Best Political Science Programs in Hawaii for 2027

Mānoa’s major needs only 30 credits of political science, which the department describes as a modest number that leaves room for flexibility. You take a Hawai‘i Politics or Native Hawaiian Politics course, a global politics course, a constitutional law or American politics course and Political Inquiry and Analysis, then finish with a 400-level capstone. Capstone choices include an individual senior thesis worked out with an advisor, a senior seminar run like a graduate seminar, a graduate seminar or a teaching practicum. Specializations are possible but never formally declared. Mānoa awarded 89 degrees in 2023–24.

Local Politics Requirement

Hawai‘i Politics or Native Hawaiian Politics

Methods Course

POLS 390 Political Inquiry and Analysis

Capstone Options

Senior thesis, senior seminar, graduate seminar or teaching practicum

Program Sources: Major – Political Science (POLS)Major – Political Science (POLS)

BYU–Hawaii’s major is 42 credit hours in three parts: 18 in required courses, 18 in advanced content and 6 in a capstone and internship. The required courses include comparative politics, international relations, civic engagement, Political Inquiry and Writing, and Quantitative Political Research. Advanced choices lean toward the region, with Oceanic Governments and Politics, Regionalism and Diplomacy in the Pacific/Oceania, and The United Nations and Intergovernmental Organizations. Only three credits of internship are needed to meet the requirement, and no grade below C- counts toward the major. BYU–Hawaii awarded 18 degrees here in 2023–24.

Methods Courses

Political Inquiry and Writing and Quantitative Political Research

Regional Electives

Oceanic Governments and Politics and Regionalism and Diplomacy in the Pacific/Oceania

Capstone and Internship

6 credits, with at least three credits of internship

Program Sources: Political Science (BA) - BYU–Hawaii CatalogPolitical Science (BA) - BYU–Hawaii Catalog

Hilo’s major is 45 credits arranged as a tour of the discipline. Methods of Research and Politics of Power are required, plus a 400-level course. You then choose two courses in each of four subfields: American politics, comparative politics, international relations and public law. Options range from Politics of Hawaii and Politics of China Through Film to International Law and Model United Nations. Four free political science electives round out the degree. At least 45 credits overall must come from 300- or 400-level courses, and you need a 2.0 GPA in the major. Hilo awarded 8 degrees here in 2023–24.

Required Courses

POLS 380 Methods of Research, POLS 304 Politics of Power and one 400-level course

Subfield Distribution

Two courses each in American politics, comparative politics, international relations and public law

Course Examples

International Law, Model United Nations and Politics of Hawaii: State/Local

Program Sources: B.A. in Political Science RequirementsB.A. in Political Science Requirements

Hawaii Pacific’s major lets you build around area specialties such as Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and the Americas, while covering American, comparative and international politics. You can add a background in international relations and international law. Students study power and decision making in different political systems, compare congressional and parliamentary structures and read the historical and contemporary thought behind them. The department encourages Model United Nations, study abroad, and internships such as working at the Hawaii State Legislature. The school awarded 1 degree in the field in 2023–24, so expect a very small cohort.

Area Specialties

Asia and the Pacific, Europe and the Americas

Student Activities

Model United Nations and study abroad

Internships

Practical experience such as working at the Hawaii State Legislature

Program Sources: Political SciencePolitical Science

Mānoa sets no fixed coursework list for its doctoral students. You and an interim advisor plan the courses, with the department strongly advising Scope and Methods of Political Science on entry. Advice includes coursework in at least two department subfields, three courses each, and at least one methods course suited to your dissertation. You must also take a course with each of the three core department faculty on your committee. Graduate options include Asian and/or Pacific Politics. Students have seven years to defend the dissertation, though the department recommends five at most. Eight degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

Starting Course

POLS 600 Scope and Methods of Political Science, strongly advised on entry

Subfield Coursework

At least three courses in each of two department subfields

Time Limit

Seven years to defend the dissertation, with five recommended

Program Sources: PhD Program – Political Science (POLS)