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"This Program has provided me the knowledge and tools to seek out innovative ways to make government more efficient, and work to improve management and organization... The desire to improve government based on the things that I learned through this Program has caused me to take on the risk and challenge... The Program is making a difference."

Ernest Y.W. Lau
Manager & Chief Engineer
Dept. of Water, County of Kaua'i

 

Public Administration > Admissions

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Admission to both the MPA and Certificate Programs takes place only once a year in the Fall. Each admission cycle deliberately seeks to create a cohort group in which the members benefit from a diversity of backgrounds, professional experience, social and political perspectives and career goals. Both Programs require a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Previous major field of study is not a consideration. Academic work must indicate the ability to perform successfully in the Program as well as meet minimum graduate school standards.

(For complete information on University admission requirements and policies, consult the latest General and Graduate Information Catalog (available from the UHM Bookstore, 2465 Campus Road, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822, Tel: 808-956-8252 or at www.catalog.hawaii.edu.)green horizontal rule

Admissions Procedures

Master's Degree and Certificate Programs

Complete Graduate Division Application online
Download Graduation Division Application

Download Public Administration Letter of Recommendation

You may need to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these forms.

*Please note that the forms must be submitted to the appropriate units, as follows:

Please send the following to the Graduate Division Office:

Graduate Division Admissions Office
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
2540 Maile Way, Spalding Hall 354
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822

  • Completed UH Graduate School application form
  • Official transcript of all postsecondary work directly from each institution attended. Transcripts must come directly from the institution. Faxed, student copy or transcripts received from applicants will not be accepted. Transcripts within the UH system do not need to be requested.
  • Application fee
  • TOEFL score, for international students only

Please send the following to the Public Administration Office:

Public Administration Program
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
2424 Maile Way, Saunders Hall 631
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822

  • Official transcript of all postsecondary work directly from each institution attended. Transcripts must come directly from the institution. Faxed, student copy or transcripts received from applicants will not be accepted. Transcripts within the UH system do not need to be requested.
  • Resume
  • Personal statement indicating why you want to participate in the Public Administration Program, and what you expect to gain from such participation. Summarize what you see as your professional future at this time. Also, describe any community service work that you have done on a voluntary basis.
  • Writing sample describing a public problem that concerns you. Speculate briefly on its causes and summarize what you think would be an optimum way of dealing with it. (Please limit this statement to two, typed, double-spaced pages.)
  • Two letters of reference from people with whom you have worked and who can comment on your experience and personal qualities. One should be from someone who has held a supervisory position to you. Letters must come directly from the referee and not via the student.
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Application Deadline

We will begin reviewing applications on MARCH 1, 2009. Applications received after that date will be considered on a space-available basis.

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