Unique CRNA Programs

Find CRNA Programs with requirements that fit your achievements and a schedule that fits your expectations.

This page is the #3 most popular page on my site (topped in traffic only by "Schools by State" and my home page). If you're like most applicants, you're looking for a CRNA program that will fit your specific needs.

You can now search CRNA Schools with 49 different criteria!

After receiving so many emails from students like you asking for lists of programs sorted by specific criteria, my team created an

Excel spreadsheet

allowing you to sort schools by:

Specific prerequisite classes
Specific ICU experience (NICU, PICU, ER, years experience, etc.)
Specific school requirements
School attributes like Sim Lab, Front-Loaded vs. Integrated, etc.

And many more. It's definitely worth checking out.

Find CRNA Schools that …

Are 100% Online

Will accept ER as Critical Care

Will take less than a 3.0 GPA

Do not require the GRE

Will accept the MCAT or the MAT in place of the GRE

Are less competitive

Are 24 Month CRNA Programs

Online CRNA Schools

There are currently no online nurse anesthesia programs in the US. Practicing CRNAs tend to feel that an online CRNA program wouldn't offer adequate training.

Though some programs have tried to initiate a fully online program, the opposition towards the idea is too strong at this point for any program to materialize.

Until further notice, just plan on packing up your life and attending a physical school.

Will accept ER as Critical Care

Some CRNA schools have certain ICU units that they prefer (usually Surgical and Cardiovascular). Other schools aren’t as concerned with the unit you worked in as much as they are the type of experience you had, and the level of comprehension you have walked away with.

However, it's important to note that statistically, graduates who come from a non-ICU background have a higher rate of failure to pass their board exam, which is required for certification.

The following schools will accept Emergency Room / Emergency Department (ER/ED) as long as the unit is a level one trauma center. Keep in mind that you’re always better off with a more well-rounded experience base, and just because CRNA programs accept a certain type of experience, it doesn’t mean it’s their first choice for an applicant.

Fairfield University, Connecticut

Adventist University of Health Sciences, Florida

DePaul University & NorthShore University, Illinois

Louisiana State University, Louisiana

New England University, Maine

Bryan College of Health Sciences, Nebraska

Texas Christian University, Texas, ER experience may be accepted provided you can demonstrate familiarity with invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology. Distance learning available in 10 states.

University of Michigan-Flint & Hurley Medical Center, Michigan. You are expected to have a working knowledge of Swan Ganz and other advanced monitoring modalities and titration of vasopressors (which are not usually utilized in the ER).

University of Detroit Mercy, Michigan. ER is acceptable if you can demonstrate familiarity with invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.

Charleston Area Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia, West Virginia.

Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia, Madison, TN. ER experience will only be considered if you can demonstrate that you frequently care for a patient for an extended period of each shift with invasive monitors in this setting.

Excela Health School of Anesthesia, Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

Hamot Medical Center School of Anesthesia with Gannon University, Erie, Pennsylvania.

Duke University Nurse Anesthesia Program Durham, North Carolina.

Cleveland Clinic Foundation & Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. ER experience is accepted as well as PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit).

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Will take less than a 3.0 GPA (cumulative)

If your GPA is less than a 3.0, you have very slim chances of getting accepted into a CRNA program. Most accepted applicants have above a 3.5. average GPA at some of the more competitive CRNA Programs is a 3.8.

However, If you shine in other ways, and perhaps you've taken (or plan to take) a few graduate level science classes to prove that you're capable of achieving high grades, and you're determined to become a CRNA, then I recommend that you read CRNA School Admission: the Cold Hard Facts.

It will give you specific steps to take to drastically improve your resume and application, so that it will at least be noticed by the admission committee. Please understand that I'm giving you no guarantee of acceptance. I've always believed that where there is a will, there is a way, and if you feel strongly that you have what it takes to become a CRNA, and you're willing to do what it takes, CRNA School Admission: the Cold Hard Facts may offer you some hope.

If your science GPA is holding you back, you may want to consider retaking some of the prerequisite classes, especially if you scored less than a "B". If human anatomy and physiology is on your list of classes to retake, here is a master study guide that will help you ace the class the next time around.

If your scores are really low, another thing to consider is that there may be a different career path that is more suited to your strengths. Read this article to explore other well paying career options.

Texas Wesleyan University, 11 different states through distance learning - minimum science GPA of 2.5 is required for consideration.

Midwestern University, Arizona – minimum GPA of 2.7, though average GPA of accepted students is 3.46.

