The academic study of religious traditions teaches students about a variety of religious beliefs from an outside perspective, rather than how to practice a specific religion as an insider. This methodology demands that students be neutral and open minded with respect to different cultures and their religious beliefs. The academic study of religious traditions is also a journey of self-exploration and increasing self-awareness and self-understanding, as it is the nature of the subjects discussed to stimulate contemplation and reflection. The curriculum does not favor one religion over any other, and students are expected to be aware of how their own personal beliefs affect their understanding of other cultures.

There are many career options available to students who have decided to major in Religious Traditions. Graduates of our undergraduate program have gone on to a variety of career paths and forms of higher education. Many have entered professional school (medical, law, or business), while others have gone directly into a career in business, teaching, or foreign service. Still others pursue an academic career and enter M.A. or Ph.D. programs in Religious Traditions, philosophy, anthropology, area studies, history, and literature. A small percentage of our graduates have gone on to seminaries or rabbinical schools.

UH Mānoa awarded over $11 million dollars to students annually. Selected scholarships are available to only CALL majors. Applications are accepted from declared majors at https://www.star.hawaii.edu/Scholarship_live/

Examples of Funding Sources:
Bernice and Arthur Chun Scholarship
CASAA Academic Opportunities Award
CASAA Annual Scholarship
J. Watumull Scholarship
John Young Scholarship
K.S. Cheng Memorial Scholarship
UHAA/NCRC Scholarship

For International Students
Dai Ho Chun Scholarship
June C. Naughton International Student Services Scholarship
Outstanding International Student Scholarship

More
Graduate Student Organization Funding
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

In order to double major in Religious Traditions, you will first need to get approvals from the the new major and their Advising Center.  We will also have you go through an exercise to plan out your intended plan to finish the requirements for both majors so you know when your intended graduation date will be.

Undergraduate

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)
Learning Assistance Center
Manoa Advising Center
Student Support Services
Student Success Center

Both Undergraduate & Graduate

Bridge to Hope
Catholic Campus Ministry
College Opportunities Program
Commuter Services
Counseling & Student Development Center
Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (UH System)
Financial Aid Services
Hawaiian Place of Learning Pathways – A‘o / Alu / ‘Auamo
Internship & Summer Research Opportunities
KOKUA Program (Disability Services)
Kuaʻana Native Hawaiian Student Development Services
LGBTQ+ Center
Mānoa Transfer Coordinator
Mānoa Writing Center
Office of Veteran Student Services
Scholarships (Graduate and Undergraduate)
Student Employment/Manoa Career Center
Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity Office
Study Abroad Programs
University Health Services
Veteran’s Affairs
Women’s Campus Club
Women’s Center

As a department within a major public research university, we are dedicated to the cultivation of a humanistic understanding of a wide range of religious traditions. Given our location in the Pacific and the multicultural environment we enjoy in Hawai‘i, our programs take the religious traditions of Asia and the Pacific as its special focus. Our expert faculty offers a unique set of research strengths, including: Buddhism in Asia and the West, Japanese religions, Hawaiian and Polynesian religions, Christianity in Asia and the Pacific, Indian religions and new religious movements. Students with advanced levels of language skills will also have the opportunity to translate and work with primary sources in Japanese, Chinese, Indian, and Polynesian languages.

Click here to begin your application.

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