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Overview

New Students: Academic Planning

General Education


UH Manoa Core Requirements

Foundations Requirements

Diversification Requirements


UH Manoa Graduation Requirements

Focus Requirements

Hawaiian or Second Language (HSL)


Optional Wild Card

New Students: Academic Planning

UH Manoa has a wide range of fields and courses from which to choose and build a dynamic and satisfying academic program. Here are some tips to help you get started:

  • Contact an advisor. Assistance in planning an academic program is available. Resources include:
  • Explore different academic areas. Most freshmen are exploring different majors during their first year. Use the General Education Foundations and Diversification courses to sample different fields, which can help in deciding on a major. Oftentimes, there is a selection of courses from which to choose in order to fulfill the academic requirements. See "UH Manoa Core Requirements" for approved Foundations courses and the “Courses” section of this Catalog for Diversification courses. The “Courses” section also lists prerequisites you need before registering for the course.
  • Plan ahead. Majors and colleges/schools may have requirements that should be met in the first year. If the student has decided on a major, find out what particular courses are required for the major and also the college/school in which it is located (a list of majors and colleges/schools can be found in the "Degrees, Minors and Certificates" section). If the student has not decided on a major, he/she should become familiar with potential fields and with college/school requirements to take recommended courses when possible.
  • Enhance your educational experience through special opportunities. Consider participating in one of the following:

Transfer Students

Foundations, Diversification, and Hawaiian or Second Language requirements may be met by transferring articulated courses from other campuses. Not all Focus requirements can be met through courses taken at other campuses (see “Focus Requirements”). Students can check the Transfer Credit Search website (www.hawaii.edu/admrec/transfer) for information about courses taken at other campuses. It is highly recommended that transfer students consult a UH Manoa college/school advisor about their General Education Core and Graduation requirements.

Honors Program

Selected Studies students and Honors students should consult the Honors Program for the honors courses that fulfill the General Education Core and Graduation requirements. (Many Selected Studies/Honors courses are identified by “A” after the course number. For example, ENG 100A.)