Admissions Information

Admissions

Academic Programs

Anthony Walker

Anthony Walker

MSIS

Hawaii

Anthony Walker is a local student from Hawaii but has lived many places in the United States while growing up. “HPU was a very convenient decision. The MSIS program really supports my career goals.”

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Admissions Information

Admission to any of the graduate or certificate programs at Hawai'i Pacific University is based on academic ability and potential for success.  Academic ability is evaluated on the applicant's past academic performance and all applicants must also hold a bachelor's degree ( or its equivalent) from an accredited college or university.  Although not required for admission, professional work experience, as well as, involvement in organizational or community activities may also be used in the evaluation.   Below is a list of all admissions requirements, no one factor will exclude an applicant from consideration, all applications are reviewed from a holistic approach.  Click here to find out what the entry terms are for each program.

International students wishing to apply to either a graduate certificate or master's program must submit other documents, in addition to the documents listed below. 

Admissions Requirements for the Master's programs:

Individuals wishing to apply to a master's degree program at HPU, are required to submit the following:

Application | Transcripts | Letters of Recommendation | Statement of Purpose | Test Scores | Resume | Payment | Additional Requirements

Individuals wishing to apply to a graduate certificate program, click here for the list of admissions requirements. 

Application:

All individuals wishing to apply to HPU, must submit an application for graduate admissions.  Below describes which application should be used based on program/type of study.

 Transcripts:

An official  transcript, Detailed Marks Certificate, or comparable document showing all course work, grades and proof of earned degrees must be submitted for each institution attended. This is required for all colleges and universities attended. Official records are defined as original documents issued by the institution (not photocopies) that bear the signature of the registrar and the seal of the issuing institution. Transcripts must be forwarded in their original, sealed envelopes.  College seniors should submit current transcripts followed by a final official transcript showing the award of a baccalaureate degree.  If your former institution does not have an online transcript request process, you may find it useful to use our Transcript Request form.

Letters of Recommendation:

Two (2) letters of recomendation must be submitted by individuals who can attest to your ability to perform graduate work successfully (e.g., former professors, academic counselors, employers, business colleagues).  The recommendation form may also be used in lieu of letters.  The Business Administration and Military and Diplomacy programs will allow military evaluations (dated within the last 2 years) in lieu of letters; the Communication program will allow for one (1) military evaluation.

Statement or Purpose:

For all programs, except Marine Science applicants:

In 500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study at Hawai'i Pacific University, describing your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Also discuss how your unique background would contribute to the diversity of Hawai’i Pacific University’s graduate programs and to the educational experiences of your fellow classmates.  You may also take this opportunity to provide information about any related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned in the application.

Marine Science applicants:

Individuals applying to the Marine Science program must submit an essay of up to 1000 words stating your purpose in undertaking graduate study at Hawai’i Pacific University.  Describe your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans.  Discuss how your unique background would contribute to the diversity of Hawai’i Pacific University’s Marine Science program and to the educational experiences of your fellow classmates.  You may also take this opportunity to provide information about related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned in the application.

Test Scores:

The following programs require specific standardized exams:

  • Business Administration (MBA) programs (including joint MBA programs, except the Executive MBA program) requires the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).  

    The GMAT requirement is waived for the following individuals:

    1. You have a conferred degree from HPU.
    2. Earned a Master's degree or higher degree from an accredited institution.

    The GMAT requirement may be waived for the following individuals and will be reviewed by the Admissions team:

    1. Transferring to HPU from another accredited graduate program. You must have completed 2 courses within the program, to be considered for eligibilty. Please submit a transcript showing proof of graduate courses along with a brief statement indicating the justifications of why you are requesting a GMAT waiver.
    2. Applicants who have at least five years of full-time professional experience in leadership, direct management of staff, and development and management of budgets, must submit detailed resume that includes a thorough description of duties and length of employement for each position held along with a brief statement indicating the justifications of why you are requesting a GMAT waiver.
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test
  • Elementary Education and Secondary Education graduate programs require the PRAXIS I (PPST).
  • Marine Science program requires the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test.

To learn more about the above exams, click on the links below:

All other programs and certificates do not require standardized test scores; however, if you have taken an exam and wish to submit it to support your application you may do so.

All scores should be sent to Hawai'i Pacific University (code: 4352).  GRE, GMAT, and PRAXIS I must be less than five years old.  For more details, see the Additional Admissions Requirements by Program table below.

Resume:

The following programs require applicants to submit a resume to support their application:

  • MBA programs, including the Executive MBA, MBA Online, and Military FlexTrack program
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • Communication
  • Diplomacy and Military Studies
  • Elementary Education
  • Marine Science
  • Nursing, including the RN to MSN Pathway program, Nurse Educator certificate and Post Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
  • Secondary Education

Application Fee:

All applicants, except non-degree seeking students, must pay a $50 non-refundable application fee.  Non-degree seeking graduate students (special status) must pay a $20 non-refundable application fee. Payment may be made by check, credit card, money order, or bank draft in U.S. dollars. 

Graduate Certificate programs:

Individuals wishing to apply to one of our graduate certificate programs, must submit the following, unless otherwise noted in the Additional Program Requirements table: 

Additional Admissions Requirements by Program:

In addition to the above admissions documents, some graduate programs and graduate certificate programs require other materials, please refer to the table below.

