To respond to ever-growing need for more healthcare professionals, Keck Graduate Institute has launched four new programs to create new pathways in the physician associate and pharmacy fields.
The School of Health Sciences now includes a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program, helping physician assistants/associates in pursuit of a terminal degree to advance career opportunities in leadership, academic, and policy-making roles. The School of Pharmacy has added three new programs –– Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Master of Science in Population Health Sciences, and Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management. All four programs have spring and fall starts, with the first cohorts beginning January 2026.
“The launch of these new programs is a fantastic example of how KGI is committed to healing and uplifting our local and global communities through education,” said President Mohamed Abousalem. “As an Institute, we have built momentum over the past year in examining our program offerings to ensure that we are serving the needs of the biotechnology, healthcare, and life sciences sectors –– all with an emphasis on advancing our academic excellence and enhancing our student experience.”
The DMSc is a fully online, asynchronous program designed to be flexible for working physician assistants/associates. Graduates of the program are prepared to influence healthcare delivery, lead quality improvement initiatives, shape health policy, and educate the next generation of clinicians.
KGI is offering an accelerated pathway for graduates of The Chan Family Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies (MSPA) program, with non-KGI graduates also having the ability to transfer up to 14 credits with demonstrated course equivalency.
"The establishment of the DMSc is a result of the strong results we are already seeing from our MSPA program and the desire to help them and other physician assistants/associates continue to grow in their careers,” said Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the School of Health Sciences Megan Prosser. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to engage with working professionals to further develop their skills and introduce new pathways in the healthcare field.”
The addition of three programs in the School of Pharmacy is meant to bolster the Institute’s pharmaceutical career offerings as well as provide current pharmacists with additional educational opportunities. All three programs are offered on campus.
The Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences equips students with advanced training in drug discovery, design, and delivery, preparing them for impactful careers across the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, academic, and government sectors. The two-year program has a strong emphasis on data science, empowering graduates to leverage cutting-edge tools — including high-performance computing technologies, artificial intelligence, and informatics — in drug discovery, development and delivery.
The Master of Science in Population Health Sciences offers an interdisciplinary approach across economics, marketing, pharmaceutical care, health services research, epidemiology, and regulatory science. Graduates of the one-year program will be prepared to lead improvements in patient care, health equity, and health care delivery performance.
The Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management equips students with advanced training at the intersection of pharmaceutical sciences, marketing, management, and population health. Graduates of the one-year program are prepared to shape the future of drug development, optimize product management, and improve health outcomes worldwide.
“The introduction of these three additional educational offerings represents an important next step in the journey to fulfill the vision of KGI’s School of Pharmacy of enhancing the health-related quality of life of our global communities through innovative translational medicine and pharmaceutical care,” said Dean of the School of Pharmacy Oscar Garza. “We are excited to offer new career pathways for the next generation of leaders in precision medicine and high-value, evidence-based healthcare – immersed in interdisciplinary approaches and prepared through hands-on experience in utilizing advanced technologies to improving health equity in a complex and ever-changing biopharmaceutical industry and health care system landscape.”