Shidler College of Business offers the only AACSBInternational accredited MBA and MAcc programs in Hawai‘i. The AACSB seal of approval guarantees students that their programs satisfy the expectations of a wide range of quality standards relating to strategic management of resources, interactions of faculty and students in the educational process, and achievement of learning goals in degree programs. There are nearly 800 AACSB accredited institutions worldwide, and Shidler College of Business is proud to be one of them.

Combined Bachelor’s to Master’s (BAM) Pathway

Shidler College of Business offers a combined Bachelor’s to Master’s (BAM) pathway s a way for highly motivated undergraduate students to efficiently complete a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in a shorter time frame by completing course work (up to 3 courses) towards their graduate degree while completing their undergraduate degree. In most cases, pathway students graduate with the Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree within 5 years (total). BAM pathways offered include MS in Finance, Information Systems, Marketing Management, and Travel Industry Management.

Application Deadlines

BAM Pathway

BAM pathway deadlines are December 1 for the spring semester and May 1 for the fall semester of each year.

Master’s Degree Programs

The MBA program admits students for the fall semester only. The application deadline is rolling with priority dates of March 1 for international students and students interested in merit-based scholarships, April 1 for students pursuing the 24-month track and May 1 for all other students. The fall deadline for the Executive MBA, Distance Learning Executive MBA, Distance Learning Executive MBA in Health Care Management, and Master of Human Resources programs is June 1. The fall deadline for the Vietnam Executive MBA program is July 1. 

The MAcc program is the only program that admits students for fall and spring semesters. The spring application deadline is November 15, and the fall application deadline is May 1.

Master of Business Administration

Being the only AACSB International accredited graduate program in Hawai‘i and one of the few MBA programs in the U.S. with a true Asia-Pacific focus, Global MBA students will gain a comprehensive foundation in business fundamentals while having opportunities to learn and explore international studies and experiences.

The program can be completed through three different program tracks (21, 24, and 36 months) allowing students to customize their curriculum based on availability and professional commitments. The program is cohort-based allowing students to learn the inner-workings of group dynamics crucial for the leaders of today’s organizations. MBA students will spend their first 1-2 years (depending on their program track) learning the principles and theories of management strategies through a sampling of courses in various functional areas which stresses developing the skills and breadth of judgment required of top-level managers and executives in both the private and public sectors. Once a majority, if not all, of the core courses are completed, students can customize their degree through the completion of seven elective courses. With the assistance of an advisor, students select courses that fit their personal and professional goals and interests. In the final semester, students complete a consulting practicum, synthesizing and applying knowledge from their MBA course work to an existing organization.

Language Track–Students who wish to specialize in international business, specifically on a country of focus may do so through our Language-Track Program. It is highly recommended that students pursuing this track are also enrolled in the 21-month Track Program. Students in this program will be required to meet two out of three criteria for language and international experience:

1. Language requirement can be met in one of two ways: a) Passing a proficiency test that would waive the requirement to take language courses. This would be administered by the language department here at UH Mānoa. The level of proficiency required to pass this test would be equal to testing out of third year language courses; b) The program is not limited to those that arrive at Shidler with language proficiency, and the language requirement can also be met by taking language courses here at UH Mānoa during the first year of the Global MBA program.
2. Overseas Internship–generally done after completing the MBA core courses, typically in the summer
3. Study Abroad–9-12 credits of elective business course work at one of our partner institutions in that country that will coincide with the fall term of the second year.

The Shidler College of Business and UH Mānoa work with many partner universities around the world to offer Study Abroad opportunities. For a current listing of schools please see the following websites:

Joint Programs–The Shidler College of Business offers joint programs with a few UH Mānoa colleges and schools such as the Richardson School of Law, Nursing, Engineering. Applicants must meet the admission requirements and be accepted to both programs to be eligible for the joint program. For more information contact the Admission Director at busapp@hawaii.edu.

Executive Education Center

The Executive Education Center is responsible for Shidler College’s executive degree programs as well as custom and open-enrollment programs. Our programs develop the critical skills and leadership capacities of individuals, teams, and organizations to sustain a competitive advantage in a global economy. We design and deliver custom programs to support organizations in achieving their strategic goals. Our open enrollment programs are offered to flexibly serve individuals and organizations seeking breakthrough learning opportunities.

