University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The PhD curriculum combines advanced coursework, methodological training, comprehensive examinations and an original dissertation. Core work typically covers classical and contemporary social theory, research design, advanced quantitative methods (including multivariate analysis, survey methodology and demographic techniques) and qualitative methods (ethnography, interviewing and content analysis).

• Advanced theory: seminars in social theory, critical perspectives on inequality and theoretical approaches to culture and power.
• Methods and statistics: sequence in statistics and research methods that prepares students for independent empirical work, including training in statistical software and mixed-methods design.
• Regional and substantive fields: study areas often include migration and transnationalism, race and ethnicity (including Indigenous and Pacific Islander studies), family and life-course, urban sociology, environment and society, and population dynamics.
• Interdisciplinary options: opportunities to take courses and collaborate across Hawaiian/Indigenous Studies, Asian Studies, Demography, Public Health, Geography and Education.
• Qualifying work and dissertation: students normally complete comprehensive exams or a qualifying portfolio before proposing and conducting original dissertation research under faculty supervision. Fieldwork and community-engaged projects are common.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a relevant graduate degree (such as an MA in Sociology or a related social science) or, in exceptional cases, a strong honours bachelor's degree with substantial research experience. Admissions are competitive and emphasise research potential and fit with faculty expertise.

• Academic transcripts demonstrating strong preparation in sociology and research methods.
• A statement of purpose outlining research interests, proposed faculty mentors and how the department's strengths match the applicant's goals.
• A curriculum vitae detailing academic background and research experience.
• Letters of recommendation (usually two or three) from academic or professional referees who can speak to research ability.
• A writing sample (such as a master's thesis chapter, published article, or substantial term paper) showing analytical and scholarly competence.
• Proof of English proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English, via recognised tests or institutional equivalents.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Sociology move into a range of roles in academia, public policy, research organisations and the non-profit and private sectors. Common trajectories include:

• Tenure-track faculty positions and postdoctoral research in universities and colleges.
• Research positions in government agencies, international organisations and policy think tanks focusing on social policy, demography, migration and community development.
• Applied research and evaluation roles in public health, education, social services and environmental organisations.
• Consultancy and data-analytic roles in market research firms, NGOs and private-sector organisations that require advanced quantitative and qualitative skills.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

The Department of Sociology at UH Manoa is distinctive for its geographic and thematic orientation to the Asia–Pacific and its strengths in Indigenous, Pacific Islander and Asian diaspora studies. Students benefit from faculty whose research spans migration, race and ethnicity, demography, environment and community health, and from a campus situated in a multicultural, island setting that facilitates comparative and field-based research.

• Regional expertise: proximity to Pacific and Asian contexts supports fieldwork and collaborations that are difficult to replicate elsewhere.
• Interdisciplinary networks: easy access to related units—such as Hawaiian/Indigenous Studies, Asian Studies, Public Health, and the Population and Health Research Program—enriches training and project possibilities.
• Research resources: students can draw on university data centres, community partnerships, and specialised archives relevant to Pacific and Asian social histories.
• Faculty mentoring: doctoral students receive close supervision and are encouraged to publish, present at regional conferences and pursue funded research opportunities.