CAAHEP Accredited
44 seats
Bluefield University at VCOM — Auburn
Anesthesiologist assistant (CAA) program in Auburn, Alabama · CAA practice status in Alabama →
Last verified
Program Overview & Admissions
- Degree & Length
- Master of Health Science in Anesthesia (MHSA)
- 28 months duration
- Cohort Seats
- 44 seats
- Programmatic effectiveness report: 2026 entering class of 44 (2023-26 entering classes: 40, 44, 43, 44); FAQ states 40-44 per location
- Starts & Deadline
- Starts: June
- CASAA: Oct 31, 2026
- Estimated Tuition
- $132,741
- total program tuition, 7 blocks (~$18,963/block per AnesthesiaOneSource 2026-04); corroborated by official Bluefield 2026-27 COA PDF showing first-year (3-block) tuition of $56,888 (2026-27)
Testing Requirement: No entrance exam: GRE/MCAT not required; scores may be submitted voluntarily for research purposes only.
Shadowing: Not required (encouraged). Strongly encouraged, not required; the official MHSA shadowing form or equivalent documentation with the provider's signature source ↗
Admissions Statistics
Compare All Programs →Typical cycle (program-stated)
| Applicants interviewed | ~200 for 85 total seats across the Auburn and Carolinas campuses |
Source: Bluefield/VCOM MHSA — FAQ · verified Aug 17, 2026
2026 entering cohort (Auburn + Carolinas combined)
| Average GPA (cumulative) | 3.76 'last 60 credits' GPA; four-cohort (2023–26) average is 3.58 |
| Average GPA (science) | 3.62 science & math GPA; four-cohort (2023–26) average is 3.47 |
| Average age at matriculation | 26 average; range 20–44 |
Source: Bluefield/VCOM MHSA — Programmatic Effectiveness · verified Aug 17, 2026
2023–24 cycle (regulatory filing)
| Applications received | 360 for a 40-seat Auburn cohort; ~11% acceptance rate, per Bluefield University's July 2024 program proposal to the SC Commission on Higher Education |
Source: Bluefield University MHSA proposal to SC CHE (July 2024, PDF) · verified Aug 17, 2026
Only figures the program or a cited public source has published appear here. A missing number means it isn't published — not that it's zero.
Prerequisite Coursework
Compare All Programs →- Biology I
- Biology II
- General Chemistry I
- General Chemistry II
- Organic Chemistry I
- Physics I
- Physics II
- Biochemistry
- Statistics
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- English Composition
Published Outcomes
| Metric | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| NCCAA certification exam first-time pass rate | 86% (32/37) | 2025 (Class of 2025) |
| NCCAA certification exam overall pass rate (all takers) | 100% (37/37 candidates) | 2025 (Class of 2025) |
| Attrition (both campuses combined) | 1.67% (252 students, entering cohorts through 2026) | 2023-2026 |
| Job placement | 100% historical AA job placement rate | as of 2026 (undated on page) |
Program Notes
CAAHEP initial accreditation 2023-03-17; MHSA launched 2023. Degree conferred by Bluefield University, taught on VCOM-Auburn campus. One CASAA listing ('VCOM–Bluefield MHSA Program', Multiple States) covers both campuses: single application 2026-07-01 to 2026-10-31, applicants rank campus preference but are considered for both. No Early Decision track for 2026-27. 109 credits, 7 blocks, 2,800 clinical hours; graduation requires 2,000 clinical hours and 650 anesthetics. Prereqs need B- or higher, within 5 years (waivers for substantial clinical experience); integrated Organic/Biochemistry accepted in place of Organic Chemistry. Class-of-2025 exam outcomes reflect Auburn cohorts only (Carolinas had no graduates yet).