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, 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.'
Degrees offered:
- Master of Public Administration, educates public service professionals seeking to advance their careers in local, state, or federal government or the nonprofit sector. Program designed for working professionals in the public and nonprofit sectors. Our graduates receive a holistic education that promotes engagement and service in our communities, and prepares them with knowledge and skills in critical thinking, analysis, administration, management, policy, and research.
- Graduate Certificate in Public Administration, designed for individuals seeking to begin or advance their careers in government or the nonprofit sector. Our curriculum prepares students with foundational knowledge and skills in policy development, finance, and administration.
- Master of Nonprofit Leadership, social justice-centered and built on the national standards established by the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council, the international membership association comprised of academic centers or programs at accredited colleges and universities that focus on the study of nonprofit/nongovernmental organizations, voluntary action, and/or philanthropy.
- Graduate Certificate in Fundraising Leadership, with uur specialized curriculum, the first of its kind in Washington State, meets the growing demand for effective fundraisers and makes high quality fundraising education accessible across the region.
- Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs, for undergraduates students interested in public policy, community planning, civic engagement, and advocacy for employment in local, state, and federal government or the nonprofit sector. This professional degree program provides students with practical skills to address real-world social problems.
- Minor in Nonprofit and Public Administration, applicable to many majors, including students interested in pursuing careers in nonprofit management, public administration and policy, and/or urban planning.
Students and graduates are expected to meet high standards of professionalism, trust, and stewardship. The Institute's academic programs are responsive to the evolving character of public service and to the changing problems public leaders confront.
We serve neighboring communities and the region through applied research, collaborations, training, consultation, and public policy forums.
