University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

This degree emphasises interdisciplinary study across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, allowing students to combine coursework to match their academic interests and career goals. Core study typically includes coursework in areas such as literature, philosophy, history, cultural studies, languages, art and music, as well as exploratory units in social sciences and science elective options.

• Foundations: courses in critical thinking, academic writing, research methods and introduction to humanities disciplines.
• Humanities breadth: literature (American, British and world), philosophy, religious studies, history of ideas, comparative cultural studies and courses on Pacific and Asian cultures reflecting UH Manoa's regional strengths.
• Language study: opportunities to study modern languages (including Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino/Tagalog and others) or classical languages to support humanities inquiry.
• Interdisciplinary options: thematic sequences that combine humanities with social sciences or arts—examples include cultural heritage, museum studies, digital humanities and environmental humanities.
• Capstone or integrative project: a senior seminar, practicum or thesis-like project that synthesises learning across disciplines and demonstrates advanced research or applied skills.

Students can often tailor the programme by choosing a concentration, minors or elective clusters. Faculty advising helps design a coherent course plan, and there are opportunities for independent study, internships, study abroad and participation in the university's humanities research and public programming.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary-school qualification or equivalent. Admission to the University of Hawaii at Manoa is competitive; successful applicants typically demonstrate a solid academic record in secondary education, strong preparation in reading and writing, and engagement in extracurricular or community activities.

• Recommended academic preparation: coursework in English, history or social studies, foreign language and humanities-related electives are helpful for readiness in this major.
• Transfer students: applicants with college credit may apply with transferable coursework; transferring students should consult UH Manoa’s transfer articulation guides to determine how previous credits apply to the degree.
• English language proficiency: international applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency through an approved test or equivalent academic preparation in English.
• Advising and declaration: some students enter as undeclared and declare the Liberal Arts and Sciences—General Studies and Humanities major after completing introductory requirements and meeting advising milestones.

Career prospects

Graduates with a general studies and humanities focus develop transferable skills—critical reading, analytical writing, research, communication and cultural literacy—that are valued across many sectors. Career paths commonly pursued include:

• Education and teaching (secondary education pathways, with appropriate certification)
• Public service and government roles, particularly in cultural affairs, community development and policy support
• Communications, media, publishing, copywriting and public relations
• Museum, archival and heritage work, including community-based cultural programmes
• Non-profit and advocacy organisations, programme coordination and outreach
• Further study: graduate programmes in humanities disciplines, education, law, public administration or library and information science

Internships, campus work, community engagement and practicum experiences available through UH Manoa enhance employability by providing practical experience and local professional networks.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

UH Manoa’s location in Honolulu provides a distinctive context for humanities study, with strong regional expertise in Pacific, Asian and Hawaiian studies that informs course offerings and research opportunities. The university supports interdisciplinary learning across colleges and centres, enabling students to combine traditional humanities study with language training, community engagement and area-specialist courses.

• Regional strengths: unique access to Pacific and Asian cultural resources, archives and community partnerships that enrich classroom learning.
• Faculty and research centres: engagement with faculty who specialise in Hawaiian studies, Asian studies, and comparative humanities, plus access to research centres and public programming.
• Opportunities beyond the classroom: internships, study abroad, community-based learning and collaboration with museums, archives and cultural organisations in the region.
• Support services: academic advising, writing and research support, and career services tailored to help humanities students translate broad skills into careers or graduate study.

Overall, UH Manoa offers a flexible Liberal Arts and Sciences programme that prepares students to think critically across disciplines and to apply humanistic knowledge to local and global challenges.