Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) and Bluefield University
This Page Was Updated with Consolidated Information from Program Website On: 04/21/2024
Campus Location
Auburn, AL
Degree Offered: Master of Health Science in Anesthesia
GPA (Minimum): 3.0 for Math and Science Courses and Last 60 Credit Hours
GRE/MCAT: Voluntary Submission to Increase Competitiveness and Research Purposes
Casper Evaluation:
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.
Shadowing Hours: Not required, but highly recommended.
Community Service: Highly recommended, not required. Does not have to be healthcare related.
Letters of Recommendation: 3
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.*
Personal Statement:
No more than one page to illustrate the applicant’s passion for patient care and the Anesthesiologist Assistant profession.*
Article Summary: Not Specified
Program Length: 28 months (6 Blocks)
Credit Hours: 109
Application Deadline: Fall 2024 for June 2024 Entry
Interviews: July-December preceding matriculation (Ex: July-December 2024 for June 2025 Entry)
Program Start Month: June
Program Graduation Month: October
Cohort Size: 35-40
Tuition (Per Credit Hour): $1,027 (Tuition Only-Subject to Change)
Total Program Cost: $111,943 (Tuition Only-Subject to Change)
Degree Requirements:
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:
Pre-requisite course work must be completed within 5 years of matriculation
At the discretion of the of the program, the 5 year time limit for prerequisite courses may be waived for applicants with extensive patient care experience:
Considered to be five (5) or more years in an accepted healthcare provider role
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
Biochemistry or Biological Chemistry-One Semester (Bioengineering Will Not Fulfill Requirement)
Human Anatomy with Lab-One Semester (Courses in Vertebrate Embryology and Developmental Anatomy Will Not Fulfill Requirement.)
Human Physiology with Lab-One Semester (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 the combined course is for Science Majors and at 200-level or above.
Statistics-One Semester (Advanced Course in Statistics for Analytics or the Life Sciences such as Applied Statistics and/or Statistics with a Calculus Prerequisite. Introductory Statistics and 100-Level Courses Will Not Fulfill Requirement.)
General Biology for STEM Majors with Lab-One Year (Bioengineering, micro- or molecular biology, cellular biology, genetics, and/or histology will not satisfy this requirement)
General Chemistry for STEM Majors with Lab-One Year
Organic Chemistry with Lab or Integrated Organic & Biochemistry with Lab-One Semester
Note: Per Program Faculty and Application Worksheet, One Semester of Organic Chemistry with lab is required. The website states One Year of Organic Chemistry is required.
General Physics with Lab-One Year
Any two courses of the following:*
Writing
Literature
Communication
Public Speaking
Linguistics
English with Expository or Creative Writing-One Semester (Introductory English Course with Writing Component, Creative, or Technical Writing).
Note: This requirement is not listed on the Application Worksheet, but is listed on program website as a requirement.
Preferred and/or Highly Recommended Courses (Taken within the last 10 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
Organic Chemistry II-Highly Recommended*
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*
*indicates information is from Application Worksheet
Outstanding Prerequisites: Contact Program for Clarification Specific to Individual Situation
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.
Online Courses Accepted: Yes, for courses taken online during 2020 and 2021
Community Service: Highly recommended
Pandemic Considerations:
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)
International Student Admissions:
Application Process Guide
Also read information for Foreign Graduate Admissions using the Admissions Information link, and clicking on the “Steps to Apply” drop down menu.
Program Stats:
Program Websites:
VCOM-Bluefield University
Application Worksheet
Application Process Guide
Admissions Information
FAQ Website
Schedule a Visit
Please refer to program website for more information, as not all information may be listed on this page.