University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The PhD in Natural Resources is a research-intensive programme combining advanced coursework, methodological training and a substantial original dissertation. Students tailor their curriculum around a major advisor and a supervisory committee, drawing on interdisciplinary offerings across ecology, resource economics, policy, social science and applied natural resource disciplines.

• Core components: advanced methods in ecological and social research, statistics for natural resources, and theory of natural resource management.
• Typical topical modules and subject areas: island and tropical ecology; fisheries and marine resource management; watershed and forest resource management; conservation biology and restoration ecology; climate change impacts and adaptation; natural resource policy and governance; indigenous and community-based resource management; ecosystem services valuation; GIS and remote sensing for natural resources; biosecurity and invasive species management.
• Research training: courses and seminars in experimental design, quantitative and qualitative methods, spatial analysis, remote sensing, modelling, and lab/field techniques relevant to student research.
• Programme milestones: required coursework, qualifying or comprehensive examination, proposal defence, dissertation research and final oral defence. Many students also undertake teaching or extension responsibilities as part of professional development.
• Fieldwork and practicum: extensive field opportunities across Hawaiian islands and the broader Pacific, including coastal, marine and upland field sites, community-based projects and partnerships with local and regional agencies.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a relevant master’s degree with a strong academic record, though exceptional candidates with a bachelor’s degree and substantial research experience may be considered. Successful applicants demonstrate clear research interests that fit with departmental strengths and available faculty supervision.

• Transcripts showing strong performance in relevant undergraduate and postgraduate study.
• A research statement or proposal outlining proposed doctoral research and fit with potential supervisors.
• A curriculum vitae describing research experience, publications (if any), field skills and professional experience.
• Letters of academic reference that speak to research potential and readiness for doctoral work.
• Proof of English language proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English, where required by the university.
• Prior research experience, demonstrated field or lab skills, and evidence of quantitative or qualitative methodological competence strengthen an application.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Natural Resources frequently pursue careers in research, teaching, policy and applied resource management. The programme’s emphasis on interdisciplinary and place-based research prepares students for roles that require both technical expertise and cross-cultural collaboration.

• Academic positions in universities and colleges (research and teaching).
• Research scientist roles in government agencies and national research laboratories focusing on fisheries, forestry, biodiversity, climate adaptation and water resources.
• Positions in international and regional NGOs and conservation organisations involved in ecosystem management, restoration and community-based conservation.
• Environmental consultancy and applied science roles providing assessment, monitoring, modelling and planning services.
• Policy and management roles with local and indigenous resource authorities, environmental agencies and intergovernmental organisations in the Pacific and beyond.
• Leadership positions in extension, outreach and capacity-building programmes that link science to communities and stakeholders.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

University of Hawaii at Manoa offers a distinctive setting for doctoral study in natural resources, with immediate access to tropical island ecosystems, nearshore marine environments and a rich diversity of endemic species. The campus hosts interdisciplinary centres and research facilities that support field-based and laboratory research across terrestrial, freshwater and marine domains.

• Unique field access: opportunities for sustained fieldwork across the Hawaiian Islands and the broader Pacific enable studies that span coral reefs to montane forests and unique social-ecological settings.
• Interdisciplinary strengths: close collaboration with units specialising in tropical agriculture, marine science, social science and public policy encourages integrative research approaches.
• Community and cultural engagement: emphasis on partnerships with local communities, indigenous knowledge holders and state agencies ensures research is relevant to regional needs and respectful of cultural contexts.
• Professional development: training in teaching, extension, grant writing and stakeholder engagement prepares graduates for diverse career paths.