Hawai‘i Pacific University Doctor of Occupational Therapy Programs
Choose your OTD Adventure
Welcome to Hawai‘i Pacific University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy (HPU OTD) program. Our two entry-level, accelerated, hybrid programs are built upon the values of Aloha, Pono, Kuleana, Kōkua, and Laulima. Students benefit from innovative online instruction and on-site lab experiences at either our Honolulu campus or our Las Vegas campus and can complete their fieldwork education across the US and internationally. HPU OTD graduates will transform the field of occupational therapy in the pursuit of occupational justice for all persons and society.
Fully Accredited by ACOTE
- Brand new unique and high-fidelity Lab with innovative technology and equipment
- ADA-compliant spaces for real-world simulation
- Meaningful community engagement opportunities
- Expert faculty and supportive coaching model
- Located southwest of the Las Vegas strip, 15 minutes from the airport.
- Potential to live and learn in the state with the highest median salary for occupational therapy practitioners. (AOTA Salary Survey, 2019)
- Stunning vistas of the Red Rock Canyon and surrounding mountain ranges, with access to a variety of professional sports experiences, culinary options, and unique attractions.
- Vegas has strong cultural ties with Hawai‘i, with a vibrant HPU alumni and community connections.
Applications Due: June 19, 2026
Classes Begin: August 31, 2026
Fully Accredited by ACOTE
- First and only OTD program in Hawai‘i.
- Naturalistic lab immersion space located in downtown Honolulu at the Waterfront Plaza and close to beaches and the harbor.
- State-of-the-art simulation center for interprofessional collaboration and real-life apartment ADL (Activities of Daily Living) suites.
- Kamaʻāina can continue to live in Hawai‘i for school and serve the community once they’ve graduated.
- Mainland students have the opportunity to experience the natural wonders of Hawai‘i and the unique ‘ohana they’ll join.
Priority Deadline: June 20, 2026
Application Deadline: December 7, 2026
Classes Start: January 11, 2027
Fill out the form below to connect with an admissions advisor. Campus options available in Honolulu and Las Vegas.
HPU OTD students are representative of a diverse society and recognized for the unique contributions they bring to their learning. Our unique hybrid model reduces barriers to OT education and allows students to remain in their community while becoming a member of the HPU ‘ohana. Our unique model and multiple program offerings allow students to gain a global perspective of occupational therapy, expanding their practice to a higher level.
In collaboration with faculty experts with global experience, the OTD program at HPU allows students to complete their doctorate in 24 months and become leaders in an era of high-speed change. At HPU, we value innovation and emphasize evidence-based design thinking to disrupt the status quo and create new possibilities.
HPU OTD students enter the program seeking to become doctoral-level occupational therapists and leave as agents of change. They are empowered with the knowledge, skills, and tools to transform the communities around them through the distinct lens of occupational therapy. HPU OTD graduates not only finish their degree sooner than traditional OT programs, they also gain research skills and leadership experience only an OTD program can offer.
- Complete 90 undergraduate semester hours (or 135 quarter hours credits) or bachelorʻs degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or greater on a 4.00 scale prior to starting the program.
-
- Applicants with a cumulative GPA lower than 3.00 will be evaluated holistically.
- Complete all required prerequisite courses with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) and prerequisite course GPA of 3.00 or greater on a 4.00 scale.
- Grades below “C” in prerequisite courses will not be accepted.
- All prerequisite courses are required to be completed at a regionally accredited institution entering the program.
- The majority of prerequisite courses (over 50%) including at least one science, should be completed at the time of application. Not all prerequisite courses required to be completed at the time of application.
- Applications must complete Anatomy and Physiology courses within the last five years, prior to application, or demonstrate ongoing work experiences that have kept this knowledge current.
- Prerequisite courses can be completed in an on-campus, hybrid, or online format.
- Ability to fulfill the Technical Standards for Admissions
- Submission of personal essay on OTCAS
- Submission of two letters of recommendation.
- Letters of recommendation should reflect the potential for success in the program and/or commitment to Occupational Therapy.
- Letters of recommendations from academic, volunteer, supervisor, occupational therapist, or other health care professional will be accepted.
- Letters from family, friends or coworkers will not be accepted.
- Successful completion of an admission interview. Applicants are selected for interviews based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting materials.
- Complete an approved Background Check prior to matriculation.
- Recommend 30 hours of observation in at least two different different settings.
- Occupational therapy professional exploration activities examples can include attending in-services by occupational therapy professionals, actively reading journal articles, pre-occupational therapy student association club member, etc.
- At this time, we can only accept U.S. Permanent Residents and U.S. Citizens. For all applicants for whom English is not their first language or those who have completed a degree and prerequisite courses in a foreign country, demonstration of English language proficiency is required through completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam.
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with laboratory (8 semester hours/12 quarter hours)
- Statistics (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
- Child Development or Lifespan Psychology (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
- Abnormal Psychology (3 semester hours/4 quarter hours)
- Biology with Laboratory – recommended
- Medical Terminology – recommended
Completion of the listed prerequisites does not guarantee admission into the program. If you have questions about a course satisfying the above prerequisites, please reach out to your HPU OTD admissions for a free transcript review.
The Hawai’i Pacific University entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program in Honolulu is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652- AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
The Hawai’i Pacific University entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program in Las Vegas is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652- AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.