Anesthesiologist Assistant Studies (M.S.)

Degree and GPA Requirements:

Candidates for the Anesthesiologist Assistant program must have earned a bachelor's degree from a US-accredited institution.  The most competitive candidates will have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher with core science courses completed in the last 5 years.  Master's or terminal degree coursework in a clinical or relevant scientific discipline will be considered with a cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Specific Course Requirements:

The following courses are prerequisite requirements for enrollment eligibility.  Achievement of a grade of "B" or higher for each required prerequisite course is mandatory.  In-person courses are preferred.  Online or Hybrid coursework may be accepted, with options for in-person learning that are not available through your primary institution.

• Calculus I

• Statistics

• Human Anatomy and Physiology with labs (8 credit hours for science majors)

• General Chemistry I and II with labs for (8 credit hours)

• Organic Chemistry I with lab

• Biochemistry I

• Physics I and II with labs (Calculus OR Alg./Trig.-based courses)

You may submit an application while prerequisites are in progress. AP/Dual Enrollment courses with a score of 4 will be accepted, provided they appear on the official college transcript. 

MCAT and GRE:

Both the MCAT and GRE are accepted.  However, the MCAT is preferred.  Typically, successful applicants will have achieved a score greater than the 50th percentile for all categories.

Shadowing Requirements:

Eight hours of shadowing (CAA, MD or CRNA) is required. Candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) team model and understand the roles and differences between provider types both inside nd outside the ACT model. Applicants with healthcare experience that has provided insight and exposure to anesthetic care are not required to have this requirement. Documentation templates from any school where you plan to apply is acceptable. Medical mission trip experience is accepted.

Letters of Recommendation:

Three letters of recommendation are required.  They should include 1 personal and 2 academic or professional.

International Students:  

US citizenship or permanent residency is required for attendance.

What are the specific prerequisite requirements?  
At this time students are encouraged to pursue degrees consistent with pre-med, pre-dental or pre-pharmacy studies. Refer to the listing shown under the Admission Requirements heading for specific courses.

 

How long are the prerequisite courses valid?  
It is anticipated that prerequisites will be valid for 5 years from completion.  Graduate courses in related scientific disciplines may provide waivers for some specific courses. Doctoral degree holders may be considered with a current MCAT score.

 

How will GPAs be calculated and considered?  
All courses taken will be factored into the GPA calculation.  A holistic viewpoint will be used with the greatest emphasis on the most recent science courses.

 

Will you accept the GRE or the MCAT? 
Either will be accepted, but a current MCAT score is preferred.

 

When will the application open? 
The application is anticipated to open in early Spring of 2026.

 

When will the first cohort begin?  
The first cohort is anticipated to begin in Fall of 2026.

 

Is a specific form required for reporting intern, volunteer or shadowing hours?  
Not at this time. However, you should be tracking your hours and documenting your hours as you go.

Fall Semester 1

• Applied Anatomy & Physiology for Anesthesia with lab (4)

• Anesthesia Bootcamp: Introduction to Anesthesiology, Airway Management,  BCLS (3)

• Introduction to Physiology Model-Based Simulation (2)

• Anesthesiology Physics and Instrumentation - Machines, Monitors, ECG (3)

• Applied Christian Values (1)

• Pharmacology I (3) 

16 Total Semester Credit Hours

Spring Semester 2

• Patient Monitoring and Instrumentation, including ACLS (3)
• Anesthesiology Case Review I (3)
• Anesthesiology Clinical Experience I with 250 hrs + ACLS (5)
• Applied Pathophysiology for Anesthesiology I (3
• Physiology Model-Based Simulation I -  Cardiovascular (1)
• Anesthesiology Non-Technical Skills Lab:  Patient and Interprofessional Communications (1)
• Pharmacology II (3) 

19 Total Semester Credit Hours

Summer Semester 3

• Patient Monitoring and Instrumentation II,(3)
• Applied Pathophysiology for Anesthesiology II - Special Populations (3)
• Anesthesiology Case Review II (1)
• Physiology Model-Based Simulation II - Pulmonary & Cardiovascular (2)
• Anesthesiology Clinical Experience II -  250 hours (5) 

14 Total Semester Credit Hours

Fall Semester 4

• Anesthesiology Clinical Experience III - 250 hours+PALS  (5)
• Patient Monitoring and Instrumentation III and IV (3)
• Ethics, Law and Cultural Considerations (2)
• Physiology Model-Based Simulation III - Special Populations (2)
• Senior Seminar I (1)  

12 Total Semester Credit Hours

Spring Semester 5

• Anesthesiology Clinical Experience IV - 500 hours (10)
• Applied Christian Values (1)
• Senior Seminar II (1) 

12 Total Semester Credit Hours

Summer Semester 6

• Anesthesiology Clinical Experience V - 500 hours (10)
• Adverse Event Case Review (1)
• Senior Seminar II (1) 

12 Total Semester Credit Hours

Fall Semester 7

• Anesthesiology Clinical Experience VI - 500 hours (10)
• Adverse Event Case Review II (1)
• Board Review (2)
• Senior Seminar II (1) 

14 Total Semester Credit Hours