University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The PhD in Education is centred on rigorous training in research methods and sustained work on an original doctoral dissertation. Core study typically includes advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods, statistics for education, educational theory and philosophy, and specialised seminars aligned with your chosen research focus.

• Research methods and statistics: advanced coursework in qualitative inquiry, multivariate statistics, measurement and assessment, and mixed methods design.
• Theory and foundations: seminars in curriculum theory, comparative and international education, sociocultural approaches, and philosophy of education.
• Specialist topics: students pursue focused study in areas such as curriculum and instruction, educational leadership and policy, special education, language and literacy, or educational psychology, often with attention to Pacific and Indigenous education.
• Applied and field components: opportunities for school- or community-based research, partnerships with local schools and organisations, and engagement with Hawaiian-medium and multilingual education contexts.
• Dissertation: sustained independent research under faculty supervision culminating in a defended dissertation that contributes to knowledge in education.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally hold a recognised master’s degree in education or a closely related field and demonstrate readiness for doctoral-level research. Typical application materials include:

• Official transcripts showing a strong academic record at the graduate level.
• A statement of research interests or a preliminary research proposal outlining intended doctoral study and how it aligns with faculty expertise.
• Curriculum vitae detailing relevant professional and academic experience.
• Letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional referees who can speak to research potential.
• Evidence of English language proficiency if English is not your first language (e.g. recognised test scores or institutional proof of prior study in English).

Selection is based on academic preparation, fit with faculty research strengths, clarity of research goals, and availability of supervisory capacity. Some applicants may be invited for an interview or asked to provide a writing sample.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Education pursue careers across academia, research and practice. Common pathways include:

• University faculty positions in teacher education, educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, or related disciplines.
• Research roles in government agencies, independent research centres, think tanks and non-governmental organisations focused on education policy, assessment or program evaluation.
• Leadership and policy-making positions in K–12 and higher education systems, including district administration and curriculum leadership.
• Specialist roles such as curriculum developer, assessment specialist, educational consultant, or director of community-based education programmes—especially in Pacific and Indigenous education contexts.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Mānoa

The University of Hawaii at Mānoa College of Education is uniquely positioned for research on Pacific, Indigenous and multilingual education. Its location in Honolulu provides direct access to diverse school communities, Hawaiian-medium and language-immersion programmes, and regional networks spanning the Pacific Islands.

• Faculty expertise: supervisors with strengths in areas such as bilingual and second-language education, Indigenous education, curriculum development, assessment, and educational leadership.
• Research centres and partnerships: opportunities to collaborate with campus research units and community organisations focused on disability studies, curriculum development, and P–20 education initiatives across the region.
• Interdisciplinary opportunities: easy access to allied departments and programmes across the university for cross-disciplinary research (for example, anthropology, linguistics, public policy and social sciences).
• Practical engagement: strong links to Hawai‘i’s school systems and Pacific communities allow doctoral students to undertake fieldwork that is locally relevant and internationally significant.

Taken together, these features make the University of Hawaii at Mānoa a strong choice for doctoral students seeking to conduct impactful, contextually grounded education research with regional and global relevance.