Requirements for Admission to the Sustainable Fisheries Graduate Program
The UH Sustainable Fisheries Graduate Program observes the University of Hawaiʻi Graduate Division’s requirements for admission to a UH graduate program. Successful Fisheries students will meet additional requirements and recommendations before beginning their graduate studies.
Degrees and Certificates Offered
Faculty Sponsorship
One of the most important steps in the application process for the MS and PhD is identifying a potential faculty sponsor. The number of spaces available for new graduate students is directly related to opportunities available to work with the Fisheries Graduate Faculty. Applicants are encouraged to list one or more Fisheries Graduate Faculty members with whom they have been in contact with prior to applying. It is in the applicant’s best interest to contact potential sponsors well before the application deadline to discuss research intents and goals and explore the availability of funding, research space, and capacity for mentoring. Students will not be admitted to the program without a commitment from a regular/cooperating fisheries faculty member to serve as their committee chair.
Funding
It is strongly suggested that MS and PhD students be admitted with at least one year or more of funding identified, and availability of funding will weigh heavily in the admissions decisions. The advisor and student are expected to pursue funding to support the student for the entirety of their degree, and the advisor will be required to acknowledge plans for how this will be accomplished during the admissions process. 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.
Coursework
Students admitted to FISH@UH are expected to come from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds in subjects such as: fishery science, biology, ecology, oceanography, marine science, natural resource management, anthropology, geography, Hawaiian studies, Pacific Island studies, sociology, agricultural and resource economics, political science, urban and regional planning, math, statistics, or other relevant natural or social sciences.
All applicants will be expected to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and are recommended to have a strong background in at least one of the following as they relate to the fisheries profession: natural sciences, social sciences, and/or math, but they will vary in their undergraduate training. Students are encouraged to prepare themselves academically before applying to the program; but given the transdisciplinary nature of the program, incoming students will not necessarily be expected to have a particular degree prior to entering the program.
All admitted students regardless of background may be expected to have certain coursework completed to serve as a foundation for the core curriculum, graduate coursework, and general field of study as determined by their faculty advisor. Exceptional and highly motivated students without evidence of adequate academic preparation in these topics may be considered, and suggested coursework to address any necessary background will be discussed with their proposed advisor prior to admission.
GPA
The Fisheries program and the University of Hawaiʻi both require a minimum GPA of 3.0 for admission to a UH graduate program. An official transcript will document an applicant’s GPA.
Research or Work Experience
Applicants are expected to fall under one of three categories: (1) working fisheries professionals in the Pacific with a need for regionally-relevant resource management training to advance in their careers, (2) Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian), Pacific Islanders, kamaʻāina (local) students at UH and other Pacific Island academic institutions in Marine Biology, Global Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources, Economics, Pacific Islands Studies, Hawaiian Studies or related fields with a desire for training in regionally-relevant fisheries management, and (3) globally competitive students with a research interest in Pacific Island fisheries.
The CV and Personal Statement will identify an applicant’s relevant research or work experience.
Test Scores
The Fisheries program does not require GRE test scores for application or admission to the program.
*International Applicants*
The Fisheries program observes the University of Hawaiʻi’s requirements for international applicants. If applying to the program from outside of the United States of America, please take time to review all the information on this Graduate Division webpage for International applicants.
Stay in Touch
If you’d like to receive updates about the 2027 application process and reminders about application requirements and deadlines, join the SFGP applicant news listserv.
To join, click the “Join Group” button at this link.