PhD Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Programme overview

The PhD in Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences is a research doctorate awarded for original scholarly achievement and a dissertation that makes a significant original contribution to basic knowledge in the field. Graduates are expected to enter careers as researchers or educators in public and private institutions of higher learning.

Faculty: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience | Department: Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Honolulu, HI, United States

What you will study

Students complete at least 12 credit hours of courses numbered 400 or above, with course requirements set by the graduate committee. Required elements include TPSS 667 Graduate Seminar each year, TPSS 654 Communications in the Sciences, a first-year dissertation proposal seminar, three lectures in TPSS courses, an oral or oral-and-written comprehensive examination, TPSS 800 Dissertation Research and a final oral defense.

Career pathways

Researchers and educators in public and private institutions of higher learning.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Only students with above-average academic records in pre-doctoral programmes are accepted. 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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