General Questions
1. What are the eligibility criteria required for the programme?
The WDA/UNLV Singapore PCPHM is open to PMETs (Professional Management Executive Technicians) who are looking to change careers and enter the hospitality industry. This program will provide participants with the resources to apply their degree and years of experience to a study and work program that will enable a career transition. The eligibility requirements can be found here.
2. Are students eligible for financial aid in this program?
Yes. For those participants who meet the eligibility criteria and are selected for the programme, he/she will receive a S$45,000 scholarship grant towards the UNLV Masters of Hospitality Administration Executive Degree programme and a S$30,000 working stipend for their 15-month work internship.
3. What other benefits can I receive from this program?
Upon successful completion of 5 modules of intensive course work, participants will receive Master of Hospitality Administration degree; an accredited American graduate degree. In addition, they will have received over 15-months of intensive progressive work experience at a hotel property that prepares the individual for a career in supervisory/management in the hospitality sector.
4. When is the next intake?
Intakes occur every three months. At this time, intakes are scheduled for May, August, November of 2010, and February of 2011. Intakes may be shifted due to programme requirements and is the decision of UNLV Singapore.
5. If I am not selected for an intake can I apply again?
Yes. Applicants are encouraged to ensure that they meet the minimum eligibility requirements for the programme before applying.
6. Is there an age limit to apply for this programme?
All ages are open to apply for this programme so long as the eligibility criteria are met.
7. How many scholarships are being awarded?
At this time there are a total of forty (40) scholarships to be awarded as part of the Professional Conversion Programme for Hospitality Managers.
8. What is the admissions process and how can I apply?
Interested candidates should click here for details on the admissions process.
9. What kind of commitment do I need to make before and after completion of PCPHM?
Participants are required to sign a confirmation letter that states that they will be committed to the outcomes for funding eligibility and will be required to sign a letter of undertaking stating that they will make best effort to secure employment in the Hospitality industry, for at least 15 months after training. Participants will need to update UNLV of their employment and submit valid documentation to verify their employment status to UNLV. Those who cannot fulfill the outcomes will have to repay the subsidy.
10. What will happen if I am unable to find employment in the hospitality industry after taking the programme? Do I need to return the grant plus stipend? Any interest to be levied?
Participants are expected to try their earnest to secure employment within the hospitality sector for a minimum of 15 months. Those who are unable to will be evaluated on a case by case basis and should it be determined that the effort was not made in earnest, he/she will be responsible for the returning of the entire scholarship grant plus stipend in full.
11. Is there a penalty if I am unable to complete the programme? What is the penalty?
PCPHM candidates will be expected to work full-time for partnering hotel properties and study fulltime for the duration of the UNLV Executive MHA programme. It is an intensive 15-month period, and applicants are briefed as to the level of commitment required to successfully complete the programme. If a participant:
a. fails to achieve 75% attendance for each course module;
b. fails to participate in and pass all related assessments;
c. in any way render him/herself unable or unsuitable to pursue the Programme;
d. is expelled from the Programme due to serious breach of discipline; or
e. fails to complete the training Programme for any other reason not stated above,
he/she will be will not be eligible for any course fee scholarship grant and training stipend, and UNLV Singapore and/or the WDA reserves the right to dismiss the participant from the programme, and he/she will be responsible for the returning of the entire scholarship grant plus stipend in full.
12. Do I have to complete the programme within the stipulated 15 months? Can I stretch the programme by taking specific modules over a longer period?
This full-time work-study programme is designed to be completed in 15-months. Successful participants are expected to commit to complete the programme within the 15 months.
13. I am not sure this is the right program for me. Are there are other programs that you offer?
UNLV Singapore offers a variety of accredited, internationally recognized programs including; a Bachelors of Science in Hotel Administration, an Executive Masters in Hospitality Administration, 3 WSQ Diploma Programs in Tourism (MICE, F&B Services & Hospitality) and Professional Development courses.
About UNLV Singapore’s Master of Hospitality Administration (MHA) Executive Degree Programme
1. Can you describe the modules for the Masters program?
Details on the MHA programme and schedule of classes and their respective descriptions can be found here.
2. Can we transfer in credits from other graduate degrees?
No. Students who have completed other graduate coursework as part of other degree programmes will not receive advanced standing towards the Master of Hospitality Administration programme at UNLV Singapore Campus.
3. Do you require the GMAT?
No. The GMAT is not a requirement for application to the Master of Hospitality Administration programme at UNLV Singapore Campus.
4. Do we have to maintain a GPA in the programme?
Yes. A Grade Point Average (GPA) of a 3.0 must be maintained during your studies.