Executive MBA

The Executive MBA (EMBA) program is a 22-month degree program designed for highly motivated managers who want to increase their knowledge and acquire the skills needed to assume broader corporate responsibility. A total of 48 credit hours is completed during this accelerated degree program. Classes are uniquely scheduled to allow working individuals to participate with maximum convenience to themselves and their sponsoring organizations. The program consists of a short residence session at the start of the first academic year, with classes meeting Tuesday evenings and alternating Saturdays. An undergraduate degree, GMAT exam, at least five years of progressively successful work experience, and a current management position are required for admission. A new EMBA cohort begins in August of alternate years. Email: emba@hawaii.edu.

Distance Learning Executive MBA

The Distance Learning Executive MBA is a 22-month program designed to meet our neighbor islands’ business demands by providing advanced business training to their residents. The 48-credit hour program is geared toward individuals who have shown leadership or management potential. It enables students from the neighbor islands to pursue a graduate degree without having to travel and with limited interruption to their professional obligations or family life. The distance learning executive MBA classes are highly interactive and are broadcast in real time so that all students on the receiving sites will receive instruction simultaneously. Class meetings are held online every Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and alternating Saturdays. In addition, students will have 16 visits to UH Mānoa to engage and interact with professors and classmates beyond the virtual classroom environment. The instructors, curriculum, and academic standards are the same as our regular evening UH MBA/EMBA program. As such, it requires the completion of 48 semester credit hours of graduate level courses divided into two parts: the required core and elective courses. Electives will be determined by the students as a group based on collective needs. Email: emba@hawaii.edu.

Distance Learning Executive MBA–Health Care Management

The Distance Learning Executive MBA-Health Care Management Program provides a unique insight into the health sector, which is undergoing transformational growth and change. The program combines a dynamic and rigorous MBA core business curriculum with health care-focused electives to prepare candidates for successful and rewarding careers. The program is a focus area within the Distance Learning Executive MBA, where students enrolled in the Health Care Management focus will take Health Care elective courses in the second year of study. These elective courses will enable students to understand the dynamic landscape of the medical industry and eventually, demonstrate the ability to provide sound business acumen to health care organizations.

Distance Learning Executive MBA–Travel Industry Management

The Distance Learning Executive MBA Travel Industry Management focus area provides unique insight into the travel industry sector, which is undergoing transformational growth and change. The program combines a dynamic and rigorous MBA core business curriculum with hospitality focused electives to prepare candidates for successful and rewarding careers. Examples of required courses include: strategic hospitality marketing and service innovation; service management and operations; innovation and strategic applications of IT in E-commerce; current issues in hospitality and tourism organizational behavior. Cohort members will choose one of the following electives: airline and travel business management and analysis; sustainable tourism concepts and practices.

Vietnam Executive MBA (Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi)

The Vietnam Executive MBA (VEMBA) is a 22-month degree program in business administration, conducted in cooperation with the International University in Ho Chi Minh City and the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi. The 48-credit hour program is modeled after the Executive MBA conducted in Honolulu, with the same faculty and curriculum. Faculty members teach courses in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in one-month modules, partly as distance learning. Participants in the program are established Vietnamese executives, some Americans, East Asians, and other expatriates. EMBA has Asian business as its focus but constant consideration is given to the impact of globalization on business and economics in the region. Email: embaha@hawaii.edu and embahcmc@hawaii.edu.

MBA Requirements

All MBA students are expected to enter the program with computer competency and English language proficiency. Up to six courses of English as a second language may be required of international students depending upon placement exam results. 

The MBA program consists of 21 credit hours of core courses: BUS 619, 620, 623, 624, 625, 626, and 629; 21 credits hours of electives; the capstone experience, which consists of BUS 632 Business Policy and Strategy (3 credit hours) and BUS 696 MBA Consulting Practicum (3 credit hours).

Required Core Courses

• BUS 619 Data Analytics and Statistics for Business (3)
• BUS 620 Micro- and Macro-economic Foundations for Managers (3)
• BUS 623 Marketing Management (3)
• BUS 624 Accounting for Decision-making (3)
• BUS 625 Digital Transformation with Information Systems and Technology (3)
• BUS 626 Leadership and Organizational Behavior (3)
• BUS 629 Managerial Finance (3)

Electives (21 credit hours)

Of the required 21 credit hours, six may be at the 400-level. Students may also take graduate electives from outside the college as long as at least nine elective credits are completed within Shidler College of Business.

