General Education Overview
UH Mānoa Core Requirements
1. Foundations Requirements
- Written Communication (FW*; 3 credits)
- Quantitative Reasoning (FQ*; 3 credits)
- Global and Multicultural Perspectives (FGA, FGB, FGC*; 6 credits from 2 different groups)
2. Diversification Requirements
- Arts, Humanities, and Literatures (a total of 6 credits from 2 areas)
– Arts (DA*)
– Humanities (DH*)
– Literatures (DL*) - Social Sciences (DS*; a total of 6 credits from 2 different departments)
- Natural Sciences
–Biological Science (DB*; 3 credits)
–Physical Science (DP*; 3 credits)
–Laboratory (science) (DY*; 1 credit )
UH Manoa Special Graduation Requirements
3. Focus Requirements
- Contemporary Ethical Issues (E or ETH**; 1 course, 300- or 400-level)
- Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Issues (H or HAP**; 1 course, any level)
- Oral Communication (O or OC**; 1 course, 300- or 400-level)
- Writing Intensive (W or WI**; 5 courses, at least 2 of which are at the 300- or 400-level)
4. Hawaiian or Second Language (HSL*; competence at the 202 level)
(Some colleges/schools have waived or modified this requirement. Consult your college/school advisor.)
* These abbreviations appear after course descriptions to identify courses that meet specific requirements. See the “Courses” section in the Catalog to view course descriptions.
** The STAR Degree Check indicates Focus classes by “E,” “H,” “O,” and “W.” Class Availability (uhdad/avail.classes?i=MAN), indicates Focus sections with “ETH,” “HAP,” “OC,” and “WI.”
To obtain an undergraduate degree from UH Mānoa, a student must satisfy: (a) General Education requirements, (b) requirements of the student’s college or school, and (c) requirements of the student’s specific academic major. Consulting the college/school advising office can help a student select courses that simultaneously satisfy more than one requirement. This section of the Catalog describes the four components of the UH Mānoa General Education requirements:
- Foundations
- Diversification
- Focus
- Hawaiian or Second Language
Foundations and Diversification together are UH Mānoa Core requirements. Focus and Hawaiian or Second Language together are UH Mānoa Special Graduation requirements.
Students who transfer to UH Mānoa having completed the Foundations requirements at another UH System school are considered to have fulfilled UH Mānoa Foundations requirements. Students who transfer to UH Mānoa having completed the Diversification requirements at another UH System school are considered to have fulfilled UH Mānoa Diversification requirements. Finally, students who transfer to UH Mānoa having completed both the Foundations and the Diversification requirements at another UH System school are considered to have fulfilled the UH Mānoa Core (Foundations and Diversification) requirements.
A grade of D (not D-) or higher is required for a course to fulfill General Education requirements. The Credit/No Credit option is not allowed for any course taken to fulfill a General Education requirement, with the exception of those courses offered only for CR/NC. See the “Credits and Grades” section of the Catalog under “Undergraduate Education” for additional information.
1. Foundations Requirements: 12 credits
The Foundations requirements are intended to give students skills and perspectives that are fundamental to undertaking higher education. Students should complete the Foundations requirements during their first year at UH Mānoa. Courses taken to fulfill the Foundations requirements may not be used to fulfill Diversification or Focus requirements.
- Written Communication (FW): 3 credits
Written Communication (FW) courses introduce students to the rhetorical, conceptual, and stylistic demands of writing at the college level. Students receive instruction in composing processes, search strategies, and how to access and use various types of primary and secondary materials. Information literacy skills are also introduced.
FW Courses
- AMST 111 Introduction to American Studies Writing
- ASAN 150 Introduction to Research and Writing in Asian Studies
- EALL 100 Writing East Asia
- ENG 100, 100A Composition I
- ENG 190 Composition I for Transfer Students to UHM
- ESL 100 Composition I for Second Language Writers
- THEA/DNCE 100 Introduction to Stage, Screen, and New Media Writing
To enroll in a course that meets the FW requirement, students must first determine their course eligibility by visiting manoa.hawaii.edu/gened/req/foundations. Non-native speakers of English should visit www.hawaii.edu/eli or contact the English Language Institute at (808) 956-6946, uhmeli@hawaii.edu.
Students can also satisfy the FW requirement by earning a score of 4 or 5 on either of the Advanced Placement (AP) English examinations or a score of 5, 6 or 7 on the Higher Level International Baccalaureate (IB) English A: Language and Literature exam; see manoa.hawaii.edu/admissions/factsheet/ap.html or manoa.hawaii.edu/admissions/factsheet/ib.html for details.
