Prospective Student Information

The Department of Psychology at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa receives approximately 200 applications for graduate study each year. Of those applicants, approximately five students are accepted by the Clinical Studies Program with an additional six students accepted across the remaining graduate program areas.

Note: As the graduate application process is rigorous, and admissions competitive, we strongly encourage you to review the following thoroughly before beginning the process.


Academic and Research Experience

Students admitted to the PSY graduate program typically possess the following:

  • An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a major in psychology or related field.
  • Undergraduate coursework that included statistics, methodology, abnormal psychology, and other basic areas such as physiological, cognitive, learning, behavioral, social, and developmental psychology.
  • A cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher.
  • GRE scores in the 152 verbal/150 quantitative range, and 4.5 or above on the analytic scale.
  • Please see the individual Graduate Program Areas for an important note on the GRE Requirement.
  • An average of 1-2 years of research experience in their desired graduate program (often from working as undergraduate research assistants).
  • Research interests that are highly compatible with current faculty in the department.
  • Strong letters of recommendation (often from supervising faculty in a psychology research setting).

Program Area and Mentor Focus

Students admitted to the PSY graduate program also tend to:

  • Be familiar with the three program areas offered by the Department of Psychology.
  • Have a particular program area they wish to study in mind prior to applying.
  • Be familiar with the research interests of faculty members in their intended program area.
  • Have corresponded directly with their program area faculty members to discuss mutual interests.