PhD Education (Exceptionalities) at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Programme overview

The Exceptionalities concentration prepares professionals to lead the education and support of individuals with unique needs, often due to disabilities, covering special education, advocacy, family support, community services and vocational training and support.

Faculty: College of Education | Department: Special Education | Duration: Number of credit hours depends on qualifications | Study mode: full-time | Location: Honolulu, HI, United States

What you will study

Students complete college and programme required courses, electives in a chosen area of emphasis, a field project/internship or apprenticeship in college teaching, and a dissertation.

Career pathways

Leadership roles addressing local, regional, national and international issues in research, higher education and programme development and evaluation.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate Division English proficiency (applicants whose native language is not English; programme minimums may be higher): TOEFL iBT 61 (pre-2026 scale) or 3.5 (2026 scale), IELTS Academic 5.5, Duolingo 90. Catalog lists no programme-specific admission criteria.

Domestic applicants: USD 10,400 a year (2026-27). Graduate tuition for 2026-27 based on a typical full-time load of 8 credits per semester (indicative budget figure from the cost of attendance page); excludes fees ($934), housing, food, books and other costs. Hawaii resident rate. Source

International applicants: USD 22,432 a year (2026-27). Graduate tuition for 2026-27 based on a typical full-time load of 8 credits per semester (indicative budget figure from the cost of attendance page); excludes fees ($934), housing, food, books and other costs. Non-resident rate. Source

Graduate applications are accepted for Summer, Fall and Spring terms; Graduate Division begins processing applications from August 1 for the following Fall and Summer semester and from April 1 for the following Spring semester.

All graduate application deadlines are set by the graduate programmes and vary by programme; some programmes set priority deadlines. Most Fall applicants hear a decision by late March/early April and Spring applicants by November/December. Application fees are non-refundable.

Apply through the official page: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/

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