Psychology Degree Programs in Hawaii

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Updated November 30, 2022

Explore colleges and universities offering psychology degree programs in Hawaii.

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Saying hello to gratifying human services jobs in the "Aloha State" is possible after finishing one of the psychology degree programs in Hawaii.

Positioned 2,390 miles from the California coast, Hawaii has eight main Pacific islands as America's 40th most populous state. Hawaii offers valuable opportunities for psychology majors to study human diversity with a blend of native, North American, and Asian cultures. According to the BLS, Hawaii also has the nation's fourth highest concentration of psychology jobs for post-graduate success. Hawaii's 750 clinical, counseling, and school psychologists report an annual mean wage of $82,610. Let's island-hop to highlight the six psychology schools in Hawaii training students to enhance mental health.

Featured Online Programs

Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.

  • Brigham Young University-Hawaii
    Location

    Laie, HI

    College of Math & Sciences

    Owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young University-Hawaii is a private, co-educational institution adhering to an Honor Code to train over 2,800 Seasiders from a 100-acre oceanfront campus in Laie on Oahu. Rated America's 44th "Most Diverse College" on Niche, BYU-Hawaii is deemed the 14th best regional university in the West by the U.S. News. The College of Math & Sciences holds a 15:1 student-faculty ratio for 11 majors, including one of the psychology degree programs in Hawaii.

    B.S. in Psychology

    Featuring a freshman retention rate of 61 percent, the B.S. in Psychology at BYUH offers hands-on preparation for intellectual and spiritual development with valuable interpersonal skills. Stressing the ethical principles of psychologists, the 40-credit major builds upon the liberal arts. Students then freely select electives from diverse topics like conflict dynamics, sports psychology, and evolutionary psychology. Adding a 15-credit Organizational Behavior Minor is possible for future business applications. Psychology undergrads culminate their learning with a senior capstone research seminar. Students also serve with organizations like the Kokua Foundation and David O. McKay Center.

    Accreditation

    Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

    Contact

    55-220 Kulanui Street

    Laie, HI 96762

    (808) 675-3211

    [email protected]

  • Chaminade University of Honolulu
    Location

    Honolulu, HI

    Division of Behavioral Sciences

    Opened in 1955 by Marianists, Chaminade University of Honolulu is a private, Catholic teaching institution endowed for $9.3 million to educate nearly 2,900 faithful co-eds from 65 urban acres in the historic Kaimuki district of Hawaii's capital. Noted for America's 88th "Best College Location" on Niche, Chaminade is ranked the 52nd best university and 29th most veteran-friendly school in the West by the USNWR. The Division of Behavioral Sciences accepts 82 percent of applicants intrigued by the endless manifestations of human behavior.

    B.S. Psychology

    Delivered by nurturing, accessible faculty holding doctoral degrees, the B.S. Psychology program allows Chaminade Silverswords to scientifically study the relationship between the mind and behavior. Emphasizing the whole person, the 120-credit curriculum integrates service learning for practical "people" skill development. Courses will delve into organizational, health, social, personality, abnormal, and counseling psychology with a unique Asian perspective. Busy working professionals can forego campus commutes for the PACE program, which includes 10-week online courses. Students may conduct research with the Center for Medical Psychology, join Psi Chi Honor Society, and intern with agencies like Make-A-Wish Hawaii.

    M.S. Counseling Psychology

    Post-baccalaureate students seeking psychology degree programs in Hawaii could pursue Chaminade's M.S. Counseling Psychology, which adheres to NBCC standards without CACREP accreditation. With a student-faculty ratio of 10:1, the evening program prepares graduates to design therapeutic interventions to suit various individual and societal demands. Students customize the 60-credit curriculum with the School Counseling (K-12), Mental Health Counseling, or Marriage and Family Counseling concentrations. Achieving a minimum 3.0 GPA is required to enter the three-part fieldwork sequence. Costing $775 per credit hour, the program satisfies Hawaii licensure requirements within 30 to 36 months.