- Quantitative Reasoning (FQ) 3 credits
The primary goal of FQ courses is to develop mathematical reasoning skills at the college level. Students apply mathematical concepts to the interpretation and analysis of quantifiable information in order to solve a wide range of problems arising in pure and applied research in specific disciplines, professional settings, and/or daily life.
Students who entered the UH System prior to Fall 2018 and have been continuously enrolled should contact their designated college/school academic or faculty advisor for more information.
FQ Courses
- ANTH 220 Quantitative Reasoning for Anthropologists
- BIOL/BOT 220* Biostatistics
- BUS 250* Applied Math in Business
- COMG 102 Everyday Communication with Numbers: A Survival Guide
- ERTH 102/SUST 113 Quantifying Global and Environmental Change
- ICS 141* Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science I
- MATH 100 Survey of Mathematics
- MATH 112* Math for Elementary Teachers II
- MATH 140X** Precalculus
- MATH 161 Precalculus and Elements of Calculus for Economics and the Social Sciences
- MATH 203** Calculus for Business and Social Sciences
- MATH 215** Applied Calculus I
- MATH 241** Calculus I
- MATH 251A** Accelerated Calculus I
- NREM 203 Applied Calculus for Management, Life Sciences, and Human Resources
- PH 210 Quantitative Reasoning for Public Health
- PHIL 111 Introduction to Inductive Logic
- SLS 170 Language by the Numbers
- SOC 176 Introduction to Data Analysis
- UNIV 102 Using Data to Guide the Career Search
* Has a prerequisite.
** Requires placement by Math Department’s Precalculus Assessment; visit math.hawaii.edu.
- Global and Multicultural Perspectives (FG): 6 credits
Global and Multicultural Perspectives (FG) courses provide thematic treatments of global processes and cross-cultural interactions from a variety of perspectives. Students will trace human development from prehistory to modern times through examination of narratives and artifacts from diverse cultures. At least one component of each of these courses will involve the Indigenous cultures of Hawai‘i, the Pacific, and Asia.
FG Courses
To satisfy this requirement, students must take a total of six credits; the six credits must come from two different groups.
Group A (FGA; courses cover the time period prehistory to 1500)
- ANTH 151, 151A Emerging Humanity
- ART 175, 175A Survey of Global Art I
- HIST 151 World History to 1500
- HIST 161A World Cultures in Perspective
- OCN 105/SUST 115 Sustainability in a Changing World
- PHIL 130 Introduction to World Philosophy I
- REL/WGSS 149 Introduction to the World’s Goddesses
- WGSS 175 History of Gender, Sex, and Sexuality in Global Perspectives to 1500 CE
Group B (FGB; courses cover the time period 1500 to modern times)
- AMST 150, 150A America and the World
- ANTH 152, 152A Culture and Humanity
- ART 176, 176A Survey of Global Art II
- FSHN 141 Culture and Cuisine: The Global Diversity of Food
- GEO 102 World Regional Geography
- HAW 100 Language in Hawa‘i: A Microcosm of Global Language Issues
- HIST 152 World History since 1500
- HIST 158 Global History of Food
- HIST 162A World Cultures in Perspective
- LAIS 120 Islands/Islas/Ilhas and Global Exchange
- LING 105 Language Endangerment, Globalization, and Indigenous Peoples
- MUS 105 Musical Meaning: How Music Shapes Identity
- MUS 107, 107A Music in World Cultures
- PHIL 131 Introduction to World Philosophy II
- POLS 150 Introduction to Global Politics
- POLS 160/SOC 180 Introduction to International and Global Studies
- REL/SUST 170 Religion and the Environment
- SPED 202 Global and Historical Perspectives of Disability in the Media
- TIM 102, 102A Food and World Cultures
- WGSS 176 History of Gender, Sex and Sexuality in Global Perspective, 1500 CE to the Present
Group C (FGC; courses cover the time period prehistory to modern times)
- BOT 107, 107A Plants, People, and Culture
- ERTH 135 Natural Disasters and Human History
- GEO 151 Geography and Contemporary Society
- HIST 156 World History of Human Disease
- HIST/SUST 157 Global Environmental History
- POLS 140 Introduction to Indigenous Politics
- REL 150 Introduction to the World’s Major Religions
- SLS 150 Learning Languages and Communicating Interculturally in a Global Multilingual World
For Non-UH System Transfer Students Only
Students who transfer from a non-UH System school with one or more western or world civilization courses will be required to take only three credits of Foundations-Global and Multicultural Perspectives. If the course or courses that they have taken are time-period specific, the credits that they take at UH Mānoa must cover a different time period, corresponding to FGA, FGB, or FGC.
