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 2026 admissions will open on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
The application deadline will be Monday, December 1, 2025.
We strongly encourage submitting all application materials by Friday, November 21, 2025.
Early submissions allow sufficient time to address application issues before the deadline.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Special Notes

Please refer to the individual Graduate Program Areas for a list of faculty members 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 Science 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 Science 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 application forms above are currently unavailable; however, they can be accessed online for prospective applicants to review.

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

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

Applicants should gather all the required materials before starting 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.

The Letter of Recommendation Form above is currently unavailable; however, it can be accessed online for prospective applicants to review.

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.