About this study program

Do you pride yourself on your organizational skills?

Can you think quickly on your feet, resolve issues and find solutions to complex problems?

If so, then Organization, Governance and Management is the perfect program for you!

The Organization, Governance, and Management program at the University of Aruba offers students a broad theoretical background, a solid academic foundation, and professional skills as they pertain to the practical applications of business management. The main goal of this program is to study how our constantly evolving society impacts the business and government that cater to it, and how to contribute to quality improvement. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Organization, Governance, and Management is a four (4) year full-time program that gives students an excellent foundation in Organization and Management and promotes a multi-perspective and multi-disciplinary approach to learning.

Quick Facts

What can I expect from this study program?

Organization, Governance and Management is a broad and generalist program. It promotes a multi-perspective and multi-disciplinary approach. The OGM graduate can fulfill professional roles such as policy advisor, organizational advisor, manager, or researcher. When working in a policy position, the graduate is expected to give advice geared at organizational and societal issues, design and create solutions for existing and emerging problems; design and create possibilities anticipating a changing society. The graduate is expected to analyze the problem, consult, and negotiate with all stakeholders towards a successful and sustainable action. The program Organization, Governance and Management defines the field of study as follows:

Organization: the design of the organizational entity, its structure, vision and mission, and decision-making organs.

Governance: the processes and interactions by which the organization engages and consults with its stakeholders and accounts for its achievements. Governance characterizes how things are decided and then realized within an organization, be it a government or a company. Governance is thus a relevant issue for organizations and determines how they are directed, administered, or controlled.

Management: the processes/procedures and systems of the organization that ensure that the organization efficiently uses its available resources to achieve its aims and objectives.

Learning environment

The Bachelor’s program in OGM uses a vast array of teaching methods, including; group projects, workshops, lectures, in-class assignments, reflections, field trips, and educational excursions abroad. During the four-year program, our students are taught to carry out research independently and write research papers. Class participation is highly emphasized because our classes are organized as interactive working sessions with lively discussions.

Study Abroad

At OGM you can study close to home but also gain experience abroad during your study trajectory. In the third year of the Bachelor’s degree program, you can take elective courses for an entire semester at a foreign university through exchange programs offered by the Erasmus+ mobility program.

Contact the Office of International Affairs for more information

Graduate possibilities

Career opportunities

Graduates can expect to find a professional role as a policy advisor, organizational advisor, manager, or researcher. Organization and Management positions are geared toward organizational and societal issues and designing and creating forward-thinking solutions for problems. Our graduates have gone on to become consultants, department managers, team leaders, and branch managers, policy advisors, human resources executives, prevention workers, and communication advisors – just to name a few. An OGM bachelor can work as internal or external support in an organization. Some large organizations have their own department that provides organizational advice. An OGM graduate can fulfill a function in such a department. Another option is that a graduate can work for a consultant company. In the function of junior manager, the graduate is responsible for a department or unit in the public, nonprofit, and private sector. Examples are branch manager, department manager, and supervisor or team leader. An OGM graduate can be a junior researcher on matters of organization, management, and governance in the public and private sector. With a BA in OGM, graduates can also go on to obtain a Master’s degree in a variety of fields.

Further education

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in OGM, there is the possibility to pursue a master’s degree abroad. Our alumni have gone on to pursue and complete master’s degrees in fields such as Public Management, Public Policy, Public Administration, International Development Studies, Sustainability Science and Policy, Human Resources Management, and much more. Since OGM is a fully accredited WO bachelor program, graduates can pursue master’s degrees in similar fields without first having to do a premaster year.

Alumni

Study Resources and Downloads

For all downloads, including study guides, schedules, book lists and more, please use the button below.

Admission requirements

General criteria

Admission to the Organization, Governance and Management program is permitted to the person who is in possession of:

1. a HAVO diploma;
2. a VWO diploma;
3. an EPI (MBO) Level 4 diploma;
4. a Bachelor’s degree in a different field;

Prospective candidates must score a 79-80 on the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Doulingo 115 score or equivalent test – some exemptions apply. For more information contact the admissions office.

Am I required to take SAT and TOEFL?

For more information contact the Office of Student Affairs.

Colloquium Doctum

Anyone who has reached the age of 21 and does not meet the above-mentioned admission requirements can nevertheless be admitted to the Organization, Governance and Management program, by demonstrating sufficient general development and suitability for following an education at the program by taking an admission test (colloquium doctum exam) which is offered by the University of Aruba.

In certain cases, an exemption from the colloquium doctum exam may be granted on the basis of prior education. More information can be obtained from the dean. In case of an exemption from a colloquium doctum exam, no colloquium doctum statement is provided by the Faculty Council.

Anyone who is uncertain of whether their diploma gives them access to the university or whether or not a partial exemption can be granted from the colloquium doctum exam, can contact the Department of Education of Aruba (Directie Onderwijs) at telephone (297) 528-3400.

