HAWAI‘I PACIFIC UNIVERSITY GRADUATE COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
For nearly 60 years, Hawai‘i Pacific University (HPU) has supported our military service members, veterans, Department of Defense civilians and their families through various campus programs.
HPU’S GRADUATE COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
IS A DIVERSE LEARNING COMMUNITY THAT IS COMMITTED TO ITS MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES.
- The college is an innovator in hybrid health science education, delivering high quality and accessible online and in-person educational experiences on our Honolulu and Las Vegas campuses.
- Our DPT, OTD, and PA education programs can be completed in 24-months and will help meet the critical health workforce needs across Hawaiʻi and the US.
- Student success is paramount to our faculty and staff. We employ an academic coaching model to empower our students to meet their goals.
- Faculty, students, and graduates are lifelong learners and leaders dedicated to delivering culturally responsive care in the spirit of HPU’s values: aloha, pono, and kuleana.
HYBRID HEALTH EDUCATION INNOVATORS.
ACADEMIC COACHING MODEL. 24-MONTH PROGRAMS.
DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY (DPT)
The Hawai‘i Pacific University Innovative Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is the first of its kind in Hawai‘i. The Program is delivered in 24 months using a hybrid format, combining the best of online learning with in-person lab immersions located at one of HPU’s state-of-the-art facilities in Honolulu or Las Vegas.
DOCTOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (OTD)
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program is delivered over the course of two years combining the highest level of online learning with in-person lab immersions, allowing students to remain in their communities and become a member of the HPU ‘ohana. Students complete fieldwork all over the country, culminating their time in the program with the Doctoral Capstone project and experience. Our OTD program is offered at our Honolulu and Las Vegas campuses.
MASTER OF MEDICAL
SCIENCE PHYSICIAN
ASSISTANT (MMS-PA)
The Master of Medical Science Physician Assistant (MMS-PA) Program is committed to preparing physician assistants to care for communities in Hawai‘i and underserved populations. This is a rigorous, full-time, 24-month, program of study.
SEAMLESS TRANSITION
Our experienced admission advisors are educated on financial resources available to military affiliated individuals. You will work with a dedicated team to navigate the application process, financial aid, and achieve your educational and professional goals.
ʻOHANA COMMUNITY
For nearly 60 years, Hawaiʻi Pacific University (HPU) has supported our military service members, veterans, Department of Defense civilians and their families through our Military Campus Program (MCP).
TUITION RESOURCES
Hawaiʻi Pacific University supports the military community by offering top-tier programs while providing financial and student assistance. Financial awards will be available to service members as well as military family members, military retirees, Department of Defense (DoD) civilians, and civilian contractors working on the military bases for MCP-approved undergraduate and graduate programs.
MAXIMIZE YOUR POTENTIAL AT HPU
Fill out the form below to contact a member of our Graduate College of Health Sciences admissions team.
WHY I CHOOSE HPU
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at HPU was able to fit into my busy military life by offering the opportunity to attend the program from almost anywhere. Also, being stationed here in Hawaiʻi I was able to cut out the traveling for labs every 6 weeks, which saved me a lot of planning. Before the program officially started, we were separated into coaching groups; these groups were a key factor in successfully completing the program.
Having classmates that are moms and military spouses/ veterans allowed us to connect on a different level. It gave us someone to study with that didn’t mind the noise in the background, but most importantly someone that knew exactly what hardships we face as a military family. Overall, HPU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program’s flexibly has given me the opportunity to reach one of my career goals, and I’m excited to start a new chapter in my life.
I’m a disabled veteran that served in the Marine Corps from 2014-2018 as a tank operator. The HPU DPT program fit into my lifestyle as it was an accelerated hybrid program. Due to my growing family while I was attending school, attending classes from the comfort of my own home allowed me to pay closer attention to my children.
I am good friends with the other veterans in my cohort and the next cohort. It was easier to talk to them as we connected as veterans. The program accepted all of us without any prejudice from peers or staff. I was excited to learn that some of the faculty were/are in the military.
