DNAP-C Admissions Requirements Checklist

MTSA enrolls accepted applicants into the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Program in a CRNA completion degree format once each year, with classes beginning in the fall. Each of the following criteria must be met for an applicant to be considered for an admission interview. After the application deadline, the DNAP Completion Program Screening Committee will review the applicant pool, based on the following requirements, to determine which applicants will receive an invitation to interview with the DNAP Completion Program Admissions Committee.

  • DNAP Program (CRNA Completion Degree Format) Application 
    Application available on the MTSA website (https://www.mtsa.edu/admissions/doctorate)
  • Application Fee
    Application fee must be paid to NursingCAS.
  • Graduation from a COA-Accredited Nurse Anesthesia Program
    Documentation of graduation from a Nurse Anesthesia Educational Program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), by submission of the applicant’s Official NBCRNA Transcript is required.
  • Current Certification or Recertification as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
    The applicant must have documentation of current initial certification or recertification as a CRNA, from the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
  • Current active membership with the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
    The applicant must have documentation of current active membership as a CRNA with the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.
  • A Master’s Degree
    A minimum of a Master of Science with a focus in nurse anesthesia or an equivalent nursing degree is required. Furthermore, the Master of Science degree must have been earned from a regionally-accredited college or university in the United States.
  • Current Licensure as an Advanced Practice (Registered) Nurse (APN/APRN)
    The applicant must submit a copy of their current APN or APRN license in their state of residence in the United States, if applicable. (Not all states require APN or APRN license). The applicant must submit a copy of the current APN/APRN license for any other state in which they are licensed. 
  • Previous States Licensed as an Advanced Practice (Registered) Nurse (APN/APRN)
    A list of states where the applicant has held APN/APRN license in the past is required. 
  • Current Licensure as a Professional Registered Nurse (RN)
    The applicant must submit a copy of their current RN license in their state of residence in the United States, as well as any other states in which they are licensed.
  • Previous States Licensed as a Professional Registered Nurse (RN)
    A list of states where the applicant has held APN/APRN license in the past is required.
  • CRNA Practice
    The applicant must provide documentation of recent/current CRNA practice experience.
  • Personal Letter
    A personal letter addressed to the DNAP Completion Admissions Committee summarizing experience, with reasons for wishing to enroll in MTSA’s DNAP program in the CRNA completion degree format.
    1. Introduction of yourself, background, and why you are interested in MTSA for your DNAP degree. (2-3 paragraphs)
    2. Your focused area of interest (please discuss all 5 points as stated below in 2-4 paragraphs total)
      1. What is the focused area of interest?
      2. Why does this interest you?
      3. What population would benefit from this evidenced-based inquiry?
      4. How would you classify your area/question of interest? (i.e. patient safety issue, health care policy, patient education, anesthesia provider education, etc.)
      5. Why do you think this area of interest would benefit other anesthesia providers, or patient populations?
    3. Your plan for completion of the DNAP degree while you are working and a description of your current practice setting. (1-2 paragraphs)
  • References
    Submit three (3) professional references utilizing the Reference Request form, which is available through NursingCAS. All references will be requested and submitted through NursingCAS. Please use correct contact information on the reference request form, in case MTSA needs to contact a reference for further recommendation or clarification.
  • Transcripts
    • Official academic transcripts from every institution of higher learning attended must be submitted before the application deadline. 
    • This includes transcripts for all non-degree seeking academic courses taken since high school 
    • All transcripts must be sent to NursingCAS directly from the institution. 
    • The anesthesia school (cumulative) grade point average must be at least 3.0 based on a 4.0 grading system. 
    • Transcripts must demonstrate that all general education curriculum required by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to earn the baccalaureate degree were met. 
    • Continued acceptance and enrollment are contingent on the following for courses completed after the application is submitted.
      • If an applicant is enrolled in any course between the time he or she submits the application and the interview, the applicant must submit an official transcript for this course to MTSA prior to the interview.
      • If an applicant is enrolled in any course between the interview and enrollment, the applicant must submit an official transcript for this course to MTSA prior to enrollment.
  • Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA
    A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA is required. The DNAP-C Program Screening Committee reviews the entire applicant pool each year to determine the most highly qualified applicants to receive invitations to interview.
  • Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume:
    Applicants must submit all of the above items, including a current CV/Resume, all reference letters, and all transcripts to NursingCAS before the admission deadline listed on the MTSA website.
  • Admissions Deadline:
    Each year, a deadline for application completion is posted at www.mtsa.edu.