Postbaccalaureate Pre-Physician Assistantship Certificate
PPA

Admissions Interview

At KGI, we seek out students who will thrive and maximize their professional and personal growth in our Pre-PA program. We want to get to know you so we can make an informed choice about mutual fit with our mission, vision, and unique offerings. This interview also allows you to learn more about KGI and determine if our community meets your needs.

Interviews are by invitation and take place virtually or on campus at KGI. We look forward to meeting you!

Application Review

The Admissions Committee—composed of faculty and senior admissions administrators—thoroughly and holistically reviews each application. We consider applications in the context of the total applicant pool and our general admissions standards.

All admissions decisions are final for the academic term in which they are rendered.

Admitted Students

Admitted students must submit a $400 non-refundable enrollment fee to hold their spot in the program. Additionally, counselors contact admitted students to ensure all official documents are received.

Admitted students also receive regular communication from the Admissions Office with important information about preparing for study, student life, housing, orientation, and other topics of interest.

Advanced Placement

Transfer credits for didactic and experiential courses are not accepted. All KGI PPC/PPA program courses within the curriculum are required for graduation. No credit or advanced placement is granted for prior experiential learning, coursework, degrees, certifications, or advanced training.

We designed our PPA program to be intellectually rigorous and give you a competitive edge for PA school admission. To be considered for acceptance, you must first complete the required prerequisite coursework. This foundational coursework provides the scientific and analytical background essential for success as a PA student.

Prerequisites for KGI’s PPA certificate program:

• Human Anatomy with lab
• Human Physiology with lab
• Microbiology
• Medical Terminology
• Biology with lab (2 semester or 3 quarter terms)
• General Chemistry with lab (2 semester or 3 quarter terms)
• Physics with lab (2 semester or 3 quarter terms)
• Organic Chemistry with lab (2 semester or 3 quarter terms)
• Recommended Math (2 semester or 3 quarter terms)
• Recommended Biochemistry (1 semester or 2 quarter terms)

You may apply while prerequisite courses are still in progress; however, most prerequisites must be completed before starting the PPA program. All prerequisite courses must be taken at accredited institutions and completed within the last seven years.

Additionally, a select number of prerequisites can be completed at KGI at a discounted cost.

At KGI, we welcome students from a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds into the pre-physician assistantship program. You may apply while completing your bachelor’s degree; however, a conferred bachelor’s degree is required before you begin the program. Please note that transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended are required.

Unofficial transcripts that clearly display both your name and the institution’s name can be uploaded through your applicant portal. While unofficial transcripts are accepted during the application process, official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions must be received no later than one week before the start of the term for your enrollment to be finalized.

KGI does not require the GRE or MCAT for admission to the PPA program. Submitted scores may be reviewed but will not be a significant factor in the admissions process.

We require at least one letter of recommendation to help us get to know you better. This letter should highlight your character, strengths, and professionalism, offering specific examples demonstrating your abilities and work ethic.

We recommend asking someone who knows you well and can provide a detailed, thoughtful assessment. Appropriate recommenders may include professors, colleagues, supervisors, or other professionals who can speak to your potential for success in a graduate-level program and as a future medical professional.

While KGI does not require a specific number of patient care experience (PCE) hours—and you will have opportunities to gain them during your time here—we highly recommend obtaining PCE hours before enrollment. Obtaining these hours across various settings can be valuable in helping you make an informed decision about your career path.

Patient care experience hours might occur in schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, community-based sites, long-term care facilities, or any other location where healthcare professionals provide services. Most applicants find these experiences to be both motivating and inspiring!

KGI welcomes international students and values cultural diversity in the classroom. While we accept students from various academic backgrounds into the PPA program, please be mindful that some PA schools within the United States may require prerequisite coursework to be completed at an accredited institution within the United States.

Transcripts from international schools not provided in English directly from the issuing institution must be presented in the original language form and translated into English by a translation agency, official translator, or World Education Services (WES).

Undergraduate applicants who have not completed a high school diploma or a bachelor's degree in which English was the language of instruction may be requested to provide English proficiency test scores. 

KGI accepts scores from:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Duolingo English Test (DET)

The score must be sent directly from the testing service and must have been taken within two years before the time of application. Institutional versions of the test are not accepted.