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Seton Hall University

Scholarship Opportunities

Each academic year, the Department of Social Work and Public Administration at Seton Hall University awards close to $75,000 in direct tuition assistance to students in our Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program. The following outlines: 

  • different types of M.P.A.-only scholarships available;
  • eligibility requirements and deadlines; and
  • the selection and award process.  

In order to maximize your eligibility for department scholarships, please submit your M.P.A. admissions application by April 30.  

If you have any questions about these scholarships, please contact the director of the M.P.A. program, La'Tesha Sampson, Ph.D. at latesha.sampson@shu.edu.

Graduate Assistantships 

In addition to these department only scholarships, Seton Hall University offers a number of graduate assistantships or “GAships” for short.  Graduate Assistants work approximately 20 hours per week in a campus office. In exchange, GAs receive full tuition remission and a monthly stipend. Each year the Provost’s office maintains a database of available GA positions. 

Find more information about graduate assistantships » 

While these positions are extremely competitive, M.P.A. students have a strong track record of applying for and getting graduate assistantships on campus. Each year, the department provides a list of our top incoming students to the Provost’s office to be considered for open GA positions. 

Once you have been accepted into the program, department faculty and staff will work with you on your GA applications. However, a few tips are helpful for those applying for GAships: 

  • Visit the GA listing early and often. New positions regularly open up and you want to be first in line.  
  • Focus on GA positions in non-academic departments. Most academic departments (like Business) save the GA positions they have for their own graduate students (MBA students) so you are more likely to land a GA position in a non-academic unit. 
  • Focus you application on practical real world skills rather than a great GPA. While high GPAs are better than low ones; the people hiring you want to know that you can handle yourself outside the classroom in a work environment. 
  • Highlight the M.P.A. program. We have a large number of M.P.A. students who, while working at Seton Hall get a M.P.A. degree, this can help. In addition, we are a professional program that focuses on teaching practical real world skills. Hiring managers often like that. 
  • Ask for help. Let M.P.A. faculty and staff know you are applying for a GA position and where. We are here to help. 

If you have any questions about these scholarships please contact the director of the M.P.A. program, La'Tesha Sampson, Ph.D. at latesha.sampson@shu.edu.