HPU | DPT Program

ALOHA, FROM HAWAI‘I’S
FIRST DPT PROGRAM

Welcome to Hawaii’s first and only Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Hawai‘i Pacific University (HPU). The two-year, hybrid program is built upon HPU’s values of Pono, Kuleana, and Aloha. Students will benefit from the best online instruction and on-site lab experiences, with opportunities to collaborate as part of the learning experience. Students can complete their clinical education across the US, including unique experiences on the Hawaiian and other Pacific Islands.

MODERN

Experience an efficient approach to physical therapy education with a contemporary curriculum that includes post-COVID rehab, health promotion & fitness, primary care, business, pain science, mindful patient management and more, to prepare you for the future of PT.

DYNAMIC

Grow within a collaborative community at home, at our thriving urban campus, and beyond, through our hybrid model, lab immersions, and clinical education experiences.

DIVERSE

Benefit from a multicultural experience that integrates Hawaiian culture and builds cultural proficiency by promoting diversity and cultural awareness.

Let's Connect

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THE HPU DPT EXPERIENCE

Hawai`i Pacific University’s innovative Doctor of Physical Therapy program develops movement specialists who provide evidence-informed, collaborative, and empathic care. We are committed to building a professional `ohana of diverse and open-minded leaders who anticipate and respond to the needs of the global community.

Your Year 1
At HPU

 

  • Build your foundational knowledge through online synchronous and asynchronous learning sessions.
  • Develop hands on skills in lab immersions at our urban campus in Honolulu.
  • Benefit from a focused learning environment with shorter academic terms.
  • Cultivate a community within your cohort and the university.

Your Year 2
At HPU

 

  • Immerse yourself in full time patient care during clinical education experiences.
  • Move beyond the foundations to put your learning into action during the lab immersions and clinical education experiences.
  • Choose from a variety of inpatient and outpatient experiences, at sites across the U.S., including unique opportunities in Hawai’i and other Pacific Islands.
  • Guided support and resources to enhance preparation for your licensure exam.

Admission Requirements

  • Complete a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to class beginning. Admission may be granted pending completion of the degree.
  • Complete all required prerequisite courses with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) and pre-requisite course GPA of 3.00 or greater on a 4.00 scale.
  • Grades Below “C” in prerequisite courses will not be accepted.
  • If cumulative GPA is less than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, an applicant may still be eligible for admission if a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or greater has been achieved over the last 60 trimester or 90 quarter hour credits of coursework.
  • Submission of two references.
  • Completion of a minimum of fifty hours of volunteer or work experience with a licensed physical therapist is recommended, but not required.

LEARN MORE ABOUT
PURSUING YOUR DPT AT HPU

APPLICATION OPENS: June 15, 2023

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 15, 2024
COHORT STARTS: August 26, 2024

Provide your information below and the HPU admissions team will reach out to answer your questions and tell you more about becoming part of our HPU DPT community!

Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education 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. Effective November 2, 2021, Hawai’i Pacific University has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status 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 . If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (808) 236-5830 or email dpt@hpu.edu. Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.

Year Two, Term 6

  • DPT 8940 Physical Therapy Practice IV
    • 8 semester credits
  • DPT 8340 Capstone II
    • 1 semester credit

Year Two, Term 5

  • DPT 8930 Physical Therapy Practice III
    • 8 semester credits
  • DPT 8330 Capstone I
    • 1 semester credits

Year Two, Term 4

  • DPT 8920 Physical Therapy Practice II
    • 8 semester credits
  • DPT 8420 Professional Competencies II
    • 1 semester credits

Year Two, Term 3

  • DPT 8260 Advanced Therapeutic Interventions
    • 2 semester credits
  • DPT 8270 Integrative Pain Sciences
    • 2 semester credits
  • DPT 8660 Primary Care Physical Therapy
    • 2 semester credits
  • DPT 8440 Business Management & Entrepreneurship
    • 3 semester credits

Year Two, Term 2

  • DPT 8730 Management of Complex Patients
    • 4 semester credits
  • DPT 8650 Management of the Pediatric Patient
    • 3 semester credits
  • DPT 8810 Advanced Diagnostics
    • 2 semester credits

Year Two, Term 1

  • DPT 8910 Physical Therapy Practice I
    • 8 semester credits
  • DPT 8430 Mindful Patient Management
    • 2 semester credits

Year One, Term 6

  • DPT 8540 Musculoskeletal Practice IV
    • 3 semester credits
  • DPT 8620 Neuromuscular Practice II
    • 3 semester credits
  • DPT 8640 Management of the Aging Adult
    • 3 semester credits

Year One, Term 5

  • DPT 8530 Musculoskeletal Practice III
    • 3 semester credits
  • DPT 8610 Neuromuscular Practice I
    • 2 semester credits
  • DPT 8720 Cardiopulmonary Practice
    • 4 semester credits
  • DPT 8320 Evidence-based Practice II
    • 2 semester credits

Year One, Term 4

  • DPT 8150 Clinical Neuroscience II
    • 2 semester credits
  • DPT 8520 Musculoskeletal Practice II
    • 3 semester credits
  • DPT 8630 Bracing, Orthotics, and Prosthetics
    • 2 semester credits
  • DPT 8710 Pharmacology
    • 2 semester credits

Year One, Term 3

  • DPT 8240 Therapeutic Interventions II
    • 3 semester credits
  • DPT 8510 Musculoskeletal Practice I
    • 3 semester credits
  • DPT 8250 Health Promotion & Fitness Management
    • 2 semester credits
  • DPT 8140 Clinical Neuroscience I
    • 1 semester credit

Year One, Term 2

  • DPT 8310 Evidence-based Practice I
    • 2 semester credits
  • DPT 8230 Therapeutic Interventions I
    • 2 semester credits
  • DPT 8120 Human Anatomy II
    • 3 semester credits
  • DPT 8130 Human Physiology
    • 3 semester credits

Year One, Term 1

  • DPT 8210 Physical Therapy Fundamentals
    • 3 semester credits
  • DPT 8110 Human Anatomy I
    • 4 semester credits
  • DPT 8220 Movement Science
    • 2 semester credits
  • DPT 8410 Professional Competencies I
    • 1 semester credit