Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) and Bluefield University
This Page Was Updated with Consolidated Information from Program Website and Program Contact On: 06/11/2025
VCOM-Bluefield
University
Please refer to program website for more information, as not all information may be listed on this page.
About the University
-
Bluefield University Auburn Campus-Auburn, AL
Carolinas Campus (First Cohort Starting September 2025)-Spartanburg, SC
Virginia (Launching 2027)-Blacksburg, VA -
Master of Health Science in Anesthesia
-
Established 2022
Auburn, AL: March 17th, 2023
Entry Requirements
GRE/MCAT: Voluntary Submission to Increase Competitiveness and for Research Purposes
Application
-
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: 3.46GPA (Science & Math):
2023 Cohort: 3.34
2024 Cohort: 3.43 -
GRE Code: 1406
Voluntary Submission to Increase Competitiveness and for Research Purposes
-
Voluntary Submission to Increase Competitiveness and for Research Purposes
-
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.
-
Highly Recommended
-
3 Required
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.
-
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.
-
Not Specified
-
No more than one page to illustrate the applicant’s passion for and dedication to patient care and the Anesthesiologist Assistant profession.
Education
-
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 must be B- or higher to receive extra ranking points
Pre-requisite course work must be completed within 5 years of matriculation: Time Limit is Waived with MCAT score > 500 or GRE Score > 300
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 defined as:
Physician Assistant
Nurse Practitioner
Occupational Therapist
Physical Therapist
Registered Nurse with BSN
Dentist*
Respiratory Therapist*
Pharmacist*
Other roles may be approved for exemption at the program’s discretion
*Per Program, information not reflected on program website
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:
Biochemistry-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. These are the only two prerequisites that may be fulfilled by a combined course.
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, Microbiology 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 (Per Program, Lab for Integrated Organic & Biochemistry Lab not required)
General Physics with Lab-One Year
English with Expository or Creative Writing-One Semester (Introductory English Course with Writing Component, Creative, or Technical Writing).
One Semester of Any of the Following, Not One Semester of Each:*
Writing
Literature
Communication
Public Speaking
Linguistics
*Note: This requirement is listed on the Application Worksheet, but is not listed on program website as a requirement. One Semester of English is on the program website, but is not on the Application Worksheet.
-
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
-
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. -
Not Specified
-
Yes, for courses taken online during 2020 and 2021
-
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)
About the Program
-
Application Deadline:
Auburn Campus:
Application is open from 06/02/2025 to 10/24/2025 for June MatriculationCarolinas Campus:
Application is open from 09/01/2025 to 01/23/2026 for September 2026 MatriculationNote: To be eligible for both the Auburn and Carolinas programs, application must be submitted by 10/24/2025.
Interviews: Per Program, information not reflected on program website
Auburn: August and October
Carolinas: September and JanuaryEarly Decision Admissions Track:
Minimum science and overall GPA of 3.5
Submit an application, transcripts from all institutions attended, and any MCAT/GRE scores directly through the Program website or the Centralized Application Service for Anesthesiologist Assistants (CASAA) by July 1st.
Submit a letter of intent to the Director of Admissions indicating that the MHSA is your first choice for AA schools by July 1st and request review for Early Decision Admissions Track.
Submit all Application materials, application fee, letter of recommendation from a premedical advisor/science faculty member, and a letter of recommendation from an anesthesia provider by July 1st. *Per Program, information not reflected on program website
Withhold all applications to other AA programs until early decisions are made by the MHSA Program.
Applicants who are ranked highly on the hold or waitlist from the prior academic year may be offered an early decision for the next academic year without resubmission of all materials.
-
28 months (6 Blocks)
-
109 hours
-
Prior Cycles: 35-44
Current Cycle: 40-44 -
Per Program, information not reflected on program website
Auburn Campus: June
Carolinas Campus: September
-
-
-
-
Total Program Cost: $111,000 (Tuition Only-Subject to Change)
Tuition Per Program Website: $18,500 Per Block (6 Blocks Total) *Per Program, information not reflected on program website
2024-2025 First Year Cost of Attendance: -
Also read information for Foreign Graduate Admissions using the Admissions Information link, and clicking on the “Steps to Apply” drop down menu.
