Center for Graduate Studies

Providing experiential learning in an interprofessional setting to help educate a new generation of healthcare leaders.

Center for Graduate Studies Center for Graduate Studies

Start Your Journey

• Hands-on education in an interprofessional setting
• Faculty and staff with real-world experience
• Technologically advanced labs and simulation centers

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Center for Graduate Studies Degree Programs:

MS in Occupational Therapy

Next Start Date: January 5th

Program Length: 24 Months

Credits: 96

Master of Physician Assistant

Next Start Date: January 5th

Program Length: 24 Months

Credits: 108

Doctor of Pharmacy

Next Start Date: August 18th

Program Length: 33 Months

Credits: 144

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Next Start Date: September 1st

Program Length: 36 Months

Credits: 133

Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Next Start Date: September 1st

Program Length: 32 Months

Credits: 120

  • Exploring West Coast University's Center for Graduate Studies

    Join us as we give you a glimpse of the Center for Graduate Studies situated in the vibrant city of Los Angeles. Discover the myriad offerings of our technologically advanced campus.

  • Inside WCU’s Doctor of Pharmacy Program at CGS

    Join us as we explore the technologically advanced Doctor of Pharmacy program simulation labs and immersive learning spaces at the Center for Graduate Studies in Los Angeles.

  • Discover WCU’s Occupational Therapy Program at CGS

    See where WCU Occupational Therapy students learn and hone their skills as we lead you on a tour of our simulation labs at the Center for Graduate Studies, nestled in the heart of Los Angeles.

  • Explore WCU's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at CGS

    Join us as we take you on a quick tour of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program immersive learning spaces at the Center for Graduate Studies in the heart of Los Angeles.

  • WCU Master of Physician Assistant Program at CGS Tour

    Get a glimpse of what it’s like to be a Master of Physician Assistant program student at West Coast University! Join us on a quick tour of our simulation lab, located at the Center for Graduate Studies in Los Angeles.

  • WCU CGS campus
  • WCU CGS campus
  • WCU CGS campus
  • WCU CGS campus

A Campus Built for You

Built to encourage interprofessional learning, our campus is home to graduate students in our occupational therapy, physical therapy, and pharmacy programs. It contains technologically advanced labs for hands-on, experiential learning, including a sensory integration lab, driving retraining simulator, vision assessment lab, and student compounding lab.

WCU School of Pharmacy is located at the Center for Graduate Studies in the heart of Los Angeles, adjacent to Hollywood and the famed Hollywood sign. Enjoy California’s coveted climate in a metropolitan oasis with cultural diversity and endless opportunities. The campus is also located near several Los Angeles Metro bus and rail routes.

Why Choose WCU’s Center for Graduate Studies?

Our campus is equipped with industry-current technology designed for today’s student working towards an advanced healthcare degree.

Join a Like-Minded Community

Graduate school is about more than just attending classes. It’s about the whole experience! At WCU’s Center for Graduate Studies, you’ll join a supportive community of people like you driven to advance their education while building lasting relationships that extend far beyond seminars, labs, and clinical settings.

Our Campus Environment Offers:

  • Collaborative Culture: Expand your knowledge and understanding by studying alongside students from diverse educational and professional backgrounds. You never know what insights can be gained when joining a community of colleagues that spans numerous fields.
  • Active Learning Environment: Hone your skills with a wide range of fully equipped simulation labs and hands-on clinical experiences. There’s even a fully simulated apartment environment for occupational therapy students to practice what they learn in a realistic setting.
  • Ideal Location: Campus is conveniently located near the heart of Los Angeles. Not only is there plenty to explore, but there are also many opportunities for occupational therapists, physical therapists, pharmacists, and physician assistants in the area.
  • Student-Centered Experience: Enjoy consistent guidance throughout your graduate school experience and beyond. Our faculty and staff are always ready to meet students where they are, whether that means helping them with classwork, career planning, job hunting, or clinical placement.
Collaborative spaces to connect and study with friends

Campus Culture

Join a diverse community of future healthcare leaders at our Center for Graduate Studies. With a tight-knit campus culture, you’ll have the support you need to succeed. Join a study group to learn from your classmates or solidify your knowledge through peer-tutoring sessions. WCU’s class sizes grant you the opportunity to interact with your professors on a deeper level and gain greater insights into the healthcare industry. Discover a community that motivates you to build on your strengths and further your professional development.

