University of Hawaii at Mānoa Graduate Studies
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Contact Information
 

University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Department of Geography
2424 Maile Way
Saunders 445
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8465
Fax: (808) 956-3512
Web: www.geography.
hawaii.edu/

Thomas Giambelluca, PhD
Graduate Chair
E-mail: thomas@hawaii.edu

 
Degrees Offered
 

MA in geography

PhD in geography

 
Graduate Faculty
 
List of Faculty
 
University of Hawai'i Directory
 
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GEOGRAPHY
 

Quick Links:
Application Deadlines
| Admissions Requirements
Program Overview | Degree Requirements | Related Program(s)
Contact Information | Degrees Offered | Graduate Faculty

 
Application Deadlines
 
Fall Spring
I — January 15
D — January 15
No spring admission
 
I = international applicants
D = U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents
 
 
Admissions Requirements
 

Click here for link to online application or to download paper application. Applicants need to meet:
1) Graduate Division admissions standard and documentation requirements, and
2) program specific admissions criteria and documentation requirements
    (see below).

 

MA Program

  • graduate program supplemental information form (download form)
  • statement of objectives (download form)
  • three letters of recommendation
  • official GRE General Test scores
  • official TOEFL scores — 500/173/61 or above (Required of most non-native speakers of English. Click here for information on exemptions.)

PhD Program

  • graduate program supplemental information form (download form)
  • statement of objectives (download form)
  • sample of academic writing (seminar paper or master's thesis)
  • three letters of recommendation
  • official GRE General Test scores
  • official TOEFL scores — 500/173/61 or above (Required of most non-native speakers of English. Click here for information on exemptions.)
 

Submission of Program Specific Documentation Requirements
With the exception of TOEFL and GRE scores, all program specific documentation requirements should be sent directly to the graduate program.

If required, official TOEFL and GRE scores should be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office. Please note that GRE scores may be required by the graduate program (see above) or by the Graduate Division (more info.)

 
 
Program Overview
 

The study of geography provides a broad perspective on people as inhabitants and transformers of the face of the Earth. It explores the complexity of the cultures, economies, histories, and ecologies that lie behind places on a map — places that make up the world we live in and pass on to our children.

Three themes — the operation of interlocking systems of the natural environment, the relationship between nature and society, and the relationship between location and society — focus upon challenges in the contemporary world. Such challenges include global environmental change and its implications for human existence; resource management and regional development in the Third World; regional conflict fueled by long-standing economic, religious or territorial differences; the making of resource and location decisions; and the display and management of spatial information. Situated in the middle of the Pacific, the Department of Geography at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM) is uniquely positioned to examine these issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Hawai'i's historical, cultural, economic, social and environmental context provides a fascinating setting for learning and research, and serves as a springboard into the wider region.

The department offers graduate programs leading to the MA and the PhD. Faculty interests and supporting strengths of the university provide unique advantages for the study of the following general topics:

  • environmental studies and policies;
  • resource systems;
  • urbanization, and regional development;
  • cartography, remote sensing, and geographic information systems; and
  • Pacific and Asian regional problems.

Graduates find employment in research and administrative positions in county, state, federal, and international agencies; research positions in private business, especially consulting firms; and teaching positions in secondary schools, community colleges, colleges and universities.

 
 
Degree Requirements
 

All graduate students at UHM need to meet degree requirements set by the Graduate Division and their graduate programs. For general Graduate Division requirements, see Degree Requirements. Below is an overview of the degree requirements for this graduate program.

 

MA Degree Requirements
The MA program is available only in Plan A (thesis). It requires 31 credits (including six credits of thesis research), a written thesis and defense of the thesis.

PhD Degree Requirements
The PhD program requires the following:

  • completion of MA core courses or the equivalent,
  • attendance and participation in the geography colloquium (while in residence)*,
  • 30 credits of course work in a major field*,
  • 15 credits of course work in a minor field of departmental specialization*,
  • fulfillment of a research skills requirement including (a) one language and (b) nine credits in research technique courses (quantitative, computer applications, cartography, remote sensing, field, bibliography, or laboratory) or a second language;
  • comprehensive exams (oral and written),
  • dissertation,
  • final oral exam, defense of dissertation.

* Course work taken at the MA level may be used in partial fulfillment of the course requirements.

Courses
To view a listing of courses offered, visit www.catalog.hawaii.edu/courses/departments/geog.htm.

 
 
Related Program(s)
 
anthropology, Asian studies, botany, conflict resolution, ecology, evolution and conservation biology, geology and geophysics, Hawaiian studies, international cultural studies, meteorology, ocean policy, Pacific Islands studies, population studies, public policy, resource management, urban and regional planning
 
 
 

Application Deadlines | Admissions Requirements | Program Overview | Degree Requirements
Contact Information | Degrees Offered | Graduate Faculty | Related Program(s)

 

© University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Graduate Division

Graduate Admissions Office
2540 Maile Way Spalding 354 Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8544 Fax: (808) 956-4261
Email: admissions@grad.hawaii.edu

 
2008-04-14
 
This Web site is intended solely to provide general information. The UHM Graduate Division makes no representation and accepts no liability for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of information found in this site. Viewers of this site are advised to contact the appropriate offices for the most up-to-date information.