University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The PhD is primarily a research degree built around an original dissertation that makes a substantial contribution to knowledge in landscape architecture, planning or an allied field. Students combine advanced coursework, seminars and methodological training with sustained independent research. Typical study themes include coastal and island resilience, ecological design, landscape restoration, urbanisation and peri‑urban dynamics, indigenous and community-based planning, cultural landscape conservation, climate adaptation strategies, and sustainable land-use policy.

Core programme elements include:

• Advanced seminars in landscape theory, planning history and contemporary practice.
• Methodological training covering qualitative methods, quantitative spatial analysis, GIS and remote sensing, landscape ecology, participatory action research and mixed-methods approaches.
• Interdisciplinary electives drawn from architecture, urban and regional planning, geography, environmental science, cultural studies and public policy.
• Research colloquia where students present work-in-progress and receive peer and faculty critique.
• A qualifying assessment or comprehensive examination to confirm readiness for doctoral research, followed by the preparation and defence of a dissertation proposal and the final doctoral dissertation.
• Opportunities for funded research assistantships, teaching assistantships and community-engaged fieldwork in Hawai‘i and the wider Pacific region.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised master's degree in landscape architecture, architecture, urban and regional planning, environmental design, geography or a closely related discipline. Exceptional candidates with a strong professional background and a relevant master’s-equivalent qualification may also be considered.

Typical application materials include:

• Academic transcripts from previous tertiary study.
• A research statement or statement of purpose outlining proposed research interests and fit with faculty expertise.
• A writing sample or examples of prior research.
• A professional portfolio if applying from a design background (recommended to demonstrate design-research capability).
• Curriculum vitae summarising academic and professional experience.
• Letters of academic or professional reference.
• Proof of English language proficiency where required by university regulations.

Applicants should identify potential faculty supervisors whose research interests align with their proposed topic. Standardised test requirements (such as the GRE) and residency or credit requirements follow university graduate school regulations and may vary by applicant background; prospective students should consult the department for current guidance.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Architecture with a focus on Landscape Architecture and Planning pursue careers across academia, public service, non-governmental organisations and the private sector. Common career paths include:

• University or college faculty roles in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and related departments.
• Research positions in think tanks, government research bodies and international organisations focused on land-use, climate adaptation and coastal resilience.
• Senior planning and policy roles in municipal, state or national government agencies, particularly in island, coastal and tropical jurisdictions.
• Leadership positions in environmental and landscape consultancy firms, ecological restoration practices and design studios that integrate planning and research.
• Project and programme management for community-based organisations, indigenous governance bodies and NGOs working on cultural landscape stewardship and sustainable development.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

University of Hawaii at Manoa offers a distinctive research environment for landscape architecture and planning with a strong emphasis on island and tropical contexts, indigenous knowledge systems and coastal resilience. The programme benefits from proximity to unique field sites across O‘ahu and the broader Pacific, enabling place-based empirical research and long-term community partnerships.

Students have access to interdisciplinary resources across campus, including geospatial and environmental laboratories, archives and centres focused on Pacific Island studies, sea‑level rise and climate science, and native Hawaiian cultural research. Faculty expertise spans design, planning, ecology and policy, supporting research that integrates technical rigour with community-engaged and culturally appropriate approaches. The university’s regional networks make it a strategic base for scholars interested in addressing pressing landscape and planning challenges in island, coastal and tropical settings.