More information about the colloquium doctum exam, including information about the courses of the exam, registration for the exam, the colloquium doctum regulations, the possibility to obtain an exemption for courses from the colloquium doctum exam (note, this does not concern the possibility of exemption from the colloquium doctum exam as mentioned above), the method where the exam is taken and the dates of the exam can be obtained through the Office of Student Affairs.

Non-degree certificate program

You can also audit a course or take part in the bachelor program without matriculating as a UA student. As a participant in the non-degree certificate program (“toehoorder”) you will not take part in the final exams of the courses taken. At the request of the participant, a statement will be issued, containing a summary of the subjects taken, the period during which these took place, and in the case of a positive result the subjects in which the participant passed the aptitude test. The aptitude test does not have the status of an exam, nor can a positive completion of the aptitude test be converted into the registration as a UA student. Nor will it count as an exemption of that course in the case a participant later applies to the Bachelor’s degree program as a UA student.

For more detailed information about tuition and registration of the non-degree certificate program, please contact the Office of Student Affairs.

Study program overview

Language of instruction

The courses at OGM are primarily taught in English, however, some courses are taught in Dutch and Papiamento.

Tuition fees

*International students are non-Dutch passport holders who have resided in Aruba for less than 5 years.

Important dates

Deadline first payment: September 1

Deadline second payment: January 15

Study program structure

The OGM study program spans four years. Each year is divided into two semesters. There are three learning tracks in the curriculum:

1. General education: this track attends the general academic competences like research, philosophy of science, critical thinking and auxiliary social science disciplines to provide a framework to understand the local context.
2. Core curriculum: this track focuses on the theories of the disciplines of public administration and the organizational sciences.
3. Practice: this track covers the skills and attitude necessary to function as a professional.

Academic program

The following gives an overview of the academic courses offered in the Bachelor’s degree program, including the total credits per course subject. In the Study Guide, a description is given of each course subject with its lecturer(s) and the prescribed or recommended literature.

For each academic year, a minimum of 60 credits (EC) should be obtained.

A detailed description of the study program’s course subjects can be found in the Study Guide or in the Course Catalog of OSIRIS.

Course overview information

Together with the Center of Quality Assurance (CQA), the OGM department has formulated 10 learning outcomes to assure that students reach the OGM graduate profile. These learning outcomes are as follows:

The graduate:

1. Understands and analyzes the rapid changing and unpredictable nature of contemporary regional and international society;
2. Understands and analyzes political and administrative systems, theories of policy making, organizational change, governance and theories of management;
3. Conducts qualitative and quantitative scientific research and reports about results in academic written and spoken contributions;
4. Is critical, analytical and communicates ideas verbally and written;
5. Applies integrative and managerial skills in complex situations;
6. Demonstrates responsibility and leadership, and cooperates in constructive ways;
7. Demonstrates intellectual independence and professional acumen;
8. Demonstrates ethical values, is context oriented, creative and innovative;
9. Demonstrates civic engagement and awareness, endorses sustainability and embodies diversity;
10. Demonstrates personal leadership in personal and professional reflections and
    developments.

Graduation requirements

A student is eligible to graduate once they have obtained the mandatory 240 ECs of the curriculum. In the last semester of the OGM program, students conduct research and write a final thesis comprising of 20 ECs.

Quality Assurance

Accreditation is a quality label that is granted formally by an independent authority to an academic and professional program that meets required standards related to a Bachelor’s or Master’s level. Over the last four years, the UA has invited the NVAO (“Nederlands Vlaamse Accreditatieorganisatie”) to evaluate its programs against international Bachelor and Master degree standards. On March 24, 2017, the NVAO gave their positive advice on the quality of the WO-bachelor program OGM, see the official report at:

NVAO positive institutional audit decision Bachelor Organization, Governance and Management

Course materials

Books

Prescribed textbooks for each unit of study are listed in your Study Guide, Book List, or on the UA Bookstore webpage.

You can purchase your textbooks in a number of ways:

The UA Bookstore at the University of Aruba

The UA Bookstore offers an inventory of textbooks for all faculties. The UA Bookstore also sells new study books and facilitates the sale of second-hand study books by students. If your books haven’t arrived on time you can also borrow certain study books from the UA Library. The University of Aruba’s bookstore is located in the UA Library.

The UA Bookstore online

Course readings and textbooks can be ordered online and collected later at the UA Bookstore.

Via external sources

You can also purchase your study books from other sources, such as second-hand books or online bookstores from the US or the Netherlands. Please take into account that books purchased online can take a couple of weeks to arrive. Buy your textbooks and readers early to make sure you have all your required reading material at the start of the school year.

The total cost of books for the complete Bachelor’s degree program is approximately AWG. 3.000,-

Other course materials

All study materials compiled by the lecturers will be made available via the electronic learning environment StOnE. Every registered student is also provided with an email address of the UA which is used to communicate with you. The curriculum of OGM includes the production of written papers. It is advisable to purchase a laptop or tablet for this study program.