5. How do we handle payment of the course fee? Is a payment plan possible?
Students enrolled in the MHA programme are invoiced on a modular basis; every 3 months. Payment of the course fee is calculated over this time frame and students are invoiced accordingly.
UNLV Singapore is open to discussing payment plan options to students who are enrolled in the MHA programme.
6. Can we pay the 12k after the programme is over?
No. The course fee is required to be paid over the 15-month programme duration.
7. Is the MHA degree the same degree programme as part of the Professional Conversion Programme for Hospitality Managers?
Yes. UNLV Singapore Campus offers one Masters degree; the Master of Hospitality Administration degree.
8. I have a degree from a foreign institution and do not have a GPA on my transcript. Can I still apply?
Yes. UNLV Singapore reviews transcripts from a variety of institutions that may not necessarily use the American model of Grade Point Averages. The admissions team reviews transcripts and grade keys that are provided by the host institution to translate marks into the American GPA system.
9. What are the academic requirements of the courses for the modules? Will I have exams?
Click here for extensive detail about the courses taught for the programme, and the academic expectations.
10. How much is the scholarship and what is the cost of the UNLV MHA degree program?
Successful applicants will be awarded a scholarship grant of S$45,000.00 inclusive of GST to apply towards the cost of the UNLV MHA degree; S$57,000.00.
11. How can I pay the remaining program difference after the scholarship?
After application of the scholarship grant, the cost to be borne by the applicant is S$12,000.00 inclusive of GST. Students will be invoiced on a modular basis (every three months) for payment. If needed a payment plan can be designed on a case by case basis to allow for a convenient payment schedule.
12. What is the program layout and design?
The UNLV Singapore Executive Masters programme offers a comprehensive education degree providing candidates the unique opportunity to network with regionally based industry executives. The Executive Masters program analyzes the industry’s best practices and imparts pragmatic research methodologies. It is a 30 credit program, and can be completed in 15 months.
UNLV Singapore’s Executive Masters Programme Overview:
- All students must attend five 3-month modules
- Each module consists of two courses and requires candidates to attend an intensive one-week seminar on campus
- Seminars are held once every three months at the UNLV Singapore campus
- A final one-week seminar is held on UNLV’s campus in Las Vegas. This allows Masters candidates to travel to Las Vegas and to conduct a real time industry research or operational project.
13. Do I have to fill out the MHA application form? What other required documents are needed?
Yes. The MHA application is one component of a completed application for consideration for the PCP for Hospitality Managers. Click here for details outlining a complete application.
14. What kind of Reference Letters do you require?
As part of a completed application package, two (2) Letters of Recommendation are required. One letter should be from the applicant’s current employer and the other from a college faculty member able to evaluate the applicant’s potential for success in a graduate degree programme.
If the applicant has not been in a college programme in the last six (6) years, a letter from a former employer may be substituted for the second letter. Click here for specific detail for a letter of recommendation.
15. Will you contact the references we provide in the application?
Two letters of recommendation are requirement as part of a complete application. Letters are reviewed, and if deemed appropriate by the admissions team, referees will be contacted directed by the school.
16. When do you accept new students? What if I miss the deadline am I ineligible?
UNLV Singapore’s MHA degree program reviews and accepts students on a rolling basis and allows new students to begin in the program every 3 months. Should you miss the deadline you may request to be considered for the following intake.
17. The UNLV Singapore Masters degree program requires a seminar week per module at the Singapore campus, and one seminar week at the Las Vegas campus. Who pays for the expenses during these weeks?
During the Las Vegas seminar week, all expenses related to airfare, accommodation, school excursions, hosted receptions, some meals and program transportation in Las Vegas are included in the course fee.
During the Singapore seminar weeks, coffee/tea breaks, school excursions, hosted receptions and dinners and program transportation are included in the course fee. Parking at the National Library Building during the week in residence is also covered by the UNLV Singapore.
18. Can I talk to current students to learn more about their experience in the Executive MHA degree program?
Yes. UNLV Singapore is happy to make available its current MHA students to talk about their experience in the program.
About the Hotel Internship
1. Who are the properties?
Currently there are trainees at the InterContinental Hotels Group, the Ritz Carlton Singapore, the Shangri-La Singapore and the Ascott Group. Additional properties in Singapore participating in the program may change pending on intakes and availability.
2. Will my work internship be located in Singapore?
At this time all internship attachments are currently located in Singapore. Review of international property placement will occur on a case-by-case basis.
