SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies
MSPA

Program Details

Format
Start Term
In-Person
Fall
Duration
Full-time 27 months
Application
Deadline
September 1 (priority),
November 1 final
Cost
$17,670 per term
Learn More

Clinical Experiences

Gain rich clinical experiences across multiple specialties and settings in some of Southern California’s top medical facilities

Leadership Skills

Develop valuable leadership and entrepreneurial skills to create a unique career path ideal for you

Continuous Collaboration

Obtain a well-rounded perspective of medicine through collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, such as KGI’s pharmacy, genetics, occupational therapy, and medical device engineering programs

The Chan Family Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies degree program will prepare students to become integral members of the healthcare team and provide compassionate care for their communities. This 27-month program integrates leadership skills, innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to problem-solving, and interprofessional collaboration. MSPA program graduates develop a better understanding of the social determinants of health and patient-centered medicine, leaving fully prepared to play a leadership role in the community and public health.

About the Program

Innovative learning

Students benefit from an active learning classroom model that emphasizes engagement, critical thinking, and teamwork. Students also have access to early clinical experiences and real patient interactions that strengthen interpersonal, technical, and clinical reasoning skills before starting clinical rotations.

Community roots: providing compassionate care to diverse populations

Students will be heavily involved in the care and education of the local community. These volunteers provide students with an understanding of the community’s healthcare needs. Graduates will be prepared to provide compassionate care to patients of diverse ethnicity, race, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, and recognize health disparities and work towards achieving health equity.

Leadership and entrepreneurship

Students receive instruction in leadership and entrepreneurship in order to prepare them to take on leadership roles, be involved in advocacy, solve real-world problems, and create their own career path.

Where Can Your MSPA Degree Take You?

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:

  • Physician Associate in a variety of fields including primary care, surgical specialties, and emergency medicine
  • Healthcare Administrator
  • Educator
  • Clinical Researcher

Accreditation Status

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Keck Graduate Institute Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Keck Graduate Institute.

Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at ARC-PA website

Program Faculty and Staff

Christy Eskes

Christy Eskes, DHSc, MPA, PA-C

Program Director and Professor of Practice, Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies (MSPA)

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Lauren Bolda

Lauren Bolda, DMSc, MPA, PA-C

Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor, Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies

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Robert Fellin

Robert Fellin, PharmD

Adjunct Faculty, Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies (MSPA)

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Erin Gysbers

Erin Gysbers, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C

Assistant Professor, Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies

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Joshua Gysbers

Joshua Gysbers, MSPA, PA-C

Adjunct Faculty, Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies

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Amanda Ingalls

Amanda Ingalls, DMS, PA-C

Director of Didactic Education and Professor of Practice, Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies (MSPA)

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Yeon Kim

Yeon Kim, DMSc, MPH, PA-C, CAQ-Psy

Assistant Professor, Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies Program

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Jason Laird

Jason Laird, DMSc, MHS, MBA, PA-C

Adjunct Faculty, Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies

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Stacey McIlroy

Stacey McIlroy, MMS, PA-C

Assistant Professor, Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies

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Alan Rothfeld

Alan Rothfeld, MD

Medical Director, Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies; Professor of Practice, Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences

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Bill Sullivan

Bill Sullivan, MSPA, PA-C, EMT-P

Director of Clinical Site Development and Assistant Professor, Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies

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Ana Coreas

Ana Coreas

Administrative Support Specialist, Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies