University of Hawaii Manoa

Updated August 6, 2020

University of Hawaii Manoa appears in our ranking of the 10 Most Affordable EdD in Curriculum & Instruction Online.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa was founded in 1907 as a land-grant college of agriculture and mechanical arts. The first classes were held in temporary quarters near Honolulu's Thomas Square until, in 1912, the newly named College of Hawaii moved to Manoa Valley. In 1920, the school was renamed the University of Hawaii and the Territorial Normal and Training School merged with the University in 1931, becoming the College of Education.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, classes were suspended for two months and gas masks were part of the 1941 commencement attire. In 1942, students of Japanese ancestry founded the Varsity Victory Volunteers and many of them later joined the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regiment. After the war, the University grew significantly as soldiers returned to take advantage of the GI Bill. In 1972, the school was once again renamed the University of Hawaii at Manoa to distinguish it among the other University of Hawaii campuses.

Today, the University of Hawaii Manoa is ranked highly among the Academic Ranking of World Universities as well as TIMES World University Rankings. U.S. News & World Report ranks the school in the top overall in the world and for geosciences, space science, environment and ecology, social sciences and public health as well as plant and animal science.

University of Hawaii Manoa Accreditation Details

The University of Hawaii Manoa is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Accreditation indicates the school meets or exceeds criteria developed by the Association that indicates excellence in education. In addition, the school agrees to voluntary periodic evaluations to confirm that they continue to meet their goals and objectives. The school agrees to address any areas identified as needing improvement during the accreditation review. In addition, programs throughout the school are accredited by the following organizations:

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
American Bar Association
American Chemical Society
American Library Association
American Psychological Association
American Speech-Hearing-Language Association
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
Commission on Dental Accreditation
Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs
Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Council on Education for Public Health
Council on Social Work Education
Liaison Committee on Medical Education
National Accrediting Agency for Laboratory Personnel
National Architectural Accrediting Board
National Association of Schools of Music
Planning Accreditation Board
World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium

University of Hawaii Manoa Application Requirements

Students who have not completed college courses after high school graduation are considered freshmen at the University of Hawaii Manoa. They must complete an application and provide official high school transcripts. Students must provide official SAT or ACT scores as well.

Students who have earned college credit after high school graduation may be admitted as transfer students as long as they have 24 or more transferrable credits. Students must have a cumulative transfer GPA of 2.0 if they are residents of Hawaii or 2.5 if they are non-residents.

Graduate applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or higher. They must complete an application and provide transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Students must provide GRE or GMAT scores.

University of Hawaii Manoa Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition for Hawaii residents is $471 per semester hour and for non-residents is $1,389 per semester hour. Graduate tuition is $663 per semester hour for residents and $1,568 for non-residents.

Financial aid is available in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study programs and loans. Financial aid at the University of Hawaii Manoa is need-based and based on the student's expected family contribution compared to the cost of attendance. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify.

University of Hawaii Manoa Degree Program(s) Available

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology

The PhD in Educational Psychology is designed for students who are interested in educational inquiry. Students gain an understanding of human learning and development as it relates to education. Courses include statistics, measurement, evaluation and research methodology along with human learning, cognition and development. Students are prepared to conduct basic and applied research in public and private settings as well as to provide instruction and consultation at all levels of education. In order to apply for the program, students must provide three letters of recommendation and evidence of research competence in addition to the general graduate admission requirements. Students must earn a "B" or higher in all core courses.

Students work closely with graduate faculty to define an individual course of study. The program lasts between three and five years. Students must complete required core courses, an interdisciplinary specialization, college teaching experience and documented research experiences. Students must also complete a minimum residency of three semesters full-time at the University.

Doctor of Philosophy in Learning Design and Technology

The PhD in Learning Design and Technology is designed for students who are interested in professions in technology as it relates to education. The program is research focused, preparing students for careers as faculty and educational leaders. Students explore the uses of media and technology for education, learning the impacts on cognition on an individual and organizational basis. Students actively engage and contribute through publication, conference presentations and instructional projects from the start of their degree program. The program is designed to enhance and facilitate educational, social and economic growth at the local, national and international level. Applicants must provide three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a current resume and evidence of competency in formal writing. The program requires 40 credit hours that consist of a research, design and seminar core as well as an emphasis area and dissertation.

The University of Hawaii Manoa offers students an outstanding education that prepares them for leadership roles in their field of study. The doctorate in education programs available at the University of Hawaii Manoa can help individuals move into a new career or advance in a current career. Many classes are offered in flexible formats that allow working adults to complete their higher education goals.