PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Hawai‘i Pacific University Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program is hybrid, accelerated, and the first of its kind in Hawai‘i. Students complete the HPU DPT Program in two years, faster than the 30-36 months it takes to graduate from most traditional DPT programs. This means graduates are in the clinic treating patients and earning an income sooner.

The HPU DPT experience includes the best of online distance education, hands-on lab immersion on HPU's beautiful campus, and 32 weeks of full-time clinical experiences. Students take no more than four courses during each 8-week academic term to optimize learning.

Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. Hawai'i Pacific University is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist education program from CAPTE. On June 1, 2021, the program submitted an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the professional phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in professional courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation. Hawai'i Pacific University anticipates receiving the CAPTE decision for Candidate for Accreditation status in November 2021.