Thank you for your interest in applying to our Special Education Add-a-Teaching Field program for our Spring 2025 cohort! This email is designed to support you in successfully submitting your application and shares some important program updates. This email also includes more detailed steps to follow for successfully completing your applications, as well as some tips & tricks to support you with different components. For example, when choosing your program options, be sure to select "Add-a-Field" and not "Licensure" as your program track since you already have an initial teaching license! Please save and refer back to this email as needed.

Program Updates for Spring 2025 Enrollment

• Spring Admissions Only: This program utilizes the exact same coursework as our initial licensure program option, which enrolls each spring semester. Beginning in spring ensures that all the courses provided are available and you can build a strong professional learning community with your cohort. 
• MUSE Mentoring Support: Candidates who are hired in special education positions for SY 24-25 may be eligible to receive MUSE mentor support prior to officially starting coursework in January. Be sure to apply as early as possible to get access to this support.
• Official UH Mānoa Post Baccalaureate Certificate: This program is now considered an official Post Bac Certificate with the university. This means you will need to also apply to UH Mānoa to be eligible for admission. One benefit of being part of an official certificate means you may now also apply for additional scholarships and other financial supports if you would like to! 

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.

UHM Application

University of Hawai‘i

Be sure to choose the correct Spring 2025 application (not the 2024 app) and select the Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Special Education as your program. 

Completing your COE Makalei Application 

• Program Category: Apply to a Licensure Track Program
• Program: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Special Education (PBSPED)
• Semester: Spring 2025
• Track: Add a Field (Note: Licensure is for those who are not yet licensed)
• Major: Choose one -  Mild/Moderate or Severe/Autism
• Delivery Option: Statewide (pre-selected)
• Location: Choose which island you will be completing the program from

Complete Licensure Track Admission Checklist 

Tips & tricks for completing your application requirements

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. The Spring 2025 UH application will not be open until July - therefore please acknowledge that you are aware and that you plan to apply to UH Mānoa once it is available. Check the box and we will send you more detailed information for how to submit the UH application once it's open.
• Verify Program Eligibility - You'll need to upload a copy of your unofficial transcripts in the Mākālei application so we can verify that you already have a bachelor's degree and a minimum GPA of 2.5. This will help us speed up the admissions process as we wait for your UH application to be processed. Note: Having a copy of your unofficial transcripts will also help you more easily complete your UH Application. 
• Upload HTSB License - Upload a copy of your current HTSB license. You can access your license by logging into the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board website. 
• Verify 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

Official Transcripts

Required for non-UH institutions only

In order for UH to process your application, they will require submission of your official transcripts. You do not need to submit official transcripts if you attended a UH System institution (i.e., UH Mānoa, UH Hilo, UH West Oahu, 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, Add-a-Teaching-Field program, you are only required to submit transcripts from the institution you received your bachelor’s degree and any additional institutions you attended there after. 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: