University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The programme blends foundational business subjects with specialised human resources coursework and practical experience. You study organisational behaviour, employment law, compensation and benefits, recruitment and selection, training and development, and HR information systems. Quantitative and analytic skills are emphasised through courses in HR analytics, statistics and research methods.

• Core business foundations: accounting, finance, marketing and management principles that provide a broad managerial context for HR work.
• HR specialisms: employment law and ethics, labour and industrial relations, compensation and benefits, performance appraisal, strategic HR management.
• People development: training design and delivery, leadership development, organisational development and change management.
• Data and systems: HR information systems (HRIS), workforce analytics, metrics for HR decision-making.
• Applied learning: capstone projects, practicum or internship placements with local employers, case studies and team-based consulting projects.
• Regional and cultural context: coursework and opportunities reflecting Hawaiʻi’s multicultural workforce and Asia–Pacific business links.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have completed secondary education with a strong record in English; some background in mathematics or statistics is useful. Admission to the programme is typically through the Shidler College of Business or the University-wide admissions process, and selection takes account of academic performance, personal statement and extracurricular experience.

• Domestic applicants: secondary school completion with courses in English and recommended competence in maths; universities and colleges may consider holistic factors such as work experience and leadership activities.
• Transfer applicants: official college transcripts and a competitive cumulative GPA; specific prerequisite business or quantitative courses may be required for upper-division entry.
• International applicants: equivalent secondary school completion plus proof of English language proficiency through recognised tests or institutional pathways.
• Additional requirements: some options or concentrations may require programme-level admission and completion of introductory business courses before taking upper-division HR classes.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a wide range of roles across private, public and non-profit sectors. The degree develops skills relevant to both entry-level and progressing HR positions, with particular value in organisations that operate in multicultural or international settings.

• Common entry roles: HR assistant, recruiting coordinator, benefits administrator, training coordinator, payroll specialist.
• Mid-level and specialised roles: HR generalist, talent acquisition specialist, compensation and benefits analyst, HRIS analyst, learning and development consultant.
• Labour and public sector opportunities: labour relations representative, employee relations advisor, public HR administrator.
• Further study and professional credentials: graduates often pursue master's degrees in human resources, business administration or industrial relations, and professional certifications such as SHRM or HRCI credentials.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers HR education within a business-focused environment that reflects Hawaiʻi’s unique cultural diversity and strategic location in the Asia–Pacific. The Shidler College of Business provides close industry links across Honolulu and the Pacific region, opportunities for internships with local and regional employers, and faculty with practical and research expertise in workplace issues relevant to multicultural organisations.

• Experiential learning: internships, practicum placements and community-engaged projects that connect classroom learning to real organisational challenges.
• Regional focus: curriculum and partnerships that emphasise Pacific and Asian business contexts, beneficial for careers that engage international or multicultural workforces.
• Student support: career services, mentoring, student organisations and practicum coordination to help build professional networks in Hawaiʻi and beyond.
• Interdisciplinary opportunities: access to complementary courses across social sciences, law and public policy to broaden understanding of employment, diversity and organisational issues.