HPU | OTD Honolulu

HPU Doctor of Occupational Therapy - Honolulu Program

Hawai‘i Pacific University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program in Honolulu is Hawai‘i’s first and only occupational therapy doctoral program. Our urban campus is located in downtown Honolulu's vibrant and culturally diverse community. The lab space is situated at Waterfront Plaza, steps away from the Kakaako restaurant row, beaches, and the Honolulu harbor. The Honolulu campus features a state-of-the-art simulation center, anatomy cadaver lab experience, access to advanced technology for assessment and intervention, real-life apartment space for clinical skill application, and a beautiful dedicated lab space that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

The curriculum and lab experiences are presented in an educational environment that mimics real-world therapy practices. The Honolulu program offers interprofessional education and collaboration opportunities with the Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Nursing, and Social Work programs. Our student experience is enhanced by the unique community partnerships in place which allow students to immerse themselves in Hawaiian culture. Faculty in this program are clinical experts and well-respected leaders and scholars at the locally, nationally, and internationally.

For kamaʻāina, studying at the Honolulu campus allows them to stay in Hawai‘i for school and continue to serve the community upon graduation. Students not residing in Hawaii, will travel to the Honolulu campus for hands-on learning and the opportunity to experience the natural wonders of Hawai‘i and the unique ‘ohana they’ll join. 

IMPORTANT DATES

Application Opens: January 3, 2023

Application Deadline:  November 30, 2023

Program Start: January 8, 2024

ACOTE Accreditation: Candidacy granted August 2023, full accreditation anticipated August 2025

WAYS TO CONNECT

Webinars: Register now!

Questions? Email us!

Ready to apply? Apply now!

Spring A 2024 – Term 1

Orientation c/o 2025 

January 4-5, 2024 

Term Begins: 

January 8, 2024 

Holiday: Martin Luther King Day  

January 15, 2024 

Onsite Lab Immersion: 

January 28, 2024 – February 9, 2024 

Term Ends: 

March 3, 2024 

Spring B 2024 – Term 2

SPRING BREAK

March 4 - March 10, 2024

Term Begins: 

March 11, 2024 

Holiday: Kuhio Day (Observed) 

March 26, 2024 

Onsite Lab Immersion: 

April 8, 2024 – April 19, 2024 

Term Ends:  

May 5, 2024 

Summer A 2024 – Term 3

Term Begins: 

May 6, 2024 

Holiday: Memorial Day 

May 27, 2024 

Holiday: Kamehameha Day 

June 11, 2024 

Holiday: Juneteenth 

June 19, 2024 

Onsite Lab Immersion 

June 3, 2024 – June 14, 2024 

Term Ends: 

June 30, 2024 

Summer B 2024 – Term 4

Term Begins: 

July 1, 2024 

Holiday: Independence Day 

July 4, 2024 

Onsite Lab Immersion 

July 29, 2024 – August 9, 2024 

Term Ends: 

August 25, 2024 

Fall A 2024 – Term 5

Term Begins: 

August 26, 2024 

Holiday: Labor Day 

September 2, 2024 

Onsite Lab Immersion: 

September 23, 2024 – October 4, 2024 

Term Ends: 

October 20, 2024 

Fall B 2024 – Term 6

Term Begins: 

October 21, 2024 

Holiday: Veteran’s Day 

November 11, 2024 

Holiday: Thanksgiving 

November 28-29, 2024 

Onsite Lab Immersion: 

December 2, 2024 – December 13, 2024 

Term Ends: 

December 15, 2024 

Spring 2025 – Term 7 * No Onsite for this cohort

Term Begins: 

January 6, 2025 

Holiday: Martin Luther King Day 

January 20, 2025 

Holiday: Kuhio Day 

March 26, 2025 

Term Ends: 

May 4, 2025 

Summer 2025 – Term 8 * No Onsite for this cohort

Term Begins: 

May 5, 2025 

Holiday: Memorial Day 

May 26, 2025 

Holiday: Kamehameha Day 

June 11, 2025 

Holiday: Juneteenth 

June 19, 2025 

Holiday: Independence Day 

July 4, 2025 

Term Ends: 

August 24, 2025 

Fall 2025 – Term 9

Term Begins: 

August 25, 2025 

Holiday: Labor Day 

September 1, 2025 

Holiday: Veteran’s Day 

November 11, 2025 

Holiday: Thanksgiving 

November 27-28, 2025 

Onsite Lab Immersion:  

December 8-14, 2025 

Term Ends & Program Completion c/o 2025 

December 14, 2025

HPU OTD Honolulu will provide outcomes as this information becomes available.

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.