HPU's new Master of Science in Medical Science program launched in fall 2025 and is the only program in Hawai'i.
For HPU student Maxx Kau, the Master of Science in Medical Science (MSMEDS) program at HPU has not been an abstract next step, but a deliberate reset, one built around discipline, structure, and the kind of academic rigor that mirrors the real-world curriculum of medical school.
HPU Master of Science in Medical Science student Maxx Kau.
Born and raised on Oʻahu, Kau learned about HPU’s new MSMEDS program through Program Director and Senior Adjunct Faculty member Celeste Lajala, M.D., a family friend. At the time, Kau was working as a medical assistant, weighing how to move forward in healthcare without losing time, or momentum.
“When I heard about HPU’s program I was a medical assistant at a local cardiology practice,” says Kau, “and I decided to leave that job to focus on furthering my education. In all honesty, my undergraduate GPA was average, leaving me with limited options for further schooling. I am very thankful for programs like HPU’s MSMEDS program for allowing me to move forward in academia without having to repeat my college classes.”
That accessibility, paired with intensity, is central to what the MSMEDS program is designed to do. As the only program of its kind in the state, launched in fall 2025, HPU’s program was developed to replicate the experience of a first-year medical student and help motivated students strengthen both their academic foundation and their competitiveness for professional school admission.
“HPU’s Master of Science in Medical Science is an accelerated 11-month, synchronous program working with our partner medical school, Ponce Health Sciences University,” Lajala said. “The curriculum content and assessments are consistent with the first year of medical school and therefore, prepares students interested in medicine or other health degree programs. Graduates of this rigorous program are expected not only to be competitive applicants for their future professional degree program, but also excel in those programs and pass board licensing exams.”
HPU Master of Science in Medical Science Program Director and Senior Adjunct Faculty Member Celeste Lajala, M.D..
HPU’s commitment to rigor is not rhetorical, and the program is built around high-volume content mastery in foundational medical sciences, including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, neuroscience, and related disciplines, all delivered at a pace and depth that is meant to reflect what students will encounter in the future.
For Kau, the experience has been formative and purposeful.
“So far, the courses are quite rigorous but also very interesting,” he said. “Given the nature of health and medicine, these courses are bound to teach you things that are worth thinking about in daily life.”
Kau points to anatomy as a clear example of the program’s practical impact, not only as a subject, but as a lens for understanding everyday movement, injury, and clinical decision-making.
“One course that exemplifies the nature of health and medicine is anatomy,” he said. “In anatomy I learned all about how the body moves, its many structures, and common clinical applications that really did change how I think about doing my daily activities.”
That kind of applied learning is a consistent thread in the program: students are expected to absorb complex material, but also to understand how it shows up in clinical environments, and how concepts translate into patient care, professional judgment, and real-world practice.
While MSMEDS is structured to prepare students for medical school, it also supports students pursuing other advanced health degree pathways, including dentistry, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant, and additional professional programs that require strong preparation in medical sciences.
Kau’s own long-term plan remains intentionally open, rooted in healthcare, guided by experience, and shaped by what the program reveals about his best fit.
“When I graduate, I plan on finding employment while considering if I should take my education even further,” he said. “I hope to find a job either in clinical medicine, research, or healthcare administration here locally on Oʻahu.”
Kau’s commitment to the field has been reinforced by hands-on work and service across multiple settings, including free clinics, international experience, and clinical employment.
“I was always interested in medicine in some form,” he said. “Before starting my undergraduate degree, I thought I wanted to go into biomedical engineering, but after a few classes I ended up wanting a more patient-interactive career path. Thus, I turned to healthcare and started gaining experience. After volunteering with multiple free healthcare clinics, participating in a surgical mission to Nepal, and working as a cardiology medical assistant, I can say that I love healthcare and I will always want to work in a field that helps me contribute to and advance the health of our community.”
He is candid about the intensity of the program but emphasizes that students will succeed with the right approach, particularly by building sustainable study habits and treating preparation as a daily practice rather than a last-minute effort.
“The courses in this program are intense, but the content is engaging,” he said. “It should be no surprise that there is a lot to learn about medicine and its unending layers of details. My best piece of advice to future students is to learn how to study effectively and budget your time so that you can cover high yield topics almost every day, rather than leaving your studies for one final cram session before the exam.”
HPU’s MSMEDS curriculum is delivered in a live, online format that blends structured instruction with active discussion and independent study. Built-in learning analytics help students identify strengths and gaps in real time, while the program also supports preparation for the MCAT and other professional school entrance exams.
To learn more about the HPU MSMEDS program, click here.
