Distributed Learning (Distance Education)

Besides providing classes on its Pearl City campus, the University of Hawai´i-West O´ahu (UHWO) offers a Distributed Learning program for students residing on the Neighbor Islands. Students may take distributed learning courses through various modalities:

• Online Courses. Courses taught over the internet are offered to UH West O´ahu students on O´ahu and on the neighbor islands.

Please refer to the WebCT Instruction Page for Computer Requirements for online courses. Be sure you meet all the requirements BEFORE registering for an online course.

Priority for seats in most online courses will be given to neighbor island students because the current degree and certificate programs using the Internet are designed primarily for neighbor island students. Some seats, however, will be available in online courses for 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.

• Off-Site Courses. Some UH West O´ahu courses are taught on occasion, as in-person course on the neighbor islands.

Programs Offered Through Distributed Learning

UH West O´ahu offers three Bachelor of Arts degrees and one certificate program through distributed learning:

• Business Administration (BABA)

A BA degree in Business Administration (BABA) is offered to students on the neighbor islands. Students may choose one of two themes for this degree: 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)

A BA in Social Sciences (BASS) is offered 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 Early Childhood Education

A BA in Social Sciences with a concentration in Early Childhood Education is offered to students on O´ahu and the neighbor islands. Courses for the degree program are offered primarily online, and on occasion, in-person courses. Students enrolled in this program will be assigned to a faculty advisor or staff advisors to help with academic planning.

• Certificate in Substance Abuse and Addictions Studies

A certificate in Substance Abuse and Addictions Studies (CSAAS) is offered to students on the neighbor islands. In addition to English 100, Psychology 100, and successful completion of an abnormal psychology or cultural and mental illness course (in the past five years), students in the certificate program are required to take seven specified courses (19 credits) in psychology and must have 55 lower-division transferable credits.


• 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. Ongoing changes in the system have resulted in an array of opportunities for health care administrators to make significant contributions to improving health care for all. 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. Continuous changes in training and technology required to meet new challenges of man-made and natural disasters have provided opportunities for disaster and emergency managers to make significant contributions to improving this critical field of study. 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.


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 Hawaii State Board of Regents.

Schedule of Courses

Check the schedule of courses for current and future classes that are offered through the distributed learning program.

Support Services for Distributed Learning

The UH West O´ahu Writing and Learning Center offers online tutoring in economics, statistics, and writing. 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. Textbooks for distributed learning classes should be obtained from the UH Distance Learning Bookstore. Students may also purchase their textbooks online through the Leeward Community College Bookstore (Click on "Textbooks Online."), or by calling the LCC Bookstore at 808-455-0205. Textbooks are not available at other individual community college bookstores or University Centers.

UH West O´ahu Student Services Office provides the following services:
• admissions information
• academic advising
• course registration
• financial aid, scholarships, and veteran benefits


To email 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.

For WebCT technical support, contact Linda Maeno linda@hawaii.edu at (808) 454-4785

Student tutorials on how to use the basic features of WebCT are available on the WebCT Instruction Page