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Olha Krupa, PhD, Director, Master of Public Administration Program
Web: https://www.seattleu.edu/artsci/publicadministration-graduate/
The MPA degree is designed for the in-service student who holds or seeks a managerial or professional position in a public or nonprofit organization. Typically, students are in their late-20s to mid-30s, with considerable professional experience and are employed full-time in a career position in the government, nonprofit, or private sectors. Students bring a wealth of professional and life experiences to the classroom, providing real world learning opportunities for other students.
The MPA courses blend theory and practice, providing students with the analytic capacity and the understanding of organizations and policy that are essential to effective public management. Students in the MPA program learn about the political, legal, and economic environments of public sector and nonprofit administration. Students explore the differences between profit-seeking and public-serving missions, and the central importance of ethical and moral expectations for those serving the public. Required courses teach analytical and interpersonal skills and perspectives required to manage and lead public sector organizations. Topics include organizational behavior and theories for management, public sector finance, research techniques, and policy making and policy analysis. The Area of Emphasis requirement allows students to further explore important topics in government, management processes and nonprofit administration such as the legal environment, advanced policy analysis, government finance, nonprofit governance, and resource development. The diverse offering of elective courses allows students to pursue other areas of interest, and includes emphasis in nonprofit leadership or local government administration.
The faculty members have extensive public sector and nonprofit experience, a complement to their academic qualifications. They maintain regular contact with the practice of public administration through research, consulting, professional associations, and community service projects. The program has an outstanding adjunct faculty of public service professionals.
The curriculum and the other aspects of the program meet the standards established by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) and reflect both the mission of Seattle University and the program’s experience in offering the MPA degree for over 35 years.
Students can complete the program entirely on weeknights, Saturdays, or a combination of the two. Students may enter during any academic quarter, including summer. A full complement of courses is offered each quarter. MPA students may register for up to nine credits per term without permission of the director. Although the University’s limitation of 10 transfer credits will apply to most students, those who transfer from another university’s MPA program may be allowed as many as 18 quarter credits in transfer.
A variety of student services are offered to MPA students to assist them in their academic and career progress, including internships, individual career counseling, alumni events and networking, MPA Connections mentor program, and MPA Student Association activities. The MPA program also participates in the Pi Alpha Alpha honor society, the national honor society for the fields of public affairs and administration. Qualified students are invited to join Pi Alpha Alpha once per year.
Bachelor of Arts, major in Public Affairs/Master of Public Administration
Upon completion of the Seattle University Bachelor of Arts with a major in Public Affairs program (BA), a Seattle University public affairs student may apply for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. For BA graduates admitted into the MPA program, there is a reduced, 42-credit requirement for the MPA program.
Admission Requirements
While applications are accepted all four quarters, admission is competitive. Applicants are evaluated on their individual merits rather than on a comparative basis.
See Graduate Admissions Programs for admission materials.