Doctor of Nursing Practice-Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA)

To be considered for admission to the nurse anesthesia doctorate program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing from a college or university fully accredited by a recognized accrediting agency of the U.S. Department of Education.

• Cumulative weighted grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; all attempted courses prior to admission (graduate and undergraduate) will be factored into the cumulative grade point average calculation

• Minimum of 1-year full-time recent experience as a registered nurse in an adult critical care unit

  • Note: Recent experience is defined as within the previous two calendar years; critical care experience in other areas (e.g., PICU, NICU) may be considered provided the applicant demonstrates competence with managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilator management, and critical care pharmacology.

• Current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse (RN) in any state with eligibility for licensure in Louisiana

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certifications

• Completion of application requirements by June 15th as stated in the graduate application instructions

• Submission of three professional letters of recommendation (one from current immediate supervisor, one from a peer)

• Ability to meet and comply with the DNP-NA Core Performance Standards, which can be found in the DNP-NA Handbook

• CCRN certification required for reapplication

• Completion of Casper Open-response Situational Judgement Test. This test is associated with a $50 testing fee and $16 distribution fee. All applicants, including reapplicants, are required to take the Casper Exam prior to sitting for an interview. Exam dates are limited. Please see Casper Situational Judgement Assessment FAQs for more information.
  *Learn about the Casper test at Acuity Insights’ webinar on February 18 at 1:00 pm EST. It will cover what Casper is and how it works, and tips for a successful testing experience. A recording will be available at takecasper.com after February 19.*

Additional information can be found in our application FAQs, and interview and decision FAQs.

In addition to meeting all other applicable requirements for admission, non-native speakers of English must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. This can be demonstrated by submitting any one of the following: an SAT verbal/critical reading score of at least 430; an ACT English subtest score of at least 18; a Duolingo English Test score of at least 105; an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test score of at least 6.5; or a TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) score of 79 or paper-based test with sub scores each being 20 or higher.

Find out more about registration and information for the IELTS Test.

See dates and registration information for the TOEFL.

Find dates and registration information for the SAT.

Learn about dates and registration information for the ACT.

Find out more about registration and information for the Duolingo English Test.

• Casper open-response situational judgment test results

• Science grade point average

• Grade point average from the last 60 hours of coursework

• Clinical knowledge evaluation

• CCRN certification status

• GRE scores

• 291 Applications received

• 189 Interviews offered

• 40 Accepted

• 3.6 Average overall grade point average for those accepted

• 3.44 Average science grade point average for those accepted

View admitted student FAQs.

*Tuition costs do not include textbooks or any additional costs associated with this program.

*Application and graduation fees are assessed separately. Tuition and fees rates are subject to change.