Welcome to the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM) Graduate Studies Web site. This site provides general information about the UHM campus, the different graduate programs available, and life in Honolulu. More detailed information about each graduate program can be obtained from the specific graduate program in which you have an interest. For contact information, please visit the various graduate programs pages. We thank you for your interest in the UHM and hope that you will be enrolling in one of our many excellent graduate programs.  

 
Location
Located in the Pacific Ocean, midway between Asia and the Americas, the Hawaiian Islands form a bridge between East and West. Many graduate programs at UHM have benefited from Hawai'i's unique geographical location and the advantages that it provides. For instance, the university has great strengths in areas relating to Asia and the Pacific, such as business, economics, linguistics, and political science. In addition, the university offers internationally renowned programs in Asian theatre, astronomy, computing and telecommunications, the marine and earth sciences, second language acquisition, and tropical agriculture.

The UHM campus is located in residential Mānoa Valley and offers easy access to Honolulu, the state capitol and center of Hawai'i's commercial, cultural and political life. Hawai'i's excellent climate, beaches and mountains provide numerous opportunities for recreational activities year-round. Honolulu's many cultural activities add to the campus experience. Living in Hawai'i is an experience that one remembers for a lifetime.

For information on campus visits, see Campus Visit Information.
 
 
History
The University of Hawai'i at Mānoa was founded in 1907 as the College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts. Regular classes began in 1908 with 13 faculty members, five freshmen and five preparatory students in temporary quarters near Thomas Square. Renamed the College of Hawai'i, the institution moved to its present Mānoa location in 1912, during which the first graduation conferred four degrees. In 1920, the institution became the University of Hawai'i.

Below is a summary of key developments through the decades:

• 1920s — The UHM student newspaper Ka Leo O Hawai'i was founded.

• 1930s — The university conferred its first PhD in 1933. Prof. Gregg Sinclair founded in 1935 the Oriental Institute, dedicated to promoting amicable relations between the East and the West.

• 1940s — The 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor resulted in suspension of classes for two months. UH Press, currently the nation's 12th largest university press, began its operations in 1947 with one part-time employee.

• 1950s — Dr. Earle Ernst founded in 1951 the first academic program in Asian theatre in the Western world. The program continues to be one of the best worldwide. In 1953, the university acquired the 124-acre Mānoa Arboretum. Later renamed the Lyon Arboretum, the arboretum is the only tropical rainforest associated with a U.S. university.

• 1960s — The turbulent 60s witnessed the university's most rapid expansion ever. The student population increased from 10,800 to 20,800. The establishment of the Community Colleges system in 1964 has evolved into the present seven campuses on four islands. In addition, the John A. Burns School of Medicine opened in 1967 and the first telescope atop Mauna Kea was erected the following year.

• 1970s and 1980s — Key events during this period include the opening of the William S. Richardson School of Law in 1973, the founding of UH West O'ahu in 1976, and the appointment of the university's first full-time director for women's athletics in 1977. In 1986, the university's library collection topped two million volumes.

• 1990s — Major facilities including the 10,000 seat Special Events Arena and the world-class marine laboratory on the Coconut Island came into existence in the mid-1990s. As the university celebrated its 90th commemoration in 1997, UH Hilo established its master's program in Hawaiian, the nation's first master's program in an indigenous language.  

 
Enrollment Statistics
The University of Hawai'i at Mānoa currently enrolls about 5,030 graduate students, with close to 69 percent pursuing master's degrees and 31 percent pursuing doctoral degrees.

The UHM campus ranks among leading U.S. institutions of higher education, in terms of the numbers of international scholars on its staff and international students enrolled in its numerous programs. Currently, international students from 106 countries comprise about 22 percent of the graduate student population at UHM. The ethnical and cultural diversity at UHM makes the university one of the most cosmopolitan institutions of higher learning in the United States. Students have a special opportunity to expand their horizons and to become better citizens of the world.
 
 
Accreditation
The UHM is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Professional programs are individually accredited by appropriate agencies.

Please click on one of the options below:

• aerial view of the UHM campus with Diamond Head in the background
• campus photos
• photos depicting a variety of research projects and creative endeavors by UH faculty and students. Each thumbnail image in the photo gallery is linked to a full-size photo with background information. Follow the links listed under "Related Graduate Program(s)" for each photo to learn more about related graduate programs at UHM.

