Explore the wealth of quality, accredited campus-based and online PhD programs in Hawaii and find the one that fits your academic and career goals.
There’s good news for prospective doctorate students living in the Aloha State. If you thought relocating to the mainland was your only option for earning your doctoral degree, think again. You may be surprised to learn there is a growing number of quality, fully accredited PhD programs in Hawaii. With more than 60 campus-based and online doctoral programs in Hawaii, there are lots of choices. To get you started, we’ve spotlighted three top schools in Hawaii so you can learn more about available programs and options. Keep reading to find out how earning your degree from one of Hawaii’s best PhD or doctoral programs can boost your career and job opportunities.
Top-Rated PhD and Doctoral Programs in Hawaii for 2024
When it comes to college degrees, “best” means different things to different people. Take a look at the three schools spotlighted below that offer traditional on-campus and online PhD programs in Hawaii to get an idea of affordability, admissions requirements, study options, delivery methods (including some online/hybrid formats), completion times, and more.
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Chaminade University of Honolulu is the only Catholic university in Hawaii, with its main campus located in Honolulu’s Kaimuki district. It is one of a small number of schools that offer a combination of campus-based and online doctoral programs in Hawaii. These include Doctor of Education programs in Educational Psychology and Organizational Leadership for Adaptation and Change. Both EdD programs feature fully online coursework (the Organizational Leadership for Adaptation and Change program includes two residencies and a 600-hour internship in a PK-12 school setting). They can be completed in as few as 36 months.
Other doctoral programs available from Chaminade include a Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT) that also features 100% online classes, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with four concentration options and a campus-based Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD). Per-credit tuition rates vary from $1,050 to $1,313, depending on the specific program. Financial aid (grants, loans, work-study) is available to qualifying students.
Hawaii Pacific University
Private Hawaii Pacific University offers five doctoral programs, all of which fall within the broader healthcare field. They include two Doctor of Nursing Practice options (BSN to DNP, MSN to DNP), both featuring coursework delivered entirely online. BSN to DNP students choose from three concentrations: family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. In addition to online classes, BSN to DNP students must complete substantial in-person clinical rotation requirements.
HPU’s other doctoral programs include hybrid-formatted Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) programs, and a campus-based Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD). Completion times and tuition costs vary by program. A variety of financial aid options are available to qualifying students, including grants, loans, scholarships, and assistantships.
University of Hawaii at Manoa
The University of Hawaii at Manoa is the flagship campus of the University of Hawaii System, which includes three universities and seven community college locations. With 45 degrees offered, UH Manoa’s Graduate Division is the largest of doctoral programs in Hawaii. Degrees are available in a wide range of majors in the natural and social sciences, mathematics, engineering, education, and the fine arts. Degrees of interest to Hawaii students include East Asian Languages and Literatures, Ocean and Resources Engineering, Oceanography, Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, and Tropical Medicine.
As you might expect from a public university, the tuition rate for Hawaii-resident graduate students at UH Manoa is affordable at $650 per credit. The current per-credit tuition rate for out-of-state residents is $1,402. Qualifying graduate students at UH Manoa have access to an array of funding options that include UH Manoa and UH System scholarships, fellowships, graduate assistantships, and more.
Types of PhD and Doctoral Programs Available in Hawaii
Campus-based and online doctoral programs in Hawaii come in all shapes and sizes, each with its own combination of study formats, admissions, and curriculum requirements. Below, we’ve outlined a number of the most common program types for doctoral and PhD programs in Hawaii.
Full-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in Hawaii
In the past, full-time study was a given for doctoral programs. Today, grad schools understand the need for flexibility in degree completion times with more doctoral programs exclusively part-time or with full-time and part-time options. For those interested in pursuing a degree on a full-time basis, there are plenty of doctoral and PhD programs in Hawaii available. Examples include the PhD in Public Health at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (minimum three years) and the PsyD in Clinical Psychology at Chaminade University (five academic years plus three residence years).
Part-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in Hawaii
Part-time doctoral degree programs are now quite common, both in Hawaii and in general. Completion times for part-time doctoral and PhD programs in Hawaii can vary substantially depending on the specific program and student’s chosen study pace, particularly during the dissertation phase. Examples of doctoral programs in Hawaii with part-time study options include the Doctor of Nursing Practice at Hawaii Pacific University and the PhD in Learning Design & Technology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Fully Funded PhD/Doctoral Programs in Hawaii
Grad students seeking to earn their doctorate in a particularly high-demand field may, in some cases, find degree programs that are fully funded. Full funding can mean many things, from fully covered tuition and fees to funding all costs associated with earning the degree (tuition, fees, housing, other living expenses, health insurance, etc.). Although there do not appear to be any fully funded on-campus or online PhD programs in Hawaii, students can cut their education costs substantially through scholarships, grants, assistantships, fellowships, and other funding resources. Be sure to contact your school’s financial aid office for details.
No-GRE PhD/Doctoral Programs in Hawaii
There was a time when anyone applying to a doctoral degree program would be required to submit scores for the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) as part of the application process. Today, a growing number of programs have made GRE scores optional or dropped the requirement altogether. Examples of such doctorate programs in Hawaii include Hawaii Pacific University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (GRE not required) and Chaminade University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (GRE optional).
Accelerated PhD/Doctoral Programs in Hawaii
Doctoral programs that can be completed in two years or less are sometimes designated as “accelerated” programs. While you likely won’t find any doctoral or PhD programs in Hawaii explicitly designated as “accelerated,” you may be able to shorten your program’s length by taking more classes at a time and/or accelerating your dissertation process. Additionally, prospective nursing doctorate students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree may be able to accelerate their degree completion time by enrolling in the Graduate Entry Program in Nursing (GEPN) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
No Dissertation PhD/Doctoral Programs in Hawaii
The traditional doctoral dissertation is just that – traditional. And although it’s still required for most PhD programs, it’s no longer part of all PhD programs. It’s also not required in many practice-focused non-PhD doctoral programs which commonly include a capstone project or comprehensive exam as a culminating activity. Doctoral programs in Hawaii without a dissertation requirement include the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) at Hawaii Pacific University.
