How to Apply

The following documents should be sent directly to the UHM Graduate Division for admission to the University:
Graduate Admissions Office
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
2540 Maile Way, Spalding 354
Honolulu, HI 96822

1. Graduate Division Application (download pdf or apply online);
2. Application fee;
3. An official transcript sent directly from each institution attended;
4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores;

International applicants must also submit:
5. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL);
6. Complete information on financial status

The Graduate Division will forward the applicant’s file to the Office of Graduate Student Academic Services (OGSAS) once the above application materials have been received and evaluated by their office.

Please submit the following directly to the Department for admission to the Program:
Office of Graduate Student Academic Services
Department of Public Health Sciences
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
1960 East West Road, Biomed D204
Honolulu, HI 96822

1. Department of Public Health Sciences application (download pdf)
2. Statement of Objectives
3.  Three (3) letters of recommendation, including the Letter of Recommendation Form (Note: Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Health applicants must include one letter from Indigenous community in which the applicant has an established history of service)

DrPH Applicants must also submit:

4. Writing samples that demonstrate aptitude for scholarly writing.

Applications and all supporting documents must be received by the appropriate deadline. Arrangements to take the GRE and TOEFL, if required, should be made well in advance so that the scores are received before the application deadline. International applicants should write for application materials as far in advance as possible since they are required to submit additional documents and international mail service requires more time.

Please retain a copy of your application for your records. Once submitted, application materials (which includes the public health application and statement of objectives, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and test scores) are not released except for the purpose of admission and cannot be returned or photocopied for the applicant.

Application Deadlines
U.S. and international applicants to the department have from October 1 to January 15 to submit an application for the fall semester. Priority consideration will be given to those with completed applications submitted by the deadline. The program cannot guarantee that applications received or completed after the January 15th deadline will be reviewed for admissions, as late applications are considered on a space available basis. In addition, late applicants have fewer opportunities for financial assistance from the program.

After January 15, interested applicants are advised to contact the program to ascertain whether space is available in their selected area of specialization before submitting an application. Please note that application fees are nonrefundable and nontransferrable so prospective applicants should contact the department before submitting a late application.

Spring Applications
Spring applications to the MPH and MS degree programs are discouraged since the curricula of the areas of specialization are arranged in a sequence which makes it inadvisable for students to begin their studies in January. Persons seeking Spring admission are advised to contact the Program first to ascertain whether applications would be accepted in their selected area of specialization. If the specialization area consents to a prospective applicant’s request to submit an application for the Spring semester, all application materials must be received by September 1.

The doctoral degree programs (DrPH and PhD) do not offer spring admission.

Application Fee
In addition to the application materials and supporting documents, applicants are required to submit an application fee of $100. No application fee waivers or deferments are granted.

Applicants may pay by credit card, check or money order. Payment by check or money order must be in U.S. dollars, drawn on a U.S. bank, and made payable to the “University of Hawai‘i.” Include your full name and date of birth on the check or money order. Do not send cash. This fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable. Note: an application submitted without the appropriate application fee will not be processed.

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Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
The GRE General Test is required for all applicants. Both the score and the percentile on each of the verbal, quantitative and analytic sections of the examination will be evaluated. The GRE General Test may be waived for master's degree (MPH or MS) applicants who hold an advanced degree (e.g., master’s degree or higher) from an accredited institution. A written request must be submitted by the applicant. Requests to waive the GRE requirement should be made early in the application process to ensure that there is no delay in the application review if the request is denied. The waiver request must accompany the department’s application and the applicant’s resume must be included.

The GRE General Test is required for all doctoral applicants (no test substitutions or waivers).

The Computer-Based GRE General Test should be taken at least one month prior to the application deadline. GRE scores that are more than five years old and/or photocopies of the Examinee Score Report are not acceptable.

Please direct ETS to forward the official GRE General Test scores to the university (Institution Code: 4867; Department Code: 0616).

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Most applicants whose native language is not English are required to take TOEFL. An applicant is exempt from the test if he or she has earned a bachelor’s or advanced degree within the last five years at a regionally accredited or recognized institution in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore or United Kingdom.

