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Home > Academics > Academic Programs > Anesthesiologist Assistant (MHSA) > MHSA – Admission & Graduation Requirements

MHSA – Admission & Graduation Requirements

Prerequisite Admission Criteria

Admission to the VCOM-Bluefield University Master of Health Science in Anesthesia Program requires that the following criteria are met. Prospective students are selected by the Admissions Committee which considers the overall qualities of all applicants and gives the highest consideration to applicants who:

  • Are residents of the Southeast United States
  • Demonstrate alignment with program mission and values
  • Have an excellent academic record
  • Have prior healthcare experience
  • Provide qualified and compelling personal references
  • Have served in the United States military
  • Hail originally from rural or underserved areas
  • Have experience with volunteerism and/or mission work

 

Admission Requirements

Application Process & Deadlines

The MHSA Program participates in the Centralized Application Service for Anesthesiologist Assistants (CASAA) for the receipt and processing of all applications.
Please note: CASAA does not participate in the selection of students for the program. CASAA application packets may be obtained from the CASAA website.

To be considered for admission, all components of the application must be received by the appropriate deadline listed below:

Early Decisions Track

Applicants who are certain the MHSA Program is their first choice may apply through the Early Decision Admissions Track.

  • Early Decision Deadline (Both Campuses): July 1, 2025
  • Letter of Intent: Must be submitted by July 1, 2025 to [email protected]

Early Decision applicants must meet all general admission requirements and agree to apply only to the VCOM-Bluefield MHSA Program(s) until an early decision notification is received. Additional details about Early Decision requirements can be found in the FAQ section.

Campus-Specific Deadlines

Campus Application Opens Final Deadline
Auburn June 2, 2025 October 1, 2025
Carolinas September 1, 2025 January 23, 2026

Note: Applicants interested in either campus may select either campus as their preferred location on the CASAA application and should plan to submit their application by the October 1 deadline to be considered for both locations.

Holistic Application Survey

As part of the CASAA portal, applicants will answer a brief survey covering demographics, personality traits, and professional interests.
We encourage applicants not to overthink their responses — this survey is designed to:

  • Provide a holistic view of each applicant
  • Support ongoing improvements in student support and programming

 

Steps To Apply (Click to Expand)

  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university (or its equivalent)
  2. Prerequisite Documentation Requirements:
    Documentation for every prerequisite outlined on the Prerequisite Reference page must come from an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution of higher learning. Applicants may apply while finishing prerequisite coursework, however, all academic requirements must be completed satisfactorily by each campus’s stated deadline.
    Review Requirements
  3. Standardized Test Scores:
    Standardized test scores (such as the MCAT or GRE) are not required for admission to the MHSA Program. However, applicants are encouraged to report any previously completed graduate-level exam scores for institutional research purposes. Reporting scores will not impact your admissions decision.
  4. Wonderlic Test of Cognitive Agility:
    1. Applicants selected for an interview will be required to complete an online Cognitive Agility Assessment before their interview. Detailed instructions will be provided with the interview invitation.
    2. This assessment helps evaluate an applicant’s fit for the Anesthesiologist Assistant profession by measuring cognitive flexibility, decision-making, and other critical-thinking skills. The results support both admissions decisions and student-development planning, helping ensure each candidate is well positioned for success in the program.
    3. Can I study for the Wonderlic?
      No formal preparation is necessary. The assessment is designed to measure natural cognitive agility rather than academic or content-specific knowledge.
  5. Letters of Recommendation:
    Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to their academic performance, character, work ethic, and potential for success in graduate-level clinical training.

    1. One (1) personal reference
    2. Two (2) clinical references — preferably written by a licensed provider such as an AA, NA, RN, DO, MD, PA, or NP
    3. All references should have known the applicant for at least six months and be able to address the applicant’s readiness for a career as an Anesthesiologist Assistant.
      Note: If the applicant is a current student or recent graduate, it is recommended that one of the three letters be from an academic advisor or a science faculty member.
      Submission Instructions:
      All letters of recommendation must be submitted through the Centralized Application Service for Anesthesiologist Assistants (CASAA) directly by the recommender.
  6. Personal Statement:
    Applicants are required to submit a personal statement (maximum one page in length) as part of their application.
    While the topic is entirely up to the applicant, a strong statement should demonstrate insight, self-awareness, and reflection, use proper grammar, syntax, and structure, remain engaging, sincere, authentic, and clearly convey the applicant’s passion for patient care and commitment to the Anesthesiologist Assistant profession.
    Unlike an undergraduate essay, a dramatic hook or elaborate narrative is less important than genuine insight. Use this space to share something meaningful about who you are, something the rest of your application may not reveal. You may wish to highlight a personal characteristic, formative experience, or professional moment that shaped your readiness for graduate education.
    This is also an opportunity to explain why you chose the AA path over other healthcare professions or graduate medical programs.

    Please Note:
    Your personal statement must be entirely your own work. Statements generated by artificial intelligence (AI) or written by another party will result in disqualification from the admissions process.

  7. Interviews:
    Personal interviews are extended to the most competitive applicants to evaluate qualities essential for success in the profession, including interpersonal and communication skills, maturity, integrity, altruism, and a genuine commitment to a career as a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA).
    Selected candidates will interview with members of the Admissions Committee, which may include MHSA Program faculty and staff, clinical preceptors, student leaders, and University administrators.
    Applicants invited to interview will receive an email with full details, including available dates. Interviews are conducted in person at both the Auburn and Carolinas campuses.

    Please Note:
    All travel and lodging costs associated with the interview process are the responsibility of the applicant.

  8. Shadowing Experience:
    While not required for admission, clinical shadowing is strongly encouraged for applicants to the MHSA Program.
    A typical shadowing experience involves observing a single anesthesia provider throughout the day in an operating room setting. Shadowing offers valuable insight into the daily responsibilities of an anesthesia provider and helps applicants develop a deeper, more realistic understanding of the profession.

    Please Note:

    1. The MHSA Program does not coordinate or arrange shadowing opportunities. Applicants are responsible for independently securing these experiences.
    2. The official MHSA Shadowing Form is available on our website.
    3. We will accept alternate shadowing documentation as long as it includes all required components listed on the MHSA form, including the provider’s signature and verification details.
Application Worksheet
Anesthesia Shadow Form

Graduation Requirements

In order to be eligible for a degree from the Master of Health Sciences in Anesthesia program, it is required that all students shall complete each of the following objectives:

  1. Successful completion of all academic courses and requirements for the degree
  2. Satisfactory completion of the program of study required for the degree
  3. Satisfactory clinical performance as determined by the Program and Clinical faculty
  4. Satisfactory discharge of all financial obligations to the University
  5. Attend in person the rehearsal and commencement program at which time the degree is conferred.
  6. Received recommendation for granting of the degree Master of Health Science in Anesthesia from the Program Director, Medical Directors and approval by the Dean.
  7. Special requirements:
    1. Participation in a minimum of 2,000 clinical hours of direct patient
    2. Participation in a minimum of 650 anesthetics
    3. Successfully pass the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA) Certification exam.
    4. Passing score on all Comprehensive Competency Examinations (CCEs)

 

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