Psychology doctoral programs in Hawaii include three APA-accredited options: a research-focused PhD at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and practitioner-focused PsyD tracks at Chaminade University of Honolulu and Hawaii Pacific University. Programs typically run five to seven years with a full-time internship. Many are designed to meet Hawaii’s licensure requirements, though applicants should confirm standards with the state board.
All three psychology doctoral programs in Hawaii sit within a short drive of downtown Honolulu, giving students access to the same clinical training sites and practicum partners across the islands’ largest population center. Each program leads to eligibility for psychologist licensure, but they differ in how they get you there. The choice between a PhD and a PsyD is the first decision most applicants need to make.
PhD vs. PsyD: Which Track Fits Your Goals?
Both paths lead to psychologist licensure and require passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), but they train you differently. A Ph.D., like the program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, follows a scientist-practitioner or clinical-science model that weights the curriculum toward research methodology, and it’s more often funded through a research or teaching assistantship.
A Psy.D., the model used at Chaminade University of Honolulu and Hawaii Pacific University, follows a practitioner-scholar approach that puts more coursework hours into clinical assessment and intervention. Psy.D. programs are more commonly tuition-funded than assistantship-funded. See how a PhD and PsyD compare in more detail before deciding which model fits your goals.
Hawaii Psychology Doctoral Programs at a Glance
All three programs below are accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
| School | Degree | Focus | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | Ph.D. | Clinical Psychology | Honolulu, HI |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Psy.D. | Clinical Psychology | Honolulu, HI |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Psy.D. | Clinical Psychology | Honolulu, HI |
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
Housed in Manoa near Honolulu on the island of Oahu, the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Ph.D. program trains students in a clinical science model that integrates research methodology with clinical practice, and the program is a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science. It typically takes two to four years past the master’s degree, plus an additional year for a full-time, 2,000-hour internship. Coursework covers assessment, treatment research, psychopathology, neuropsychology, psychopharmacology, behavioral medicine, and research methodology, preparing graduates to work as scholar-clinicians in academic, research, or direct clinical practice settings.
Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Honolulu, HI. Program website.
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
Chaminade’s Hawaii School of Professional Psychology (HSPP) offers a five-year, practitioner-scholar Psy.D. that trains students to work as practitioner-scholars skilled in local and contextual problem-solving. The program gives students access to one of the state’s largest psychological assessment libraries and maintains a 10-to-1 student-to-core-faculty ratio. Coursework builds core competencies in psychological assessment, intervention, and professional ethics, with training delivered entirely on-ground rather than online.
Accredited by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Honolulu, HI. Program website.
Hawaii Pacific University
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
Launched in 2020, Hawaii Pacific University’s Psy.D. uses a scientist-practitioner-advocate model with training in telehealth delivery, digital assessment tools, and multicultural clinical work focused on Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian American communities. The program partners with more than 20 practicum sites across the state, spanning schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and community health centers, and maintains a 1-to-10 faculty-to-student ratio.
Accredited, on contingency, by the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Honolulu, HI. Program website.
Contact each program directly for current admissions deadlines and cohort sizes, since these can shift from year to year. Hawaii’s psychology master’s programs are a separate path if a doctorate isn’t the right fit yet. The FAQ below covers timelines, program models, and Hawaii’s specific path to licensure in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to earn a psychology doctorate in Hawaii?
Most Hawaii doctoral programs take four to seven years to complete, depending on the degree and your incoming coursework. Ph.D. programs typically run two to four years past a master’s degree, while five-year Psy.D. programs like Chaminade’s are designed to be completed straight out of a bachelor’s degree. Every program adds a full-time internship year, and Hawaii requires an additional year of post-doctoral supervised experience before you’re eligible for licensure.
What’s the difference between a clinical psychology PhD and a PsyD in Hawaii?
The PhD at the University of Hawaii at Manoa trains students in a clinical science model with a heavier research focus, while the PsyD programs at Chaminade University of Honolulu and Hawaii Pacific University follow a practitioner-scholar or scientist-practitioner-advocate model built around clinical assessment and intervention. Both paths satisfy Hawaii’s educational requirement for psychologist licensure and require passing the EPPP.
Do I need an APA-accredited program to get licensed in Hawaii?
Hawaii accepts degrees from both APA-accredited and non-accredited doctoral programs, but choosing an APA-accredited program can simplify the licensing process by reducing the documentation you need to submit. Confirm current psychologist licensing requirements with the Hawaii Board of Psychology before applying, since standards are set at the state level and can change.
Are any Hawaii psychology doctoral programs available online?
No. All three of Hawaii’s APA-accredited doctoral programs are delivered on-ground, since accredited clinical training requires in-person practicum and internship hours. If a fully online path matters to you, look at accredited hybrid programs on the mainland that still meet Hawaii’s in-person practicum requirements.
Select your state below to find accredited psychology programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.