Applications and Admissions

The department seeks a diverse pool of applicants whose pursuits and interests will contribute to our community and the broader world. Applicants are expected to show evidence of the potential to complete graduate study and articulate reasons why this discipline, program, and location are relevant to their concerns.

Applications for Fall 2026 admissions open on August 1, 2025; there are no spring admissions. Admission to the program is competitive, and meeting or surpassing minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. GRE scores are not required.

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Deadlines will be as follows:

U.S. Residents - January 31, 2026
International Students - January 2, 2026
(extra time is needed to process international documents)

All documents necessary for a complete application must be received by the deadline (close of the business day). Incomplete applications will not be considered. Late applications will not be accepted. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all parts of the application are submitted by the deadline.

Applications Materials

Applicants must meet the requirements for both the 1) UH Mānoa Graduate Division and the 2) Department of Political Science.

1) UH Mānoa Graduate Division

The following should be submitted directly to Graduate Division:

Graduate Application (online)
Application Fee
Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended (official transcripts are required on admission)
TOEFL scores (international students)
- Scores should be sent directly from ETS
- The ETS code for UH Mānoa is 4867
- Minimum scores: 61 ibt / 500 paper
- Scores may not be more than two years old
- International students who are native speakers of English are exempt
- For more information, see English Proficiency Guidelines
International Students must complete a Confidential Financial Statement Form for International Applicants
Hawaiʻi Residents must complete a Residency Declaration Form

Questions regarding these items should be directed to Graduate Division.

2) Department of Political Science

The following materials must be submitted directly to the Department of Political Science:

Statement of Objectives (follow instructions)
- 1 1/2 pages, double-spaced
- Please name the file: LastName-Statement.pdf (ex. Smith-Statement)
Three Letters of Recommendation (follow instructions)
- Please name the files: LastName-LOR.pdf (ex. Smith-LOR)
Writing Sample
- An article, term paper, or other work that demonstrates writing ability (15-25 pages)
- Please name the files: LastName-writingsample.pdf (ex. Smith-WritingSample)

Questions regarding these items should be directed to polisci@hawaii.edu.

Materials should be emailed to polsgap@hawaii.edu or mailed to:

Graduate Admissions
Department of Political Science
2424 Maile Way, Saunders 640
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822, USA

Evaluation

The evaluation of applications involves two phases:

An initial screening by Graduate Division to ascertain whether the applicant meets the minimum entry criteria.
If the student meets the minimum entry criteria, their application is forwarded to the department for review. The Admissions Committee assesses candidates based upon the application's quality, the student's potential to complete graduate-level studies in the program, and the ultimate fit between the student and the department faculty.

Students who are denied admission have the option to reapply within one year without submitting additional materials (ex. transcripts).

Current MA: Petition to Doctorate

According to department policy, current MA students who wish to apply for the PhD program must go through a formal admissions process. Students are required to submit the following materials:

Statement of Objectives (follow instructions)
- 1 1/2 pages, double-spaced
- Please name the file: LastName-Statement.pdf (ex. Smith-Statement)
Three Letters of Recommendation (follow instructions)
- While students may already have letters of recommendation on file, it is strongly recommended that updated letters be submitted.
Writing Sample
- An article, term paper, or other work that demonstrates writing ability (15-25 pages)
- Please name the files: LastName-writingsample.pdf (ex. Smith-WritingSample)
Petition to Apply for Concurrent Degree Status 2021-22 (from Graduate Division)
Transcripts and GRE scores are not required

The same graduate program application deadlines apply.