Occupational Therapy Doctorate
KGI's OTD program is a full-time, doctoral-level program that requires students to ...
M.S. in Physical Associate Studies
Claremont, California
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
The MSPA program at KGI is a full-time, 27-month, year-round graduate program. It is structured into two main phases: a 15-month didactic (classroom-based) phase and a 12-month clinical phase. The didactic phase focuses on foundational medical sciences, patient assessment, clinical and diagnostic skills, and community health. The clinical phase involves eight 6-week supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) across various disciplines, including core rotations in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Women's Health, and Behavioral and Mental Health, along with a clinical elective. Students also complete a capstone project during the clinical phase. The program's mission emphasizes leadership, entrepreneurship, and a focus on community health and the social determinants of health.
Curriculum: The MSPA curriculum is comprehensive, integrating a robust foundation in basic medical sciences with extensive clinical training. Key didactic courses include Medical Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences, Patient Assessment (I-IV), Clinical and Diagnostic Skills (I-III), Evidence-Based Medicine, Community Health, Clinical Medicine (I-III), Pharmacotherapeutics (I-III), and Fundamentals of Surgery and Emergency Medicine. The clinical phase is comprised of eight 6-week Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs) in diverse settings such as family medicine, emergency medicine, internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, women's health, and behavioral and mental health, with the opportunity for an elective. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the ability to diagnose and treat medical conditions effectively.
Research Focus: KGI's MSPA program has an applied and practical research focus, rather than a traditional academic thesis requirement. Students are trained in "Evidence-Based Medicine" during their didactic phase, which is crucial for understanding and applying current research to clinical practice. During the clinical phase, students complete a Capstone project. This project provides an opportunity for students to synthesize and apply their knowledge to a specific area of interest or a real-world healthcare problem, often involving a component of data analysis or program development, aligning with KGI's broader emphasis on translating innovation into practice and addressing community health needs. The program's mission to develop PAs dedicated to "advancing healthcare" through leadership and commitment to their communities inherently suggests a focus on applied problem-solving and improvement within the healthcare system.
Industry Engagement: KGI places a strong emphasis on industry engagement across all its programs, and the MSPA is no exception. The program focuses on "early clinical experiences and real patient interactions that strengthen interpersonal, technical, and clinical reasoning skills before starting clinical rotations." Faculty often have extensive clinical and leadership experience, providing students with direct insights into current healthcare practices and challenges. The extensive supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) in various healthcare settings serve as direct industry engagement, allowing students to learn from and interact with healthcare professionals in real-world environments. KGI's commitment to "partnering with industry leaders" and its focus on preparing students for leadership roles underscores its strong ties to the healthcare sector, ensuring graduates are "ready now" for the demands of the profession.
Global Perspective: While not explicitly featuring dedicated "global health" courses as a core component, KGI's MSPA program implicitly integrates a global perspective through its mission and curriculum design. The program aims to prepare PAs who are "dedicated to advancing healthcare... and the compassionate care of diverse populations." This includes developing "a better understanding of the social determinants of health and patient-centered medicine," and being 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." These aspects inherently require an awareness of global health issues, cultural competencies, and the varied health needs of an increasingly interconnected world. KGI's broader commitment to innovation in biotechnology and healthcare also suggests an awareness of global advancements and challenges in medical practice.
Location
Claremont, California
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 36730
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 75 or higher.
Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) is dedicated to supporting talented international students pursuing advanced education in the fields of applied life sciences, biotechnology, healthcare, and pharmaceutical sciences. To make its programs more accessible, KGI offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically for international applicants, helping to reduce the financial burden and recognize academic excellence.
Merit-Based Scholarships: KGI awards merit-based scholarships automatically during the admission process to international students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievements, leadership qualities, and innovation in their field. These scholarships can cover a significant portion of tuition fees and are highly competitive.
Global Impact Scholarship: This prestigious scholarship targets international students with a vision to make a meaningful difference in global health, science, and technology. Candidates are evaluated on academic performance, research potential, and dedication to solving worldwide challenges through science and healthcare.
Dean’s and Presidential Scholarships: Exceptional international candidates may be considered for Dean’s or Presidential Scholarships, which provide substantial tuition assistance. These awards recognize exemplary scholarship, professional experience, and contributions to their academic community.
Program-Specific Scholarships: Certain programs at KGI, such as the Master of Science in Applied Life Sciences, Master of Business and Science, and Doctor of Pharmacy, offer dedicated scholarships. These awards help attract students with strong backgrounds and align their talents with KGI’s mission.
The Keck Graduate Institute (KGI)'s Chan Family Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) program is a STEM-designated, rigorous 27-month program that prepares graduates to become high-quality physician associates.
Primary Care Physician Assistant: A foundational and highly in-demand role, PAs in primary care (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics) diagnose and treat common illnesses, provide preventive care, manage chronic conditions, and perform routine physical exams in clinics or private practices.
Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant: PAs are integral to emergency departments, assessing and treating acute illnesses and injuries, performing procedures, and collaborating with physicians to manage critical cases in fast-paced environments.
Surgical Physician Assistant: Specializing in surgery, PAs assist surgeons in the operating room, perform pre- and post-operative care, conduct patient rounds, and often perform minor surgical procedures. This can include general surgery, orthopedic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, or neurosurgery.
Hospitalist Physician Assistant: These PAs work exclusively in hospitals, managing the care of hospitalized patients. They admit and discharge patients, order and interpret tests, prescribe medications, and coordinate care with specialists.
Specialty Physician Assistant: KGI's comprehensive training allows graduates to specialize in a wide range of medical fields, including Dermatology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Oncology, Pulmonology, Nephrology, and more, working closely with specialists to provide focused patient care.
Women's Health Physician Assistant (OB/GYN): PAs in this specialization provide comprehensive care to women, including prenatal and postpartum care, routine gynecological exams, family planning, and management of women's health issues.
Behavioral/Mental Health Physician Assistant: Addressing a critical need, PAs in this field diagnose and treat mental health conditions, provide counseling, manage psychotropic medications, and collaborate with psychiatrists and other mental health professionals.
Public Health/Community Health Physician Assistant: Leveraging KGI's focus on community health and social determinants of health, graduates can work in public health settings, addressing health disparities, implementing community health programs, and promoting wellness at a population level.
Healthcare Administrator/Clinical Lead: With their strong clinical foundation and leadership training, experienced PAs can transition into administrative roles, overseeing clinical operations, developing protocols, or managing healthcare teams within hospitals, clinics, or health systems.
Academic Physician Assistant / Clinical Educator: PAs with an MSPA can contribute to the education of future healthcare professionals, serving as clinical preceptors, guest lecturers, or even pursuing faculty positions in PA programs, sharing their expertise and mentoring students during their clinical rotations.
