Admissions Requirements
Priority Application Deadlines:
- Spring entry - November 30th
- Summer entry - April 1st
- Fall entry - July 1st
*Entry terms vary by graduate program. Graduate applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. View academic calendar.
Program Specific Deadlines:
- Master of Science in Marine Science - January 15th
*Graduate applications for MSMS programs will continue to be accepted after the priority deadlines.
Admission into HPU graduate programs is based upon your prior academic record, professional experience, and potential for success in graduate studies. While each of Hawai‘i Pacific University’s graduate programs have unique admission standards, HPU has set minimum requirements for admission to master's, doctoral and graduate certificate programs.
Bachelor's Degree Requirement
You must have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an international institution that is officially recognized by that country.
GPA Requirement
Competitive applicants typically have a “B” (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) grade point average in the last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of undergraduate coursework. If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirements, your application may still be considered by the program. Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree (or the equivalent to a U.S. college or university degree for international students) with a GPA of 2.7 or higher are encouraged to apply for admission.
Additional requirements by program
Factors that may also be considered include test scores (such as the GRE, PRAXIS or GMAT), the type of coursework completed during undergraduate studies, letters of recommendation, and any other supporting documents you may be asked to submit for your application. Refer to desired program specific requirements for more information.
international applicants
The application standards for international students are the same as domestic students with the addition of submitting proof of English proficiency (for students whose native language is not English). There is an exception for the Chinese-language online MBA. After admissions, International students applying to study in Hawai'i are also required to obtain a U.S. visa, which includes submitting a graduate financial guarantee.
All international transcripts must be submitted in the original language and accompanied by an official English translation. Translations must be literal, complete versions of the originals and must be translated by a university, government official or official translation service. You may not complete your own translation. Photocopies and notarized transcripts are not acceptable.