Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) and Bluefield University
This Page Was Updated with Consolidated Information from Program Website and Program Contact On: 04/24/2026
VCOM-Bluefield
University
Please refer to program website for more information, as not all information may be listed on this page.
About the University
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Bluefield University Auburn Campus-Auburn, AL
Carolinas Campus (First Cohort Starting September 2025)-Spartanburg, SC
Virginia (Launching 2027)-Blacksburg, VA
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Master of Health Science in Anesthesia
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Established 2022
Auburn, AL: March 17th, 2023
Entry Requirements
GRE/MCAT: Voluntary Submission to Increase Competitiveness and for Research Purposes
Application
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GPA (Minimum): 3.0 for Math and Science Courses and Last 60 Credit Hours *per Application Worksheet
GPA (Last 60 Credits):
2023 Cohort: 3.54
2024 Cohort: 3.46
2025 Cohort: 3.57GPA (Science & Math):
2023 Cohort: 3.34
2024 Cohort: 3.43
2025 Cohort: 3.5 -
GRE Code: 1406
Voluntary Submission to Increase Competitiveness and for Research Purposes
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Voluntary Submission to Increase Competitiveness and for Research Purposes
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Per Program: Information not reflected on program website
No longer part of the application process
Wonderlic (individualized link) will be provided to those who are invited to an interview
Prior Information: VCOM-Bluefield University utilizes the Wonderlic Test of Cognitive Agility within 3 months of application deadline.
This must be completed prior to receiving an interview invitation. -
Not required, but highly recommended.
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Highly Recommended
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3 Required: 1 Personal, 1 Clinical, 1 Academic or Professional and should know the applicant for at least 6 months
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Note: Current students should provide a reference from a professor, academic advisor, or counselor. Working professionals should submit a reference from a current or recent supervisor.
Per Program: Information not reflected on program website
At least 1 Letter of Recommendation is required to be from a healthcare provider such as an MD, DO, CAA, CRNA, PA, NP, etc. and preferably in the field of anesthesiology.
One personal and two clinical references (preferably written by an AA/NA/RN/DO/MD/PA/NP) who have known you for six months or longer and can speak to your ability to be an AA; specifically your problem-solving, critical thinking and interpersonal skills. *per Application Worksheet
In addition to above information, students still in undergraduate coursework may use a Professor or Advisor for one of the Letters of Recommendation.
Education
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Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university (or its equivalent).
Per Application Worksheet: Must be completed by May 1st of anticipated year of enrollment -
Required Courses: Grades B- or higher to receive extra ranking points. Pre-requisite course work must be completed within 5 years of matriculation. See below for Time Limit Waiver.
Substitutions are NOT permitted
Survey courses for non-science majors are NOT acceptable
For those courses that have been repeated, the highest grade will be recognized
Required Courses:
General Biology for STEM Majors with Lab-One Year (Bioengineering, Microbiology or Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology, Genetics, and/or Histology Will Not Satisfy This Requirement)
Biochemistry or Biological Chemistry-One Semester (Bioengineering Will Not Fulfill Requirement)
General Chemistry for STEM Majors with Lab-One Year
Organic Chemistry with Lab or *Integrated Organic & Biochemistry with Lab*-One Semester (Per Program, Lab for Integrated Organic & Biochemistry Lab not required)
General Physics with Lab-One Year
Statistics-One Semester (200-level or above Advanced Course in Analytics or Life Sciences such as Applied Statistics and/or Statistics with a Calculus Prerequisite. See program website for explanation of skills needed)
English with Expository or Creative Writing-One Semester (Introductory English Course with Writing Component, Creative, or Technical Writing)
May include Writing, Literature, Communication, Public Speaking, Linguistics or other relevant course
Human Anatomy with Lab-One Semester (Advanced course preferred. Courses in Vertebrate Embryology and Developmental Anatomy Will Not Fulfill Requirement.)
Human Physiology with Lab-One Semester (Advanced course preferred. Courses in Mammalian Physiology and Embryology Will Not Fulfill Requirement.)