Digital Tools

Study program digital resources

Important information about this study program can be found in the Study Guide. The Study Guide provides helpful details about the University, the study program, and essential information for every stage of the student journey, from registration, to assessment, to graduation.

You can also consult the Year Calendar, Course Schedules, Book List, and other essential documents relating to the program of study for more detailed information.

Library Databases

The UA library may be of assistance in providing you access to digital databases to quickly find relevant scholarly information you can use in research papers or other course projects. The databases available via the UA Library grant you access to countless journals, articles, and digital books.

StOnE

The Faculty of Arts & Science has an electronic learning environment, the University of Aruba Study Online Environment (StOnE). You can access StOnE via stone.ua.aw with your username and password. This information is made available after your final registration. For any questions, you can contact the helpdesk via StOnE@ua.aw

With StOnE you can:

• Easily access course content – browse the content of your courses, even when offline.
• Connect with course participants – quickly find and contact other people in your courses.
• Keep up to date – receive instant notifications of messages and other events, such as assignment submissions.
• Submit assignments – Upload images, audio, videos and other files from your mobile device.
• Track your progress – View your grades, check completion progress in courses and browse your learning plans.

Course material and assignments are made available by the lecturer of the course via StOnE. Other important announcements are also sent via StOnE or distributed via your UA email address. To ensure that you are sufficiently informed of the ins and outs of the study program you are expected to consult StOnE and your email address regularly to stay informed of any notifications.

OSIRIS

OSIRIS is a Student Progress Tracking System, in which all information regarding your studies and study progress is stored from the moment of your first registration up to and including your graduation. All UA students have an OSIRIS account as soon as they are fully enrolled and are admitted to the UA.

We recommend downloading the OSIRIS app on your phone so that you can stay up to date with your grades, your schedule and can have easy access to registration for courses and exams. Students must register to take courses via OSIRIS. Consult the course schedule to see when each course is given. This registration is mandatory!

You can log in here or via the OSIRIS Mobile App (available via the Google Play Store or Apple Store). For more information regarding your grades, course schedules, missing information, or other education-related issues to be found in OSIRIS, please contact the Office of Educational Affairs (OEA), in charge of the educational administration of students, at oea@ua.aw.

To gain access to OSIRIS you need a username and password. This information will be made known to you at the start of your studies. Your username for OSIRIS is your student number, your password is your UA network password (the same password you use in the Computer Lab or Library). If you encounter problems logging in, you may have to reset your password. During office hours you can do this at the reception of the main campus at UA.

For further assistance regarding technical problems you can contact the Computer Center at cc@ua.aw or by telephone at (297) 526-2252, or (297) 526-2253.

G Suite

G Suite is a set of cloud computing, productivity, and collaboration tools, software, and products developed by Google. Every registered student will obtain access to their own G Suite account and can make use of its email (Gmail), cloud storage (Google Drive with a capacity of 30GB), and other tools, such as Google Docs. This eliminates the need to use external storage devices such as USB sticks during your studies, minimizing the risks of viruses and losing your data. G Suite also allows you to access your information from any computer, eliminating the need to sync your data on different computers. The data on G Suite is available from your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer.

Your student email will be attached to your G Suite account. Important announcements are distributed via your student email. You are expected to consult your email regularly to stay up to date with student affairs and notifications.

For any questions relating to your G Suite account, you can contact the Computer Center at cc@ua.aw or by telephone at (297) 526-2252 or (297) 526-2253.

Application and practical matters

How to apply?

Thinking of applying to our University? It only takes 2 minutes.

Our online registration opens from May 15th until July 15th. To apply visit our homepage and click on the online registration link, which will be visible during the registration period. You will be directed to the application portal Osiris. If you’re a new student, create an account and submit your application. Once you have submitted your application, you’ll receive an email confirmation and instructions on how to submit any required hard-copy documents to the University.

The deadline for submission of your application is July 15. The University of Aruba reserves the right to deny any application submitted after the deadline.

Maximum registration period

The Bachelor’s degree program can be completed in a minimum of four years. You can be enrolled as a student for the Bachelor’s degree in OGM for a maximum of 6 years. This period starts on the day after the registration is completed. In exceptional cases, it is possible to deviate from the established deadlines. For an extension, you must send a written request to the Board of Trustees of the University of Aruba.

Practical information

For more practical information about student life at UA, the facilities the university offers, and information about your registration or changes in your personal information, please contact the Office of Student Affairs. You can also browse our website, or consult your Study Guide.

Collaborate with the UA

The University of Aruba can offer organizations interns, training, and research possibilities. If your organization would like to collaborate with the UA, please click on the button to fill in the form.

Alumni Network

Dear recent OGM graduate. Completing your Bachelor of Arts degree is not a small feat, and the OGM department wishes you lots of success in your following career and life. The OGM department would also like to stay in touch with our alumni, this is a great way for us to keep the OGM alumni network active.