Professional Development (0 credit hours)

• BUS 601 Professional Development (two semesters)
  Required for full-time MBA programs

Integrative Capstone (3 credit hours) or Thesis (6 credit hours)

• BUS 696 MBA Consulting Practicum (3)

Thesis Option

In consultation with their advisor, a student may opt to do a research thesis in place of BUS 696 and three elective credits. Thesis students enroll in BUS 700 Thesis Research.

MBA Admission Requirements

For admission into the MBA graduate programs, Shidler College of Business applicants must take the GMAT or GRE within five years prior to applying, have a recommended GPA of 3.0 and at least two years of full-time post-baccalaureate work experience (five years for Executive MBA, Distance Learning Executive MBA and Health Care Management, and Vietnam Executive MBA applicants). Applicants must also submit essays, a statement of objective, resume, two letters of recommendation, and as part of the admission decision, candidates may be invited for an interview. Admission is competitive. Thus, the college is not always able to admit all qualified applicants. 

All applicants who received a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in a country where English is not the primary language of instruction are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. Test scores may not be more than two years old. International applicants who earned a bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent) within the last five years at a regionally accredited or recognized institution in the U.S., Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), New Zealand, Singapore or the United Kingdom are exempt from the TOEFL. The minimum TOEFL score is 550 for the Executive MBA, 500 for the Executive MBA-Vietnam, and 600 for all other MBA programs, or internet based test (IBT) score of 100, or IELTS score of 7.0.

Information about the TOEFL may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service at www.ets.org/toefl. Information about the IELTS may be found at www.ielts.org. Information regarding the GMAT may be found at www.mba.com.

Admission requirements for the Master of Accounting programs are found in the “Accounting” section within the Shidler College of Business. Admission requirements for the PhD program in Business Administration are found in the “PhD in Business Administration” section of this Catalog.

For detailed information regarding the Global MBA programs, contact the Shidler College of Business Office of Student Academic Services, 2404 Maile Way #G202, Honolulu, HI 96822; (808) 956-8266; email: busapp@hawaii.edu; or web: www.shidler.hawaii.edu.

For detailed information regarding the Executive MBA programs and Master of Human Resource Management program, contact the Shidler College of Business Executive Education Center, 2404 Maile Way #A303, Honolulu, HI 96822; (808) 956-8135; email: emba@hawaii.edu; web: www.shidler.hawaii.edu.

Master of Accounting (STEM Classified)

The Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree provides an advanced education in accounting with courses in taxation, financial reporting and assurance, and current technological advances. necessary for students to pursue leading positions in public practice, business, government, and related fields. 

The program offers students the opportunity to adequately prepare for today’s multifaceted accounting practice by strengthening their understanding of the body of accounting knowledge, as well as preparing them for the complexities and new technology facing the accounting profession. 

The objectives of the program include: a) providing the educational opportunity necessary for students to become qualified professional accountants for leading positions in public practice, business, not-for-profit organizations, government, and related fields; b) enhancing students’ intellectual and analytical skills with research skills necessary to further educate themselves after graduation, including exposure to leading high technology; and c) enhancing students’ professional communication skills necessary for success in a contemporary accounting environment. 

Completion of this program will help most students fulfill the State of Hawai‘i’s 150 credit hour requirement for Certified Public Accountant Licensure. CPA Review preparation, internship, career development services, and other opportunities further enrich and support your graduate accounting studies.

3/2 Master of Accounting

The 3/2 Master of Accounting (MAcc) program is an integrated, five-year 150-credit hour program designed for students at the Shidler College of Business who want to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting. Students in this program gain the skills necessary to build a successful career in the multifaceted, dynamic practice of accounting. Current undergraduate students may apply to the program during their junior or senior year. This program is for students who wish to enter professional careers in public practice, business, non-profit organizations, and government sectors. 

Completion of this program will fulfill the State of Hawai‘i’s 150 credit hour requirement for Certified Public Accountant Licensure. Email: macc@hawaii.edu

Master of Human Resource Management

The Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM) degree caters to individuals who are seeking to expand their knowledge in the field of human resources. The program is also offered to the neighbor islands via video conferencing. 

