All degree programs will share courses, and faculty will advise students in these degree programs. These students will be treated as a single student body (e.g., with regard to student advising, events, coordinator support, etc.) but with different course and thesis requirements and committee compositions.
MS Plan A and PhD students will be admitted with one year of funding identified and a commitment from a faculty member to serve as their primary advisor. The advisor and student are expected to pursue funding to support the student beyond the first year until completion of the degree. This funding may take the form of a Graduate Assistantship on the research grant of an advisor, a Teaching Assistantship in the advisor’s home department, an external fellowship, or other forms of funding.
DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE
HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY BEGIN THE PROGRAM
An online orientation is held in June for all incoming students in the Fisheries program. We will discuss next steps such as registration, provide academic advising, and answer any questions to prepare for the start of the program.
All incoming students, except Graduate Certificate students, are required to take part in FISH 600: Short Course for Sustainable Fisheries Extension in the Pacific Islands (2 cr) in August two weeks before the Fall semester begins. Plan your move to Hawaii accordingly!
This course will consist of a two-week intensive in-person component (estimated to take place 2 weeks before the start of incoming Fall semester), followed by monthly online meetings during the Fall semester. It will introduce students to diverse aspects of the field of fisheries within Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Islands, while building cohort connections and offering the opportunity to connect with collaborators. The course will start with a foundation of a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning and will draw on key concepts for pilina (relationship) building within the University, Hawaiʻi, and the broader Pacific region. Students will gain exposure to a variety of fisheries extension concepts and skills that can be applied to their own areas of expertise, while also gaining cultural competency. They will additionally be exposed to experiential learning opportunities focused on fisheries biology and ecology, the social and geo-political context of fisheries, and fisheries management with a focus throughout on the tropical Pacific. A key component of the course will be on- or in-water participatory experiences that will allow for exposure to multiple field settings.
Once the Fall semester begins, each student will be assigned an Advisory Committee of 2-3 faculty which includes their primary advisor to provide academic, research and career advisement. They may also contact the Program Coordinator of Fisheries and Graduate Chair for additional guidance.
The Assessment Committee and Program Coordinator will conduct surveys and semi-structured interviews of all graduating students annually to evaluate the success or changes necessary of the program and coursework.
TUITION AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
For the most current information on tuition and fees, refer to the Graduate Division website or the UHM regular Tuition & Fees.
Financial assistance may be found through:
GRADUATE DIVISION SITE
Visit this site for more information on:
- Enrollment Policies
- Credit Policies
- Grades & Regulations
- Degree Requirements
- Thesis & Dissertation
- Research & Publication
- Graduate Assistant Information
- Graduate Student Grievances
CAREERS
Don’t underestimate the importance of networking when in search of your next career. It can be crucial for career advancement and professional development as it provides access to job opportunities, valuable insights, and a supportive community. Networking fosters relationships that can lead to mentorship, professional guidance, and a deeper understanding of industry trends, ultimately helping individuals succeed in their chosen field.
Here are a few sites to help you get started finding your Fisheries career!
- Fisheries scientist
- Fisheries management professional
- Manager of nonprofit organizations for fisheries management
- Policy leader of ecosystem-based fisheries
Visit Hawaii’s Employment and Wage Statistics (2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
OTHER RESOURCES
SOEST Intranet: Kuapo (login with your SOEST account)