Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia

Admission Requirements

The Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia admits 15 BSN-prepared students and 30 masters-prepared students each year. Admission applications must be received on or before July 1 of the year prior to which admission is being sought. All supporting documents required for admission must be received by July 15 of the year prior to which admission is being sought. Following a review of all applications, selected applicants will be invited for a personal interview to be conducted on Aug. 24 or 25, 2012. Applicants selected for admission will be notified by mid September. Classes begin Jan. 2, 2013.

Based on the most recent incoming class, the average student is 29 years of age, has a mean grade point average of 3.57 on a 4.0 scale, and a composite score on the Graduate Record Exam of 1136 (verbal + quantitative, on the 200-800 score scale). All students are registered nurses with experience in intensive care settings.

The minimum requirements for admission to the BSN to DNP program are:

1. Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a fully accredited college or university in the United States.
2. Cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better (where A = 4.0).
3. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections) within the past four years.
4. A minimum of one year (two years preferred) of experience in an area of intensive care nursing after successful completion of National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.
5. Completion of the following undergraduate courses achieving a grade of B or better: organic chemistry and statistics.
6. Current eligibility for licensure to practice professional nursing in Texas^*
7. Proof of current competency in basic life support (CPR for the healthcare provider), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), and pediatric advanced life support (PALS). CCRN certification is strongly encouraged.
8. Completion of the official application materials.
9. Personal interview with Admissions Committee (if invited).

^*Students must maintain current Texas R.N. licensure at all times during the program.

The minimum requirements for admission to the Post-Master's DNP program are:

1. Current unencumbered license as a registered nurse in state of residence.
2. Current unencumbered APRN licensure, or other authorization to practice as a nurse anesthetist, in state of residence.
3. Masters degree in nursing, nurse anesthesia, or a related field from a fully accredited college or university in the United States.
4. Completion of a nurse anesthesia educational program holding accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.
5. Current certification or recertification by the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists.
6. Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
7. Completion of the following courses at either the undergraduate or graduate level achieving a grade of B or better: statistics and research.
8. Two page essay describing career goals as they relate to the DNP program objectives. Include an overview of the proposed area of interest for the final capstone project.
9. Completion of the official application materials.
10. Personal or telephone interview with faculty representative of the Admissions Committee (if invited).