3. I have a hotel that would be interested in sponsoring me for this programme. Can I apply and work there?
Should an applicant have an interested hotel, UNLV Singapore would be happy to discuss the programme in detail with the property. While applicants can make requests for property attachments, there is not guarantee that he/she will be placed there.
4. Can more than 1 person be accepted at a property?
Yes. It is the property’s discretion to determine how many trainees to place.
5. Do I get to select the hotel where I will work?
Applicants will be allowed to list their preference of properties for their internship program, but the ultimate placement is left with the hotel property.
6. How much is the working stipend and how will it be dispensed?
The working stipend for the 15-months is S$30,000.00 inclusive of GST. Trainees will receive $1,800 per month, and an additional $3,000 upon successful completion of the programme. The first month payment amount will be prorated to the official start date of the work internship.
7. Is the stipend taxable? What about CPF contributions?
This stipend does not constitute income, and is therefore not taxable and no CPF contributions are required.
8. What does the work internship look like? Will I get a schedule in advance?
The work internship is customized per each property’s training and human resources guidelines, but will provide tiered exposure to relevant areas including the front line, supervisory and management levels. A review and outline of the program as well as a schedule will be provided to each selected candidate before the start of the work program.
9. How many hours of work will be required of me during the work internship and what kind of work will I be doing?
A maximum of 44 hours is expected per week during the 15-month work internship programme. The work internship is a progressive program designed to introduce the student to key departments within a property, as well as provide tiered exposure to relevant areas including the front line, supervisory and management levels.
10. What if I prefer to work in only 1 department? Can I customize the work program?
The work internship is a progressive program designed to introduce the student to key departments within a property, as well as provide tiered exposure to relevant areas including the front line, supervisory and management levels. While a concentration area will be expected towards the end of the 15-month work program, participants are required to gain the exposure to departments within a property as prescribed by the hotel.
11. The UNLV Singapore Masters degree program requires 1 week per module at campus. Will I get time off?
Yes, the participating hotels will release you from your work commitment during the seminar weeks that you are required to be on campus in Singapore or Las Vegas, Nevada.
About the 15-month Bond to the Hospitality Industry
1. Do I have to work in Singapore after I finish the programme?
Yes. Trainees who successfully complete the programme are required to fulfill their 15-month bond to Singapore by securing employment in the hospitality sector in Singapore.
2. I understand that that I must seek employment in the Hospitality industry upon completion of 15-month program. How long must I work in the industry and what are some examples of “Hospitality-related jobs”?
Upon successful completion of the program, each successful applicant is expected to find employment within the hospitality sector for a minimum of 15-months in Singapore.
Generally, a Hospitality-related job may refer to any of the following (not exhaustive):
- Guest Service Executive
- Room Sales Manager
- F&B Manager
- Front Office Manager
- Floor Supervisor
4. Am I guaranteed employment at the hotel for which I will be interning for 15-months? What happens if I am not offered employment?
This program is designed to allow each property a 15-month training opportunity with the participant. While an offer of employment cannot be guaranteed, UNLV Singapore will assist any trainee in exploring employment opportunities within the hospitality sector towards the end of his/her work attachment.
3. What is the bond period?
15 Months commencing from your date of employment. Proof of employment will be required.
5. How is the bond satisfied?
Students are required to serve in the tourism industry for a minimum of 15 months within the hospitality industry to satisfy the bond period.
6. Is there a level/position/salary range at minimal to secure to satisfy the bond?
There is no specification to the level/position/salary range to secure in order to satisfy the bond requirements, however, PCPHM trainees are expected to pursue positions matching their relevant education and industry qualifications.
7. What if I choose NOT to join the tourism industry?
Recipients of the Professional Conversion Programme for Hospitality Managers who choose to pursue employment in a non-tourism related sector will be required to pay back in full the subsidy and stipend provided for his/her course of study and internship. Payment will also be subject to interest terms of 10% per annum.
8. If I change jobs during my bond period, do I need to begin my bond period again?
No, so long as employment during the 15 month bond period is continuous. If there is a gap between the end of one job to another, this gap period will not count towards service of the 15 month bond.
9. How long do I have to find employment?
The grace period to secure a job is three (3) months from the date of completion of a trainee’s internship.
10. The company with whom I intern has offered me a job, but I do not want to accept it. Is the grace period shorter?
The grace period remains the same; three (3) months from the date of completion of a trainee’s internship.
11. I understand that I must seek employment in the tourism industry for at least 15 months upon completion of this program. What constitutes the tourism industry?
