Fall 2025 Applications Available: September 1, 2025
Deadline:
Priority Deadline: January 15, 2026, 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Final Deadline: May 1, 2026, 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
The PhD Program uses a priority deadline of January 15 but will accept applications until May 1 based on availability of space. Applicants are strongly encouraged to meet the priority deadline if they want to be considered for funding.
Applicants must submit fully completed applications meeting all requirements for both the UHM Graduate Division and the DON to be reviewed for admission to the program. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and cannot be re-submitted. Applicants can apply only once per annual admission cycle.
Each applicant is evaluated on the merit of their individual application and selected applicants will be considered for a virtual interview. Evaluation of the application and interview will be conducted and applicants will be placed into one of three categories: admit, alternate or deny. Notifications about decisions occur following review of the completed application by the admissions team. We encourage applicants to apply beginning September 1 both in the Nursing Centralized Admission Service (NCAS) system and the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) Graduate Division. Please check NCAS and the UHM Graduate Division for a full listing of application requirements.
Two-Step Application Process
Application Requirements are found on the websites listed below.
Application Requirements are found on the websites listed below.
Step 1 – Apply to UH Manoa Graduate Division
- https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/how-to-apply/
- Fee: $100
- Select “PhD in Nursing” as the planned course of study
Step 2 – Apply to Nursing’s Centralized Application Service
Application deadlines for NCAS are set to Eastern Standard Time (EST) and will close at midnight EST the date of the deadline.
- http://www.nursingcas.org
- Fee: $80
- Select “PhD in Nursing for Applicants for the planned course of study
Admission Requirements
Education
Bachelor’s degree or higher in a health-related field from an accredited college or university. Admission is contingent upon completion of the bachelor’s degree requirements no later than the first day of class of the first semester of PhD coursework.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
GPA 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for the highest degree obtained
Licensure
Applicants are not required to hold a nursing degree/license; however, clear understanding of profession and role of nurse scientist required.
English Language Proficiency
English proficiency testing for international students (as per UHM Graduate Division) minimum scores:
- TOEFL Score: PBT: 550; ibT 80
- IELTS: 6.5
- Minimum score required by UHM Graduate Division for teaching assistant applicants: 600 paper, TOEFL ibT 100 (minimum 25 for listening subtest score and 25 for speaking subtest score)
International Students
Please visit the UH Manoa Office of International Student Services page, email them at issmanoa@hawaii.edu, or call them at (808) 956-8613.