Hawaii’s Most In-Demand PhD Programs
Business Administration/Management
Doctoral degrees in business are generally offered in two forms, both available in doctoral programs in Hawaii. The PhD in Business Administration focuses primarily on preparing graduates for academic and research careers in the creation of new scientific discoveries in the business field. The Doctor of Management (DM) or Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) prepares students to apply academic theory and research in the management of business enterprises.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
- University of Hawaii at Manoa (PhD in Business Administration)
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
- Wayland Baptist University(Doctor of Management)
Clinical Psychology
The Doctor of Clinical Psychology (PsyD) degree is designed primarily to prepare graduates for practice-based careers that apply the knowledge derived from scientific research to the delivery of services directly to individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations. It provides an alternative to the traditional, research-focused PhD in psychology. PsyD graduates also often pursue careers in academia.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Educational Leadership
As opposed to PhD programs for those interested in research, Doctor of Education (EdD) degrees are for career professionals seeking leadership roles that address real issues in education practice through the application of advanced knowledge and skills. Both online and on-campus EdD programs focused on educational leadership are available in Hawaii.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
- University of Hawaii at Manoa (EdD in Professional Educational Practice)
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
- Chaminade University (EdD in Organizational Leadership for Adaptation and Change)
Educational Psychology
An educational psychology doctorate can prepare graduates to take on a number of professional roles in research, administration, and teaching at colleges and universities, as well as in leadership at both the K-12 and postsecondary levels. Hawaii students have the option of choosing between the research-focused PhD in Educational Psychology and the practice-focused EdD in Educational Psychology.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Nursing (DNP)
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the terminal degree for nurses seeking top-level leadership roles. In contrast to the research-focused PhD in Nursing, the DNP is for those interested in the implementation of the most current healthcare research in advanced nursing practice settings. Most schools offer both BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP pathways, as well as several concentration options.
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Earning Your PhD or Professional Doctorate Online in Hawaii
Online degree programs offer several advantages in terms of study flexibility and convenience. What makes a program an online program, however, can be a bit complicated. That’s because every program designated as “online” offers a unique combination of distance learning components. For example, some programs are described as “100% online” or “fully online,” while others are described as “partially online” or “hybrid” (meaning that they include both online and in-person elements). In addition, online classes may be delivered either asynchronously (students can log on and “attend” class at any time) or synchronously (requiring logging on and attending classes via live stream at specific times). The Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy program at Chaminade University, for example, features a combination of both asynchronous and synchronous online classes.
It’s also important to note that programs may offer all their coursework online but still include additional on-campus or other in-person requirements. One example is the BSN to DNP program at Hawaii Pacific University which delivers 100% of its coursework online but includes substantial clinical rotation requirements that must be completed in-person at program-affiliated healthcare facilities. It’s critical to gain a clear understanding of just how the online components work for each of the online doctoral programs in Hawaii before you enroll.
Discover Doctoral Funding Opportunities in Hawaii
Securing funding help is important for nearly everyone pursuing a college education, regardless of degree level. Fortunately, a wide range of financial aid opportunities are available to prospective students in doctoral programs in Hawaii to help offset the cost of their degrees. These include, among others, scholarships and grants, fellowships, research assistantships, work-study programs, and military veteran benefits. And, of course, there are the ever-popular student loans, like those available through the Federal Government’s Direct PLUS Loans program.
A great place to start the funding search for your PhD or doctoral program in Hawaii is with the financial aid offices and websites for the schools you’re considering. Examples include:
- Chaminade University
- Hawaii Pacific University, including these graduate scholarships and assistantships.
- University of Hawaii at Manoa, including this Graduate Financial Support page where you can access information on scholarships, assistantships, and other funding resources for grad students.
The Potential Payoff of a Hawaii PhD
One of the many benefits of graduating from a doctoral program in Hawaii is higher pay. According to recent (April 2024) data from Payscale.com, for example, the average annual base pay for doctoral degree holders is $107,000, a full 27% over that of master’s degree holders ($84,000). The actual size of your pay bump will, of course, depend on a number of variables, including your specific professional field, job title, employer, geographic location, and level of experience. For more insight into doctorate pay, we’ve listed the most recent (May 2023) national earnings figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for 10 popular careers that either require a doctorate or give doctoral degree holders a leg up in moving into top-level positions within their profession.
| Job Title | Related Doctoral Degree(s) | Median Earnings | 90th Percentile Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropologist (Anthropologists and Archeologists) | PhD in Anthropology | $60,800 | $102,150 |
| Astrophysicists (Physicists) | PhD | $155,680 | $232,940 |
| Biochemist (Biochemists and Biophysicists) | PhD in Biochemistry | $107,460 | $175,790 |
| Biologist (Microbiologists) | PhD in Biology | $85,470 | $147,470 |
| Biostatistician (Statisticians) | PhD in Statistics | $104,110 | $163,360 |
| Computer Research Scientist (Computer and Information Research Scientists) | PhD in Computer Science | $145,080 | $233,110 |
| Nurse Practitioner | Doctor of Nursing Practice | $126,260 | $168,030 |
| Oceanographer (Geoscientists, except Hydrologists and Geographers) | PhD | $92,580 | $172,600 |
| Professor (Postsecondary Teachers) | PhD | $107,140 | $134,260 |
| Psychologist (Clinical and Counseling Psychologists) | Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)/ PhD in Psychology | $96,100 | $168,870 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023