  • CGS
  • LA CGS
  • CGS PharmD

Our Location

Center for Graduate Studies
590 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 284-7998

FAQs

What graduate healthcare programs are offered at WCU’s Center for Graduate Studies in Los Angeles?

The Center for Graduate Studies (CGS) offers a range of healthcare degrees for those looking to advance their practice or specialize. Programs include:

Is the Center for Graduate Studies accredited?

Yes. West Coast University is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a recognized accrediting body by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA. Learn more about WCU’s accreditation.

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

The entry-level MSOT Program at WCU received accreditation in December 11, 2014 from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449.West Coast University’s Doctor of Occupational therapy program received accreditation on July 26, 2019 from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929.ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is 301-652-2682, and their web address is Acoteonline.org. Program graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licensure is usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Accreditation-Provisional

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the West Coast University Master of Physician Assistant program sponsored by West Coast University. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation. Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website. To become a certified PA (PA-C), one must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). In addition, students must obtain state medical board registration/licensure. The licensure requirements will vary from state to state. To become a certified PA (PA-C), one must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). In addition, students must obtain state medical board registration/licensure. The licensure requirements will vary from state to state.

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)

West Coast University School of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredits Doctor of Pharmacy programs offered by Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy in the United States and selected non-US sites. For a Doctor of Pharmacy program offered by a new College or School of Pharmacy, ACPE accreditation generally involves three steps; Precandidate status, Candidate status and Accredited status. Precandidate status denotes a developmental program that is expected to mature in accord with stated plans and within a defined time period. Precandidate status is awarded to a new program of a College or School of Pharmacy that has not yet enrolled students in the professional program and authorizes the School to admit its first class. Candidate status is awarded to a Doctor of Pharmacy program that has students enrolled but has not yet had a graduating class. Accredited status is awarded to a program that has met all ACPE standards for accreditation and has graduated its first class. Graduates of a class designated as having Candidate status have the same rights and privileges of those graduates from a fully accredited program. ACPE conveys its decisions to the various boards of pharmacy and makes recommendations in accord with its decisions. It should be noted, however, that decisions concerning eligibility for licensure by examination or reciprocity reside with the respective state boards of pharmacy in accordance with their state statutes and administrative rules. The Doctor of Pharmacy program of the West Coast University School of Pharmacy was awarded Accredited status during the June 20-24, 2018, meeting of the ACPE Board of Directors based upon an on-site evaluation conducted April 3-5, 2018, and discussion with University and School officials. PLEASE NOTE THAT LICENSURE TO PRACTICE AS A PHARMACIST IS REQUIRED IN EVERY STATE. HOWEVER, THE EXAM AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS VARY BY STATE. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO RESEARCH THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE STATE IN WHICH YOU PLAN TO PRACTICE.

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)

Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at West Coast University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA, 22305; telephone: 703-684-2782; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: capteonline.org.

How long are WCU’s graduate programs in Los Angeles?

Length to completion varies by program and other factors. Below are the general timelines for programs offered at CGS:

Does WCU offer hybrid graduate programs?

Yes, West Coast University’s Center for Graduate Studies in Los Angeles offers two hybrid graduate programs designed to provide flexibility for working professionals while maintaining hands-on training and real-time learning opportunities.

  • The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program is one of the first in the nation to launch an accelerated hybrid PharmD curriculum, combining online coursework with in-person labs and clinical rotations.
  • The Master of Physician Assistant (MPA) program features a blended format with in-person instruction for clinical and lab components, along with online learning to support flexibility throughout the didactic phase.
Explore all of our campuses
Explore all of our campuses

Start Your Journey

  • Flexible online and campus programs
  • Over 65,000 alumni worldwide
  • Experienced faculty and staff

Personal Information you submit through our Sites, such as your name, address and other contact information, may be collected by West Coast University for internal marketing and development purposes as well as to respond to your inquiry, complete a transaction for you, or fulfill other forms of customer service. You can choose not to receive marketing from us by “unsubscribing” using the instructions in any marketing email you receive from us.

Click here to learn more.