I’m a veteran with 14 years of active duty service as an enlisted member of the U.S. Navy and a current DPT student at HPU in the class of 2025. The program has fit perfectly with my lifestyle, as I live on Oʻahu and prefer a hybrid style of learning. I’ve been able to stay home for the didactic portions of the program and commute easily to lab sessions. I’ve been using the VR&E bill, and the process of using this for tuition assistance has been easy and straightforward.
I’ve never experienced any issues with timely submissions or receiving funds while attending the program. Not only does the DPT program feel like a big ‘ohana, but there are also many other veterans in my class. We’re a close-knit group, and we’re all able to connect through our shared experiences, which has eased the transition from military life.
I am an Army veteran and current military spouse. I was enlisted as a pharmacy technician as well as an officer in the Military Police Corp. My husband is a current active duty officer who was stationed at Fort Shafter on Oʻahu while I was in the DPT program at HPU. In addition to being a veteran and military spouse, I’m also a mom of 3.
The HPU DPT program is very likely the only type of program that someone like me would be able to attend. I was able to study for an hour in the early morning before getting my kids ready and dropping them off at school, log into my Zoom classes for half the day, study for the second half of the day, and then pick my kids up from after-school care. I usually would then study from my daughters’ bedtime at 8pm to about 10pm every day. I might have gotten less sleep than when I worked from home before PT school, but I’ve definitely survived on much less!
FAQS
Is there a Military Campus Program at HPU?
Yes! You can check out all we have to offer and schedule a meeting with one of our Military Campus Program advisors here.
Will my JST work for the transcript requirement?
No, your JST is not a college transcript. However, if you received a license or certification, you should include them.
Do you accept Military Education Benefits?
Yes! We accept VA Educational Benefits like GI Bill and Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E or CH. 31).
Is HPU DPT a Yellow Ribbon program?
HPU is a Yellow Ribbon school, and the our Graduate College of Health Sciences programs do have a Yellow Ribbon agreement with the VA. Learn more.
Can I use Tuition Assistance to pay for prerequisite courses?
HPU does accept tuition assistance for undergraduate coursework. The courses must be part of an approved academic degree or certificate program. Learn more.
What additional support does HPU offer military students?
VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) is a program that places experienced vocational rehabilitation counselors on college campuses to assist the military community (including family members) with accessing their GI Bill and other VA educational benefits. VSOC counselors also provide academic and vocational guidance to Veterans, can help connect them to other VA benefits including health care and mental health care, and are driven by the success of Veterans and Military Families on campus. Learn more.
Can Military Spouses apply?
Our program is uniquely designed to meet the challenges of military life. Our hybrid curriculum means that you can complete the program anywhere in the United States. If your Active Duty spouse has a PCS (Permanent Change of Station), your education goes with you. You will only need to be physically on campus for the lab immersions. Clinicals can be completed in any state.
What if I am a Reservist?
Reservists can apply and attend our Graduate Health programs. Enrolled students will need to be present for in-person lab immersions and be able to complete clinicals ensuring that drill weekends/weeks and other military commitments do not disrupt your learning.
ACCREDITATION
DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
Honolulu: The Hawaiʻi Pacific University entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in Honolulu has applied for and was granted full accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (808) 356-5298 or email dpt@hpu.edu.
Las Vegas: The Hawai’i Pacific University entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Las Vegas has been granted Candidacy Status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 808-236-5808 or email dpt@hpu.edu.
DOCTOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Honolulu: The Hawai`i Pacific University entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program in Honolulu has applied for and has been granted accreditation 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) 652-6611 and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
Las Vegas: The Hawai’i Pacific University entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program in Las Vegas has applied for accreditation and has been Preaccreditation 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.
MASTER OF MEDICAL SCIENCE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Hawaiʻi Pacific University Master of Medical Science-Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Hawaiʻi Pacific University. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation- Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-hawaii-pacific-university/.