2. Diversification Requirement: 19 credits
The Diversification requirements are intended to ensure that every student has exposure to different domains of academic knowledge, while at the same time allowing flexibility in choice of courses for students with different goals and interests.
Students can complete the Diversification requirements over the full four years of their academic program. Students may satisfy the Diversification requirements by taking approved courses for which they meet course prerequisites. Some courses that satisfy Diversification requirements may also simultaneously satisfy Focus and/or major requirements. (See the “Can a single course satisfy more than one requirement?” table below.)
Can a single course satisfy more than one requirement? |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Requirements | Hawaiian/ Second Language | Foundations | Diversification | Focus | Major | Minor/ Certificate |
Hawaiian/ Second Language | – | no | no | YES | YES* | YES* |
Foundations | no | – | no | no | YES | YES |
Diversification | no | no | – | YES | YES | YES |
Focus | YES | no | YES | – | YES | YES |
Major | YES* | YES | YES | YES | – | no |
Minor/ Certificate | YES* | YES | YES | YES | no | – |
*Double dipping major, minor, and certificate courses is allowed for language courses used to meet the HSL requirement. Schools/colleges can determine whether or not they will allow double dipping of HSL culture substitution courses with major, minor, and/or certificate requirements.
Students with interest in a particular topic also have the option to choose from the subsets of courses that are part of six new Thematic Pathways in General Education, found at manoa.hawaii.edu/gened/pathways/. Students do not have to choose all of their courses from a pathway. These lists are intended to help students identify courses that may align with their interests.
- Arts, Humanities, and Literatures (DA, DH, DL): 6 credits
To satisfy this requirement, students must take six credits; the six credits must include two of the three different areas: Arts “DA,” Humanities “DH,” and Literatures “DL.”
- Social Sciences (DS): 6 credits
To satisfy this requirement, students must take a total of six credits from two different departments.*
- Natural Sciences (DB, DP, DY): 7 credits
To satisfy this requirement, students must take three credits in Biological Sciences “DB,” three credits in Physical Sciences “DP,” and one credit of Science Laboratory “DY.”
Diversification Courses
Diversification courses are identified in this Catalog in the “Courses” section with the following letters after the course description:
DA = Arts
DB = Biological Science
DH = Humanities
DL = Literatures
DP = Physical Science
DS = Social Science
DY = Laboratory (science)
*Some departments have multiple course alphas. Students who take their two DS courses from the same department but with different course alphas are considered to have fulfilled the DS requirement. For example, the Family and Consumer Sciences Department offers two course alphas: Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS) and Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM). A student who takes HDFS 230 and FDM 200 is considered to have fulfilled the DS requirement.
3. Focus Requirements
The Focus requirements identify important additional skills and knowledge necessary for living and working in diverse communities. Courses fulfilling Focus requirements are offered in departments across the curriculum and vary each semester. To meet a Focus requirement, a course must have an official UH Mānoa Focus designation during the semester in which it is taken. Courses taken outside the UH System cannot be used to fulfill Focus requirements. Instead, non-UH System transfer students’ Focus requirements are adjusted according to the number of credit hours awarded by UH Mānoa for non-UH System courses. (See “Focus Requirements for Students with Non-UH System Credits” in this section.)
- Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Issues (H or HAP): 1 course, any level
These courses focus on issues in Native Hawaiian and Asian or Pacific cultures and history; they promote cross-cultural understanding between nations and cultures.
- Contemporary Ethical Issues (E or ETH): 1 course, 300- or 400-level
These courses involve significant readings on, and discussion of, contemporary ethical issues; they give students tools for the development of responsible ethical judgments.
- Oral Communication (O or OC): 1 course, 300- or 400-level
These courses provide students with training in oral communication skills and give them the opportunity to do individual and/or group oral assignments.
- Writing Intensive (W or WI): 5 courses, including at least two at the 300- or 400-level
These courses collectively help students both to learn course content and to communicate through writing. Small writing-intensive classes, in which instructors work with students on writing related to course topics, are offered in nearly all departments.
Note: Students are strongly encouraged to satisfy the Foundations-Written Communication (FW) requirement before they enroll in writing-intensive courses.
Focus Courses
Focus courses change each semester. Therefore, Focus designations are not shown in this Catalog, but appear each semester on Class Availability at sis.hawaii.edu/uhdad/avail.classes?i=MAN. Focus designations are indicated in the GenEd/Focus/Special Des. column as ETH, HAP, OC, and WI.
