Frequently Asked Questions
MMMA training offers the future graduate distinct advantages:
- MOL and Magsaysay are respected names in the shipping industry. Established in 1884, Mitsui OSK Lines is one of the world’s largest shipping companies. Magsaysay, founded in 1948, is one of the country’s largest human resource companies. At MMMA, cadets are trained by industry leaders.
- MMMA aims to graduate officers who are engaged citizens, lovers of the sea, globally competent, lifelong learners, and future ready. At MMMA, we train cadets for LIFE, not just a job!
- MMMA is a leadership school. Cadets learn to set and achieve personal goals (self-leadership), help another cadet achieve his goals (one-on-one leadership), and lead a group of cadets to accomplish a task (team leadership).
- Every cadet is assigned a leadership coach who will guide the development of his or her character and leadership according to the cadet’s individual inclination. At MMMA, we train cadets according to their developmental needs, not one-size-fits-all.
- The robust academic and leadership programs are complemented by a physical fitness program and extracurricular activities. Cadets are required to participate in a sport and a club.
- MMMA cadets train with state-of-the-art equipment in an ideal setting that is conducive to learning.
- MOL and Magsaysay are employers for life. Many employees have served only one company “from hire to retire.” MMMA graduates have priority for hiring by MOL and Magsaysay.
MMMA traces its roots to the Magsaysay Institute of Shipping (MIS) that has been training merchant marine officers since 1991. MIS has produced a total of 5,426 seafarers. 708 of these cadets were students of partner maritime academies who trained in MIS in their third year. Many MIS alumni are now Captains or Chief Engineers.
However, MOL and Magsaysay are committed to the success of MMMA graduates and will give priority to our alumni for employment. With over a thousand ships between them, the chances of MMMA graduates being employed after graduation are very good, indeed.
The cost of education in MMMA covers the following:
- Tuition fee
- Lab fees
- Miscellaneous fees
- Three meals a day
- Accommodations in airconditioned dorms, 3-4 cadets in a room
- Regular change of beddings
- Uniforms, athletic attire, shoes
- Extracurricular activities
- Laundry service
- Books
- Library service
- Guidance counseling
- Internet connectivity
- School clinic
- Hospitalization (HMO)
- Accident insurance
- Limited emergency medical care
- Immunization for MMR, Hepatitis, Pneumonia, Flu, COVID19 when available
- Annual physical exam in the second and third years
- Plus, the benefit of living and studying in a brand-new facility, equipped with leading-edge simulators and equipment, in a safe and secure environment, on a picturesque 13-hectare campus, free from pollution, flood, transportation shortage, and traffic.
The cost to students per semester is currently about ₱150,000 pesos, or ₱300,000 pesos per year for the first three years. The cost for Onboard Training in the fourth year is ₱80,000 pesos.
The following are NOT included in the school fees:
- Snacks
- Toiletries
- School supplies
- Medical and dental services not covered by HMO, e.g., braces
- Prescription medicine, vitamins
- Repeat examinations if required by the Annual Physical Exam
After completing their 3-year academic training, cadets will end their stay at the academy. Cadets may live at home or make their own arrangements for accommodations. They will then process their seaman’s book, passport, and other requirements in preparation for going aboard ship for their 12-month on-board training. The cost of these requirements is not included in the regular school fees.
Yes, but none of the previous courses would be credited. An MMMA cadet must start with the first year of training regardless of any previous college attended.
MMMA opened in 2018 and received full government recognition in September 2021.
MMMA is a civilian institution, not a military academy. Nonetheless, discipline is a core value of the academy. Cadets are trained and are expected to hold themselves to the finest tradition of the maritime profession. This means having a high sense of integrity, observance of rules and regulations, respect for authority and others, punctuality, courtesy, and other traits expected of officers. Cadets must agree to be subject to the rules of the academy. Cadets who break the rules can expect to face disciplinary measures which include demerits, withholding of privileges, restriction to quarters, community service, and in severe cases, suspension, or dismissal from the academy.
Merchant marine officers are expected to lead teams of men and women to accomplish tasks in the challenging shipboard environment, which may involve foul weather, high-powered machinery, hazardous cargo, and possibly a problematic crewmember. An officer must be able to motivate, perform under pressure, and resolve conflict. The MMMA leadership development program is an intentional 3-year process that aims to transform a youth into a responsible officer of excellence and character. MMMA cadets learn leadership theory in the classroom and apply them daily in the different aspects of cadet life as they set and achieve personal goals in academics, leadership, and physical fitness; stand cadet duty; serve in the cadet organization and clubs; organize events; and take part in various sports and challenges. A unique feature of MMMA training is leadership coaching: each cadet is assigned a leadership coach who will mentor him or her one-on-one for the three years that a cadet is in the academy.
MMMA is 100 percent hazing-free. MMMA has a developmental training paradigm which does not allow hazing or any form of bullying. Upper-class cadets do not exercise any disciplinary powers over other cadets. Hazing is strictly prohibited by academy rules.