The tourism industry comprises the following sectors
• Tour & Travel Services
• Attractions
• Hotel & Accommodation Services (Hospitality)
• Gaming (IR)
• Spa
• MICE & Events
• Food & Beverage
• Retail
You may serve your fifteen months minimum service period in any full time jobs within the above mentioned tourism sectors.
12. I have been offered part-time employment. Will this satisfy the bond requirement?
No, all trainees are required to secure full-time, permanent employment to satisfy the terms of the bond requirement.
13. The company with whom I intern has offered me a job. Am I required to accept it?
No – it is up to you if you choose to accept an offer of employment from your internship company.
14. The company with whom I intern has NOT offered me a job. Are they required to do so?
No – your internship company is under no obligation to offer employment upon completion of your internship.
15. If I am offered a job outside of Singapore in the tourism industry can I accept this opportunity? Will this satisfy the bond requirements?
No, all trainees are required to service their bond in Singapore and should not accept employment from a hospitality company outside of Singapore. Accepting a job outside of Singapore and moving to another country will constitute a breach of the bond. The trainee will be required to pay back in full the subsidy and stipend provided for his/her course of study and internship. Payment will also be subject to interest terms of 10% per annum.
16. If I am offered employment in Singapore but a portion of my employment is to be spent overseas, will this satisfy the bond requirement?
Yes – however trainees are to report the approximate length of time spent overseas for career tracking purposes. This time spent abroad will be counted towards the bond satisfaction period. At this time there is no specific timeframe that must be spent in Singapore; however trainees must be employed by the Singapore-based company and sent overseas. Being hired by the overseas-based company will constitute a breach of the bond. (See question 12.)
17. Can I teach tourism as a lecturer/professor to satisfy the bond?
No, trainees must seek full time employment within the tourism industry. Teaching tourism does not satisfy the bond requirement
18. Can I start my own company or business in place of serving the 15 month bond requirement?
No, trainees cannot be self employed. Trainees must seek full time employment within the tourism industry at an already established and incorporated business or company.
19. I need some assistance looking for employment. What services are available at UNLV Singapore?
UNLV Singapore’s career services are available for individual consultations by appointment for all PCPHM trainees. Trainees are encouraged to follow up with career services as they grow closer to their end period to ensure a seamless transition to the tourism industry.
- Career Services will provide the following support to all UNLV PCPHM trainees:
• 1 individual counseling session with Career Services (additional can be arranged at the trainee’s request)
• Opportunity to attend 1 Resume Writing workshop
• Opportunity to attend 1 Grooming workshop
• Notifications of Industry Networking events (*contingent upon industry demand)
- Career Services will provide the following additional support to all UNLV PCPHM trainees who have not secured employment:
• 1 individual counseling session with Career Services (additional can be arranged at the trainee’s request)
• Opportunity to attend 1 Resume Writing workshop
• Opportunity to attend 1 Grooming workshop
• 5 Referrals to companies
• Notifications of Industry Networking events (*contingent upon industry demand)
• Personalized Job matching (on ad hoc basis)
20. How will UNLV Singapore track my progress during my employment?
UNLV Singapore will be following up with all trainees during their first 3 months of employment on a monthly basis. All employed trainees will be asked to submit update forms for tracking purposes. After the initial 3 months of employment, tracking will continue on a quarterly basis.
21. What happens when I finish my 15 months of employment?
Career Services will be following up with all trainees who are finishing their 15 month employment bond. All students will be expected to submit a Self-Declaration Form confirming completion of the 15 months in full-time employment in the tourism industry and include supporting documents as proof of satisfaction.
About UNLV Singapore
1. What happens when I finish my 15 months of employment?
Career Services will be following up with all trainees who are finishing their 15 month employment bond. All students will be expected to submit a Self-Declaration Form confirming completion of the 15 months in full-time employment in the tourism industry and include supporting documents as proof of satisfaction.
2. What happens when I finish my 15 months of employment?
Career Services will be following up with all trainees who are finishing their 15 month employment bond. All students will be expected to submit a Self-Declaration Form confirming completion of the 15 months in full-time employment in the tourism industry and include supporting documents as proof of satisfaction.
3. What happens when I finish my 15 months of employment?
Career Services will be following up with all trainees who are finishing their 15 month employment bond. All students will be expected to submit a Self-Declaration Form confirming completion of the 15 months in full-time employment in the tourism industry and include supporting documents as proof of satisfaction.
4. Where does UNLV Singapore get its faculty/teaching staff from?
Our program draws from the experience and knowledge of professionals, all of whom are highly respected and have many years of proven success in their respective fields. Many of the classes will be taught by UNLV faculty, industry experts and visiting professors (Click here to read faculty information).
