Public Administration Program

College of Social Sciences
Saunders Hall 631
2424 Maile Way
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8260
Email: pubadmin@hawaii.edu
Web: puba.manoa.hawaii.edu

Faculty

*H. Yu, PhD (Director)—public administration and public policy
M. Arvin, PhD—ethnic studies
S. Jeong, PhD—public administration and policy
*J. Kagan, PhD—public affairs
*D. Nixon, PhD—political science
*G. Park, PhD—public policy and management

Cooperating Graduate Faculty

M. Coffman, PhD—greenhouse gas reduction strategies, renewable energy planning and policy, low-carbon transportation
M. Danico, PhD—ethnic studies
A. Das, PhD—community participation and empowerment, slum upgrading, decentralization and local governance, role of civil society in development
C. Moore, PhD—public policy, American politics, politics of bureaucracy, institutional change
A. Singh, PhD—civil and environmental engineering
S. Sridharan, PhD—healthcare policy, program evaluation

* Graduate Faculty

The Academic Program

The Public Administration Program (PUBA) offers students a comprehensive foundation in public administration that is designed to build leadership in public service in Hawaiʻi, the continental U.S., and the Asia-Pacific region. Located in the College of Social Sciences, it offers a master’s degree and two graduate certificates. The program’s format emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, collaborative teaching, and a learning community experience that is designed to help students gain the knowledge, skills, and values that are important for public service leadership. The classes create an environment in which many of the complex issues facing those with public responsibilities are addressed while also giving participants specific skills useful to their work in the public and nonprofit sectors. The program emphasizes teamwork and collaboration so students can practice effectively in a multicultural and global society. PUBA also offers a graduate certificate in nonprofit management, as well as a graduate certificate in public policy. It offers a full time, part-time, and 18-month program to suit student needs.

Financial support for the degree and the certificate is available through the Herman S. Doi Fellowship, the D. W. Wood Pacific Island Health Administrators, and the Dick Pratt Endowed Scholarship. For further information, contact the program office in Saunders Hall 631 or call (808) 956-8260. Applicants may also apply to the East-West Center.

Graduate Study

Master’s Degree

The program welcomes a diversity of professional and educational backgrounds and sees these as a benefit to the learning environment. The MPA degree has two tracks: one for pre-service students and one for in-service students. Pre-service students are those who come into the program with little to no public or nonprofit sector experience. In-service students are those who come into the program with significant public and/ or nonprofit experience.

Classes are taught in the evenings to accommodate the schedules of students working full-time.

Admissions are in the fall only.

Programs

Master’s

Public Administration, MPA

Graduate Certificate