University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The MA in English at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa combines advanced coursework with independent research. Students take seminars in major periods and genres (for example modern and contemporary literature, Renaissance and early modern studies, and American literature) alongside thematic courses in literary theory, cultural studies and critical approaches. The programme emphasises regional and transnational perspectives, offering specialised classes in Hawaiian and Pacific literatures, Asian American and Pacific Rim literatures, postcolonial studies and Indigenous studies.

Typical modules and course topics include:

• Research methods and advanced literary theory
• Seminars in American, British and global literatures
• Hawaiian, Pacific and Asian American literary traditions
• Topics in modernism, postmodernism and contemporary theory
• Composition pedagogy and rhetoric for students preparing to teach
• Digital humanities approaches to textual scholarship
• Independent thesis or practicum projects

The programme is commonly offered with options for a thesis (research) route or a non-thesis (coursework and comprehensive examination or capstone project) route. Students work closely with faculty advisors to design a course of study that may include interdisciplinary electives drawn from Hawaiian Studies, Asian Studies, American Studies, or related departments.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree in English or a related humanities discipline. Typical application materials include a transcript of prior study, a statement of purpose outlining academic and professional goals, a writing sample demonstrating analytical ability, and academic references. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through an approved test or equivalent evidence of prior study in English.

The programme considers academic preparation and fit with faculty expertise; applicants with degrees in other disciplines who show strong preparation in literary study or relevant experience may also be considered. Additional requirements such as GRE scores or specific prerequisite coursework are determined by the department and may vary; prospective applicants should consult the department for current guidance.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MA in English pursue a range of careers that draw on advanced reading, writing and critical thinking skills. Common pathways include:

• Preparation for doctoral study and research careers in academia
• Teaching at secondary level or community colleges (often combined with appropriate certification or qualifications)
• Publishing, editing and literary journalism
• Communications, content strategy and copywriting for public and private organisations
• Work in cultural institutions, libraries, museums and archives, particularly with strengths in Pacific and Indigenous collections
• Non‑profit and governmental roles involving policy analysis, programme development and community engagement

The programme’s emphasis on Pacific and Asian American literatures also positions graduates for roles with regional cultural organisations, policy institutes and NGOs focused on the Asia–Pacific region.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers a distinctive intellectual environment shaped by its Pacific location and diverse student body. The English department has recognised strengths in Hawaiian and Pacific literature, Asian American studies and transnational approaches to literature, allowing students to pursue specialised research not commonly available elsewhere. Small seminar sizes and accessible faculty mentorship support close supervision of thesis and research projects.

Students benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration across departments such as Hawaiian Studies, American Studies and Asian Studies, and from campus resources including an extensive research library, archives with Pacific and Asian collections, and opportunities for community-engaged scholarship in Honolulu and across the region. The campus’s geographic and cultural context provides unique material for study of island literatures, migration, indigeneity and cross-cultural literary exchange.