HENRY E. RIGGS SCHOOL OF APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
Postbaccalaureate Pre-PA Certificate
PPA
Program Details
Start Term
Fall
Deadline
rolling admissions thereafter
Clinical Experiences
Students in the PPA program can earn clinical hours in the fall, spring, and summer terms.
Curriculum
Graduate-level courses within the applied life sciences and combines courses in science and business.
Advising Support
Highly individualized support is available to all students to help navigate the PA school admissions process.
The PPA certificate program is designed specifically for those looking to enhance their academic credentials to gain a competitive edge for admission into Physician Assistant programs. Students also have the opportunity to complete a master’s degree during the glide year when applying to PA programs.
About the Program
The PPA certificate program is highly customizable to meet the needs of each student. Curriculum consists of graduate-level courses within the applied life sciences, which includes courses in science and business. There are additional upper-level undergraduate courses offered over the summer that are often required or highly recommended by many PA programs. Options include: human anatomy with lab, human physiology with lab, and biochemistry. Students are able to take the coursework they need along with the clinical and volunteer hours necessary to become competitive for admission to PA programs.
Co-curricular Learning Experiences
The following is a list of some of the activities and opportunities available to PPA students:
- Field trips to local and regional PA programs
- Meet with professionals from various medical specialties
- Simulated individual interviews, group interviews, and multi-mini interviews (MMI)
- Guest speakers from various PA programs
- GRE prep course
- Networking opportunities with KGI alumni
- Research opportunities
- Clinical and shadowing opportunities
- Various community service and student club activities
- Gain up to 1,000 patient and clinical-care hours
Interested in a Master of Science?
Pre-health students may also pursue KGI’s Master of Science in Applied Life Sciences (MS) program with a pre-health track. With this option, you take KGI’s PPA curriculum in year one, and complete one of our MS concentrations in year two.
Concentrations include: translational, clinical, public health, infectious diseases, or bioprocessing research, or a Team Master’s Project.
If you are interested in this option, apply for the MS program and select “Yes” when asked whether you want to apply for the pre-health track.
Program Faculty and Staff
How to Apply
- Completed online application
- Personal statement
- Resume
- Letter of recommendation
- Transcripts
- English language proficiency (TOEFL, PTE, IELTS, iTEP)
- $75 non-refundable application fee
- Admission interview
Admitted students are required to submit a $400 non-refundable enrollment fee to hold their spot in the program.