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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.

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Honolulu

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.

Application Deadline: December 2, 2024

Classes Start: January 6, 2025

Las Vegas

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)
Las Vegas boasts stunning vistas of the Red Rock Canyon and surrounding mountain ranges.
Vegas has strong cultural ties with Hawai‘i with a vibrant HPU alumni and community connections.

Application Deadline: June 2025

Classes Start: August 2025

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Global

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.

Intentional

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.

Transformative

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.

HPU OTD
Learning Experience

Develop a foundational knowledge of OT concepts, basic principles of research, and dynamic thinking.

Multiple Level II Fieldwork sites are located across the country in a variety of healthcare practice settings.

Study cases in a supportive, collaborative learning environment.

Build and develop foundational knowledge to address real client needs.

Each semester travel for immersion labs and Level I Fieldwork to practice and reinforce skills in person with faculty and your peers.

Contribute to the OT profession with a creative, evaluative capstone experience.

Admission Requirements

Baccalaureate degree (cumulative GPA ≥ 3.0). Admission may be granted pending completion of the degree.
Prerequisite course completion (prerequisite GPA ≥ 3.0). Not all prerequisite courses are required to be completed at time of application.
30 hours of observation in at least two different settings or exploration into occupational therapy as a profession (recommended).
Ability to fulfill the Technical Standards for Admission.
Submission of personal essay on OTCAS.
Submission of three letters of recommendation.
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
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam for all applicants for whom English is not their first language or those who have completed a degree and pre-requisite courses in a foreign country.

Accreditation

Honolulu

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status 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 program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Las Vegas

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.