Applying for Graduate Study

The admissions process is highly competitive. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review the prospective student information webpage and to familiarize themselves with our faculty. We welcome applications from individuals whose academic interests match our expertise.

Applications for Fall 2025 admissions are OPEN.
The application deadline is Sunday, December 1, 2024.
We strongly encourage submitting all application materials by Friday, November 22, 2024.
Early submissions provide the time needed to address application issues before the deadline.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Special Notes

Please see the individual Graduate Program Areas for a list of faculty accepting new students.
We no longer require GRE General test scores. In addition, the Community, Cultural, and Developmental program and Cognition, Neuroscience, and Social program do not require GRE Subject test scores. The GRE Subject test is optional for the Clinical Studies Program (full details).
The Clinical Respecialization Program is not accepting applications this year.

Application Process

The application process is divided into three stages. The stages can be completed concurrently.

For admission consideration, all three stages must be completed by the application deadline.

STAGE 1: Complete UH Mānoa Graduate Division Application

Applicants must complete the online application as provided by Graduate Division (see Graduate Admissions). We strongly encourage careful review of the application requirements. The following items must be submitted as part of the application:

Transcripts (unofficial accepted)
GRE Subject Test (optional for the Clinical Studies Program only)
Official TOEFL/IELTS scores (English language proficiency, international students only)
Application fee

Do not upload Letters of Recommendation to Graduate Division (see STAGE 3)

STAGE 2: Complete Department of Psychology Application

Applicants must complete the Department of Psychology - Graduate Program Application specific to their intended program area. Please complete an application for either:

The following items must be submitted as part of the application:

Statement of Objectives (not required for the Clinical Studies Program (CSP))
Curriculum vitae (CV)
Transcripts (unofficial accepted)
Self-Reported Standardized Test Scores — TOEFL (if applicable), GRE Subject test is optional for the Clinical program only.

Applicants should gather all required materials prior to beginning the application.

STAGE 3: Letters of Recommendation

To be considered complete, each application must include three Letters of Recommendation. Academic references are preferred.

Applicants must direct each of their references to complete a required Department of Psychology - Letter of Recommendation Form. References should review the form prior to letter writing. The following items must be submitted as part of the form:

Applicant background details
Letter of recommendation (pdf)

We recommend that applicants notify their references no later than November 15.

Letters should not be mailed or emailed to Graduate Division or to the Department of Psychology.
Letters should not be submitted through the Graduate Division online application.

Application Questions

Questions on STAGE 1 should be directed to Graduate Division.
Questions on STAGE 2 and 3 should be directed to the Department of Psychology at gradpsy@hawaii.edu.

Graduate Program Admissions Timeline

December 1 - Deadline for all application materials.
Mid-February to early March - Applicants notified of an admission decision. In some cases, an applicant may be wait-listed, in which case final notification of acceptance or denial may not occur until early April.
April 15 - Deadline for applicants to accept or reject the admission.

All inquiries regarding graduate study should be directed to gradpsy@hawaii.edu.