Please click on one of the maps below:

• interactive Map of the UHM campus (Javascript required)
• map of UHM campus (92KB, GIF image)
• map of UHM campus (123KB, printable PDF version, Adobe Acrobat Reader required)
• map of UHM campus and vicinity (66KB, GIF image)
• aerial view of O'ahu (36KB, JPEG image)

Graduate Division

The Graduate Division provides opportunities for further study, research and professional training to students who have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. All of the graduate programs at UHM apply rigorous academic standards. Special emphasis is placed on the cultivation of scholarly attitudes and methods of research and creative activity.

Housing

Admission to UHM does NOT automatically include on-campus housing. Please contact Student Housing Services for an application for housing and specific application deadlines.

The housing facilities range from traditional residence halls (coed, all female, and all male in double occupancy or suite arrangements) to apartments (one-bedroom and two-bedroom). A limited number of disabled access and single occupancy units are available.

Residents of the traditional residence halls are required to purchase a dining plan from a variety of options offered. Residents on dining plans dine at Hale Aloha Cafeteria. Contact the University Dining Services for detailed dining plan information. Dining plans are optional for apartment residents.

The Student Housing Services also offers off-campus housing referral services. Listings of off-campus housing are available online. See above for Web address.

Food Services

University Dining Services
Campus Center 220A
2465 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-3663, (808) 956-8721
Fax: (808) 956-9671
Web: www.uhmdining.com/

Major dining facilities on campus include the Campus Center, Ba-Le Sandwich and Bakery, and Paradise Palms Cafe. The Campus Center features the Yummy Food Court, Corner Market Cafe, Jamba Juice, as well as Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Ba-Le at Hemenway Hall specializes in plate lunches, sandwiches and rolls. Paradise Palms Cafe near Hamilton Library features the Chow Mein Express, Grill 155 and Sub Connection

In addition to the facilities listed above, snack bars, concession stands, satellite operations and food vending machines can be found throughout the campus. Click here for locations and hours.

Health Services

University Health Services Mānoa
1710 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8965 Reception Desk
Fax: (808) 956-3583
Web: www.hawaii.edu/shs/

University Health Services Mānoa (UHSM) offers medical service and health education and promotion programs. For appointments, call UHSM. Evening and weekend services are not available.

Medical Clearance for New Students
Before enrolling at the university all new students must do the following:

1. Complete and return the Confidential Health Form;
2. Provide evidence of a tuberculin skin test and/or chest X-ray performed within one year of university enrollment, indicating the individual is free from active tuberculosis infection; and
3. Provide a completed immunization record, which includes proof of disease history or protection by two immunizations against measles.

Health Insurance
All students are strongly urged to purchase medical insurance. Nonimmigrant international students are required to have insurance coverage. The university sponsors student health insurance plans. Contact UHSM for more information.

Parking and Shuttle Service

Parking Operations
2440 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8899
Fax: (808) 956-9811
Email: parking@hawaii.edu
Web: www.hawaii.edu/parking/

With the exception of limited areas designated for visitor parking, all other parking areas on campus require a valid permit. Visitor parking is available for a flat daily rate for cars, motorcycles and mopeds, on a space-available basis. Bicycles are allowed to park only at bike racks.

The number of student parking permits is limited. Carpool, day, evening, motorcycle, moped, and medical permits are offered on on a space-available basis to qualified students as well as faculty and staff members. Applications for the different types of permits require specific supporting documents. Contact Parking Operations for more information.

A free on-campus Rainbow Shuttle Service is available to faculty, staff, students and visitors. The shuttle service is available during the fall and spring semesters, and consists of various routes. Modified schedules and routes operate during semester breaks. For more information, visit www.hawaii.edu/parking/shuttle.html.

Libraries

The University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Library (housed in Hamilton and Sinclair Libraries) provides the largest collection of information and research materials in the state. More than 3 million volumes, including more than 27,000 currently received serial and periodical titles, make this the 64th largest library in the United States. Its online catalog provides access to other local and national indexes, specialized databases, and library catalogs throughout the nation.

