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FAQ

Is the University of Hawai‘i accredited?
Yes. The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Application

How do I request an application?
Program information and application materials are available in pdf format. If you prefer to have the application materials mailed to you, please contact us.

When is the application deadline?
The deadline for the Fall semester is January 15. In general, all application materials (including official test scores) should be received by the application deadline.

Do you accept Spring applications?
Persons seeking Spring admission to the MPH and MS degree programs are advised to contact the Program first to ascertain whether applications would be accepted in their selected area of specialization (epidemiology, health policy and management or social and behavioral health sciences).

The DrPH and PhD in Epidemiology programs do not offer spring admission.

May I submit an application after the deadline?
The program cannot guarantee that applications submitted after the deadline will be reviewed for admission, as late applications are considered on a space available basis. In addition, late applicants have fewer opportunities for financial assistance from the program. Application fees are nonrefundable and nontransferrable so interested applicants are advised to contact the department prior to submitting a late application.

Can the application fee be waived?
No. All applicants are required to submit an application fee of $100. An application submitted without an application fee will not be processed.

Is there a specific major or degree that I need in order to apply?
No. Applicants who wish to pursue the epidemiology specialization (MPH/MS degree) should have completed course work in biology, microbiology, immunology, chemistry, and at least one semester of calculus is recommended. For health policy and management applicants (MPH degree), preference may be given to students with training in social science, health, or human services; prior paid or voluntary work experience in the health care or human services field is preferred, but not required. Social and behavioral health sciences applicants (MPH degree) should have completed course work in psychology or sociology, biology or human development, and math or statistics.

Applicants applying to the doctoral program in epidemiology must have a master's degree and a strong background in the natural and/or social sciences. DrPH applicants must have a master's degree in public health or a graduate degree in an allied profession.

Do I need to submit the Letter of Recommendation form with my reference letter?
Yes, the letter of recommendation form must accompany your recommendation letter.

Financial Aid

Is financial aid available?
U.S. citizens may apply for financial aid through the university's Financial Aid Services Office. For more information, visit their website or email their office.

International students are cautioned that their opportunities for financial aid and scholarships are extremely limited. Those who anticipate the need for financial assistance are strongly encouraged to contact international sponsoring organizations and their Ministries of Health regarding the possibilities of fellowships or financial aid. It is the applicant's responsibility to secure their own funding. An international student must be able to certify complete financial coverage before admission to the university will be granted.

Does the department offer any graduate assistantship positions?
The department offers a limited number of graduate assistantship positions, generally associated with specific projects. These positions are advertised at workatuh.hawaii.edu as they become available.

Does the department offer any financial assistance?
The department may have a few Graduate Division Achievement Scholarships available for students. Achievement scholarship awards may be made to new students and to continuing students. It is recommended that applicants to the program provide a complete graduate admissions application as early as possible since tuition waivers are awarded early in the admission period. The tuition waiver award covers tuition only; students are responsible for paying their student registration fees.

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GRE (Graduate Record Exam)

Do I need to take the GRE?
Applicants must submit GRE General Test scores. The GRE General Test may be waived for applicants to the master's degree program who hold an advanced degree (e.g., master's degree or higher) from an accredited institution. Requests to waive the GRE requirement should be made early in the application process to ensure that there is no delay in the applicant 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).

What are the institution and department codes for the GRE?
The university's Institution Code is 4867 and the department code is 0616.

Is there a minimum score that is needed on the GRE?
No. The faculty will evaluate both the score and the percentile on each of the verbal, quantitative and analytic sections.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

What is the minimum TOEFL score that is needed?
The minimum acceptable TOEFL score for master's degree applicants is 550 (213 for the CBT, 79-80 for the IBT) and 600 (250 for the CBT, 100 for the IBT) for doctoral degree applicants.

Applications for admission will not be processed until official TOEFL results are received. TOEFL scores that are more than two years old and/or photocopies of the Examinee Score Report are not acceptable.

What are the institution and department codes for the TOEFL?
The university's Institution Code for the TOEFL is 4867 and the department code is 50.

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Tuition

How much is tuition?
Tuition for the 2013-2014 academic year is $514 per credit for Hawai‘i residents and $1,245 per credit for non-residents. Students are also responsible for paying their student fees.