Distance Learning
In addition to classes held at its Pearl City campus, the University of Hawai‘i-West O‘ahu (UHWO) has a Distance Learning program with courses offered through various modalities:
• Online Courses: Courses are taught completely online over the Internet. Students access course material from their personal computers. Most online courses use Laulima, the course management and collaboration system for the University of Hawai‘i.
Priority for seats in most online courses are given to neighbor island students because the current degree and certificate programs using the Internet are designed primarily for neighbor island students. Some seats are made available to students on O‘ahu.
• Interactive Television - Some UH West O‘ahu courses are taught for residents of the neighbor islands through Interactive Television (ITV), using classroom facilities provided by Kaua‘i Community College, Maui Community College, and the University Education Centers at Lana‘i, Moloka‘i, and West Hawai‘i. Students meet at the ITV receive sites to participate in classes.
• Off-Site Courses: On occasion, some UH West O‘ahu courses are taught in-person on the neighbor islands.
Programs Offered Through Distance Learning
UH West O‘ahu offers five Bachelor of Arts degrees and three certificate programs through distance learning:
• Business Administration (BABA)
Students may choose one of two themes for the Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (BABA): Accounting or General Business Administration. Courses for the degree program are offered in a three-year plan, through a combination of ITV and online courses. Students enrolled in this program will be assigned faculty or staff advisors to help with academic planning.
• BA in Social Sciences (applied track)
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences (BASS) is offered only to students on the neighbor islands. Students in this program take courses in three study themes: Human Development, Health, and Healing; Culture and Environment; and Economy and Society. Courses for the degree program are offered in a three-year plan, primarily online, and on occasion in-person courses. Students enrolled in this program will be assigned faculty or staff advisors to help with academic planning.
• BA in Social Sciences, Political Science
Courses for a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a concentration in Political Science are offered solely online.
• BA in Social Sciences, Early Childhood Education
Courses for a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a concentration in Early Childhood Education are offered primarily online with occasional in-person courses. Students enrolled in this program will be assigned to a faculty advisor or staff advisors to help with academic planning. O‘ahu students in this program are required to attend in-person classes once a month.
• BA in Public Administration, Health Care Administration
The Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration (BAPA) prepares students for supervisory and management roles in the public sector. The concentration in Health Care Administration provides students with a broad range of administrative skills and knowledge needed in the dynamic and growing health care field. Courses for the degree are offered solely online.
The Certificate in Substance Abuse and Addictions Studies (CSAAS) is designed to help students meet the State education requirements for certification as substance abuse counselors and to provide continuing education opportunities for professionals in the addictions field.
• Certificate in Health Care Administration
The Certificate Program in Health Care Administration provides students and health care practitioners with a broad range of administrative skills and knowledge needed in the dynamic and growing health care field. The Certificate can be earned as a self-standing credential and may also be used as part of a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration at the University of Hawai'i - West O‘ahu.
Completion of the 18 upper-division credits listed below will lead to the Certificate in Health Care Administration. These courses have been selected because they are ideally suited to meet the critical needs of health care administrators. Students have the option of completing this Certificate fully online or onsite through evening or weekend classes.
• Certificate In Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (DPEM)
The Certificate Program in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (DPEM) provides students and practitioners in the field of disaster preparedness and emergency management with a broad range of administrative skills and knowledge required in the growing and challenging areas of disaster preparedness, emergency management, and homeland security. The Certificate can be earned as a self-standing credential and may also be used as a part of a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration at the University of Hawai‘i West-O‘ahu. The Bachelor’s degree includes on-campus classes.
Completion of the 18 upper division credits listed below will lead to the Certificate in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management. These courses have been selected because they are ideally suited to meet the critical needs of disaster and emergency managers. Students have the option of completing this Certificate fully online or onsite through evening or day classes. The UHWO DPEM courses meet the requirements of Federal Emergency Management Institute’s Higher Education Project, and this certificate is approved by FEMA within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Hawai‘i State Board of Regents.
Schedule of Courses
Check the schedule of courses for current and future classes that are offered through the distance learning program.
Support Services for Distance Learning
The UH West O‘ahu No‘eau Center for Writing, Math and Academic Success offers online tutoring in statistics, writing, and some economics. Publications on a variety of writing matters are also available online through the Writing Center. Students engaged in research may obtain online databases from the UH West O‘ahu Library. Students taking courses from UH West O‘ahu may purchase textbooks online through the Leeward Community College Bookstore (click on "Textbooks"). Books for courses offered by other campuses need to be purchased through the bookstore for that campus.
UH West O‘ahu Student Services Office provides the following services:
• admissions information
• academic advising
• course registration
• financial aid, scholarships, and veteran benefits
To request information you may contact the Student Services Office at (808) 454-4700, toll-free at 1-866-299-8656, by email outreach@uhwo.hawaii.edu or postal mail.
Student tutorials on computer requirements for UH West O‘ahu online and hybrid courses as well as how to use basic tools in Laulima are available on the Online Student Tutorials page. Information Technology Services (ITS) also provides support for students using Laulima.
For Laulima technical support contact Linda Maeno, linda@hawaii.edu at (808) 454-4785 or click on the “Request Assistance” link at https://laulima.hawaii.edu.