Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies 

at Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont

1,000 hours direct patient care experience completed in the past five years is required at the time of application. Examples of direct patient care experiences include:

Unacceptable patient care experiences include: hours obtained in optometry, podiatry, veterinary, or dental settings; administrative roles in hospital or office settings; and those hours obtained as a lifeguard, aesthetician, in home care services, caregiving/taking, or in non-clinical research (i.e., laboratory setting only).

Hours obtained during volunteer, shadowing, or training programs are not counted towards patient care hours (e.g., certified nurse assistant, medical assistant, medical school, or PA school). Those hours attained after graduation are accepted, such as residency hours.

Direct patient care experience hours must be completed in the United States, U.S territories, or as part of U.S. organizations such as the military, peace corps, etc. Acceptance of U.S. organization-based patient care hours is at the discretion of KGI.

The program will determine which hours are counted towards the PCE based on what the applicant writes as a description of duties. If duties are unclear, the program reserves the right to determine how many hours will be accepted based on the description.