Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Hawai‘i’s #1 MBA by new student enrollment
Hawai‘i Pacific University's MBA program attracts more new students than any other university in Hawai‘i because it delivers what today’s professionals need most: flexibility, affordability, and a global business perspective.
Students can complete the program online or in person while developing leadership, analytics, and strategic decision-making skills through small, collaborative classes taught by experienced faculty.
Located in Honolulu at the center of the Asia-Pacific region, HPU provides students with a global business perspective and direct connections to one of the world's most dynamic economic corridors. The program combines practical business knowledge with real-world application to help professionals advance their careers, expand their leadership capabilities, and prepare for today's evolving business environment.
At A Glance
Class Settings
- On Campus / Evening
- Online / Asynchronous
- Hybrid
Start Dates
- Fall Entry: August
- Spring Entry: January
- Summer Entry: May
COURSE INFORMATION
- 32 Credits
- Complete in 12 Months Full Time
TUITION
All costs can be found at hpu.edu/costs.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- $55 app fee
- Official transcript/s (bachelor’s degree or higher)
- Resume
- Applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher outside of the U.S. are required to demonstrate their English proficiency. Additional details can be accessed on hpu.edu/gradintl.
Request Info
Discover how HPU Designed an MBA for the Modern World
Can Be Completed in 12 Months
Discounted military tuition
In-Person or Online
LEARN BY DOING WITH SKILLS-BASED LEARNING
Our MBA program focuses on connecting classroom learning with real-world experience and application. Project-based and experiential learning are at the heart of all of our degrees. From internships with leading corporations to consulting projects with local businesses, we offer invaluable experiences that bridge the gap between theory and practice. Through our partnerships with industry leaders, you will have access to cutting-edge resources and mentorship from seasoned professionals. Our internationally renowned faculty, who blend academic expertise with a wealth of industry experience, are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of business leaders with the skills and confidence to make an immediate impact in their careers and communities.
Career-Ready Skills You'll Develop
- Leadership and team management
- Strategic decision-making
- Business analytics
- Financial analysis
- Project management
- Organizational leadership
- Professional communication
COMPLETE YOUR DEGREE YOUR WAY
MBA Accelerated
Our MBA Accelerated program is a 32-credit program, with flexible course options offered in accelerated 8-week terms. Students can mix and match based on interests or work schedules.
MBA+
Earn your MBA and a graduate certificate in one program. After your first semester, choose a specialization ranging from Business Analytics to Nonprofit Management for a deeper focus in the area that matters most to you.
CURRICULUM & COURSES TAILORED TO CAREER PATHWAYS
Our MBA program offers you the opportunity to gain expertise in a specific area of focus by adding on an HPU Graduate Certificate, allowing you to earn two academic credentials simultaneously. If you choose the MBA+ pathway your coursework will double count, satisfying the MBA program elective requirement. In addition, you will earn a minimum of two professional specializations through HPU’s partnership with Coursera Career Academy within our MBA program. This value-add is what helps our alumni stand out!
Fall Semester Entry
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Fall 1st 8-week term (4 credits) |
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Fall 2nd 8-week term (6 credits) |
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Spring 1st 8-week term (6 credits) |
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Spring 2nd 8-week term (6 credits) |
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Summer 1st 8-Week term (6 credits) |
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Summer 2nd 8-Week term (4 credits) |
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Spring Entry
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Spring 1st 8-week term (4 credits) |
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Spring 2nd 8-week term (6 credits) |
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Summer 1st 8-Week term (6 credits) |
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Summer 2nd 8-Week term (6 credits) |
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Fall 1st 8-week term (6 credits) |
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Fall 2nd 8-week term (4 credits) |
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Summer Entry
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Summer 1st 8-Week term (4 credits) |
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Summer 2nd 8-Week term (6 credits) |
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Fall 1st 8-week term (6 credits) |
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Fall 2nd 8-week term (6 credits) |
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Spring 1st 8-week term (6 credits) |
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Spring 2nd 8-week term (4 credits) |
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*Degree plans may be subject to change, effective 9/1/25
MBA+ approved Graduate Certificate options
- Business Analytics (9 credits)
- Criminal Justice (12 credits)
- Ethics in Public Service (12 credits)
- Environment, Policy, & Leadership (12 credits)
- Global Leadership & Sustainable Development (12 credits)
- National Security & Strategic Studies (12 credits)
- Nonprofit Management (12 credits)
- Public Service Management (12 credits)
- Public Budgeting and Financial Management (12 credits)
- Sustainability and Security Studies (12 credits)
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (18 credits)
Explore HPU'S Graduate CERTIFICATES
Business Analytics
The certificate program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed for contemporary business analytics. Business analytics is the combination of skills, technologies, applications, and methodologies used by organizations to gain data-driven insights. These insights can be used to aid decision-making across functions including finance, marketing, operations, and strategy.
