Postbaccalaureate Pre-PA Certificate

PPA Program Details

• Why KGI's PPA Program

  KGI’s one-year PPA program combines the best of an “academic enhancer” (AE) program and a Special Master’s Program (SMP). It’s an AE because it’s an opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to succeed in a rigorous graduate environment and to learn unique knowledge and skills from the biomedical industry offered by physician assistant schools. It’s similar to an SMP in that our students may have the option to continue towards completing a master’s degree with an additional year. 

• PPA Curriculum

  KGI’s curriculum consists of graduate-level courses within the applied life sciences, which combines courses in science and business.

  There are additional upper-level undergraduate courses offered over the summer that are often required or highly recommended by many PA programs. Options include:

  • Human anatomy with lab
  • Human physiology with lab
  • Microbiology with lab
  • Biochemistry

  PPA students must earn 24 units to complete the certificate.

• Clinical Experience

  PA programs require a wide range of clinical hours, from 0 to 2,000. Students in the PPA program can earn up to 560 clinical hours over the fall and spring terms, but students in need of additional hours can accumulate up to 1,000 hours by continuing afterwards through summer.

  

• Master of Science Option

  Students are eligible to enter KGI’s Master of Science in Applied Life Sciences program during their second year after completing their PPA certificate. Learn more.

• Co-Curricular Activities and Professional Development

  Last year’s cohort created many memories during our trip to 13 PA programs, including a trip to Arizona to visit programs in the Grand Canyon State.

  Students love our program for the ALS 398 course, which was designed exclusively to support students with their applications, GRE prep course, and effective practice interviews. Our students also gain a tremendous amount of personal and developmental value through the program’s individual financial planning, collaborative culture, mentoring, and connection to our strong alumni network.

  The following is a list of some of the activities and opportunities for our students:

  • Field trips to local and regional PA schools
  • Meet with professionals from various medical specialties
  • Simulated individual interviews, group interviews, and multi-mini interviews (MMI)
  • Guest speakers from various PA schools
  • GRE prep course (additional fee required)
  • Network opportunities with KGI alumni
  • Research opportunities
  • Clinical and shadowing opportunities
• Academic Advising and Support

  One of the greatest benefits of our program is the highly individualized support. Our advising team is dedicated to working with each of our students to help navigate through the admission process, and is readily available as evidenced by ample hours of walk-in appointments. In addition, we have a course in the fall specifically designed to help students produce their best application by learning about relevant concepts from educational psychology, such as theories of motivation and learning strategies. In the spring, we spend time on personal statements and interviewing skills.

• Who Should Apply?

  The PPA program is best suited for students who are not only looking to further improve upon their credentials, including the need for additional clinical hours but to develop both breadth and depth to enrich their future careers in healthcare.