Cadets live in a new, three-level dormitory. Each air-conditioned room can accommodate four cadets. Each cadet has his own bed, a study desk, a study lamp, a chair, and a locker. There are shared toilets and showers in every wing. Each cadet is assigned a metal locker in the hallway to secure his valuable belongings.
No. MMMA is a boarding school, and all cadets are required to live on campus.
To focus on academic requirement, cadets will likely remain inside the academy and will be allowed to go home every term break except for emergencies or exceptional circumstances.
Family may visit cadets only with prior coordination with the Office of Cadet Affairs.
Yes, but you may not bring your cellphone to class. You may bring your laptop from home to the academy.
Each cadet is assigned a locker to keep his or her valuables. You are advised to bring your own lock.
MMMA teaches integrity. Integrity is vital not only to one’s character and reputation, but also to build trust, teamwork, efficiency, and safety in the isolated, lonely, and hazardous work environment of the seafarer. Therefore, misbehavior like cheating, stealing, and lying are dealt with severely, including possible dismissal from the academy.
Yes. The seafarer’s life is physically demanding. Moreover, shipping companies require applicants to pass a stringent medical exam prior to hiring. Thus, MMMA develops the cadet’s health and physical strength. Cadets must pass a series of medical and physical exams during their four years of cadetship:
- First year: Pre-admission medical exam before entry to MMMA
- Second year: Annual physical exam
- Third year: Annual physical exam
- Fourth year: Pre-employment medical exam before Onboard Training (OBT)
IMPORTANT: Failure to pass a medical exam is a ground for placing a cadet on probation. If the discrepancy is not resolved after a prescribed period, or if the medical finding disqualifies a cadet from future employment by the principal, a cadet may not be allowed to continue in the program.
In addition, each cadet must pass a physical fitness test every term that consists of pull-ups (flex hang for women), push-ups, sit ups and 3.2 km (2-mile) run.
In short, cadets must keep themselves physically fit through proper diet, exercise, rest, and a healthy lifestyle.
Following are the steps in the application process. An applicant may progress to the next step only if he/she satisfies the requirements of a step in each process. After successfully completing a step, the Applicant will receive instructions for the following step in the process. An applicant who fails to meet the requirements at a particular stage will be duly informed and may no longer continue to the next step.
- Applicant accomplishes the online application form and submits required documents. (http://sms.mmma.edu.ph/padmission)
- If the application is in order, the applicant receives a confirmation email.
- Applicant deposits the entrance exam fee of ₱400 pesos in MMMA’s bank accounts. He/she must also send the image of the deposit slip for the entrance exam fee as proof of payment to mmma.arcollection@mmma.edu.ph
- Applicants will receive an email to log on to the online entrance exam scheduling system. Select an exam center and date to take the exam.
- Applicant receives his/her exam permit by email.
- Applicant takes the entrance exam at the exam center or online on the date indicated on the exam permit.
- Applicants who pass the entrance examination will be contacted by Admissions by phone, social media, or email with instructions on next steps to take. Applicants who do not pass the entrance exam will receive an email notification.
- Applicant takes the pre-admission medical exam at an accredited medical facility.
- Admissions will contact the Applicant to schedule the final interview by senior members of MMMA, MOL and Magsaysay. The interview may be face-to-face or online.
- If Applicant satisfies all requirements (entrance exam, medical exam, interview, funding), the applicant may register and pay the fee (₱10,000) for the 30-day Candidate Cadet Orientation Program (CCOP). This is the final phase of the cadet selection process to give both the Academy and the applicant an opportunity to assess whether the cadet is fit for academy training. The CCOP fee covers board and lodging, materials, and training during the CCOP.
- Applicant reports to MMMA for the 30-day Candidate Cadet Orientation Program. Applicant may withdraw during this period; however, the CCOP fee is non-refundable.
- If the applicant satisfies the mental, physical, and social development program of the CCOP, he/she may enroll as a full-fledged cadet of MMMA.
- Applicant begins his/her 4-year cadetship in MMMA.
There are some opportunities for cadets to work a limited number of hours a week for an allowance. A cadet must maintain good grades to qualify as a Student Assistant.
The overwhelming majority of MMMA cadets who are highly motivated, diligent, and healthy complete their training without difficulty. Nonetheless, certain conditions may cause an early departure from the program. A cadet may be turned back (join the next class) or forced to discontinue the program altogether due to serious illness (e.g., tuberculosis); a medical, physical, or psychological condition that constitutes a high risk in training or that disqualifies the cadet from future employment by MOL or Magsaysay (e.g., scoliosis, color blindness, suicidal tendencies); academic failure; gross misconduct (e.g., stealing); financial difficulty; or loss of interest.
- Failing one or more subjects
- Failing the annual physical exam
- Any condition (physical, medical, psychological) that disqualifies the cadet from further training or future employment by the principal
- Gross misconduct
- Failing to meet financial obligation.