The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) program at Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) located in beautiful Claremont, CA, will prepare students to become integral members of the healthcare team and provide compassionate care to their communities. 

In alignment with KGI’s mission and values, this 27-month program will also integrate leadership skills, innovative/entrepreneurial approaches to problem-solving, and interprofessional collaboration with other KGI programs. MSPA program graduates will enter the workforce with a better understanding of the social determinants of health and patient-centered medicine, so they are fully prepared to play a leadership role in the community and public health.

Now accepting applications through CASPA for the fall 2024 cohort

Interested in the MSPA program?

Complete this form to receive more information!

Program Quick Facts

Fact
Details
Program Length
27 months
Program Type
Year round, full-time
Curriculum
15-month didactic phase
12-month clinical phase
Didactic Coursework
Most classes in person
Active learning framework
Early Clinical Experiences
Community outreach
Clinical Coursework
Eight 6-week clinical rotations
Capstone project
PANCE Preparation

MSPA Program Details

  • At KGI, you will:

    • Gain rich clinical experiences across multiple specialties and settings in the region’s top medical facilities.
    • Obtain a well-rounded perspective of medicine through continuous collaboration with interdisciplinary teams in academic and clinical settings.
    • Develop valuable leadership and entrepreneurial skills to create a unique career path ideally suited to you.

  • KGI’s MSPA program utilizes innovative teaching methods grounded in an active learning classroom model, emphasizing student engagement, critical thinking skills, and teamwork. Students learn to engage with one another, mirroring their future careers as part of a collaborative team. KGI MSPA students also benefit from early clinical experiences during the didactic phase. These real patient interactions strengthen interpersonal, technical, and clinical reasoning skills before the start of clinical rotations.

  • Through volunteer opportunities and community-based projects, KGI MSPA students are heavily involved in the care and education of the local community. These opportunities provide students with a true understanding of the needs of the communities they serve. Our graduates are prepared to recognize health disparities and work towards achieving health equity by providing compassionate care to patients with consideration for: disability status, special healthcare needs, ethnicity, race, gender identity, religion, spirituality, sexual orientation, and the social determinants of health.

  • The healthcare landscape is rapidly changing, and PAs are uniquely suited to take on leadership roles that shape the future of medicine. Through didactic instruction and applied projects in leadership and entrepreneurship, KGI MSPA students are prepared to take on leadership roles, be advocates for the profession and their communities, and solve real-world problems through innovation, ultimately creating their own personalized career path.

  • KGI’s MSPA program delivers a curriculum consistent with our mission, providing our students with the tools required to achieve program learning outcomes and competencies. This is a full-time, 27-month, year-round graduate program that consists of 124 semester credit hours completed over seven semesters. The program is divided into a 15-month didactic phase and a 12-month clinical phase. Learn more.

  • The demand for PAs continues to grow and is expected to increase 31% by 2028. KGI MSPA program graduates will be qualified to serve in a wide range of exciting roles:

    • Clinical PA in high demand specialties such as primary care, surgical specialties, and emergency medicine
    • Healthcare Administrator
    • Educator
    • Clinical Researcher
    • Medical Science Liaison

Due to Exceptional Medical Care, MSPA Student Christian Roy Is Thriving Today—and Now He Is Paying It Forward

When Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) student Christian Roy and his twin brother were born three months premature, doctors feared they would not make it. […]

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MSPA Student and Registered Dietitian Jaime Savitz Contributes to Forbes Article on the Alkaline Diet

Jaime Savitz, a registered dietitian and student in Keck Graduate Institute (KGI)’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) program, contributed to an article recently published in Forbes Health. The article evaluates […]

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Amanda Ingalls, Director of Didactic Education for KGI’s MSPA Program, Awarded for Excellence in Teaching

Teaching eight hours of live, online lectures in an enjoyable way—and enables students to retain the information—is no easy task. However, Amanda Ingalls—who recently joined Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) as […]

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MSPA Student Alexander Senturia Co-Authors Paper on COVID-19 Vaccination Program for People Experiencing Homelessness in LA County

Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) student Alexander Senturia, MSPA ’24, is the second author of a “Notes from the Field” paper that the American Journal of Public Health recently accepted. The […]

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Program Faculty

Lauren Bolda, DMSc, MPA, PA-C

Assistant Professor, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) Program
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Christy Eskes, DHSc, MPA, PA-C

Program Director and Professor of Practice, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) Program
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Jason Laird, DMSc, MHS, MBA, PA-C

Adjunct Faculty, MSPA
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Stacey McIlroy, MMS, PA-C

Assistant Professor, Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) Studies Program
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Alan Rothfeld, MD

Medical Director, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) Program; Professor of Practice, Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences
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Mostafa Elgebaly, PhD, RPh

Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Pathophysiology
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"PAs have the ability to provide more direct patient interactions. Studies have shown that PAs can actually lower overall healthcare costs while improving the quality of healthcare. "
Martin Zdanowicz
Professor of Pharmaceutical and Applied Life Sciences

Ready for What’s Next?

Download the Program Info Sheet

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.

Enhance your Competitiveness to PA School

Do you need to gain a competitive advantage for admission into PA school? KGI offers a Postbaccalaureate Pre-PA Certificate program that allows students to enhance their academic credentials and gain additional clinical hours. Learn more.

Become a Preceptor or Join our Board

KGI’s MSPA program is looking to partner with trusted members of the local health community to prepare the next generation of high-quality healthcare providers. If you are interested in becoming a preceptor or joining our Program Advisory Board, please fill out this brief form. Then, we will contact you!