Understanding Rocky Vista University Tuition Costs and Programs
Rocky Vista University (RVU), a private graduate school with locations in Englewood, CO, and other sites, is renowned for its commitment to excellence in healthcare education. RVU offers a range of graduate programs designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to thrive in their chosen healthcare fields. These programs include the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS), Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS), and Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP).
Programs Offered at Rocky Vista University
RVU's graduate school provides comprehensive training in various healthcare disciplines:
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO): This program emphasizes a holistic, patient-centered approach to medicine, focusing on osteopathic principles. Students receive extensive clinical training in diverse healthcare settings. RVUCOM was founded in 2006 to educate osteopathic physicians and prepare them to meet the diverse needs of their patients and is committed to producing graduates who are knowledgeable, skilled, ethical, compassionate, holistic, and patient-centered.
Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS): The PA program trains students to deliver medical care under physician supervision, combining rigorous academic coursework with hands-on clinical training.
Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS): This program prepares students for careers in healthcare research or further education in healthcare-related fields through coursework and research experiences. The MSBS program at Rocky Vista University (RVU) is a Direct Pathway to RVU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in Colorado or Utah. The MSBS program is a 9-month (31 semester hours) degree program with core curriculum in Biomedical Sciences designed to prepare students to enter professional education.
Read also: Tuition and Aid at CRMS
Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP): This program focuses on advanced nursing practices in anesthesia.
Tuition and Associated Fees
Understanding the costs associated with attending Rocky Vista University is crucial for financial planning. Here's a breakdown of tuition and fees for various programs:
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- Tuition: \$69,736 (Colorado, Utah, Montana campuses)
- Student Health Insurance: \$5,310 (OMS I, II, III, & IV)
Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)
- Tuition:
- First 3 Semesters: \$50,000
- Summer 2025: \$10,000
- Fall 2026: \$20,000
- Spring 2026: \$20,000
- Summer 2026: \$10,300
- Student Health Insurance:
- Summer 2025: \$839
- Fall 2025: \$5,310
Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)
- Tuition:
- PA 1: \$895 per credit hour
- PA 2: \$852 per credit hour
- PA 3: \$827 per credit hour
- Student Health Insurance:
- PA 1: \$4,846
- PA 2: \$5,310
- PA 3: \$1,776
Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS)
- Tuition: \$1032 Per Credit Hour (Total \$31,992) (Colorado, Utah campuses)
- Student Health Insurance: \$5,137
Master of Medical Sciences (MMS)
- Tuition: \$700 Per Credit Hour (Total \$29,400) (Montana campus)
- Student Health Insurance: \$5,310
Note: Student Health Insurance is pending approval by the state. All students are required to have health insurance and will be automatically enrolled in the RVU Student Health Insurance Plan unless they provide evidence of equivalent coverage prior to the waiver deadline date.
Additional Financial Considerations
Aside from tuition and fees, students should also consider the Cost of Attendance (COA), which includes:
- Tuition
- Fees (if applicable)
- Books and supplies
- Health insurance
- Living expenses
- Transportation
- Miscellaneous costs
The COA is an estimate of the cost of attending RVU and maintaining a modest but adequate standard of living.
Read also: Expeditionary Learning in the Rockies
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Rocky Vista University and the RVU Alumni Association offer several scholarships to incoming students each year. These scholarships are offered in the form of partial tuition waivers.
Campus Facilities and Resources
Rocky Vista University offers comprehensive facilities tailored to medical education across its campuses in Colorado and Utah. Both RVU campuses contain:
- Office of Simulation in Medicine and Surgery (SIMS): A high-tech training facility designed to mimic real-world clinical environments, featuring life-sized, computer-controlled manikins.
- Emergency Room (ER) & Trauma Simulation: A fully equipped ER setting where students practice handling emergency situations with defibrillators, IV setups, ventilators, and emergency medications.
- Lecture Halls and Study Rooms: Two large lecture halls and numerous small group study rooms.
- Osteopathic Clinical Skills Labs: Equipped with specialized treatment tables, medical models, and instructional technology.
- Full Dissection Labs: Students perform full-body dissections to understand human anatomy in detail.
- Standardized Patient Rooms: Utilized for Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) to test students’ clinical and communication skills.
- Clinical Rotation Facilities: RVU provides a comprehensive clinical education through a variety of rotations designed to equip students with hands-on experience across multiple medical specialties.
Numerous apartment complexes are available in close proximity of the Colorado campus.
Student Activities and Support Services
RVU offers a wide range of student activities and support services to enhance and assist students through their medical school experience, including:
- Academic advising
- Tutoring
- Career counseling
- Mental health services
- Residency preparation resources
- Disability accommodations
- Specialty-focused clubs and organizations
- Interest-based clubs
- Student Government Association (SGA) leadership opportunities
- Peer Mentor Program
- Service-learning opportunities
- Community outreach programs
Unique Programs and Tracks
Military Medicine Program
RVU's Military Medicine Program is designed specifically for students pursuing careers as physicians in the United States Army, Navy, or Air Force. Participants engage in field training exercises, leadership development, and military-specific medical education. The program also fosters a strong community among HPSP recipients and military-bound students, supporting their transition into military service while balancing the demands of medical school.
Read also: Financial Aid at Rocky Mountain
Educational Tracks
RVU offers a variety of tracks and special programs designed to help students tailor their medical education to specific interests and career goals. These programs run alongside the core curriculum, providing specialized training, mentorship, and hands-on experiences in key areas of medicine.
Admissions Information
RVUCOM operates on a rolling admissions basis. Applicants will receive a supplemental application upon verification that their AACOMAS application has been received and meets the minimum requirements. After the supplemental application has been completed, the application will be reviewed in full and considered for an interview.
Key Admissions Criteria
- Rolling Admissions: RVUCOM considers candidates on a rolling basis.
- Supplemental Application: Required after initial AACOMAS application review.
- Interviews: Conducted virtually in an online format with one-to-two interviewers. Interviewers will only have access to personal statements, work and volunteer experience, honors and awards, RVUCOM supplemental questions, and letters of recommendation. Interviewers will not have access to a candidate’s academic information or MCAT scores.
- International Students: RVUCOM considers international applicants.
AACOMAS Traffic Guidelines
Osteopathic Medical College (COM) applicants may be asked to submit necessary matriculation documents, including a deposit, according to the following AACOMAS traffic guideline schedule:
- Those accepted prior to November 15 to have until December 14.
- Those accepted between November 15 and January 14 to have 30 days
- Those accepted between January 15 and April 30 to have 14 days.
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