Transfer & PBU Credits | Graduate Division

Credit Acceptance Policy

Master’s Degrees
Upon approval by the graduate program and the Graduate Division, the following may be applied toward master’s degree requirements:

credits earned for post-baccalaureate courses at an accredited institution of higher education,
credits earned as a post-baccalaureate unclassified (PBU) student at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. A PBU student is one who holds a bachelor’s degree and who enrolls at the university as an unclassified student.

Doctorates
Transfer credits and University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa PBU credits are NOT applicable toward doctorate requirements.

Graduate Certificates
Transfer credits are NOT applicable toward graduate certificate requirements. However, up to six University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa PBU credits may be applied.

Credit Petition Procedure

To transfer credits or to apply University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa PBU credits, submit the petition form to the Office of Graduate Student Services. Note the policies below:

Deadline for Petition Submission	For new master’s students, submit the petition during the first semester of enrollment at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. For current University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa master’s students who subsequently study at another institution and who plan to transfer the credits to University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, obtain advance approval from the graduate program and the Graduate Division.
Required Supporting Documents	Attach the following to the petition: an official transcript and transcript guide of the credits being transferred a course syllabus (if transferring credits to substitute for a required course) certification by the graduate program as to the equivalent course level of credits (if transferring credits from a non-U.S. institution)
Maximum Number of Transfer Credits	Regardless of the number of credits transferred, more than half of the total number of credits used to fulfill master’s degree requirements must be earned at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa while enrolled as a classified graduate student. For example, if the master’s degree requires 30 credits total, 16 or more credits must be earned at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa while enrolled as a classified graduate student. For non-University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa credits earned after enrolling at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa as a graduate student, up to nine credits may be transferred, with advance approval by the graduate program and the Graduate Division. Regardless of the number of credits transferred, the minimum residence requirements must be met. See Degree Requirements > Residence.
Conversion of Credits	Quarter credits are converted to semester credits by using the formula: 2/3 x quarter credits = semester credits, rounding off to the lower whole number. Conversion is made by the Office of Graduate Student Services.
Minimum Required Grade	For transfer credits from another institution, only credits with a grade of B- or above are transferable. University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa PBU credits are subject to regular grading policies. See Grades & Regulations > Grading Policies.
Non-Transferable Credits	credits with grades of S, Cr, and P or any equivalent grade credits earned for directed reading/research (x99) or thesis credits more than seven years old credits taken while earning another degree that has been awarded or conferred 100 and 200 level courses or lower division course equivalencies
Course Substitution Restrictions	Transfer credits may not be used to fulfill practicum, seminar or thesis requirements, or more than half of the required courses numbered 600 and above.