Academic Planning

With help from advisors and advising tools, students should develop an academic plan early in their college career.

Planning Tools

  • Students should utilize the Bachelor Degree Program Sheets and Sample Four Year Academic Plans. Program Sheets list degree requirements, while Plan Templates offer examples of how to complete a degree in four years.
  • The Student Academic Records (STAR) system allows instant access to transcripts and other valuable information. For declared majors, the Academic Essentials page lists all degree requirements, paralleling Program Sheet information. The What if Journey page allows students to preview the requirements for any academic major. The GPS Registration page allows students to construct a virtual reality where they select courses, chart progress semester by semester, and see how requirements will be fulfilled. Students can easily go directly from GPS Registration to registration.

Spending Credits

At the beginning of a college career, students have at least 120 credits to spend. Credits should be spent wisely to obtain a great education, one that will provide for a rewarding and meaningful future. Options for spending credits wisely include:

  • Double Major - Completing a double major is simple, especially if both majors are in the College of Social Sciences (Sociology with Anthropology, Communications, Communicology, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Geography and Environment, Journalism, Political Science, Psychology, or Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies). A bachelor's degree requires at least 120 total credits, and a double major can be obtained by completing approximately 60 of those credits in the major fields. Note that major courses cannot be double-dipped, and the requirements of each major must be met independently.
  • Minor - Students should consider obtaining a minor in a discipline that is either related to their major, or of personal interest. Note that minor courses cannot be double-dipped with major or certificate courses. Minors offered through the College of Social Sciences include  Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. View a complete list of available minor programs by department. 
  • Certificates - Students should consider obtaining a certificate, which will indicate that they have some depth of knowledge in a specific discipline. Certificates can be used to complement the knowledge gained in a major and to enhance career prospects. Certificates offered through the College of Social Sciences include Ethnic Studies, Peace and Conflict Resolution, and Women's Studies. Note that certificate courses cannot be double-dipped with major or minor courses. View a complete list of available certificate programs by department.

Additional Opportunities

  • Interdisciplinary Certificate - The Undergraduate Certificate in Law and Society allows students who have an academic or pre-professional interest in legal education, socio-legal studies, criminology, or law-enforcement the chance to explore legal phenomena from different perspectives. Certificate courses are drawn from the fields of anthropology, economics, Hawaiian studies, history, law, philosophy, political science, sociology, and women’s studies. The certificate program is designed to provide a multidisciplinary framework that enhances studies within cultural and social science fields. Note that the courses used for this certificate cannot be double-dipped with a major or minor.
  • Study Abroad - As the lives of people around the world become increasingly interconnected, it is important for students to obtain a global perspective to understand the relationship between personal, local, national, and international points of view. Discover international study options for UH Mānoa Students. The College of Social Sciences has a dedicated Study Abroad Advisor located in the ACCESS office.
  • Internships - Internships are valuable experiences that bridge the gap between college and careers. Internships also look great on resumes. ACCESS Engagement and The Mānoa Career Center both offer internship opportunities and assistance. Manoa Political Internships are exciting, interesting, and come with benefits including tuition waivers and stipends.