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GRADUATE EDUCATION

ACADEMIC POLICIES

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMS

DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMS

Doctor of Philosophy

Requirements and Procedures for Doctoral Degrees

TUITION, FEES, AND FINANCIAL AID

Doctor of Philosophy Programs

Faculty or staff members at rank 3 and above may not be awarded a doctoral degree by UH Manoa in the graduate program administered by the department in which they are employed.

The doctor of philosophy (PhD) degree is awarded only for the most distinguished scholarly achievement. The quality of a candidate’s work is judged by a variety of means, culminating in a set of comprehensive and final examinations and a dissertation. The dissertation describes completed research and must be a significant original contribution to knowledge in the candidate’s chosen program. The additional, special requirements in any given graduate program prepare the candidate for the examinations and successful completion of the dissertation.

Candidates are accepted only in graduate programs in which the teaching staff, library, laboratory equipment, and cooperative relationships with other research institutions make it possible to offer training.

The doctor of philosophy is offered in the following areas:

• American studies
  
• Anthropology
  
• Astronomy
  
• Atmospheric sciences
  
• Botany
  
• Business administration
  
• Cell and molecular biology
  
• Chemistry
  
• Civil and environmental engineering
  
• Clinical research
  
• Communication and information sciences
  
• Computer science
  
• Developmental and reproductive biology
  
• East Asian languages and literatures
  
• Economics
  
• Education
  
• Educational psychology
  
• Electrical engineering
  
• English
  
• Entomology
  
• Epidemiology
• Geography
  
• Geology and geophysics
  
• History
  
• Learning design and technology
  
• Linguistics
  
• Marine biology
  
• Mathematics
  
• Mechanical engineering
  
• Microbiology
  
• Molecular biosciences and bioengineering
  
• Music
  
• Natural resources and environmental management
  
• Nursing
  
• Nutrition
  
• Ocean and resources engineering
  
• Oceanography
  
• Philosophy
  
• Physics
  
• Political science
  
• Psychology
  
• Second language studies
  
• Social welfare
  
• Sociology
  
• Theatre
  
• Tropical medicine
  
• Tropical plant and soil sciences
  
• Tropical plant pathology
  
• Urban and regional planning
  
• Zoology
  

Doctor of Education

The degree of Doctor of Education (EdD) is awarded for distinguished academic preparation for professional practice in the field of education. The quality of a candidate’s work is judged by a variety of experiences, culminating in an internship, a set of comprehensive and final examinations, and a dissertation. The dissertation is based on a selected research problem and is a significant part of the candidate's field experience or internship.

Doctor of Public Health

The degree of Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) is awarded for distinguished academic preparation for professional practice in the field of public health. The quality of a candidate’s work is judged by a variety of means, culminating in a set of comprehensive and final examinations and a dissertation. The dissertation must be a significant original contribution to knowledge in the field of public health practice. Required course work is designed to prepare the candidate for the examinations and the dissertation.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is awarded for distinguished academic preparation for professional practice in the field of nursing. Candidates must progress through course work and a series of capstone experience culminating in a final project. The student must produce a tangible and deliverable academic product that is derived from practice immersion experience and is reviewed and evaluated by the faculty.