based fellowship awarded to a few MPA students throughout the academic year. Applications are provided upon admission to the MPA program (when requested).

Current Students

Who is my advisor and where can I find this information?

Advisors are normally full-time, MPA faculty members. You may find this information on SUOnline under your student menu.

Internships

How do I find an internship?

Students secure their own internships and use SU campus resources such as the IPS weekly enews or the Redhawk Network to view lists of available internships.

How do I register for an internship/what forms do I need to complete?

Registration requires the completion of the following forms:
“Independent or Directed Study Internship Request” form found on the Registrar’s website.

• MPA Internship Agreement: College of Arts and Sciences Internship Risk Acknowledgement and Release - Please ask the IPS staff for the agreement and risk forms. Once the appropriate paperwork is complete, submit to the IPS office for further processing.

Can an internship count toward MPA credits?

Yes, for elective credits. Counting internships toward MPA credits is optional. Depending on the internship, you may count up to six credits (1-6). 

Which MPA faculty members are eligible to advise me on my internship?

Full-time MPA faculty members.

How many hours per week do I need to intern to count toward MPA credits?

For a three-credit class, a minimum of 15-hours per week for at least the 10-week quarter; for a six-credit class, 30-40 hours per week for at least the 10-week quarter.

What is the duration of an internship?

An internship must last at least throughout the 10-week quarter, and can be upward to two years.

Independent Study

What is the process?

• Secure a full-time faculty member to advise you during the independent study.

• Create a scope of work/syllabus that includes which quarter, how many quarters (if necessary), number of credits, for the independent study—cannot be an MPA course currently on the schedule or in the curriculum.

• Attach the scope of work to the “Independent or Directed Study Internship Request” form

• Submit signed and completed paperwork to the IPS office for further processing.

How do I register/what forms do I need to complete?

Registration requires the completion of the “Independent or Directed Study Internship Request” form found on the Registrar’s website.

Which MPA faculty members are eligible to advise me on my independent study?

Full-time MPA faculty members.

Registration

When is my registration date/time?

Registration information is found on SUOnline, under the Student Menu, Registration, Registration Appointments.

How do I register for closed classes?

For the academic year 2011-12, contact the MPA Coordinator and the IPS Administrative Assistant to be added to the waitlist.
Wait-listing will no longer be an option starting the 2012-13 academic year.

Transfer credits

Can I take courses outside of the MPA program and count them toward my MPA degree?

Yes, pre-approved graduate courses from another Seattle University program or regionally accredited institution. Approval must be obtained by the MPA director. Students may take three classes or nine credits outside of the MPA program.

How many transfer credits am I permitted?

For MPA transfer students, up to 18 credits from another MPA accredited program. For non-MPA transfer students, up to 10 credits.

Scholarships/assistantship

Are there any scholarship/assistantship opportunities for MPA students?

1. The Collins Fellowship is a need-based fellowship awarded to a few MPA students throughout the academic year. Applications are provided upon admission to the MPA program (when requested).

1. Depending on MPA professor projects, one to two assistantship opportunities occur each academic year.