Over the last several decades, HRM has become a much more demanding profession, requiring specialized training and appropriate work experience. Job specialties in HRM include training, staffing, compensation and health benefits, health and safety, organizational development, and career development. Each of the specialties is overseen by demanding legislation and the push to optimize the competitiveness of the organization. The human resource management curriculum is interdisciplinary in its approach, integrating other disciplines– especially organizational behavior, management systems, and labor and employment legislation. Contact: mhrm@hawaii.edu.

Master of Science in Finance

The Master of Science in Finance (MSF) is a full-time, one-year, non-thesis, finance graduate degree program that requires 30 credits to complete. The program will provide students in-depth knowledge in the principles and practices of finance and broaden their opportunities to work in finance-related careers, such as commercial banking, investment management, wealth management, financial planning, risk management and insurance, and real estate, etc. 

Upon completion of the MSF program, graduates will be able to achieve the following outcomes: 

• Students will be able to learn advanced theories and best practices in the financial industry.
• Students will learn comprehensive knowledge necessary for obtaining the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst®), the FRM (Financial Risk ManagerTM), the CFP (Certified Financial Planner®), and/or the ASA (Associate of the Society of Actuaries) certifications.
• Students will master in-depth knowledge for conducting practical research in the areas of equity valuation, portfolio management, and risk management and insurance.
• Students will obtain solid foundation in financial management that will be valuable if they pursue further graduate studies such as PhD program in finance.

There are two pathways to earn the MSF degree.

• MSF BAM Pathway
  The BAM Pathway for MSF is an integrated, five-year program that is designed for students at the Shidler College of Business who want to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree in finance. Shidler Finance majors will be able to apply to the MSF Program toward the end of their junior year or early in their senior year. If accepted, they will be able to take up to two 600-level and one 400-level courses as an undergraduate. These courses will be allowed to count toward their undergraduate and graduate degrees. This means that during their +1 year (i.e., 5th year at UH Mānoa), they will need only 21 instead of 30 credit hours to earn the MSF degree.
• MSF One-Year Pathway
  Applicants who are not Shidler Finance majors will take this regular pathway for the MSF program. They will take 30 credit hours of masters level courses. If they do not have BBAs in Finance or related areas, they will need to take additional courses in economics, accounting, and finance, in addition to the 30 graduate credit hours OR petition the faculty director to waive one or more of these courses based on taking course equivalents as part of their academic program.

For degree requirement and admissions guidelines, see academic program under Department of Finance.

Master of Science in Information Systems

The Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) degree is designed to provide advanced managerial and technology knowledge and skillsets that graduates need to meet demands for highly skilled information technology and systems (IT/IS) professionals. The MSIS program will prepare graduates for business, not-for-profit, and government enterprises, which require employees who are innovative, agile, technology-adept and responsive to today’s technology-powered economy. The knowledge and technical skillsets that graduates acquire through the program will in turn provide them enhanced professional job and income opportunities.

The program builds on the knowledge and competencies students develop in an undergraduate information systems or computer science degree program or through post-graduate work experience (verified with appropriate testing) related to information systems in organizations, data, information, and content management, IT infrastructure (including computer networks), IS management and operations (including IS security), and systems development and deployment. 

Upon the completion of the MSIS program, graduates will have developed three core areas of competency: 1) Apply in-depth understanding of information technology capabilities and appropriate technological trends to provide information system solutions that are aligned with organization’s strategies; 2) Apply sustainable approaches as well as appropriate technical and management techniques to design, implement, and maintain IT infrastructure, information systems, and data services; and 3) Develop and implement IT-enabled business processes for work units, teams, organizations, or markets to improve business activities and performance.

BAM Pathway for MSIS

The Bachelor and Accelerated Master Pathway for MSIS is an integrated, five-year program that is designed for students at the Shidler College of Business who want to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Information Technology Management. In this program, students may complete up to 9 credit hours of work in the MSIS program in their final year of their bachelor’s program. The remaining 21 credit hours are completed in one year as a graduate student in the MSIS program. Shidler MSIS majors will be able to apply to the MSIS Program toward the end of their junior year or early in their senior year. This program is for students who wish to enter professional careers in technical fields, such as business analysts, project managers, security analysts, or system development and implementation. Email: MSIS@hawaii.edu for more information.

