• People who are interested in working with young children and their families.
• People who are invested in education and are interested in inspiring the next generation of students.

Program graduates teach in public schools K-6, public preschools, private schools, and private preschools. Program graduates also pursue graduate degrees in early childhood education and other fields.

Once completing an initial teacher licensure program, graduates are eligible to apply for a state license through the Hawai‘i Teacher Standards Board, which will allow the licensee to teach in public and charter schools in the State of Hawai‘i.

Hawai‘i also participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement which facilitates the mobility of educators among states that are members of NASDTEC. UHM recommends you contact the office of certification in any state to which you may be relocating to get the most current information. See NASDTEC website for more information.

PK-3/K-6 courses are offered face to face, with two days per week of courses and two days per week of assigned fieldwork. Courses are scheduled within the standard UHM semester.

This program is cohort-based, with students only admitted in the fall term each year as part of a group that takes initial classes together. In a cohort model, students enroll in a series of core courses, beginning and ending the series together. Such an approach helps build community and support structures within the program.

• 2.75 GPA or higher
• Complete 55 credits prior to beginning the program. The 55 credits can be from UHM and/or approved transfer credits from another institution.
• Complete UHM General Education Core Requirements prior to the start of program. Applicants who have completed an articulated Associates of Arts (AA) degree from a UH Community College are considered to have met the UHM General Education Core Requirements with possible exceptions (see an academic advisor).
• Complete Licensure Track Prerequisite Courses
  • MATH 111
  • MATH 112 (FS)
  • MUS 253, THEA 470, DNCE 490 or any other DA course
  • HWST 107 (DH)
  • HDFS 230 or PSY 240 (DS)
  • SPED 304
  • STE/EDEF 360
  • STE 318
• Effective Fall 2025: Either DA or DL course with HWST 107 (DH) will be required for admission prior to the start of the licensure program.
• Effective Fall 2025: Completion of two Writing Intensive (WI) courses with C or better will be required for admission prior to the start of the licensure program (Non-UH system transfer students can meet this requirement by completing 2 English Literature or Composition courses with grades of C or better).
• Complete 40 hours of paid or voluntary group leadership field experience with K-6th grade students. The experience cannot have occurred more than 5 years prior to acceptance into the program.
• Interview with the program
• Write a personal statement
• Provide Three (3) Professional References

Set up an appointment with an academic advisor

This Program is no longer accepting new students.

$471 per credit for residents and $1389 per credit for non-residents. Students enrolled in an online program will only be assessed for resident tuition regardless of their residence in a different state or country. See the “Undergraduate” heading on the Office of the Registrar’s website.

Funding Info

There are many resources available to help undergraduate students pay for college, including College of Education scholarships. There are also several early childhood scholarships listed generally through the STAR website (please note that this is only accessible to students with a valid UH ID number – must be admitted as a student prior to looking for scholarships on this site). The Henry and Dorothy Castle Memorial Scholarships are designated specifically for PK-3 BEd students. For more information on financial aid and additional resources, please visit the UH Manoa Financial Aid Office (finaid@hawaii.edu).  

Additional funding may be available for ECE courses through the PATCH scholarship.

See the following sites for funding information:

• UH Manoa General Scholarship List
• College of Education Scholarships
• UH Manoa Financial Aid Office (finaid@hawaii.edu).

Coursework needed prior to starting the program (9 credits):

• Elementary Education Emphasis Courses
  • SPED 304
  • STE/EDEF 360
  • STE 318

Required and STRONGLY recommended to take prior to starting the program (12 credits):

• Elementary Education Emphasis Courses
  • EDEF 310 (or EDEF 352)
  • EDEP 311
• Early Childhood Education Emphasis Courses
  • STE 417
  • STE 425

Work with your Office of Student Academic Services (OSAS) Academic Advisor to schedule the above Elementary Education Emphasis courses. Some of these courses may be offered in the summer.

Program Coursework (63 credits)

Once in the program, your coursework will be block-scheduled by your cohort coordinator(s); your seat is guaranteed. Teacher candidates must complete the following:

• Additional emphasis courses (15 credits): STE 415, STE 415L, STE 416, STE 416L, SPED 444
• Professional Education Core Courses (48 credits):

Several courses fulfill Focus Requirements for general UHM graduation: