Certificate in Public Administration

About the Degree

  • Appropriate for individuals who are working in, or seeking employment in the public or nonprofit sectors
  • Evening and weekend classes (on campus)
  • Certificate can be completed in one year
  • Start any quarter
  • Continue to the full MPA degree upon certificate completion
No application fee
Named a Best Grad School

For Public Affairs, 2023

By U.S. News and World Report

Ready to learn more?
Loading...

Application Deadlines

Fall: July 20th
Winter: November 20th 
Spring: February 20th
Summer: May 20th

Requirements

12 Credits

  • PUBM 5010 - Foundations of Public Administration
  • PUBM 5120 - Policy Process
  • PUBM 5220 - Human Resource Management
  • PUBM 5300 - Budgeting and Financial Management

See the Graduate Catalog for course descriptions

Our Commitment

Admission Requirements

Strong candidates will have a combination of at least one year of professional work experience, a demonstrated commitment to public service, a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, and a 3.0 GPA. Applicants without a 3.0 GPA may be admitted on a probationary basis.  

Entrance exams are typically not required unless the applicant's undergraduate degree is from a non-graded institution. 

Applicants can apply at any time and begin the program at the start of any quarter.

Application Requirements

  • A completed online application
  • Official transcripts from the last two years of the bachelor's degree and any post-baccalaureate coursework
  • Two completed Recommendation Forms (applicant sends the form to their recommenders via the online application)
  • A current resume
  • A letter of intent (one to two pages) summarizing your interest in the Certificate program and discussing ways in which the Certificate will assist you in reaching your career and educational goals
  • Students who earned undergraduate degrees from institutions issuing non-graded transcripts must submit official GRE results
  • Please note that there are additional requirements for international students, as well as readmission and non-degree seeking students

Tuition and Costs

Tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year is $849 per credit and is subject to change annually by the Seattle University Board of Trustees. The certificate in Public Administration is a 12-credit program, so the cost for the degree based on the 2024-2025 tuition is $10,188. This number does not include fees, materials, books, etc.

Gainful Employment Disclosure: Federal regulations published in October of 2010 by the Secretary of Education require institutions to disclose to prospective students particular information regarding academic programs that qualify for Title IV federal student financial aid under the "gainful employment" provision. For more information, please click here.

Scholarships

Information on our Public Administration scholarship programs is available here.

Questions?

Destiny Ledesma

Senior Admissions Counselor

206-296-5960

destiny.ledesma@seattleu.edu

Anna Guenther

Program Coordinator

206-296-5437

aguenther1@seattleu.edu

Olha Krupa, PhD

Program Director

206-296-2509

krupao@seattleu.edu