University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The PhD programme combines advanced coursework, supervised research, and a sustained doctoral dissertation. Core training typically covers advanced research methods and multivariate statistics, experimental and psychometric design, and ethical issues in human research. Students pursue specialised seminars and practicum work in one or more emphasis areas such as clinical and counselling psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive and brain sciences, social and health psychology, or community and cultural psychology.

• Core courses: advanced statistics, research methods, and professional ethics.
• Specialist seminars: topics vary by faculty expertise and may include developmental psychopathology, cognitive neuroscience, psychophysiology, health behaviour, social cognition, and intervention research.
• Practical training: supervised clinical practicum or community-engaged field placements where applicable to the student’s emphasis.
• Research activity: lab rotations, independent research projects, publication and conference presentation expectations.
• Assessment: qualifying/ comprehensive examination to demonstrate mastery of the field, followed by dissertation proposal defence and completion of an original empirical dissertation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a relevant undergraduate degree with strong academic performance; many admitted students hold a master’s degree in psychology or a closely related field. A competitive application includes a curriculum vitae, academic transcripts, a clear statement of research interests, and letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees who can speak to research potential. Evidence of research experience (for example, laboratory work, publications, or a thesis) strengthens an application.

The selection process emphasises fit with faculty research interests; prospective students are encouraged to identify potential supervisors in advance and to highlight alignment between their proposed research and faculty expertise. English language proficiency evidence is required for applicants whose prior instruction was not in English. Entrants may be considered for funded assistantships, traineeships or fellowships where available; funding is competitive and typically linked to research or teaching responsibilities.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD programme pursue careers across academia, research institutions and applied settings. Common career paths include university faculty positions, postdoctoral research appointments, and leadership roles in government, public health and non-profit organisations. Those with clinical training who complete the required practicum and licensure pathways may work as clinical psychologists in healthcare, community mental health or private practice. Other opportunities include roles in programme evaluation, policy research, organisational consulting, and industry research positions that require advanced skills in experimental design, data analysis and evidence-based intervention development.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

University of Hawaii at Manoa offers doctoral training within a culturally diverse campus situated in the Pacific, providing distinctive opportunities to conduct research with Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and Asian-American communities and to address regionally important psychological and health issues. The department supports interdisciplinary collaboration across public health, education, social work and neuroscience, allowing students to develop broad applied and theoretical perspectives.

Faculty at Manoa have active research programmes across multiple specialties, and students benefit from small cohort sizes, close mentorship and access to island-wide community partnerships for applied research and practicum placements. The programme’s emphasis on culturally informed and community-engaged research prepares graduates to pursue impactful research and practice in both local and global contexts.