University of Hawaii at Mānoa Graduate Studies
about the university graduate programs research highlights admissions degree requirements financial matters international students life in Honolulu
 


 
Contact Information
 

University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Center for Pacific Islands Studies
1890 East-West Road
Moore 215
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-7700
Fax: (808) 956-7053
Web: www.hawaii.edu/cpis/

Terence Wesley-Smith, PhD
Graduate Chair
E-mail: twsmith@hawaii.edu

 
Degrees Offered
 
 
Graduate Faculty
 

List of Faculty

 
University of Hawai'i Directory
 
back to top
PACIFIC ISLANDS STUDIES
 

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

 
Application Deadlines
 
Fall Spring
I — March 1
D — March 1
I — September 1
D — September 1
 
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).

 
  • knowledge of the physical features, cultural characteristics, and history of the Pacific region, as well as some familiarity with contemporary issues and concerns*
  • graduate program application form (Contact graduate program for form.)
  • graduate program supplemental information form (download form)
  • statement of objectives (download form)
  • official post-secondary academic transcripts (to be sent to the graduate program, in addition to the set sent to the Graduate Division)
  • sample of academic writing (short term paper or master's thesis chapter)
  • three letters of recommendation
  • official TOEFL scores — 580/237/92 or above (Required of most non-native speakers of English. Click here for information on exemptions.)

* Normally, 12 credits of appropriate Pacific-related course work or the equivalent are expected to meet this requirement. Motivated applicants without the appropriate undergraduate background may apply. They will be expected to make up course deficiencies.

 

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 Center for Pacific Islands Studies at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM) is committed to the production and dissemination of a wide range of knowledge about Oceania. The center focuses on the island societies of this vast region, and the dynamic cultural, social, and political interactions that link them to each other as well as to the rest of the world. It seeks to understand the many worlds of Oceania through multiple conceptual lenses, drawn selectively from a range of academic disciplines and from the knowledge systems of the region itself. The center promotes active, student-centered approaches to learning and encourages creativity in research and representation of island issues.

With a core and affiliate faculty of about 40 members, and access to one of the finest collections of Pacific materials in the world, the center offers interdisciplinary programs of study leading to the MA and the Graduate Certificate in Pacific Islands studies.

The MA program is intended for students of the region who wish to transcend established disciplinary boundaries and to explore innovative approaches to learning, research and representation. It is the only program of its kind in the United States. Students may select either the thesis option or the MA portfolio option. Students who choose the first option complete a scholarly research-based thesis on a Pacific-related topic. Normally, this is the preferred option for those planning to enter a doctoral program in the humanities, social sciences, or interdisciplinary studies. Students opting for the MA portfolio demonstrate mastery of a specialty area within the field of Pacific Islands studies through an integrated program of activities including course work, research and writing. Both options allow for the inclusion of artwork, creative writing, multimedia or performance components in dialogue with the scholarly text required for the MA project (thesis or portfolio), to better communicate the scholarly work.

Some of the recent graduates of the Pacific Islands studies program are pursuing doctoral or professional degrees in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Hawai'i and the U.S. mainland; others are employed in a variety of fields, including education, social work, publishing, as well as library and museum work.

 
 
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.

 

Students may select either the thesis option or the MA portfolio option:

  • The thesis option requires 24 credits of course work, nine credits of thesis research, a written thesis and defense of the thesis.
  • The MA portfolio option requires 27 credits of course work and six credits of PACS 695 Master's Project. Also required are an essay or research report (25 pages or more), and a substantial performance, multimedia, artistic or written product.
  • The MA written exam is required for both options.
  • Prior to graduation, students are required to demonstrate a second-year level of competence in an indigenous, pidgin/creole or administrative language of the Pacific. (Contact the program for details.)

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

 
 
Related Program(s)
 
Asian studies, Hawaiian studies, religion
 
 
 

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.