Master of Science in Marketing Management

The demand is strong and growing for marketing managers who have the advanced skills needed to build long-term customer relationships. Although a BBA in marketing is a useful entry-level degree for many positions, increasing competition and a rapidly changing economic environment require higher levels of marketing expertise. Meeting this demand, the Shidler Master of Science in Marketing Management (MSMM) offers a full-time, one-year program that provides students with in-depth expertise in marketing management and broadens their opportunities to work in marketing-related careers. There are two pathways to earning the MSMM degree.

MSMM BAM Pathway

The 4+1 MSMM program is designed for current undergraduate marketing students enrolled at the Shidler College of Business. The 4+1 MSMM offers the following benefits: 1) waiver of GMAT or GRE for admission; 2) lower undergraduate tuition rates for up to nine credits towards the MSMM degree; 3) potential completion of the MSMM degree in less than one year; 4) advanced admission and smooth transition; into a graduate program while finishing your undergraduate degree; and 5) classes are offered at night, so students can work during the day while enrolled in the MSMM. 

Shidler undergraduate marketing majors are eligible to apply if they currently have at least two semesters remaining prior to graduation from the Shidler College of Business, have taken at least two upper-division marketing courses, and 3) Have a minimum 3.0 GPA overall.

MSMM One Year Pathway

Students who are not Shidler marketing majors are welcome to apply. 30 credit hours of masters level courses will be required for the MSMM degree. If applicants do not have BBAs in marketing from Shidler, they will need to take BUS 310, BUS 312, MKT 311, and MKT 321 in addition to the 30 graduate credit hours OR petition the faculty director to waive one or more of these courses based on equivalents taken as part of their previous academic program. Submission of either a GMAT or GRE score is not required but recommended. A minimum 3.0 GPA overall for undergraduate and graduate coursework is required.

PhD in Business Administration

The PhD Program in Business Administration offers an academically challenging and rigorous program designed to prepare highly motivated and intellectually gifted students for a career in research, teaching, and service with a particular focus on Asia and the Pacific. This full-time program emphasizes a strong foundation in both methodological and theoretical training. A teaching opportunity supported by ongoing seminars in pedagogy will give students valuable experience in the classroom. Collaborative work with faculty will enhance research and learning opportunities. Students will also gain valuable computing, quantitative, and methodological skills vital to effective research. 

Doctoral candidates work closely with Shidler College faculty in areas of specialization that often parallel the strengths of faculty members. These areas include International Accounting, Asian Finance, Global Information Technology Management, International Marketing, and International Organization and Strategy. 

The program is small and individualized, which enables students to pursue their own areas of interest. Admission, for the fall semester only, is highly competitive, and only full-time study is allowed. The expected completion time for the doctoral degree is four to five years. 

For admission to the PhD in Business Administration, the candidate applicant should meet the following criteria. The deadline for application is January 31. (Note that admission to the doctoral program is not automatic, and will be determined on a case-by-case basis by a faculty committee.)

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree or bachelor’s degree. Subject matter of the foundation courses in business or accounting obtained at an accredited school.
• GMAT or GRE in the top 25th percentile
• GPA of 3.2 or above on a 4.0 scale
• TOEFL (computer-based) of 250 or the equivalent score on the IELTS
• 3 letters of reference
• Exceptions to the above requirements may be made by the PhD Admissions Committee on a case-by-case basis.
• Meeting the above minimum requirements is necessary for consideration, but does not automatically assure admission.

Admission is granted on a case-by-case basis by the PhD Admissions Committee.

Recommended Qualification

• Personal interview or telephone interview
• Teaching potential as demonstrated by previous teaching performance, if available.
• Research interests compatible with Shidler College faculty research
• Example of previous research paper or essay written by candidate, if available.

Desirable Qualifications

• International experience
• Foreign language ability in area of desired specialization
• International area academic studies, such as Japan or China
  area studies

For further detailed information, please contact the PhD Program in Business Administration at (808) 956-6723; email: phdbus@hawaii.edu; web: shidler.hawaii.edu/phd.