Psychology master’s degrees in Hawaii include two in-state licensure-track programs, at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo and Chaminade University, plus an online non-licensure option from University of Phoenix. Programs run 39 to 60 credits and typically take two years, with UH Hilo and Chaminade preparing graduates for mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, or school counselor licensure.
Most psychologist roles in Hawaii require a doctorate, but a master’s degree in psychology in Hawaii can be the terminal credential for mental health counselor or marriage and family therapist licensure, or school counselor certification/licensure, depending on the program. The three programs below take different approaches: two are built specifically to meet Hawaii’s counseling licensure requirements, and one is designed for students who want graduate-level psychology training without a licensure track—knowing which category a program falls into matters more than its name.
Licensure-Track vs. Non-Licensure Master’s Programs
Two of Hawaii’s master’s programs are built around the state’s counseling licensure requirements. The University of Hawai’i at Hilo and Chaminade University are both accredited by the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), and their coursework and supervised practicum hours are designed to align with Hawaii’s mental health counselor or marriage and family therapist licensure, or school counselor certification/licensure, depending on the concentration chosen.
University of Phoenix’s Master of Science in Psychology takes a different approach. It covers general psychology and research methods, but is explicitly not designed to prepare graduates for counseling or psychologist licensure. It can work well as a step toward a doctoral program or a non-clinical career, but not as a standalone path to practicing as a licensed counselor. Whichever path fits, confirm current requirements with the Hawaii licensing board before enrolling.
Hawaii Psychology Master’s Programs at a Glance
Two of these three programs are accredited by the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). University of Phoenix is not, since it isn’t built as a licensure-track degree.
| School | Degree | Focus | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Hawai’i at Hilo | MA | Counseling Psychology (Clinical Mental Health Counseling) | Hilo |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | MS | Counseling Psychology (4 emphases) | Honolulu |
| University of Phoenix | MS | General Psychology | Online |
University of Hawai’i at Hilo
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
The University of Hawai’i at Hilo offers a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through its Department of Psychology. The 60-credit program covers psychological assessment, family systems, psychopathology, and individual and group counseling methods, and includes a practicum requiring at least 100 direct client contact hours, followed by internship training. Students choose a concentration in Certified Substance Abuse Counseling or Research, the latter geared toward those planning to continue into a doctoral program. UH Hilo admits a small cohort each summer, and the program is accredited by the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) through June 2029.
Hilo, HI. Program website
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Master of Science in Counseling Psychology (MSCP)
Chaminade University of Honolulu, a private Catholic university founded in 1955, offers a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology (MSCP) with four emphases: School Counseling, School Counseling with a Community Pathway, Mental Health Counseling, and Marriage and Family Therapy. All four run 60 credits and combine foundation coursework with a supervised practicum and internship sequence. Chaminade has also moved the program online for Neighbor Island students, letting residents of Maui, Hawai’i Island, and Kaua’i complete the degree without relocating to O’ahu. Chaminade is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the School Counseling emphasis carries additional accreditation from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) through December 2030.
Honolulu, HI. Program website
University of Phoenix
Master of Science in Psychology
University of Phoenix offers an online Master of Science in Psychology open to Hawaii residents. The curriculum covers personality theory, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, and research methods over 39 credit hours, capped by a capstone project. This degree does not prepare graduates for counseling or psychologist licensure in Hawaii, but it can serve as a foundation for doctoral study or non-clinical psychology-related work.
Master of Science in Psychology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology Concentration
Students who want to apply psychology to workplace settings can add an Industrial-Organizational concentration, covering organizational structure, personnel decisions, workplace motivation, and psychometrics, alongside a capstone project. Like the general track, this concentration is not designed for clinical or counseling licensure.
These three psychology master’s degrees in Hawaii each serve a different goal, from state licensure to doctoral prep. Whichever program fits, confirm current admission deadlines, tuition, and licensure alignment directly with the school before applying. Requirements can shift from year to year, and a program that meets Hawaii’s licensure standards today may adjust its curriculum as state rules evolve. If a doctorate is the eventual goal, see Psychology Doctoral Programs in Hawaii for the state’s PhD and PsyD options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become a licensed psychologist in Hawaii with only a master’s degree?
No. Practicing as a licensed psychologist in Hawaii requires a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD). A master’s degree is the terminal credential for related licenses, such as mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, or school counselor, depending on the program and concentration.
What’s the difference between the MA and MS options in Hawaii?
The letters on the degree matter less than what the program is built to do. UH Hilo’s MA and Chaminade’s MS are both licensure-track counseling programs with similar credit loads and practicum requirements. University of Phoenix’s MS in general psychology isn’t designed around licensure at all.
Does a master’s program need to be MPCAC-accredited to qualify for licensure in Hawaii?
Hawaii doesn’t currently require MPCAC or CACREP accreditation specifically for counselor licensure, but accredited programs are built to meet recognized training standards and can simplify the licensing paperwork. Confirm current requirements with Hawaii’s licensing board before choosing a program.
What’s the job outlook for mental health counselors in Hawaii?
Projections Central estimates 32.8% employment growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Hawaii between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 180 job openings a year and a median annual wage of $60,090 as of May 2025, according to BLS data.
Select your state below to find accredited psychology programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors reflect Hawaii state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed July 2026.