In addition to an array of community outreach, conferences and workshops, creative and performative events, and research and publication programs, the Department of Pacific Islands Studies offers three academic programs for students of Pacific Islands Studies.
Bachelor of Arts in Pacific Islands Studies
Areas of Concentration:
– Public Policy and Community Development
– Contemporary Regional Issues
– Culture, Arts, and Performance
In 2008, the Center launched its undergraduate program in which students earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Pacific Islands Studies focusing on 1 of 3 available areas of concentration. In 2022, the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents formally established the BA program within the new Department of Pacific Islands Studies (which was formed in 2020). Regardless of the chosen area of concentration, all students in the undergraduate program learn innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to explore the diversity of Island societies and develop critical understandings of the economic, social, political, and cultural changes that are transforming Oceania today. The BA program is designed to encourage students to examine elements of Pacific Islands and Islander histories and cultures within a regional context. The program also welcomes all those interested in other fields such as education, health care, social work, counseling, public administration, and social research.
Service-learning in active support of Pacific Islander issues and concerns in multicultural Hawai‘i is a considerable component of the undergraduate degree program in Pacific Islands Studies. Graduates of this program will be well prepared to apply knowledge in community settings or pursue advanced degrees in Pacific Islands Studies. Click here to start your CPIS Student Life today!
Master of Arts in Pacific Islands Studies
The Master of Arts (MA) degree in Pacific Islands Studies is intended for students wishing to transcend established disciplinary boundaries and explore innovative approaches to learning, research, and representation. It is the only program of its kind in the United States and many of our graduates go on to competitive doctoral programs or leadership positions in diverse fields. The MA program includes two options, thesis and MA portfolio. Students selecting the first option complete a scholarly, research-based thesis on a Pacific-related topic. Normally this is the preferred option for those planning to enter a doctoral program in the humanities, social sciences, or interdisciplinary studies. Those opting for the MA portfolio demonstrate proficiency in a specialty area within the field of Pacific Islands Studies through an integrated program of activities including course work, research, and writing. Both options can include performance, multimedia, or creative writing components. Click here to start your CPIS Student Life today!
Certificate in Pacific Islands Studies
The Certificate in Pacific Islands Studies is designed for students who are pursuing advanced degrees in other departments and whose course of study includes a substantial component of Pacific-related courses and research. The objective of the certificate is to provide recognition of this expertise and to encourage further study of the Pacific region. Click here to start your CPIS Student Life today!
