Physician Assistant Program
Student Life

USC PA Pathways Program

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Overview Video

The USC PA Pathways Program empowers individuals from marginalized, educationally, and economically disadvantaged backgrounds by providing resources, mentorship, and exposure to various healthcare careers. Through structured support from USC Primary Care PA students, the program fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion, equipping participants with the tools to thrive in their education and future healthcare professions.

PA Pathways title card
USC PA Pathways flyer thumbnail.
Click to download the USC PA Pathways flyer.

Our program was established in 2014 under the guidance of Maria G. Maldonado, MPH, MPAP, PAC-C, Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, USC PA Pathways Recruitment Director, and National Health Service Corps Mentor. Under her leadership, students from the Primary Care Physician Assistant Program at the Keck School of Medicine of USC volunteer their time to lead the USC PA Pathways Program. USC PA Pathways comprises eight branches that focus on educational sessions for students and parents. These sessions include expert panels and workshops that highlight the variety of careers in the medical field.

Application cycle
April 1 – May 15Acceptance emails sent
Week of June 1

Program starts
July 26, 2025

Program ends
May 16, 2026

 Applications

General Participation Forms

All participating students are asked to complete registration forms in order to participate in USC PA Pathways. You can either email them to uscpapipeline@usc.edu or bring them on the day of the event.

Participants under 18 years of age must have a parent/guardian sign their forms. For participants 18 years of age and older, please sign on your behalf. Please complete the Participation Form and an Image Release form in either English or Spanish.

More Information About Branches

  • The K-16 branch strives to inspire and guide students from kindergarten to college to attain their future careers by exposing them to opportunities and resources in the healthcare field. PA students along with health professionals speak to students about their career pathway, how to connect with resources about their profession, and how they overcame barriers to achieve their career goals. Following the health professionals’ presentations, students attend workshops where they practice clinical skills and learn more about careers in an interactive manner. Workshop topics include anatomy, physiology, nutrition, first-aid, bystander CPR, dental exams and more.

    Past K-16 events have focused on careers in the following areas:

    • Physician Assistant Studies
    • Pharmacy
    • Physical Therapy
    • Mental/Behavioral Health
    • Medical Assistance
    • Emergency Medical Services
    • Nursing
    • Public Health
    • Optometry
    • Primary Care
    • Dentistry
    • Occupational Therapy

  • The programs LeAD (LEadership & Academic Development) is designed to provide elementary, middle and high school students with the appropriate tools to achieve their educational and career goals.

    With the support from PA students, faculty, and professional tutors they will be provided with educational instruction, mentorship, resources, leadership development, and life skills to help them navigate through academic challenges, in order to thrive in any academic setting.

    The goal of LeAD is to prepare each student to be well-equipped for success throughout their academic and professional aspirations.

  • CReW (College REadiness Workshops) is designed to provide 11th grade and 12th grade students with support for their college pathway ensuring that they have support for their application, as they aspire to pursue careers in healthcare that requires higher education.

    Experiences vary between FAFSA application, college application review, grants and scholarships offerings, and other college-related programming.

  • The Workforce Prep branch aims to introduce 12th graders and 18+ to healthcare practice, etiquette, and educational subjects that are prerequisites to most healthcare careers. Exposing them to the history of healthcare, anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, clinical skills, and pathophysiology of common medical conditions. This branch focuses on exploring technical careers and different pathways to reach graduate programs in a fiscally responsible way within the medical field.

    Participants will be prepared to enter the medical field and facilitate various programs they can enroll in to advance their potential. As part of this experience, they will be able to work alongside healthcare professionals to put into practice what they have learned.

     

  • The Family Engagement Program bridges the gap between parents, schools, and the community by providing resources and having conversations about families’ needs. The ultimate goal is to increase student achievement in a welcoming environment by supporting families with learning opportunities and help becoming more involved in their children’s educational success.

    Participants attend ten monthly sessions and engage with the Family Engagement team and guest speakers. Identified topics have been selected by the participants and are tailored to meet their needs.​


    El programa de participación familiar de la USC reúne padres, escuelas y la comunidad por proporcionando recursos y teniendo conversaciones sobre las necesidades de las familias. El objetivo final es aumentar el éxito de los estudiantes en un ambiente acogedor mediante apoyando a las familias con oportunidades de aprendizaje y ayudando involucrarse más en el éxito educativo de sus hijos.
    ​Los participantes asisten diez sesiones mensuales y se conect con el Equipo de participación familiar y oradores invitados. Temas identificados han sido seleccionados por los participantes y están diseñados para cumplir sus metas.

  • Our USC PA Pathways Program has officially opened our Pre-PA Branch Applications for this school year. Our Pre-PA Branch focuses on enhancing the PA applicant pool to prepare students from all backgrounds to practice medicine and provide service to the medically underserved. We strive to guide and support participants throughout their application process to facilitate acceptance into ANY accredited PA program. Below are some topics that will be discussed during the program.

    • Application Process
    • Scholarships and Grants
    • Resume Review
    • Mock Interviews
    • Clinical and Volunteer Opportunities

  • We’re excited to launch a new Behavioral Health Career Exploration Pathway designed to inspire and inform high school students about meaningful careers in the behavioral health field. This pathway offers hands-on learning and direct exposure to a wide range of professions rom community health workers, prevention interventionists, case managers, MSWs, and MFTs.

    Through dynamic guest speakers and real-world insights, students will gain a deeper understanding of the roles that support mental health, healing, and community wellness. This pathway not only introduces career options but also empowers students to see themselves as future changemakers in their communities

  • We’re thrilled to introduce the Pre-PA Virtual Branch, a new initiative from the USC PA Pathways Program. This branch is designed for students who are passionate about becoming Physician Assistants but may not be able to participate in our in-person programming. Through this virtual experience, students will gain access to vital resources—including CASPA application support, mentorship, networking, and interactive learning opportunities—all accessible from anywhere. Participants will also become part of a supportive, like-minded community focused on personal and professional growth in the PA field. Our mission is to uplift and empower students from disadvantaged and underserved backgrounds by expanding access to PA school preparation—ensuring every aspiring healthcare leader has the opportunity to thrive. If you’re ready to take the next step toward your PA journey, we invite you to apply and grow with us!

    Pre-PA Virtual Branch