New Freshmen

Before registering, be sure you have first: submitted your intent to enroll and proof of immunization. Additional information can be found on the Admissions' FAQ page.

Most international students will not register themselves for classes. If you are an international student who tested into EIL, an academic advisor will enroll you in courses based on your placement. We will email you with your confirmed EIL placement and course registration. Please visit the International Students & EIL page for more information.

If you do not need to test for placement in EIL and are not a transfer student then continue reading below.

The Holokai Curriculum is unique to BYU–Hawaii and replaces traditional general education requirements. It allows each student to carefully chart their own academic voyage, or holokai, through the exploration of our offered programs.

All majors, minors, and certificates are grouped into three areas reflecting different ways of knowing or epistemologies. All students must complete at least one major and two programs in one of each of these areas. (Programs offered by the same department in different categories may be taken, but the second program from the same department will not count toward completing Holokai requirements.)

The Holokai Curriculum helps a student develop breadth, flexibility, and experience working in different ways of knowing that characterize an educated person. To complete Holokai requirements there must be one program in different departments in each of the three areas: Arts & Humanities, Math & Sciences, and Professional Studies.

The modular curriculum offers depth and breadth of experience. Students can:

• Practice thinking in different ways
• Pursue both their profession and their passion
• Build a curriculum package that is tailored to their own vision of their future
• Strengthen their resume - all minors and certificates will be on the transcript (unlike traditional GE programs)

BYU–Hawaii has a year-round academic calendar with fall, winter, and spring semesters. Students are expected to attend all three semesters and graduate in 10 semesters or less. This timeframe is referred to as the "time to graduation."


For a general sense of the semesters you will have in-residence please see the Time to Graduation policy page.

The minimum required credits to be a full-time student is 12 in fall and winter and 8 in spring. We recommend 12-15 credits for fall and winter semesters and 8-10cr for spring semester. Students are permitted to register for up to 18 credits in Fall and Winter or 12 credits in Spring, but it is not recommended for new Freshmen.

In planning your first semester, select a combination of classes that you are interested in from different areas. Classes to start with might include exploratory courses in areas that you might like to study in different Holokai categories, STDEV 100R Holokai Foundations (required for all students) and a Religion Core class.

All students will also need to complete Religious Education classes before graduation (the number varies based on transfer credits). You may only take one Religion class during a semester. The Religion Core includes The Eternal Family (REL 200), Foundations of the Restoration (REL 225), Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel (REL 250), and The Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon (REL 275).

Yes. We expect students to know their major before they arrive. Students should also have some options they are considering for minors for the Holokai. Changes can be made once the student arrives to campus if needed. Students are expected to graduate in 10 semesters or less, so it is important that all students have a plan before they arrive. The expected time to graduate will depend on the student's transfer credits.

There are some helpful online tools and information available through BYU–Hawaii Career Services.


Our Holokai Explore Your Interests page provides some great information to help you choose your major and career.

Students who have completed Advanced Placement courses in high school and scored a composite grade of 3, 4, or 5 may receive university credit. See the AP Credit Matrix for more information.

All scores should be sent to our Admissions Office for evaluation.