Focus Requirements for Students with Non-UH System Credits**
Students who transfer credits from a non-UH System institution may have adjusted (“prorated”) Focus requirements. The adjustment is based on the number of non-UH System transfer credit hours accepted when a student is admitted to UH Mānoa as a degree-seeking student. Non-UH System credits completed while an active UH Mānoa student are not included in proration (summer courses, Study Abroad, National Student Exchange, etc.).
Focus Requirement | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Number of accepted non-UH credit hours: | W | H | E | O |
0–36 | 5* | 1 | 1 | 1 |
37–54 | 4* | 1 | 1 | 1 |
55–88 | 3* | 1 | 1-E or 1-O | |
89+ | 2* | 1 | 0 | 0 |
*At least two “W” courses must be at the 300- or 400- level.
**Includes second baccalaureate degree-seeking students.
Focus Requirements for UH System Transfer Students
Students who enter the UH System in Fall 2011 and thereafter must meet all of the Focus requirements. Students who entered the UH System prior to Fall 2011 should check with the General Education Office (gened@hawaii.edu) to determine their Focus requirements.
Exemption from a Focus Requirement
Students who have engaged in one or more extraordinary educational experiences that took place outside of the ordinary university curriculum may request exemption from up to three Focus requirements that are directly related to the educational experience(s). To earn exemption, students must demonstrate to the General Education Committee that the experience(s) fulfilled the goals of the requested Focus area(s). Approved exemptions reduce the number of courses required for the approved Focus area(s); however, they do not reduce the total number of credit hours needed to graduate. Students are limited to three exemptions. Restrictions apply. For more information, consult a college/school academic advisor or visit manoa.hawaii.edu/gened/students/exemptions/.
4. Hawaiian or Second Language Requirement
Knowledge of a second language encourages deeper awareness of the structure of language and its relation to thought. It develops sensitivity to other ways of ordering personal experience and social institutions, provides a direct way of comparing another culture to one’s own, and provides insight into the workings of one’s native language.
Before graduation, students must show competence at the 202 (or equivalent) level in Hawaiian or a second language by doing one of the following:
a. Completing a four-semester sequence (usually 101, 102, 201, and 202) in a single language.
b. Demonstrating competence by taking a UH Mānoa language-competency exam if one is offered. Check with the language department in question.
c. Receiving a language-requirement waiver by demonstrating 202-level second language competency. For example, waivers may be given to students who are native speakers of a language other than English. Contact an academic advisor in your college/school for further information.
Important Note: The Hawaiian or Second Language requirement has been modified or waived for students in the following colleges/schools: Shidler College of Business; College of Education; College of Engineering; John A. Burns School of Medicine; Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing; School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology; Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health; College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. (See manoa.hawaii.edu/gened/req/hsl/ for additional information.) Students in these colleges/schools should consult a college/school advisor.
Students should be aware that changing their major may involve a change in their college/school and thus a change in their Hawaiian or Second Language requirement. A list of majors and their respective colleges/schools can be found in the “Degrees” section of this Catalog.
Credits for Previous Language Experience
All students (including native speakers of a language) with experience in a language other than English may earn “back credits.” These students may take any UH Mānoa language course, appropriate to their level, in which there is significant use of that language. “Appropriate level” of a language will be determined by placement exam, department policy and/ or the department’s director or advisor. “Significant use” of a language will be determined by the course content. Upon completion of this course, if students earn a letter grade of C (not C-) or better, they may receive 3-16 back credits. See the full back credit policy at manoa.hawaii.edu/ovpae/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/M5.403-HSL-Back-Credit.pdf. Hawaiian language back credits are earned according to specific program policies. Please see the Director of Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language for more information.
Languages in which a Four-semester Sequence is Offered
American Sign Language, Arabic, Cambodian (Khmer), Chamorro, Chinese (Mandarin), Filipino, French, German, Greek, Hawaiian, Hindi, Ilokano, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Samoan, Sanskrit, Spanish, Thai, Tongan, Vietnamese.
Please consult with your advisor about frequency of course offerings.
Academic Planning: Tips for New Students
UH Mānoa has a wide range of fields, majors, and courses from which to choose and build a dynamic and satisfying academic program. Here are some tips to help students get started:
- Contact an advisor. Assistance in planning an academic program is available. Resources include:
–New Student Orientation, manoa.hawaii.edu/welinamanoa/new-student-orientation/;
–College/school and major advisors, https://manoa.hawaii.edu/advisingguide/. - Explore different academic areas. Most freshmen are exploring possible majors during their first year. These students may select General Education Foundations and Diversification courses that allow them to sample different fields, which can help in deciding on a major. See “Foundations Requirements” for a list of Foundations courses; see the “Courses” section of this Catalog to find courses with a Diversification designation. The “Courses” section also lists course prerequisites.