Nonprofit Management
This program of study promotes the highest standards of ethics and accountability in nonprofit governance and management. Students are introduced to the nonprofit sector as an economic driver. Working with selected nonprofit clients, students experience writing grants, developing funding strategies, and implementing and evaluating programs. There is an emphasis on leadership, including strategic planning for nonprofit organizations.
Public Budgeting and Financial Management
In this certificate, students are equipped with the skills required to proficiently develop performance-based budgets, engage in capital budgeting, and strategic financial planning. Students also develop a comprehensive understanding of the legislative and judicial context of budgeting, all while honing their ability to forecast financial trends.
JOIN HPU'S STRONG ALUMNI NETWORK
Matt Smyth (BSBA ‘02, MBA ‘03), president of consulting firm WinWin, Inc. based in Las Vegas, had recently conducted guest lectures in three HPU marketing classes and spoke with members of HPU’s Delta Mu Delta business honor society. Smyth’s discussion with Delta Mu Delta members and HPU business faculty shined a light on the significance of LinkedIn and the power of networking for college students.
Full Article
Lauren Matsumoto, ’15 Valedictorian MBA
Earning an MBA from Hawai‘i Pacific University is so much more than a degree, whether you’re from the Mainland, Hawai‘i, or anywhere else in the world. It provided me the opportunity to learn alongside students from over 60 countries with an array of culturally diverse backgrounds, which enriched all of my classes.
Frank Piao, ‘02
Chief Executive Officer, Co-founder
Changhe Stem Cell Co., Ltd.
Shanghai City, China
My experience of studying and living in Hawai‘i was a preview of my business partnership with more than 20 countries. Hawai‘i Pacific University not only has unique advantages in geographic location but also embodies the American values and the model of American melting pot in culture.
Brad Harrison
Senior VP, First Hawaiian Bank
Honolulu, HI
Brad Harrison is the senior vice president of First Hawaiian Bank’s wealth management division. He will manage the investment of personal trust account assets. Harrison brings to the position more than 32 years of wealth management experience and joined First Hawaiian Bank in 1991 as an investment officer.
Military-Friendly Graduate Education
HPU has a long history of supporting active-duty service members, veterans, and military families pursuing graduate education. Flexible scheduling, online learning options, dedicated support services, and assistance with VA education benefits help military-connected students balance academic, professional, and family responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the HPU MBA program online or in person?
A: Hawai‘i Pacific University’s MBA program offers both online and in-person learning options designed to support working professionals and students balancing graduate school with other responsibilities.
Q: Can I work full time while earning my MBA at HPU?
A: Yes. Many HPU MBA students continue working full time while completing their degree. Flexible scheduling, evening face to face classes, hybrid and online course options help students balance professional, academic, and personal commitments.
Q: How long does it take to complete the HPU MBA?
A: Our MBA can be completed in 12 months (3 semesters = Six 8-week terms). Students can complete the MBA program on a timeline that aligns with their goals and schedule as both full-time and part-time options are available to provide flexibility for working professionals.
Q: What can I do with an MBA from HPU?
A: An MBA from HPU can support career advancement across industries including healthcare, tourism, hospitality, finance, technology, government, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit leadership. Students develop leadership, analytics, communication, and strategic decision-making skills applicable across business environments.
Q: Is HPU military friendly for graduate students?
A: Yes. HPU has a long history of supporting active-duty service members, veterans, and military families through flexible course scheduling, dedicated support resources, and assistance using VA education benefits. Students can be considered Full-time students under VA Office regulations.
Q: Why choose HPU’s MBA program?
A: HPU’s MBA program combines flexibility, affordability, and a global business perspective in a collaborative learning environment designed for today’s professionals. Students benefit from small class sizes, experienced faculty, and career-focused coursework rooted in real-world business applications.
Q: Are scholarships or financial aid available for MBA students?
A: Eligible MBA students may qualify for financial aid, scholarships, employer tuition assistance, or military education benefits. Students are encouraged to explore available funding options early in the admissions process. All costs can be found at hpu.edu/costs
Q: Who should apply to the HPU MBA program?
A: The HPU MBA program is designed for working professionals, career changers, military-connected students, and recent graduates seeking flexible, career-focused graduate business education in Hawai‘i.