About the program
The Marshall B. Ketchum University PA program is described in PAEA's published program data; full curriculum details, faculty, and admissions cycle specifics are maintained on the program's own website.
From the program's mission statement: "Our mission is to educate individuals to become compassionate Physician Assistant who can provide the highest quality health care in a collaborative environment, are dedicated to their communities and advance the PA profession."
Small class size, family-like atmosphere, community service opportunities
Matriculant data
Actual stats for students who enrolled in the most recently reported cohort, sourced from PAEA's published program data.
Admission policies
Out-of-state applicants are accepted. International applicants: no. DACA status applicants are considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 7 Years · up to 2 outstanding at application
Program overview
Marshall B. Ketchum University in California offers an ARC-PA accredited 27-month program leading to a Master of Medical Science degree, with the next cohort beginning in August 2027. The program accepts out-of-state applicants but does not admit international students, and no distance learning or part-time options are available, meaning candidates must commit fully to an on-site, full-time course of study.
The curriculum follows an organ-based and systems-based learning model, which organizes instruction around the body's interconnected systems rather than isolated disciplines. The program's mission emphasizes producing compassionate PAs who can deliver high-quality care in collaborative settings, remain dedicated to their communities, and contribute to advancing the profession. Small class size - capped at approximately 50 students - and a self-described family-like atmosphere shape the learning environment, and community service opportunities are woven into the experience for applicants who value civic engagement alongside clinical training.
Competitive matriculants carry an overall GPA of 3.6 and a science GPA of 3.5, setting a reasonably clear academic benchmark. Healthcare experience is required for admission, though paid direct patient care is recommended rather than mandated - a distinction worth noting for applicants whose hands-on hours come through volunteer or unpaid roles. Prerequisite coursework must have been completed within the last seven years, and applicants may enter with no more than two outstanding prerequisites. Required courses include general biology, human anatomy with lab, human physiology with lab, microbiology with lab, and statistics, each at a minimum of three credits.
Total tuition runs $137,365 with no separate tuition rate structure for in-state versus out-of-state students, and the seat deposit is $1,500. Three letters of reference are required. The application deadline is September 1, 2026, and all applications are reviewed together after that date rather than on a rolling basis, so timing of submission within the cycle matters less than meeting the deadline cleanly. Interviews are conducted in a traditional format as well as a group format and are required to be completed on-site.
An applicant should judge fit here primarily by whether the collaborative, community-oriented mission and the close-knit small-cohort environment align with how they learn and what they want from a program, alongside an honest assessment of whether their GPA, healthcare hours, and prerequisite timeline meet the published standards.