You may apply for the program if your undergraduate major is not in early childhood education or child development/family studies. However, you will need to take the pre-requisite courses and we ask that you take it at a 300-400 level if you want to pursue an initial license track.

Students are required to have a laptop to successfully participate in this program. The laptop requirement provides students the option of using financial aid to purchase one. Students need a laptop that runs a full operating system (i.e., Windows 10 or Mac OSX 10.11 and above). For example, Chromebooks or mobile tablets like an iPad or Android mobile device are NOT sufficient to run the required software for our program. If you need help determining which computer to purchase, please refer to and contact: http://www.hawaii.edu/its/help-desk/

No, however, since this is a graduate program, previous experience working in early childhood settings is highly recommended and will make your application stronger. Experience provides a base to help you better integrate the research and abstract concepts into your knowledge base.

Students need to check with their Reclassification Department Officer to find out if any course that they take advances them in their schedule. For teachers already in the DOE system in Hawai‘i, it depends on their field of expertise, their school assignment responsibilities, and principal approval. From the UH side, the course needs to be within a degree granting program, and the course content needs to be related to the teacher’s field of expertise. For more information, see reclassification credits.

Under certain circumstances. International students will find it difficult to meet VISA requirements by enrolling in this program alone. Unfortunately, one of the requirements regarding international student visas is that they participate in traditional, face-to-face coursework on campus. Our online/hybrid programs alone would not meet this requirement; therefore, international students generally will need to be dually enrolled in another degree or program together with this program in order to meet the 8 credits of on-ground coursework required during the academic year. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Occasionally, if an applicant appears to be a good fit for the program and has other strong application components and extenuating circumstances, a conditional application may be considered upon the approval of the Application Committee, Program Director, Department Chair and UH Manoa Graduate Division. Conditional admissions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The Statement of Objectives is a very important first writing sample for prospective applicants so please take the time to show us your best writing. Include information that explains:

• why you are interested in pursuing a Master of Early Childhood Education,
• the experience, education, personal and professional qualities you feel will contribute to your success in the program,
• how you intend for your experience in the program to further your educational and career goals; and,
• any additional information that will help the review committee as we review your application.

It is wise when choosing 3 people to write your Letters of Application to include a balance of people who can together demonstrate:

• Record of success in early childhood education coursework and your potential to succeed in a graduate program (such as professors or instructors)
• Early childhood education competencies in the work setting (such as a supervisor or peer)
• Your leadership and service within your organization or the community and potential for leadership in early childhood education

• Examples of leadership and service in your organization, the profession, and/or your community. Such as, serving on committees, helping out with conferences or other professional development events, involvement in public policy and advocacy such as your testifying on early learning legislation, mentoring students, serving on HiAEYC or other boards, helping out in community groups that take care of aina or provide services to families in need.
• Examples of scholarship. Scholarship includes recognition you received for academic success such as merit awards to help you pay for school (not workforce development courses, but merit based awards). It is also when you shared your ECE knowledge and expertise such as - presenting at conferences or with other groups, things that show “budding leadership potential”.

Students are encouraged to apply for the program before the early application deadline so that they can maximize their opportunity to qualify for grants, scholarships, and loans in the first year of the program. The FAFSA typically begins accepting applications in October and many scholarships and grant applications are due before the end of February.  We hold financial assistance information sessions and send students information on financial supports specific to early educators.

The program does not offer any graduate assistantships.

The minimum requirement for a lead teacher in a DHS licensed child care setting is not the same as what is required for teacher license. Licensed teachers complete a state approved teacher preparation program (SATEP). When completed, they are recommended to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board for license addressed by their program.