The two-year online Master of Science in Community Medicine program at Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) in Claremont, CA will prepare community medicine practitioners and leaders who work in underserved and underrepresented communities for careers devoted to improving health, preventing illness and injury, and detecting treatable medical conditions early enough to avoid premature death and unnecessary poor health.

The MSCM program is the first master’s program offered within KGI’s School of Medicine, and is scheduled to begin in fall 2021. The brand-new program is on the cutting edge of community medicine; the first cohort will receive full tuition waivers—and, in turn—will help to shape the program and curriculum for future cohorts.

Applications will open soon.

Why MSCM?

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Online Classes

All courses will be taught online to increase access to the program from anywhere in the country.

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Community-Based Learning

Students identify an appropriate community setting or select from one provided by the MSCM program to serve as the student’s hands-on learning “laboratory” throughout their two years.

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Job Readiness

Graduates will be qualified to work in community medicine immediately, or be prepared to pursue medical school or other advanced healthcare professions.

The 51-credit MSCM program prepares students as skilled community medicine practitioners to work in the safety net community clinics, federally qualified health centers, public health departments, healthcare systems, non-governmental organizations, and industries that serve those communities.

All courses are taught entirely online, with real-world, community-based experiences occurring in the student’s geographical location.

In the first year, students take courses to build the foundation of their knowledge and complete a capstone learning experience. In the second year, students apply their mastered knowledge to real-life experiences. Students choose two electives to engage in-depth within community medicine practice, and spend a full semester on each rotation. To graduate, each student is required to complete a second capstone project. Learn more about the curriculum.

Why KGI’s MSCM program and not an MPH?

The Master of Science in Community Medicine is somewhat similar to a Master of Public Health, but with distinct differences:

  • A Master of Public Health is a broad, general public health graduate degree that prepares public health professionals to work in a wide range of public health and community settings, and whose general purpose is to improve health.
  • KGI’s Master of Science in Community Medicine is a focused, skills, and knowledge-based graduate degree that prepares leaders and practitioners who work in underserved and underrepresented communities to decrease demand for medical care services by improving health and preventing disease and illness.

Read more about the differences between a MPH and MSCM.

What can I do with this degree?

After graduating with a MSCM degree, students are qualified to enter the workforce directly or seek further training as physicians or other health professionals.

Top potential occupations (entering the workforce directly):

  • Public health advisor
  • Epidemiologist
  • Medical administrator
  • Health director
  • Biostatician
  • Healthcare educator
  • Environmental Scientist

Top potential occupations (after additional professional training):

  • Physician
  • Dentist
  • Physician assistant
  • Pharmacist
  • Other health professional

Download the Program Info Sheet

Accreditation

The MSCM program is in the process of receiving accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission.

Ready for what’s next?

If there’s anything we can do, be sure to connect with our admissions team. You can also check out more information on cost and aid and how to apply.

Interested in the MSCM Program?

Complete this form to receive more information!