Master of Science (MS) in Physician Associate Studies

How to Apply to the Physician Associate Program

The following provides a brief overview of the application and admissions process for the Chan Family Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies (MSPA) Program at Keck Graduate Institute (KGI). For additional information, including frequently asked questions, please review the Class Statistics, Admission Requirements, and Application Proceduresdocument.

Application Process

To be considered for admission and an interview, applicants must submit an application through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Associates (CASPA). Applicants who select KGI as one of their schools will be prompted to complete KGI’s supplemental application questions prior to CASPA submission.

The supplemental application includes short-answer questions that allow the Admissions Committee to conduct a more holistic review of each applicant and assess alignment with the mission, vision, and values of both KGI and the MSPA program. KGI will not receive the CASPA application until these questions are completed.

Requirements at the Time of Application

The following requirements must be completed and reflected on the CASPA application at the time of submission:

• Minimum GPA
  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Science GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • GPAs are calculated by CASPA at the time of application submission.
• Prerequisite Coursework
  • Completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher from a regionally or nationally accredited institution in the United States or U.S. Territories.
  • All prerequisite courses must have been completed within 10 years of the application deadline. At least 5 of these courses must be completed for a letter grade at the time of CASPA submission.
• Patient Care Experience
  • A minimum of 1,000 hours of paid, hands-on patient care experience completed within the past five years.
• Letters of Recommendation
  • Three letters of recommendation are required (see the attached document for detailed criteria).
  • All three recommendation types must be requested at the time of application and completed no later than December 31 of the application year.
  • Please note that applications cannot advance to the review stage until all three letters are completed and submitted in CASPA.
• English Language Proficiency
  • Required for international applicants only. Please refer to the International Students page for specific requirements.

Requirements That May Be In Progress at the Time of Application

The following requirements may be outstanding at the time of application but must be completed no later than June 15 of the matriculation year. Failure to meet these requirements by the deadline will result in rescission of the admission offer.

• Prerequisite Coursework
  • Up to two prerequisite courses (up to 8 semester units or 12 quarter units total) may be outstanding at the time of application.
  • Outstanding prerequiste courses must be completed with a letter grade of C or higher.
• Bachelor’s Degree
  • Completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution in the United States or U.S. Territories.

Application Review and Interview Process

Upon receipt of a completed CASPA application, the KGI Admissions Committee conducts a holistic review to determine an applicant’s suitability for an interview. Applicants selected for an interview must participate in a virtual (Zoom) interview to be considered for admission to the MSPA program.

Applicants selected for admission after the interview must submit two non-refundable enrollment deposits of $750 each to secure their seat in the program.

Please review the accompanying admissions document carefully and contact admissions@kgi.edu with any questions regarding admissions requirements. Please note that admissions requirements and procedures are reviewed annually and will be updated prior to the start of each CASPA application cycle. Applicants are encouraged to review the most current information before submitting an application.

MSPA Program Prerequisites

Prerequisite courses include:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab (two courses)
• Microbiology
• Medical Terminology
• General or Inorganic Chemistry with Lab
• Organic or Biochemistry
• Statistics

To be considered for admission, you must complete the above courses with a grade of C or higher from a regionally or nationally accredited institution in the United States or U.S. Territories. All prerequisites must have been completed within 10 years of the application deadline.

You may have up to two outstanding prerequisites (no more than 8 semesters or 12 quarter hours total) at the time of application. All remaining requirements must be completed by June 15 of the enrollment year.

Direct Patient Care Experience

At the time of application, a minimum of 1,000 hours of direct, paid, hands-on patient care experience (PCE) completed within the past five years is required.

Direct patient care experiences include:

Unacceptable Experiences Include:

• Hours obtained in pharmacy as a pharmacy tech
• Work in optometry, podiatry, veterinary, or dental settings
• Administrative roles in hospitals or offices
• Positions such as lifeguard, aesthetician, or home caregiver
• Non-clinical research or laboratory-only experience

Additional Guidelines:

• Hours obtained through volunteer, shadowing, or training programs (e.g., CNA, MA, medical school, or PA school) do not count toward patient care experience.
• Hours completed after graduation, such as residency hours, are accepted.
• Direct patient care hours must be completed in the United States, U.S. territories, or with U.S.-based organizations (e.g., the military or Peace Corps). Acceptance of organization-based hours is at the discretion of KGI.
• The program evaluates applicants' duties to determine which hours qualify as PCE. If descriptions are unclear, KGI reserves the right to adjust the accepted hours accordingly.

The above is a summary of admissions requirements for KGI's MSPA program. More detailed information regarding all admissions requirements and procedures can be found in the following document. Please review this document and contact admissions@kgi.edu if you have any questions regarding admissions requirements. Note this document will be updated prior to the beginning of each CASPA cycle, so it is important to check for any updates prior to submitting an application.

View Class Statistics and Admission Requirements and Procedures

Current and Prospective Student Information

The MSPA Program is committed to supporting our students from admission through graduation and beyond. To help you make informed decisions, we share annual outcomes data such as graduation rates and PANCE performance. Below, you will also find additional required information, including technical standards and program policies, that may be helpful to current and prospective students.

Financing Your MSPA Degree

KGI brings you one step closer to becoming a physician associate by offering comprehensive support and resources to make your degree affordable. We’re committed to guiding you through your financial options so you can plan your education with confidence.

Your Future as a Physician Associate Starts Here

Join a passionate community of healthcare professionals at Keck Graduate Institute. In the Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies degree program, you build robust expertise in patient-centered care and refine your clinical skills to uplift the health and well-being of others.

Begin the journey toward a meaningful healthcare career. Start your graduate application today.