Public Administration, MPA
Earn a Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Seattle University. Gain skills for a rewarding public service career in government or the not-for-profit sector.
Request Information
About this Program
Holistic Education to Advance Your Public Sector Career
Our Master of Public Administration (MPA) educates public service professionals seeking to advance their careers in local, state or federal government or the nonprofit sector.
Our holistic education prepares you with knowledge and skills in critical thinking, analysis, administration, management, policy and research. In our program, you learn:
- Practical skills to address organizational problems.
- Management and leadership skills that incorporate collaboration, teamwork and self- reflection.
- Oral and written communication skills that emphasize cogency and professionalism.
- Critical thinking skills to competently develop and design empirical research and engage in logical analysis.
- Skills and expertise to be more effective participants and advocates in the public policy.
Strong Community Connections
You’ll work closely with government and community mentors as you earn your master’s degree in public administration.
- Join a network of experienced students, faculty, alumni and community leaders.
- Advance public policy research working with faculty who are active scholars and practitioners and experienced professionals in their field.
- Focus on social justice and engagement with diverse communities.
- Benefit from small class sizes and personal relationships for comparable cost to larger programs.
Designed for Your Career
Perfect for current or future leaders in the public or nonprofit sectors:
- 85% of our 70 students work full-time during their time in the program
- Hands-on learning and service opportunities in the heart of an urban community
- Government and nonprofit tracks
- Evening and weekend classes (on campus)
- Can be completed in 2.5 years, faster than many programs
- Start any quarter
Upcoming Info Session
Support for Your Success
Internships: Experiential Learning
Gain practical skills and forge connections with practitioners in the field. Some examples of past internship sites include City of Seattle, King County, Sound Transit, City of Bellevue and Enterprise Community Partners, King County Metro, State of Washington, City of Mercer Island and Seattle Public Schools.
Department of Public Affairs and Nonprofit Leadership
The Department of Public Affairs and Nonprofit Leadership educates students for positions of responsibility and leadership in local, state, federal government and the nonprofit sectors. The Department of Public Affairs and Nonprofit Leadership, consistent with the mission of Seattle University, is ‘dedicated to educating the whole person, to professional formation and to empowering leaders for a just and humane world.'
Thriving Public Administration Careers in the Seattle Area
Nearly 75 percent of our graduates continue to live and work in the Puget Sound region in a variety of careers, such as:
- 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.
From Our Alumni
Derrick Belgarde, ‘13, ‘15 MPA
“The MPA program gave me connections and relationships formed through alumni and the Seattle University community that have broadened my network and provided the opportunity to serve on several boards.”
Master's of Public Administration
Discover More Programs to Explore
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about the program or application, we’re here to help.
Destiny Ledesma
Senior Admissions Counselor