Undergraduate Program

At the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, undergraduates may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) or a Bachelor of Science Degree (BS) in Psychology. Students will gain a broad understanding of psychology by completing dynamic courses across a range of disciplines, including experimental, behavioral neuroscience, developmental, social, clinical, and community psychology.

An understanding of psychological knowledge, methods, and concepts facilitates and enhances productivity in virtually every facet of human endeavor and promotes interpersonal skills and sensitivities. Additionally, the emphasis on using scientific methods serves to enhance critical thinking and reasoning skills.

Some undergraduates major in psychology to prepare for graduate school where they will be trained to become professional psychologists and scholars. Others use psychology as a pre-professional major for a career such as law, medicine, or business. A psychology degree can also be useful in a wide variety of related fields, such as  human resources, social work, or education. Furthermore, all graduate programs are designated in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) as  STEM programs. This allows international students to apply for a 24-month extensions of any postbaccalaureate training opportunities they obtain through the STEM OPT Extension program to allow a wider range of postdoctoral fellowships opportunities for our graduates.