Applications for admission will not be processed until official TOEFL results have been received. TOEFL scores that are more than two years old and/or photocopies of the Examinee Score Report are not acceptable. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score for master’s degree applicants is 550 (213 for the computer-based test, 79-80 for the Internet-based test) and 600 (250 for the computer-based test, 100 for the Internet-based test) for doctoral degree applicants. Direct the Educational Test Service (ETS) to forward the official TOEFL score report to the Graduate Division, University of Hawai‘i (Institution Code: 4867; Department Code: 50).

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score reports may be submitted in lieu of the TOEFL. An IELTS overall score of 6 or higher is required for master's degree applicants and a score of 7 or higher is required for doctoral applicants. Applicants should contact the nearest British Council/Embassy/Consulate or IDP Education Australia Office in their country for the nearest testing center. It is advised that applicants also check the IELTS website for the most up-to-date information for testing centers.

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English Language Institute (ELI)
The ELI program is only for students admitted to a degree program at the University of Hawai‘i. Prior to registration, all non-native speakers of English must be evaluated by the institute. Based on this evaluation, the ELI provides suitable instruction for those whose English fails to meet the standards determined by the University to be sufficient for the pursuit of full-time studies. Students in ELI training take a reduced academic load and should expect to make proportionately slower progress in regular University studies. This should be carefully considered by students whose time or financial support is limited.

Transcripts
A current official transcript from each college or university attended (including any study abroad or exchange programs, summer programs, non-degree work and extension programs) must be submitted directly from each post-secondary school attended to the Graduate Division. If submitting with your application, transcripts must be received in institution-sealed envelopes. Official transcripts are original documents issued by the college or university that bear the actual signature of the registrar in ink and the embossed seal or official stamp of the issuing institution. Transcripts stamped “issued to student,” uncertified, or photocopied will not be used for evaluation. Applicants who are still in U.S. undergraduate programs must submit transcripts after the first quarter or semester of their senior year.

Writing Samples
DrPH applicants must submit writing samples that demonstrate aptitude for scholarly writing (e.g., literature review, a report of a needs assessment or evaluation project, a master's thesis, or a published article on a public health topic [not slide shows or case notes]). If no examples of your academic or scholarly writing are currently available, the applicant should write a paper as though he/she would submit it for publication in a professional journal. The writing sample should:

• demonstrate conceptual and analytic skills
• use appropriate and consistent citation and referencing format
• demonstrate writing ability

Foreign Academic Documents
International academic records must be issued in the original language and show dates of attendance, all course titles (if any course title is not descriptive in terms of content, a course syllabus must be attached to the transcript or academic record), credits or hours and grades received and accompanied by a literal English translation. The translations must bear the official seal or stamp of the institution, the translator’s original signature, and be complete and exact word for word translations of the original documents. Numerical grades must not be converted to letter grades. A complete grading scale or system of evaluation is required if not included on the official transcript. Official copies of degree, diploma or professional title certificates and literal English translations are required if not included on the transcript.

Students or graduates from institutions in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan must submit properly attested mark sheets for each year of study showing the subject included in each examination, the maximum mark in each subject, the minimum mark for passing, the mark obtained, and the “Division” or “Class” received. Academic records are accepted if attested by the registrar, assistant registrar, head of department, dean of student affairs, controller of examinations, USEFI student adviser, professor-in-charge or principal.

Applicants from institutions in the Russian Federation and former Soviet Union should note tha the Graduate Admissions Office will accept only academic certificates, supplements to the diploma, archival certificates and degree certificates sent directly from the issuing institution(s).

Financial Statement
International applicants need to show proof of sufficient funding to cover all educational and living expenses, including expenses for any accompanying spouse or children. Upon admission to UHM, only international applicants with proof of funding will receive visa documents.

Medical Clearance for New Students
All new students must have the University’s Confidential Health Form reviewed by University Health Services Mänoa (UHSM) before students will be allowed to register. In addition, a tuberculin skin test and/or chest x-ray performed within one year of university enrollment must be submitted as verification that the student is free from active tuberculosis infection. A completed immunization record, which includes proof of disease history or protection by two (2) immunizations against measles, is required as well.