How to Apply

Applicants must complete the online application as provided by the Graduate Division.

International applicants must also submit:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • Complete information on financial status

Applicants who do not receive a notification within 30 days of submitting their graduate admissions application should contact the Graduate Division Student Services office at gradss@hawaii.edu. Emails will be sent to the email address provided on your application.

In addition to the Graduate Division application above, applicants are also required to complete and submit the following:

  • Public Health application (available as a download on the Admissions page)
  • Statement of Objectives
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation* (Note: Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Health applicants must include one letter from an Indigenous community in which the applicant has an established history of service. This letter of recommendation serves as an opportunity to demonstrate established relationships and/or service in communities. Examples might include, but are not limited to, a letter from an Indigenous community member or leader who can write on your ability to 1) engage in community and/or cultural events or activities, 2) perform service activities in the community or through organizational work, and/or 3) engage in community and/or cultural protocol, etiquette, and/or practices. Please contact the NHIH specialization head if additional clarification is needed.)

PhD in Public Health (Community-Based and Translational Research) applicants must also submit:

  • Writing sample that demonstrate aptitude for scholarly writing.

Applications and all supporting documents must be received by the appropriate deadline. Arrangements to take the GRE and TOEFL, if required, should be made well in advance so that the scores are received before the application deadline.

Please retain a copy of your application for your records. Once submitted, application materials (which includes the public health application and statement of objectives, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and test scores) are not released except for the purpose of admission and cannot be returned or photocopied for the applicant.

The Office of Public Health Student Academic Services (OPHSAS) will send an email to applicants once their application is complete and ready for faculty review. An application is considered complete when OPHSAS receives the applicant’s file from the Graduate Division and when all Public Health application materials have been received. Note: it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all application materials have been submitted and received by each respective office.

Fall Application Deadlines

U.S. and international applicants to the department have from October 1 to December 1 to submit an application for fall admission for the in-person programs. Those applying to the DE option have until March 1 to submit an application. Priority consideration will be given to those with completed applications submitted by the deadline. The program cannot guarantee that applications received or completed after the application deadline will be reviewed for admissions, as late applications are considered on a space available basis. In addition, late applicants have fewer opportunities for financial assistance from the program.

After the application deadline has passed, interested applicants are advised to contact the program to ascertain whether space is available in their selected area of specialization before submitting an application. Please note that application fees are nonrefundable and nontransferrable so prospective applicants should contact the department before submitting a late application.

Spring Applications

The MPH, MS, and PhD programs do not typically offer spring admission. Please check with the program to inquire if Spring applications will be accepted or not.

Application Fee

In addition to the application materials and supporting documents, applicants are required to submit an application fee of $100. No application fee waivers or deferments are granted.

Applicants may pay by debit card or credit card. The application fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable. Note: an application submitted without the appropriate application fee will not be processed.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The GRE General Test is optional for all Fall 2026 applicants unless it is required by the Graduate Division. If you do submit your scores, both the score and the percentile on each of the verbal, quantitative and analytic sections of the examination will be evaluated.

If submitting GRE Scores, please include a note with your public health application so we know to expect your scores. The GRE should be taken at least one month prior to the application deadline. GRE scores that are more than five years old and/or photocopies of the Examinee Score Report are not acceptable. Please direct ETS to forward the official GRE General Test scores to the university (Institution Code: 4867).

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Most applicants whose native language is not English are required to take TOEFL. An applicant is exempt from the test if he or she has earned a bachelor’s or advanced degree within the last five years at a regionally accredited or recognized institution in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore or United Kingdom.

The minimum acceptable iBT TOEFL score for campus-based master’s degree applicants is 80 and 100 for those applying to the asynchronous online MPH or doctoral degree program. Direct the Educational Test Service (ETS) to forward the official TOEFL score report to the Graduate Division, University of Hawai‘i (Institution Code: 4867).

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score reports may be submitted in lieu of the TOEFL. An IELTS overall score of 6.5 or higher is required for campus-based master’s degree applicants and a score of 7 or higher is required for those applying to the asynchronous online MPH or doctoral degree program. Applicants should contact the nearest British Council/Embassy/Consulate or IDP Education Australia Office in their country for the nearest testing center. It is advised that applicants also check the IELTS website for the most up-to-date information for testing centers.

English Language Institute (ELI)

The ELI program is only for students admitted to a degree program at the University of Hawai‘i. Prior to registration, all non-native speakers of English must be evaluated by the institute. Based on this evaluation, the ELI provides suitable instruction for those whose English fails to meet the standards determined by the University to be sufficient for the pursuit of full-time studies. Students in ELI training take a reduced academic load and should expect to make proportionately slower progress in regular University studies. This should be carefully considered by students whose time or financial support is limited.

Transcripts

A current transcript from each college or university attended (including any study abroad or exchange programs, summer programs, non-degree work and extension programs) must be submitted directly from each post-secondary school attended to the Graduate Division.

Writing Samples

PhD in Public Health (Community-Based and Translational Research) applicants must submit writing samples that demonstrate aptitude for scholarly writing (e. g., literature review, a report of a needs assessment or evaluation project, a master’s thesis, or a published article on a public health topic). If no examples of your academic or scholarly writing are currently available, the applicant should write a paper as though he/she would submit it for publication in a professional journal. The writing sample should:

  • demonstrate conceptual and analytic skills
  • use appropriate and consistent citation and referencing format
  • demonstrate writing ability

International Transcripts and Academic Records

All international applicants are required to submit one transcript or academic record from each institution of higher education attended, including any study abroad or exchange programs, summer programs, and non-degree work and extension programs. See https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/admissions-requirements/ for details.

Financial Statement

International applicants need to show proof of sufficient funding to cover all educational and living expenses, including expenses for any accompanying spouse or children. Upon admission to UHM, only international applicants with proof of funding will receive visa documents. Visas are not needed for the asynchronous online (distance education) MPH.