    Accreditation

    Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

    Contact

    3140 Waialae Avenue

    Honolulu, HI 96816

    (808) 735-4751

    [email protected]

  • Hawaii Pacific University
    Location

    Honolulu, HI

    College of Liberal Arts

    Endowed for $80 million, Hawaii Pacific University is a private, nonsectarian institution founded in 1965 that's educating over 3,400 scholars to move "Forward with Truth" from its 135-acre urban campus in Honolulu and extension in Kaneohe. Recognized as America's #1 most diverse university inUSA Today,HPU is the 61st best college in the West according to the U.S. News. With a freshman retention rate of 70 percent, the College of Liberal Arts houses 18 degrees, including popular majors in psychology, communication, and international studies.

    B.A. in Psychology

    HPU's two psychology degree programs in Hawaii begin with the four-year B.A. in Psychology to introduce undergraduate Sharks to the empirical study of behavioral and mental processes. Students become familiar with contemporary psychological theories to evaluate and resolve problems in their communities. Unlike B.S. programs, the 120-credit curriculum integrates two semesters of foreign language, such as Spanish, Chinese, or Hawaiian. Specialized learning is available with the six-course Industrial/Organizational Psychology Minor. Students could also join Psychology Club, compete for the MerryAnn Jancovic Award, study abroad in 65+ nations, and pursue the rigorous Residential Honors Program.

    M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

    Available face-to-face in Honolulu during evenings and weekends or online, the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling shapes HPU graduates' psychological knowledge for diagnosing and treating maladaptive behaviors. The 60-credit curriculum blends theory and fieldwork to practice evidence-based therapeutic methods that promote client well-being. Adhering to MPCAC guidelines, the scientist-practitioner program will satisfy Hawaii's requirements for becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Electives will allow specialization in marriage and family therapy or addiction counseling. Full-time students typically graduate in two calendar years, including the two-semester internship in a culturally diverse setting.

    Accreditation

    Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC)

    Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

    Contact

    1 Aloha Tower Drive

    Honolulu, HI 96813

    (808) 356-5211

    [email protected]

  • University of Hawaii-West Oahu
    Location

    Kapolei, HI

    Social Sciences Division

    Occupying a 76-acre urban campus in Kapolei near Disney Aulani Resort, the University of Hawaii-West Oahu is a public, co-educational state institution holding WASC accreditation to enlighten over 2,300 learners. Selected as one ofVictory Media's"Military Friendly Schools," UHWO is ranked the 42nd best online university nationally on Niche. Featuring a low net price of $7,820 annually, the Social Sciences Division boosts behavioral knowledge with one of the undergraduate psychology degree programs in Hawaii.

    Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a Concentration in Psychology

    At UHWO, undergraduates pursue a broad-based Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences to select from six concentrations, including Psychology. This four-year, 120-credit program integrates modern theory with practical mental health applications to unlock careers in various "helping" professions. Available on-campus in Kapolei or online, the curriculum includes four clusters: human development, social psychology, experimental methods, and clinical psychology. The Certificate in Substance Abuse and Addictions Studies (SAAS) could be added online. Majors are encouraged to join the Psychology Club for leadership development. Service learning partnerships also exist with Kaha Garden, Hospice Hawaii, Queen's Medical Center, and more.

    Accreditation

    Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

    Contact

    91-1001 Farrington Highway

    Kapolei, HI 96707

    (808) 689-2375

    [email protected]

  • University of Hawaii at Hilo
    Location

    Hilo, HI

    College of Arts & Sciences

    Reorganized in 1970 by the Hawaii State Legislature, the University of Hawaii at Hilo is one of the Aloha State's 10 public, co-educational teaching institution serving over 3,900 students from 755 rural acres overlooking Hilo Bay from the Big Island. Deemed America's 173rd "Best Liberal Arts College" on Niche, UH-Hilo is ranked the 61st best college and 14th top public school in the West by the U.S. News. The College of Arts & Sciences achieves an 82 percent placement rate for 37 degrees ranging from marine science to history.

    Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

    Attracting nearly 300 undergrad Vulcans, the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at UH-Hilo digs into the human mind and its neural connections to better explain the roots of behavioral patterns. The 41-credit major expands students' interpersonal awareness with courses in developmental, personality, social, abnormal, cognitive, physiological, and educational psychology. Students learn firsthand from 13 full-time, PhD-level faculty who've published research on topics from dolphin sensory perception to human trauma and PTSD. Laboratory experience is gained within the three-story, state-of-the-art University Classroom Building. Students often join the Psi Chi Chapter, study abroad in Japan, and pursue the Hawaiian Internship Program (UHHIP).

    Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

    Accredited by the MPCAC through 2021, the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology stands second among UH-Hilo's psychology degree programs in Hawaii for improving personal and interpersonal functioning. Following a scientist-practitioner model, the 60-credit program provides practical mental health training to counsel patients of diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Courses delve into group dynamics, cognitive behavior therapy, lifespan development, and psychological assessment. Study culminates with a 600-hour internship and master's thesis project. Graduates who pass the NCE exam and accrue 3,000 post-graduate experience hours will qualify for Hawaii licensure.

    Accreditation

    Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC)

    Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

    Contact

    200 West Kawili Street

    Hilo, HI 96720

    (808) 932-7082

    [email protected].

  • University of Hawaii at Manoa
    Location

    Honolulu, HI

    College of Social Sciences/College of Education

    Belonging to the Big West Conference, the University of Hawaii at Manoa enrolls over 20,400 Rainbow Warriors as a public, sea-grant RU/VH research institution with a main 320-acre urban campus in Honolulu just one mile from Ala Moana. Placed in the top 250 global universities by theTimes Higher Education,UH-Manoa is America's 169th best college and 89th top public school according to the U.S. News. The College of Social Sciences is also recognized for the 101st best psychology degrees nationally.

    B.A./B.S. in Psychology

    Approaching 100 years of service, the B.A./B.S. in Psychology program at UH-Manoa excels at giving undergraduates the breadth of behavioral knowledge to discover their scholarly interests. The 36-credit Bachelor of Arts major offers greater flexibility in taking psychology courses from a liberal arts perspective with foreign language mastery. The 43-credit Bachelor of Science major dives deeper into biology and the human psyche while developing practical laboratory skills. Some hybrid courses are available to mix traditional face-to-face instruction with online discussions. Students reaching a cumulative 3.5 GPA or better would also qualify for the Honors mentorship and thesis research.

    M.Ed. in Educational Psychology

    Housed in Wist Hall, the M.Ed. in Educational Psychology utilizes evening classes in Honolulu to promote professionals' competence in analyzing human learning and development. The 30-credit graduate program teaches the quantitative methods for improving curriculum design and assessment in today's diverse society. Possible career outcomes for the program's 50 pupils include teacher leader, school administrator, program evaluator, curriculum designer, and educational consultant. If desired, the master's can be specialized in Measurement, Statistics, and Evaluation (MSE). Hands-on learning is provided in the Curriculum Research and Development Group (CRDG). The culminating requirement is an original thesis project.

    Ph.D. in Psychology

    Offered with an en-route Master of Arts (M.A.), the Ph.D. in Psychology from UH-Manoa is the only of psychology degree programs in Hawaii to gain approval from the prestigious APA. The four- to six-year curriculum gives graduates the in-depth lab experience requisite for academic and research positions. Students concentrate their doctorate in Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Community and Cultural Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Educational Psychology, Experimental Psychopathology, and Social Psychology. After tackling the advanced core, Ph.D. candidates form a proposal for their 24-credit dissertation project. Clinical students must also pass a year-long internship for licensing.

    Accreditation

    American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA CoA)

    Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

    Contact

    2530 Dole Street

    Sakamaki C 400

    Honolulu, HI 96822

    (808) 956-8414

    [email protected]

Forbes picked psychology as the #5 best women's college major, but both sexes can benefit from understanding how people think and act. Psychology degrees open doors in virtually any industry requiring interpersonal skills, including criminal justice, gerontology, human resources, and teaching. Whether you're a kama'aina or malihini from the mainland, consider these accredited psychology degree programs in Hawaii to study behavior in paradise.

See also: The 50 Best Low-Cost Online Master’s in Counseling Programs

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