- Plan ahead. Majors and colleges/schools may have requirements that should be met in the first year. Once students decide on a major, they should find out what particular courses are required for the major and also by the college/school in which the major is located. (Program requirements and four-year academic plans for all undergraduate majors can be found at manoa.hawaii.edu/ovpae/programsheets.) Students who have not yet decided on a major should become familiar with potential majors and with their college/school requirements in order to take recommended courses when possible.
- Enhance educational experience through special opportunities. Consider participating in one of the following:
–First-Year Programs, (808) 956-8626,
manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/freshman/;
–Honors Program, (808) 956-8391,
manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/honors/;
–Student Life and Development, (808) 956-8178,
manoa.hawaii.edu/studentlife/;
–A research project or internship (see major department);
–Civic and Community Engagement, (808) 956-4641,
manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/servicelearn/;
–National Student Exchange, exchange@hawaii.edu,
https://nse.org/; and
–Study Abroad Program, (808) 956-5143, (808) 956-6958, www.studyabroad.hawaii.edu.
Transfer Students
Transfer students should contact an advisor as soon as possible. An advisor can often help a transfer student make choices that will help the student make steady progress toward graduation. Students with a major should contact the UH Mānoa college/school advising office for that major to find out about their major’s requirements and about recommended General Education course choices; students who have not yet chosen a major should contact the Mānoa Advising Center (manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/mac/). Students needing assistance in the transfer process should contact the UH Mānoa Transfer Coordination Center (manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/Transfer/).
Many requirements, including General Education Foundations, Diversification, and Hawaiian or Second Language requirements, may be met by transferring articulated courses from other campuses. Students can check the UH Transfer Credit Database at www.sis.hawaii.edu/uhdad/CourseTransfer.home.
Interstate Passport
UH Mānoa was a member of the national Interstate Passport initiative from 2019-2023. Developed through the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), the Interstate Passport was a national transfer program that facilitated the transfer of blocks of general education credit across state lines. The goal was to make the transfer process as seamless and efficient as possible, saving students money in the process.
Students who have earned an Interstate Passport at another member institution and who are admitted to and enroll at UH Mānoa prior to Fall 2025 may use that Passport to fulfill UH Mānoa’s General Education Core (Foundations and Diversification) requirements. Students who have earned a Passport at UH Mānoa may be able to use it to facilitate transfer into member institutions across the U.S. See our campus Interstate Passport website for further details: manoa.hawaii.edu/gened/students/articulation/interstate-passport/.
General Education Goals at UH Mānoa
UH Mānoa provides an environment where both faculty and students can discover, examine, preserve, and transmit the knowledge, wisdom, and values that will enrich present and future generations. Alongside the major, UH Mānoa’s General Education (Gen Ed) program facilitates student achievement of Institutional Learning Objectives to Know (breadth and depth of knowledge), Do (intellectual and practical skills), and Value (personal and social responsibility).
General Education at UH Mānoa involves a flexible and diverse multi-disciplinary curriculum. Through Gen Ed course work, students are exposed to different domains of knowledge and modes of scholarly inquiry. Students develop skills in written and oral communication, ethical and quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and information literacy that are transferable across the curriculum. Gen Ed course work also fosters a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, Hawaiian culture and history.
Mission
The General Education curriculum provides all undergraduates at UH Mānoa with opportunities to build foundational knowledge, develop essential skills, and gain appreciation for disparate areas of knowledge, ways of reasoning, and human experiences. General Education, together with the major, facilitates student achievement of the UH Mānoa Institutional Learning Objectives to Know (gain breadth and depth of knowledge), Do (build intellectual and practical skills), and Value (develop personal and social responsibility).
Vision
General Education integrates the whole of a UH Mānoa experience and encourages lifelong learning and curiosity. General Education helps UH Mānoa graduates lead more enriched lives, solve problems creatively, and become responsible citizens in an ever-changing and increasingly multicultural and interconnected world.
Values
General Education promotes scholarship and fosters values that are the heart of what it means to be a graduate of UH Mānoa. General Education helps UH Mānoa graduates to be:
– Familiar with the culture and history of Hawai‘i and the Asia-Pacific region
– Respectful members of multicultural communities
– Effective communicators in diverse settings including cross-cultural or international contexts
– Critical, truth-seeking, and interdisciplinary thinkers
– Informed, responsible, and ethical decision makers
– Prepared for the workplaces of the present and the future