Master of Science (MS) in Physician Associate Studies
MSPA

How to Apply to the Physician Associate Program

To be considered for admission to the PA program, you must meet these requirements:

• Completed CASPA Application: Submit an online CASPA application, including the KGI-specific supplemental questions within CASPA.
• Minimum GPA Requirements:
  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Science GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Direct Patient Care Experience: At least 1,000 hours of paid, hands-on patient care experience.
• Three letters of recommendation:
  • The first letter must be from a healthcare provider who is a Physician Associate (PA), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), or Nurse Practitioner (NP).
  • The second letter must be from one of these professionals:
    1. A second healthcare reference can be another provider or healthcare professional (e.g., Registered Nurse (RN), Respiratory Therapist (RT)).
    2. An academic reference, such as a professor or academic advisor.
    3. A research supervisor or lead from a project in which you had significant participation.
  • The third letter is your choice. You may choose one letter from any of the above categories or from a volunteer supervisor.
  • Letters will not be accepted from personal friends, family friends, or relatives.
  • All three letters must be requested through CASPA at the time of application and completed by December 31 of the application year. The program does not accept letters sent directly to KGI.
• Admission Interview (conducted online by invitation only)
• English language proficiency required for international students only. Please see the international student page.

Admitted students must submit two non-refundable deposits of $750 each to secure their place in the program.

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. 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 patient care experience (PCE) completed within the past five years is required.

Direct patient care experiences include:

Unacceptable Experiences Include:

• 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.

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.