The MA program is designed to serve both those who intend to go on to work in philosophy at the doctoral level at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and those who wish to pursue philosophical studies beyond the baccalaureate level for other reasons. It can provide philosophical training of interdisciplinary relevance for students intending to work in other scholarly areas, in business, or in the professions, as well as for those wishing to teach in schools or community colleges.
The Master’s program is designed to prepare students to participate fully in the academic study of religion, including the continuation of their education at the doctoral level and teaching at a community college. The Department of Religion provides two options for graduate students leading to an M.A. degree in Asian and Polynesian religions: a thesis-based M.A. program (Plan A) and a non-thesis track (Plan B)