PROGRAM WORK EXPERIENCE INTERVIEW GMAT GRE PRAXIS I Resume  OTHER
Business Administration (MBA) x x
    12-Month MBA x x -12-Month MBA applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree in Business or satisfied ALL prerequisites.
    Military FlexTrack MBA x x
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) x x x -Priority Deadline to apply:  February 15, applications recieved after this date will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
-A minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) based on a 4.0 scale.
-A minimum of 15 credit hours of work in psychology, including at least one course in statistics and one course in research methods.
Communication (MA) x
Diplomacy and Military Studies (MA) x
Elementary Education (MEd) x x x

-Education applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 Undergraduate GPA. 
-Applicants admitted to the MEd graduate program will be required to fulfill the Hawai'i Department of Education's (DOE) Employee Background Check (EBC)
Marine Science (MS) x x x

-Review of Applications will begin on Feburary 1
-Marine Science applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree in a natural science discipline
-Applicants must also have a minimum of a 3.0 Undergraduate GPA. 
Nursing (MSN) 1 year x x

-MSN and Nursing certificate applicants must have earned Bachelor of Nursing degree with a minimum of a 3.0 undergraduate GPA.  Those with less than a 3.0 GPA may be considered for conditional or probationary admission.
-All Applicants must submit proof of valid Hawai'i RN license before official admission decision will be made.  If you do not possess a Hawai'i RN license you must apply to request a Hawai'i License. Click here to complete the paperwork to request a Hawai'i RN license. International applicants should click here to learn more.
-Letters of Recommendation should be original and current; It is preferred that one come from a professional associate with a graduate degree, who is able to assess your practice and potential for graduate study and the second from your immediate supervisor detailing your clinical performance.
-All Applicants to the Nursing certificate programs must submit ALL admissions requirements as listed for the MSN graduate program.
Nurse Educator Certificate 1 year x x
Post Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate 1 year x x
RN to MSN Program 1 year x x -The RN to MSN Program applicants do NOT require a baccalaureate degree.
-RN to MSN applicants must submit proof of a valid Hawai'i RN license before official admission decision will be made.   If you do not possess a Hawai'i RN license you must apply to request a Hawai'i License. Click here to complete the paperwork to request a Hawai'i RN license. International applicants should click here to learn more.
-Letters of Recommendation should be original and current; It is preferred that one come from a professional associate with a graduate degree, who is able to assess your practice and potential for graduate study and the second from your immediate supervisor detailing your clinical performance.
Secondary Education (MEd) x x x -Education applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 Undergraduate GPA
-Applicants admitted to the MEd graduate program will be required to fulfill the Hawai'i Department of Education's (DOE) Employee Background Check (EBC)
Social Work (MSW) x -Social Work applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 Undergraduate GPA.  Those with less than a 3.0 GPA may be considered for conditional or probationary admission and will only be able to enroll in 6 credit hours their first semester
-Social Work applicants who have a BSW degree may be considered for Advanced Standing
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MA) -International applicants may not satisfy their English competency requirement through an ESL program. In addition to the minimum overall scores listed here, applicants must meet the minimum written scores: paper based TOEFL: TWE 5; compter-based TOEFL: ER 5; internet-based (iBT) TOEFL: writing score of 25; IELTS: writing module of 6.5; CPE grade C; or CAE grade A.

Entry Terms:

Applications are accepted and admissions decisions are made through out the year; however, in order to allow appropriate time to process applications, we encourage early submission of all materials.  Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed.  All programs admit for Fall (Sept - Dec), Spring (Jan - May), and Summer terms (Session 1: May - Jun; Session 2: Jun - Aug; and Session 3: July - Aug), EXCEPT for the following programs:

Business Administration (MBA) Military FlexTrack Applicants apply to one of four (10 week) terms:  Term 1 (Oct - Dec), Term 2 (Jan - Mar), Term 3 (Apr - Jun), and Term 4 (Jul - Sept).
Business Administration (MBA) Online Applicants apply to one of four (10 week) terms:  Term 1 (Oct - Dec), Term 2 (Jan - Mar), Term 3 (Apr - Jun), and Term 4 (Jul - Sept).
Business Administration (MBA): Executive MBA Fall term only; four (4) week terms that meet on Friday evenings and Saturdays. 
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) Fall term only
Elementary Education (MEd) Fall and Spring Terms; Summer on a case by case basis. 
Marine Science (MS) Fall term only; the deadline to apply is January 15
Organizational Change (MA): Online Applicants apply to one of four (10 week) terms:  Term 1 (Oct - Dec), Term 2 (Jan - Mar), Term 3 (Apr - Jun), and Term 4 (Jul - Sept).
Social Work (MSW) Fall term only.  Applicants who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree MAY be eligible to attend as an Advanced Standing student, which will allow them to begin in the Summer III term.  Decisions regarding Advanced Standing are done at the time of the application review.
Secondary Education (MEd)

Fall and Spring Terms; Summer on a case by case basis. 
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MEd)

Fall and Spring Terms; Summer on a case by case basis.