Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Guam MPA program is to inspire authentic public servants through leadership that enlightens its learners to discover what it truly means to be of public service. This is fundamental to the institution’s mission of Ina. Diskubre. Setbe. To enlighten. To discover. To serve.
This professional degree program provides graduate students with a high caliber educational experience that prepares its aspirants to be leaders, managers, and analysts in public affairs, public administration, and public policy careers at the territorial, regional, federal, and international levels. The curriculum offers valuable opportunities for individuals to embrace diversity and practice citizenship; enhance and improve essential leadership/managerial skills; research seminal concepts and theories of public administration, public affairs, and public policy; and explore contemporary techniques regarding the formulation, analysis, and implementation of policies, programs, and best practices in organization and society. This mission is accomplished by educating and training professional leaders that are citizenship-oriented, accountable, and ethical; whose focus is a commitment to public service.
(The words Ina, Diskubre, and Setbe are in the indigenous language of Chamorro, which mean to enlighten, discover, and serve).
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
The following will serve as the seven domains of the MPA Core Competencies. These domains relate to mission, public service values and functions as the basis for the program’s curriculum. Upon completing the requirements of the MPA degree, students will demonstrate the following abilities:
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- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of leading and managing in public governance;
- Demonstrate an ability to relevantly apply a real-world understanding, participate in, and contribute to the policy process;
- Demonstrate a practical competency to analyze, synthesize, think critically, quantitatively/ qualitatively reason, solve problems and make decisions;
- Demonstrate an advanced proficiency to articulate and apply a public service perspective grounded in professional, ethical and socially responsible behavior;
- Demonstrate a dynamic ability to be innovative, to communicate, and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry;
- Demonstrate an advanced proficiency in utilizing technology toward the betterment and advancement of the profession; and
- Demonstrate a comprehensive mindset that fosters an advanced understanding and appreciation of territorial, regional, federal, and international environments, with consideration of indigenous and global impact perspectives, and their relation to Public Administration.
Public Service Values
The following public service values are fundamental ideals and principles of the MPA program that are shared by its faculty, students, and stakeholders alike. The program’s mission, governance, and curriculum are structured to uphold the following public service values, which distinguishes this program from other degree programs:
Professionals Committed to Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics: Our mission will be met by competent professionals, committed to pursuing the public interest with accountability, transparency, and the highest standard of ethical consideration.
Public Servants Worthy of Public Trust: As Public Servants, with every thought, word, and deed, we must strive every day, and at every instance, to prove ourselves worthy of the public’s trust. We must be humble and consider ourselves privileged to be charged with the welfare of others.
Keepers of Respect, Equity, and Fairness Rooted in the Principles of Democracy: The
Principles of Democracy must be at the heart of everything we do. We must also always
strive to demonstrate respect, equity, and fairness in dealing with all people and
fellow public servants. Further, it should be our pledge to be guided by Constitutional
principles of the United States, the Organic Act of Guam, and be exemplars of law-abiding
citizens in our respective roles within public service.
Employment Statistics for University of Guam MPA Graduates
Fall 2017-Fall 2023 Graduate Data
The University of Guam Master of Public Administration Program prepares public leaders and managers primarily from the geographic areas of Guam, CNMI and the Freely Associated States regions of Micronesia.
Average Graduation Rate:
Under Two Year Graduation Rate By Semester and Year:
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- Spring 2018: 100%
- Fall 2018: 92%
- Spring 2019: 94%
- Fall 2019: 96%
- Spring 2020: 100%
- Fall 2020: 100%
- Spring 2021: 86%
- Fall 2021: 82%
- Spring 2022: 50%
- Fall 2022: 75%
- Spring 2023: 89%
- Fall 2023: 100%
2017-2018 Graduation Data
Employment Data
As reflected in the 2023 chart below, the data for student employment upon graduation is incomplete. Looking at previous graduation years and employment rates, employment for students post graduation is robust and appropriate to the degree. Note: The 2023 data was collected by survey and the 2017 to 2022 data was collected using public information and direct contacts.
Program Admission
In order to apply for admission to the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program, applicant packets must include:
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Satisfaction of Graduate Admission Standards, according to the current UOG Graduate Bulletin;
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Earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university (a prospective candidate for the MPA program may hold a bachelor’s degree in any field. It is not necessary that the bachelor’s degree be in public administration.);
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Official transcripts of all undergraduate work;
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An overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) in the last two years (62hrs.)
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Completion of Common Professional Component (CPC) – Based Comprehensive Exam for Master’s Degree Programs in Public Administration (administration can be requested through the SBPA Dean’s Office);
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Two letters of recommendation;
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Resume;
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Statement of intent. The statement of intent should include, at the least, why the prospective candidate is choosing to pursue an MPA degree, what the applicant intends to do with the degree, and other pertinent information;
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After completion of Steps 1-8, applicants must schedule an interview with MPA Chair;
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Essay/Writing Sample (to be administered on the spot during the interview with MPA Program Chair).
Academic Requirements
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Any courses which are seven years old or more must be retaken unless, permission is granted by the MPA Admissions and Appeals Committee.
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Any courses in which a student receives a C+ or below must be retaken, unless permission is granted by the MPA Admissions and Appeals Committee.
