We Welcome Individuals who are Interested in Studying Asia from Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Apply to our Master of Arts in Asian Studies (MAAS), Master of Asian International Affairs (MAIA), or the Graduate Certificate (GCERT) program.
**Applicants are strongly encouraged to read carefully the School of Pacific and Asian Studies’ Application Tips for Graduate Students.**
Students are admitted to advanced degree programs by Graduate Division in the fall and spring semesters only. Outreach College does not fulfill the degree requirement for number of semesters “in residence.” Students who wish to take course work at the graduate level during a summer session, but who have not been admitted to an advanced degree program before that session begins, must register as “post-baccalaureate unclassified”
(PBU) students.
Admission to Outreach College does not imply or guarantee eventual admission to Graduate Division; however, appropriate credits earned from Outreach College courses prior to formal admission to Graduate Division may be applied toward an advanced degree with proper application (not to exceed 12 credits). All appropriate credits earned in Outreach College after admission to a degree program are applicable toward that degree.
Application Procedures
Students applying for admission to the Asian Studies graduate degree programs (MAAS and MAIA) must apply online.
Please start your application process early to ensure that your application is complete by the priority deadlines of September 1 (for Spring) and January 15 (for Fall).
- The UHM Graduate Admissions Application form, with fees.
- Official copy of academic transcript from each post-secondary school attended. The transcript should be sent from the school you attended directly to UHM Graduate Division. Do not send the transcripts yourself.
- International applicants must submit (1) a copy of your passport identification pages or national I.D. card; (2) an unofficial copy of proof of English proficiency. Test scores cannot be more than two years old. An exemption will be granted if they are native speakers of English from the countries listed below or have received within the last five years a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited/recognized college or university in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, or the United States; (3) Proof of sufficient funding.
For more information about application from international students, please see International Admissions Requirements.
Applicants who qualify to pay resident tuition at UHM based on residency status or Board of Regents exemptions must also submit a Residency Declaration Form.
Documents Required by Asian Studies:
For Applicants to the Master of Arts in Asian Studies (MAAS):
Starting with Fall 2025 applicants, all materials listed below are to be collected through the University of Hawaii at Manoa Graduate Application website.
- The Asian Studies Grad Program Application Form.
- A Statement of Purpose clearly stating your academic interests and career goals in pursuing a Masters degree in your chosen area of Asian Studies. The Statement of Purpose should follow the guidelines found here. Following these directions is extremely important to your application.
- Writing sample: an academic paper of which you are the sole author, which demonstrates your ability to interpret, analyze, and cite scholarly sources. Recommended length: double-spaced 10-20 pages.
- Two letters of recommendation, preferably from people who know your academic work well.
- Unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate institutions.
*Please note that GRE scores are NOT required.
For Applicants to the Master of Asian International Affairs (MAIA):
Starting with Fall 2025 applicants, all supplemental materials listed below are to be collected through the University of Hawaii at Manoa Graduate Application website.
- the Asian Studies Grad Program Application Form.
- A Statement of Purpose clearly stating your career goals and reasons for pursuing the MAIA degree.
- A resume or curriculum vitae detailing your professional experience.
- A short piece of writing demonstrating your aptitude for analytical thinking and written communication (double-spaced, around 10 pages).
- At least two letters of recommendation from academic or professional mentors.
- Unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate institutions.
*Please note that GRE scores are NOT required.
Applications are reviewed by the Graduate Division and Asian Studies after all documents are received. Notification of acceptance or denial is sent to each applicant as soon as possible after a decision is reached.
Questions?
Questions about the application process, residency, English proficiency, and transcripts should be directed to gradss@hawaii.edu.
Questions about letters of recommendation, Statement of Objectives, and departmental application process should be directed to the Asian Studies graduate program chair : Dr. Young-a Park (yapark@hawaii.edu).
The Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE)’s Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP)
WICHE - WRGP
For more information, please see:
UH-Mānoa Office of Graduate Education information on WICHE WRGP
The Asian Studies Department at UH Mānoa is a member of the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP). This program allows master’s, graduate certificate, and doctoral students who are legal residents of the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE) member states to pay 150% of Hawai’i resident tuition when attending the UH-Mānoa Asian Studies Program. The WICHE states are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
WICHE WRGP applicants applying to UH-Mānoa must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher or possess certain exceptional abilities as affirmed by the UHM graduate program to which they apply.
To be considered for the WRGP program, you must identify yourself as WICHE WRGP applicant at the time you apply.* You must fulfill all the usual requirements for admission as set by the Asian Studies Department and Graduate Division at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and meet all admission deadlines. You must also provide documentation as proof of your legal residency in a WICHE state when requested by UH-Mānoa. (This documentation may include tax returns, voter certificates, active bank accounts, proofs of employment, proof of property ownership, lease agreements, among others).
Admission to the Graduate Certificate Program
Students applying for admission to the Graduate Certificate program must apply online.
Starting with Fall 2025 applicants, all supplemental materials and requests for letters of recommendation are to be collected through the University of Hawaii at Manoa Graduate Application website.
If you are already admitted to or registered in a UHM graduate degree program, please submit the following through the above website:
- The Asian Studies Grad Program Application Form.
- A one-to-two page Statement of Purpose outlining why you wish to pursue the Graduate Certificate;
- A letter of recommendation from your adviser.
- Unofficial transcripts from all postsecondary institutions.
Please note: For students already enrolled in a UHM graduate program, you must apply for the Graduate Certificate at least one semester prior to graduation.
The Graduate Division will use previously received transcripts and English language proficiency test scores to process a graduate certificate admissions application for UHM graduate students enrolled in a graduate program except for applicants who are enrolled in the Shidler College of Business as master students, JABSOM MD students, and Richardson School of Law students. These applicants must submit transcripts to the Graduate Division to support the admissions application.
If you are not currently enrolled in a UHM graduate degree program, please submit the following:
- Transcripts from each of the post-secondary institutions you have attended;
- Evidence of English language proficiency if you are not a native speaker.
- The Asian Studies Grad Program Application Form.
- A one-to-two page Statement of Purpose outlining why you wish to pursue the Graduate Certificate;
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to comment on your suitability for advanced study.
- Unofficial transcripts from all postsecondary institutions.
Please note: The priority deadlines for receipt of application are January 15 for the fall semester and September 1 for the spring semester.
Questions?
Questions about the application process, residency, English proficiency, and transcripts should be directed to gradss@hawaii.edu.
Questions about letters of recommendation, Statement of Objectives, and departmental application process should be directed to the Asian Studies graduate program chair : Dr. Young-a Park (yapark@hawaii.edu).