Admission Guide: Indigenous Language and Culture Revitalization, Graduate Certificate

Guide to Completing the Application for the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Indigenous Language and Culture Revitalization Graduate Certificate

Entry Term: Fall 2025

Program Description

The Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Language and Culture Revitalization is a program to prepare students for careers primarily as educators and administrators. Additionally it provides training for practitioners desiring further career development and those seeking preparatory work before entering an indigenous language focused graduate program of the College.

Application Checklist

• UH Hilo Graduate application form Online
• $50 Application fee paid via credit card when submitting your online application

Requested in the Recommendations Tab

• Three letters of recommendation, at least one of which must focus on background in a particular language and culture of an indigenous or endangered community

Sent Directly to the UH Hilo Graduate Division

• Official transcripts sent directly from all non-UH system colleges or universities you have attended.
• Official transcripts from UH system institutions will be pulled via STAR.
• We recommend certified electronic transcripts sent directly from your institution to the UH Hilo Graduate Division- hilograd@hawaii.edu.
• Baccalaureate degree transcripts from international institutions must be submitted to an independent transcript evaluation service.

• Hard Copy transcripts should be mailed to: UH Hilo Graduate Division
  200 W. Kawili Street
  COBE Building, Room 201
  Hilo, HI 96720

• For international applicants

  • Baccalaureate degree transcripts from international institutions must be submitted to an independent transcript evaluation service. More information can be found at International Graduate Student Information.
  • Official college transcripts in the original language and official translations into English must be provided. To expedite your application, all graduate applicants with international transcripts are required to send the baccalaureate transcript for professional evaluation by one of the credential evaluation services listed on the International Graduate Student Information page.
  • Only graduates of accredited universities will be considered for acceptance.
  • International Graduate Student Supplemental Information Form/Confidential Financial Statement
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores (non-native speakers of English; see Eligibility Criteria), UH Hilo (Code: 4869)

Application Process

The priority application deadline is December 1. Applications received after the priority deadline will only be accepted on a space available basis.

All supporting documents must be uploaded to the UH Application system.

Applications that meet initial requirements will be forwarded to the selection committee for a comprehensive review and consideration for admission into the program. Admission decisions made by the committee will be forwarded to the UH Hilo Graduate Division which sends the final notification to the applicant.

Admission Criteria

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university;
• A GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 over the last 60 credits in an approved field of study;
• Three letters of recommendation, at least one of which must focus on background in a particular language and culture of an indigenous or endangered community;
• Appropriate level fluency and academic knowledge demonstrated in a program recognized indigenous language and culture chosen as a language of focus plus additional credits in other areas when appropriate to balance the status of different endangered languages relative to community use, revitalization stage, and level of academic study available.

Graduation Requirements

At least a 3.0 (B) GPA in each required course.

Required Courses (15 credits):

• KLIN 601 General Ling in Indig Context (3)
• KLIN 603 Socioling Analysis Indig Lang (3)
• KIND 641 Advanced Lang Structures I (3)
• KIND 642 Advanced Lang Structures II (3)
• KLAN 641 Advanced Language in Culture I (3)

View the UH Hilo Catalog for more information on program curriculum.

For more information, please contact

For questions regarding the program requirements:
Kuʻulei Kepaʻa
Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikolani
Phone: (808) 932-7730
Fax: (808) 932-7651
kuulei.kepaa@hawaii.edu

For questions regarding the application process:
Cheri Keliʻi-Marumoto
UH Hilo Graduate Division
Ph: (808) 932-7897
hilograd@hawaii.edu