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Students may not receive more than one grade of a C+ or below. A second grade of a C+ or below, regardless of GPA, will result in automatic academic suspension. A review of the student by the MPA Admissions and Appeals Committee will commence. Upon review, the student may serve a suspension or be dismissed from the program.
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Students who receive a grade of an F will result in automatic academic suspension. A review of the student by the MPA Admissions and Appeals Committee will commence. Upon review, the student may serve a suspension or be dismissed from the program.
Course Requirements (36 credit hours)
Core Courses (21 credit hours)
Students must complete all seven core courses to satisfy the core requirements:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PA501 | APPLIED RESEARCH METHODOLOGY + | 3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA510 | ADMINISTRATIVE THOUGHT + | 3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PA525 | PUBLIC BUDGETING + | 3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PA530 | PUBLIC PERSONNEL, DISCIPLINARY, AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT + | 3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PA535 | INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS + | 3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PA540 | ADMINISTRATIVE LAW + | 3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PA560 | LEADERSHIP AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF ORGANIZATIONS + | 3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
NOTE: PA-501 must be taken within the first 12 credits.
Elective Courses (9-12 credit hours)
Students may choose any of the following courses to satisfy the elective requirements:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PA545A | PUBLIC POLICY AND GOVERNANCE + | 3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA545B | PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS + | 3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA545C | COMPARATIVE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION + | 3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA545D | PUBLIC PLANNING + | 3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA545E | PUBLIC CONTRACTING AND PROCUREMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES + | 3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA570A | SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION - POLICY + | 3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA570B | SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION- CURRENT RELEVANT ISSUES + | 3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA570C | SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION - EMPLOYMENT LAW + | 3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA570D | SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION - ORGANIZATIONS + | 3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA570E | SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION - SYSTEMS + | 3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
Required of all pre-service students:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PA598 | INTERNSHIP: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION + | 3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
May be taken multiple times only with the expressed written consent of the MPA Chair:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PA590 | SPECIAL PROJECTS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION + | 3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/FALL ONLY |
Capstone Experience (3–6 credit hours)
Students must choose one of the following two courses to satisfy the capstone experience requirement:
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PA692 | PRACTICUM + | 3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA695 | THESIS + | 6 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
Either PA-692 Practicum or PA-695 Thesis could serve as a capstone experience. The MPA Qualifying Exam will be distributed as part of the capstone experience and may only be taken in the student’s graduating semester. Instructor’s consent is required for admittance into a Capstone course.
Program Director
McNinch-Su L. Ronald
Office Hours: 
Office Location: Expertise
Members
Aguon B. Ronald
Office Hours: Office Location: Expertise
Guthertz Judith
Office Hours: Office Location: Expertise
Rojas A. Gena
Office Hours: Office Location: Expertise
Walter Ansito
Office Hours: Office Location: Expertise
General Financial Aid Information
The Financial Aid Office provides students various financial assistance such as federal work-study, scholarships, loans, and other financial assistance mediums. For further information, visit the University of Guam's Financial Aid Office.
Scholarships/Awards: various community organizations and businesses offer competitively awarded funding to applicants based on academic or other specific achievements, which awarded recipients do not pay back. For further information, review listed scholarships and awards on the Scholarships page.
Grants: federal or local money awarded to a student that does not require repayment. Click the Financial Aid Process to current grants that you may be eligible for.
Loans: Public and private organizations offer money to students in exchange for repayment of the loan amount plus interest. See Financial Aid Process on eligible loan(s) you may qualify for.
TUITION RATES: 2020-2021
| Status | Cost Per Credit |
| Resident, Graduate | $299 |
| Non-Resident, Graduate | $598 |
MPA Internship
The MPA internship requirement is an integral part of preparing a student's employment in the public, non-profit, or private sectors. The internship is a real-world experience, enabling students to connect what they learned into action within diverse work environments. A graduate internship offers students professional experience in a student's career field interest, yielding enhancements in their network, skill sets, and practical career experiences. The MPA program provides internship opportunities; however, students can opt to explore and request specific internship placements, which the MPA program highly supports. Given this importance, students should research and examine potential internship opportunities once enrolled in the MPA program and coordinate with the MPA Program Director and Internship Coordinator for assistance.
Internship Waivers
Students who are in-service or have substantial experience in public administration may formally request to have the internship requirement waived. As a result, students granted an internship waiver must take an additional elective course (3 credit hours) to satisfy the hourly requirements for the MPA program. To request an internship waiver, send an email to the MPA Program Director with your resume and a summary of your work experience that you feel is relevant to support your waiver request.
Internship Forms
Recent MPA Internship Placements
The follow organizations have provided internship opportunities for MPA students in the last few years:
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- Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Consulate Office, Micronesian Legal Service Corporation
- Guam Economic Development Authority
- 35th Guam Legislature, Office of Senator Clinton E. Rydgell
- Guam Homeland Security, Office of Civil Defense
Career Search
The Career Development Office provides and coordinates career development and employment assistance for University of Guam students and graduates. They offer several services, such as but are not limited to career counseling and assessment, job search and referral, and alumni connections (mentorship). For further information, visit the Career Development Office.
Local Job Listing
Graduate Placement Rate
- U.S. Government Agency: 17%
- Government of Guam: 20%
- Private Sector: 3%
- Status Unknown: 60%
Job Search
Graduate Placements