Seattle University

What is the history of Seattle University?

Seattle University is a private Jesuit university founded in 1891. It began as a school established by Jesuits in Seattle, later became Seattle College, and adopted the Seattle University name in 1948 as its academic offerings expanded.

That history remains visible in the university's Catholic affiliation, liberal-arts core and emphasis on service. Its professional programs, including business, nursing, engineering and law, make it more than an undergraduate liberal-arts college. The Chapel of St. Ignatius, completed in 1997, is a recognizable expression of its Jesuit identity on campus.

What are the faculties and departments at Seattle University?

Seattle University offers undergraduate, graduate and professional education through the College of Arts and Sciences, Albers School of Business and Economics, College of Education, College of Nursing, College of Science and Engineering, and School of Law.

Undergraduates can explore fields such as psychology, communication, biology, computer science, engineering, nursing, accounting and economics. Graduate and professional options include education, business, health-related study and law. The School of Law's J.D. is a professional degree with admissions and costs separate from those of an undergraduate major.

The undergraduate curriculum also includes core requirements, so applicants should compare both major courses and general-education requirements. Students considering a tightly sequenced field such as nursing or engineering should check its course plan before assuming that a change of major or a transfer will fit a four-year schedule. Reported enrollment data put the student-to-faculty ratio at 12 to 1; that institution-wide measure does not predict the size of every class.

What is the location of Seattle University?

Seattle University's main campus is in Seattle's First Hill neighborhood, beside Capitol Hill. This is an urban campus: students have access to city employers, health-care organizations, arts venues and public transit, but should also plan for Seattle's housing and transportation costs.

Walking, buses and light rail can be useful alternatives to driving, depending on a student's route and schedule. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport serves the region. For commuters, travel time and the cost of parking or transit are practical additions to the published education budget.

What is the mission and vision of Seattle University?

Seattle University describes its mission as educating the whole person, supporting professional formation and working toward a just and humane world. Its stated approach comes from the Jesuit Catholic tradition, particularly reflection, service and attention to social justice.

Those priorities may appear in core courses, community-engaged learning and campus programming. They describe the institution's educational aims, not a requirement that students hold a particular religious belief. Applicants who want to assess the role of faith in their own degree should examine their program's curriculum as well as university-wide requirements.