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Psychology > Graduate Programs > Application Process

Graduate Application Guide

A. GENERAL INFORMATION

The Department of Psychology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa receives approximately 250 applications for graduate study each year. Students who do not yet have a Master's degree in Psychology (even if they have an MA degree in another field) should apply initially to the MA program; as they near the completion of the master's thesis they can apply to the PhD program through an internal application process (much simpler than the process of applying for admission from outside the university). Students who already do have a Master's degree in Psychology should apply to the PhD program.

Students accepted for graduate study typically have the following credentials:

  1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a major in psychology or related field.
  2. Cumulative undergraduate grade point averages of 3.5 or above.
  3. GRE scores in the 600 range or above on the verbal and quantitative scales, and 5.0 or above on the analytic scale.
  4. Three strong letters of recommendation, typically from professors.
  5. An average of 1 to 2 years of research experience in their desired field of study (usually working with professors during their undergraduate studies).
  6. Research and training interests that are highly compatible with existing departmental resources (i.e., the student is well matched to work under the mentorship of an existing faculty member).

Approximately 8 to 12 students are accepted by the Clinical Studies Program each year, with an additional 5 to 10 students accepted across the remaining areas of concentration (Cognition, Community and Culture, Behavioral Neuroscience, Developmental, Social-Personality, Experimental Psychopathology). Thus, approximately 13 to 22 students begin graduate study in the Department of Psychology each year.

Aside from the above qualifications, successful applicants tend to be highly familiar with the various program offerings in the Department of Psychology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, including the area in which they wish to study, and the individual(s) they wish to have as a mentor or major professor. Students accomplish this goal by (a) carefully reading through the following materials (including the descriptions provided concerning research/clinical/training interests of psychology faculty members), (b) reading scholarly publications written by these individuals to determine if they have related interests, and (c) corresponding with departmental faculty concerning their interests. This process is extremely important, as it serves to create a "best match" for incoming graduate students and faculty members in the Department. Thus, having excellent academic credentials (e.g., high GRE scores and undergraduate GPA) does not insure acceptance for graduate study in the Department. Faculty members in the Department of Psychology at the University of Hawaii are particularly interested in accepting students for graduate study that they feel will obtain optimum benefit from the faculty-student mentorship model, which exemplifies the Department.

For your information, below is some summary information on admissions statistics for fall 2006.

Educational accomplishments of incoming class:

B. ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES

Important Points to Note:

Stage 1: Graduate Division

Mailing address:
University of Hawaii at Manoa, Graduate Admissions Office, 2540 Maile Way, Spalding 354, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA

  • The application fee
  • An offical transcript from each of your previous post-secondary educational institutions
  • Official notification of GRE scores (n.b. the Educational Testing Service [ETS] code for the University of Hawaii at Manoa is 4867)
  • (If applicable) Residency declaration form, evidence of English language proficiency, and confidential financial statement

Note: this is a general guide only, and additional requirements may exist in some cases. Ensure that you read and comply with the instructions posted on the Graduate Division's website.

Stage 2: Department of Psychology

Mailing address:
Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2430 Campus Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA