This email includes important information and support for successfully submitting an application to our UHM Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Special Education.
Thank you for your interest in applying to our Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Special Education for our Spring 2025 cohort! This email is designed to support you in successfully submitting your application. For example, when choosing your program options, be sure to select "Licensure" (Note:If you are already a licensed teacher and applying to our "Add a Field" option, select that track and follow this Add a Field application guideline instead).Please save and refer back to this application guideline as needed.
Application Support If you have questions or run into any problems while working on your application materials, please reach out to coeinfo@hawaii.edu for assistance or schedule a 1:1 virtual appointment here: bit.ly/coeinfoappointment
Mahalo and we look forward to receiving your application, Janet Kim, College of Education Recruitment Specialist
Application Links & Details
Make sure to submit both online applications by the deadline!
All applicants need to apply using our College of Education Mākālei application portal, as well as submit the general UHM admissions application for their program. Key information on what to choose as you complete these applications are provided below, along with video demos and other tips.
Mākālei Application
College of Education
This application will collect a majority of your supplemental application documents. You can log in anytime and work on your application materials as needed.
Be sure to choose the correct Spring 2025 application (not the 2024 app) and select the Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Special Education. Application fee waiver code: PCERT
There are various materials you will need to complete and work on as part of your application. Here is an outline of what you can begin preparing, as well as resources and tips to support you for each item shown on the Mākālei application checklist.
Acknowledge Gainful Employment Information - This is a university requirement. All certificate programs must share data that shows the certificate leads directly to employment outcomes. You just need to check the box to verify you are aware of this requirement.
UH System Application - All Post Bac applicants must also officially apply to UH Mānoa to be admitted using this application link. Please be sure to submit this application as well, and check the box once complete. If you need help, watch this demo on how to complete this part of the application.
Verify Program Eligibility - upload an unofficial copy of your transcripts to verify that you have obtained a bachelor's degree or higher and that you meet the minimum GPA requirement (2.75, however above a 2.5 may still be considered if all other application materials are strong). Note: You'll also want to send an official copy of any non-UH transcripts directly to admissions. The address is provided at the bottom of this email.
Submit Video Recorded Responses & Timed Essay - In lieu of regular interviews and an entrance writing exam, you'll be able to complete these components as part of an external technology platform at a time of your own choosing. We created a presentation with video demos and tips for completing this part of the application if you'd like to prepare ahead of time: bit.ly/vidcruiterPEA. To submit your actual responses, visit: http://tiny.cc/PBvidcruiter
UPDATE: Due to advances in AI technology, you must draft your timed essay within the platform and can no longer copy and paste from an external source. Please plan accordingly.
Write Personal Statement/Essay - This untimed essay can be written ahead of time and you can copy/paste from a word document since it is untimed. It should be about one-page in length but there is no required word count or requirements. You can use this template (it will ask you to make your own copy) to draft your response. Copy and paste it when you are done!
Submit Résumé - Upload a copy of your current résumé. If you have not yet created one, make a copy of this basic google docs résumé template.
List Three Professional References - You do not need formal letters of recommendation. Instead, reach out to three people who can attest to your becoming a special education teacher, your ability to complete a program, and/or your professional dispositions. All you need is their name, email address, and phone number to enter into the application. It will automatically email them a google form to complete!
List Repeated Courses - This is helpful for anyone whose GPA is close or slightly below the 2.75 minimum requirement. If you enter courses you had repeated, the academic advisors will remove the prior grade from your cumulative GPA, which can help boost your entrance GPA for the program. Otherwise, just check the box.
Prior Post-Secondary Program Enrollment - Verify if you have ever been dismissed from a post-secondary program (bachelor’s degree, certificate, advanced degree, etc.). If you have, there will be an opportunity to explain and share more about the circumstances related to that dismissal.
If you have any questions regarding these requirements or need assistance with the application process, please contact coeinfo@hawaii.edu
Special Circumstances
Other considerations when applying
Finally, here are some additional considerations to consider or know if any of the following apply to you:
Hawaii DOE Employment ("Active Pursuit" request for Emergency Hires) - If you are an emergency hire special education teacher or are seeking a position, you may request a letter of "active pursuit" once you have submitted your application. To request a letter verifying you applied, please complete this form: https://bit.ly/activepursuitrequest. Note: This letter does not verify admissions decisions, only that you have applied to the program.
Someone Special Stipend Funding - To apply for the tuition funding in partnership with the Hawaii DOE, admitted students will receive the forms to submit as part of their admission package. Therefore, you do not need to apply or submit anything for this funding at this time. We will provide you with more details and invite all admitted students to an information session to learn more and assist with the forms needed to receive this funding.
Low GPA Concerns - If your GPA falls below a 2.5, you would likely not be eligible for admissions and would be automatically denied to the program. The College of Education does offer an amnesty policy that can be used to raise your GPA prior to applying, which requires taking 4 new courses (100+ level). Please contact an academic advisor (coe.hawaii.edu/osas) to ask about our amnesty policy and learn what would need to be completed prior to applying.
International Transcripts - There are few important things to be aware of if you are an international student or have international transcripts.
If you are an international student who lives abroad and wishes to come to UH Mānoa requiring a student visa, you will not be eligible to pursue this program because it's an online/hybrid program option. You would need to find a face-to-face program that uses on-campus coursework.
If you are already living and working in Hawai‘i, but your degree was earned in a country outside of the U.S., then you can still apply but please refer to our international admissions website, which may include submitting additional requirements, such as English proficiency exam scores or a transcript evaluation. An evaluation of your transcripts from a NACES member is required for licensure. In addition, it's best to verify your ability to take the HIDOE stipend by confirming with the HIDOE that you are eligible for employment after completion of the program (if you aren't already).
Official Transcripts
Required for non-UH institutions
In order for UH to process your application, they will require submission of your official transcripts. Note: You do not need to submit official transcripts for any of our UH System institutions (UH Mānoa, UH Hilo, UH West Oahu, and all the UH Community Colleges).
Official transcripts for non-UH institutions must be submitted directly from the institution to UH Mānoa. For the Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Special Education program, you are only required to submit transcripts from the institution you received your bachelor’s degree and any additional institutions you attended thereafter. Unofficial, faxed, hand-carried, or student copies of academic documents will not be accepted as official transcripts.
Email for Electronic Official Transcripts: manoa.admissions@hawaii.edu
Mailing Address for Official Transcripts:
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Office of Admissions 2600 Campus Road, Room 001 Honolulu, HI 96822-2385
What's Next?
Preparing for Admission & Save the Dates!
To begin the program, applicants must complete two prerequisite courses. If you have not had a chance to complete the SPED 304 or SPED 412 prerequisite course, then you can apply first and then register to complete this course during the Fall 2024 semester. Please save the dates and apply through Outreach College to be able to register to complete these courses (the application is separate from the program application):
