PhD Philosophy at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Programme overview

The PhD in Philosophy has two stages: coursework and examinations leading to candidacy, then a dissertation and oral defense.

Faculty: College of Arts, Languages and Letters | Department: Philosophy | Duration: At least two years of coursework beyond the MA; candidacy within four years of admission | Study mode: full-time | Location: Honolulu, HI, United States

What you will study

Students complete at least 30 credit hours beyond the MA (minimum 18 at 600 level or above) with a minimum GPA of 3.3, demonstrate competence in history of Western philosophy, contemporary issues, metaphysics/epistemology/logic/philosophy of science, and ethics/aesthetics/social and political philosophy/philosophy of law, pass an examination in the dissertation area, show proficiency in at least one philosophically significant language other than English, and complete and defend a dissertation.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

MA degree or equivalent in philosophy with a minimum GPA of 3.3 in MA courses; deficiencies may need to be made up. GRE General Test required of all applicants to whom it is accessible. 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.

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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