Graduate Student Organization (GSO)

Graduate Student Organization
Hemenway 212
2445 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8776
Fax: (808) 956-4810
Web: gso.hawaii.edu/

The Graduate Student Organization (GSO) is the chartered student organization whose membership includes all classified graduate students except professional degree candidates from the Schools of Law and Medicine. The GSO Assembly includes student representatives from each graduate program.

GSO airs views on policies affecting graduate students, advises the dean of the Graduate Division, recommends graduate student representatives for service on campus-wide committees, administers funds for travel grants and temporary loans, and initiates and maintains co-curricular programs relevant to graduate students.

Culture and Arts

Art Gallery and Commons Gallery Art Building, first floor Honolulu, HI 96822 Tel: (808) 956-6888 Fax: (808) 956-9659 Web: www.hawaii.edu/artgallery/

The UHM Art Gallery is located in the center of the Art Building’s bamboo court. Besides student and faculty exhibits, a varied exhibition program plays a significant role in providing information about the visual arts in both a historical and contemporary context. To enhance a specific theme, the installation design is completely changed for each major exhibition. The gallery has received numerous awards for the excellence of its exhibitions and publications.

The Commons Gallery serves an important role as a showcase for thesis exhibitions, works by visiting artists, and class work. The exhibits change weekly.

Admission to both galleries is free.

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Home to the UHM Department of Theatre and Dance, the 600-seat John F. Kennedy Theatre is among the world's best venues for presentations of Asian and Western theater and dance. The department is internationally renowned for its English language presentations of kabuki theater and Beijing opera.

In addition to productions by UH students and faculty, the theatre also presents touring productions from around the world. A typical season at the theatre may include the annual Dance Concert, a classic Western play, an Asian theater production, an original play set in Hawai'i, and a contemporary/experimental play. Auditions are open to all UH students interested in learning about performance or production.

The Earle Ernst Lab Theatre, an intimate 100-seat house that serves as an adjunct performing space, features student productions, late-night theater, workshops, and experimental presentations.

UHM students receive special discount prices on tickets for most productions. Students must present a validated UHM photo ID to receive discounts. Tickets are available at the box office approximately two weeks prior to the opening of each production.

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Mae Zenke Orvis Auditorium 2411 Dole Street Honolulu, HI 96822 Tel: (808) 956-8742 (recorded information), (808) 956-7756 Fax: (808) 956-9657 Fax: (808) 956-9657 E-mail: uhmmusic@hawaii.edu Web: www.hawaii.edu/uhmmusic/welcome.htm

The Mae Zenke Orvis Auditorium is used throughout the year for performances of both Western and ethnic music by the UHM Department of Music, the Mānoa campus community, and local and international artists. The 400-seat auditorium provides an intimate yet formal setting for soloists and small ensembles.

Tickets for most music department events may be reserved by calling (808) 95-MUSIC (68742) or may be purchased in advance at the UHM Campus Center Information Desk. Remaining tickets will be available at the door one hour before each performance. Many events are free.

Recreation

Functioning as the "community center" of the UHM campus, the Campus Center Complex includes Hemenway Hall and the Campus Center Building. The complex houses an information desk/ticket window, dining facilities, ID card services, catering services, lounges, a game room, banking facilities, a barber shop, photocopying service,a leisure center (see below), a movie theater, a graphics facility, and meeting rooms of various sizes, including a ballroom.

In addition, the complex is home to many student organizations and the Campus Center Board (CCB). The student organizations and CCB plan and implement many programs, activities and services, which enhance the overall quality of life on campus.

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The Leisure Center offers non-credit classes and activities in arts and crafts, outdoor recreation, and health and fitness. The program also operates an equipment rental that provides camping and water sports equipment at nominal costs.

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Intramural Sports Program
Physical Education/Athletics Complex 200
1337 Lower Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-7694
Fax: (808) 956-4470

In competitive intramural play, teams and individuals take part in meets, leagues, and tournaments and play by specified schedules in 25 different activities including basketball, tennis, and softball. The competitions use prearranged facilities, equipment, supervision and officials.

A more informal and recreational part of the program emphasizes self-motivated, impromptu participation. When facilities are available, students may swim, lift weights, or play basket ball, tennis, badminton, or volleyball. The majority of basic equipment is available for check-out. Use of facilities and equipment is free, except for golf.