Political Science > Prospective Students > FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
for Graduate Admissions
What is the deadline for applying?
What degrees and concentrations do you offer?
What is the minimum GPA requirement?
What's the most important part of my application: GPA, recommendation letters, etc.?
Do you have any advice on writing the statement of objectives?
Do my references have to use the recommendation form?
When should I expect to hear back from you?
Can I call to get my application decision?
I missed the application deadline. May I apply late or apply for spring?
May I apply as a non-degree seeker?
I have a bachelor's degree. Can I apply directly to a doctoral program?
I already have a master’s degree. May I transfer courses?
What do I need to submit to apply?
What is the deadline for applying?
January 15 for Foreign Applicants
February 1 for U.S. Applicants
What degrees and concentrations do you offer?
Students who graduate from our program will receive a MA or PhD in Political Science. The following are our areas of concentration:
- Alternative Futures
- Comparative Politics
- Indigenous Politics
- International Relations
- Law & Politics
- Political Theory
- Public Policy
click here for more info on concentrations
What is the Minimum GPA?
The minimum GPA is 3.0.
Is the GRE Required?
The GRE is not required for admission.
What's the most important part of my application: GPA, Recommendation letters, etc.?
The admissions committee considers each application as a whole. No decisions are based solely on GPA, recommendations or any other individual factor. There is no one part of the application considered more important than any other part.
Do you have any advice on writing the statement of objectives?
Click here for advice on writing the statement of objectives.
Do MY References have to use the recommendation form?
The recommendation form is not required, but we recommend that your references use this form.
I sent most of my application in before the deadline, but I know a few items such as letters of recommendation are still missing. Will it be considered?
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials be received by our department by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
When should I expect to hear back from you?
Applicants may expect to receive admission offers (or denials) by the middle of March.
Can I call to get my application decision?
No. We can only give admissions information to the applicant, and there is no way to verify your identity via phone.
I missed the application deadline. May I apply Late or Apply For Spring?
Late applications will not be reviewed. Admissions for degree-seeking students is for fall semesters only.
May I apply as a non-degree seeker?
If you wish to take graduate-level coursework without becoming a candidate for a graduate degree you may apply for admission as a post-baccalaureate unclassified student through the Office of Admissions. For more information on unclassified status, click here.
I have a bachelor's degree. Can I apply directly to a doctoral program?
We highly recommend that you have earned a master’s degree before applying to the doctoral program.
My bachelor’s/ Master's degree is not in Political Science? May I still apply to your master’s or PhD program?
Yes.
I already have a master’s degree. May I Transfer courses?
Yes, if approved you can transfer up to 12 credits of equivalent coursework to our Master's or PhD program. The paperwork cannot be initiated until you begin your first semester.
Why do I send documents both to the UH Graduate Admissions Office and the Political Science DEpartment?
The evaluation of applications involves two phases. An initial screening is done by the University’s Graduate Division to ascertain whether the applicant meets minimum entry criteria specified in the current University of Hawai’i at Manoa General and Graduate Information Catalog. Applications are then forwarded to the Department for review by three faculty members. Their recommendations help to inform the Department’s Admissions Committee which makes final decisions on admission.
What do I need to submit to apply?
Documents Required by the Graduate Admission Office:
The following documents should be submitted to:
Graduate Admission Office
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
2540 Maile Way, Spalding Hall, Room 354
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822
- Graduate Admissions Application Form or Online Application (http://apply.hawaii.edu)
- Official Transcripts from each institution attended, sent directly from each institution [One copy of transcripts should be sent to the Political Science Department and an additional copy should be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office ]
- Application fee [$50.00]
- TOEFL Scores (foreign, non-native speaking, and some immigrant applicants) Applicants may contact TOEFL/TSE Publications, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, USA. Website: http://www.toefl.org]
- Confidential Financial Statement Form (foreign applicants)
- Residency Declaration Form (State of Hawaii residents)
*To download Graduate Admissions Forms, visit:
http://www.hawaii.edu/graduate/download/list.htm
Documents Required by the Department of Political Science:
The following documents should be submitted to:
Secretary for Graduate Programs
Department of Political Science
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
2424 Maile Way, Saunders 640
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822-2223
- Graduate Program Supplementary Information Form & Statement of Objectives Form (http://www.hawaii.edu/graduate/download/list.htm)
- Official Transcripts from each institution attended, sent directly from each institution [ One copy of transcripts should be sent to the Political Science Department and an additional copy should be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office ]
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Writing Sample (such as an article or term paper to demonstrate your writing ability)
- Optional Applications: Pacific Asian Scholarship Application, Tuition Waiver Application, Teaching Apprenticeship Application