Note: One Semester Combined Human Anatomy & Physiology with Lab may be accepted in lieu of One Semester of Human Anatomy and One Semester of Physiology if completed with a grade of B- or better. These are the only two prerequisites that may be fulfilled by a combined course.
*This requirement is listed on the Application Worksheet, but is not listed on program website as a requirement. Also note, One Semester of English is on the program website, but is not on the Application Worksheet.
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Preferred and/or Highly Recommended Courses (Taken within the last 5 years for a letter Grade of B- or better to receive extra ranking points):
Advanced Biochemistry-Preferred
Advanced Human Anatomy-Preferred
Advanced Human Physiology-Preferred
Advanced Statistics-Preferred
Microbiology with Lab or
Virology with Lab-Highly Recommended*
Cellular & Molecular Biology (or Higher Biology) with Lab-Highly Recommended*
Genetics, Molecular Genetics, or Molecular Cell Biology-Highly Recommended*
Immunology-Highly Recommended*
Psychology-Highly Recommended*
Calculus-Highly Recommended*
Organic Chemistry II with Lab-Highly Recommended*
*indicates information is from Application Worksheet
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Outstanding Prerequisites: Contact Program for Clarification Specific to Individual Situation
Note: Prerequisites currently in progress at time of application do not count as outstanding.
Per Application Worksheet: Applicants may apply with one outstanding prerequisite course; this course must be completed by December of the application year with grade of “B” or above and will not be calculated in GPA for consideration of admission.
Per Program Website: Applicants may apply while still compiling prerequisite work, but all academic requirements must be completed satisfactorily before matriculation. -
No longer accepted other than English with Expository or Creative Writing.
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The MHSA program strongly prefers that applicants take science labs and courses in person, but will not disqualify a candidate based on online lab coursework. Specifically:
Yes, 1-2 online courses will be accepted if they are completed through an accredited university.
Strongly encouraged to take prerequisites in person and highly recommended to take labs in person
Courses taken online during 2020 and 2021 will be accepted.
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All lecture coursework must be taken for a Letter Grade
Lab coursework taken for "Credit" or "Pass" in 2020 or 2021 will be accepted (Letter grade preferred)
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At the discretion of the of the program, the 5 year time limit for prerequisite courses may be waived for applicants with only one of the following:
Extensive Clinical Experience
Prior Cycle Information (No Longer Current):
Considered to be five (5) or more years in an accepted healthcare provider role defined as:
Physician Assistant
Nurse Practitioner
Occupational Therapist
Physical Therapist
Registered Nurse with BSN
Respiratory Therapist
Dentist
Pharmacist
Other roles may be approved for exemption at the program’s discretion
No Longer Available: Time Limit is Waived with MCAT score > 500 or GRE Score > 300
About the Program
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Application Deadline:
Open from 07/01/2026 to 10/31/2026
Interviews:
On a rolling basis
Early Decision Admissions:
No longer offered
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28 months (7 Blocks)
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109 hours
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Prior Cycles: 35-44
Current Cycle: 40-44 -
Per Program, information not reflected on program website
Auburn Campus: June
Carolinas Campus: September
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Total Program Cost: $132,741 (Tuition Only-Subject to Change)
Tuition Per Program Website: $18,963 Per Block (7 Blocks Total) *Per Program, information not reflected on program website
Cost of Attendance:Auburn: Class of 2026
Auburn: Class of 2027
Auburn: Class of 2028
Carolinas: Class of 2027
Carolinas: Class of 2028
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Also read information for Foreign Graduate Admissions using the Admissions Information link, and clicking on the “Steps to Apply” drop down menu.
Join the AOS Member Site for Application Advice
Program Checklist
Checklist of Prerequisites for the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) and Bluefield University made by Anesthesia OneSource as of April 2026.
Included in the checklist are required courses, recommended courses, and other requirements.
Digital download includes a PDF of all three variations of the checklist to include, vibrant, simple, and grayscale. The logo watermark will be removed in the digital file once downloaded.
This is an organizational tool. Check program websites for any changes to information that may not be reflected on the checklist at time of development.