Arkansas State University Jonesboro, Arkansas. Cumulative 2.75 on all undergraduate courses or 3.0 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate courses.

University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They have no minimum GPA requirement and suggest taking a graduate science course to prove your ability to achieve in class (if your GPA is low).

Albany Medical College, New York. No minimum GPA requirement.

Columbia University, New York. No minimum GPA requirement.

State University New York (SUNY) Buffalo, New York. No minimum GPA requirement. If your GPA is below a 3.0, you'll need to take the GRE.

Decatur Memorial Hospital and Millikin University, Illinois. If your GPA is below a 3.0, you'll need to take the GRE.

Saint Mary University of Minnesota, Minnesota. Minimum overall GPA of 2.75, however you'll need a science GPA of 3.0-3.2 to be competitive.

Minneapolis School of Anesthesia, Minnesota. They will accept a 2.75 GPA.

Raleigh School of Nurse Anesthesia - University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina. They require a 3.0 in nursing. If your undergraduate grades are less than ideal but you did really well in your nursing program, it may be worth applying here.

Union University School of Nursing CRNA Master's Program, Tennessee. They require a 3.0 GPA for your last 60 units of education and compare that with your science GPA.

Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Rhode Island. Minimum GPA is 2.75 both cumulative and in science courses.

Frank J. Tornetta School of Anesthesia & La Salle University School of Nursing and Health Sciences & Montgomery Hospital, Pennsylvania. No minimum GPA is stated.

St. Joseph Hospital School of Anesthesia for Nurses.

Do not require the GRE

Excela Health School of Anesthesia with Saint Vincent College, Pennsylvania

Geisinger Health System with Bloomsburg University Nurse Anesthesia Program, Pennsylvania

Midwestern University, Arizona

California State University Fullerton, California

Loma Linda University, California

National University - Fresno, California

New Britain School of Nurse Anesthesia, Connecticut

University of Iowa, Iowa

Rush University, Illinois, GRE waived if your cumulative GPA is at least 3.25 or your nursing GPA is 3.0 or better.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Illinois

University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas

Bryan College of Health Sciences, Nebraska

State University New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center, New York

State University New York (SUNY) Buffalo, New York, does not require the GRE unless your GPA is below a 3.0.

Saint Mary University of Minnesota, Minnesota

Minneapolis School of Anesthesia, Minnesota

Oakland University Beaumont, Michigan. Will wave the GRE requirement if your GPA is a 3.5 or better.

University of North Dakota, North Dakota

Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center

Drexel University Nurse Anesthesia Program, Pennsylvania waived for GPA 3.5 or higher and science GPA > 3.25. Also waived for Post-Master’s certificate applicants.

University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ School of Nursing)

Goldfarb School of Nursing - Barnes Jewish College at Washington University Medical Center

Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island & Central Connecticut State University, Rhode Island

Decatur Memorial Hospital and Millikin University, Illinois, does not require the GRE unless your GPA is below a 3.0.

Clarkson College Nurse Anesthesia Program, NE

Commonwealth Health & University of Scranton, PA. You may either submit a GRE score OR present a record of progressively higher work experience.

Otterbein University & Grant Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia Program, OH

University of Detroit Mercy, MI

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Will accept the MCAT or the MAT in place of the GRE

Samuel Merritt College, California, will accept MCAT scores in place of the GRE.

Adventist University of Health Sciences, Florida, will accept MAT scores in place of the GRE.

Louisiana State University, Louisiana, will accept MAT scores in place of the GRE.

Drexel University Nurse Anesthesia Program, Pennsylvania will accept the MAT in place of the GRE.

University of Tennessee Chattanooga - Erlanger Health System will accept the MAT in place of the GRE.

Allegheny Valley Hospital and La Roche College School of Anesthesia, Pennsylvania. Will accept the MAT in place of the GRE.

Frank J. Tornetta School of Anesthesia & La Salle University School of Nursing and Health Sciences & Montgomery Hospital, Pennsylvania. Will accept the MAT in place of the GRE.

Villanova University & Crozer-Chester Medical Center, VA. Will accept the MAT in place of the GRE.

Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (WFUBMC) School of Medicine & University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), NC. Will accept the MAT in place of the GRE, though they prefer the GRE.

Cleveland Clinic Foundation & Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, OH. Will accept the GRE or the MAT.

Old Dominion University, School of Nursing, VA. Will accept the GRE or the MAT.

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Less competitive CRNA Programs

CRNA Programs can have anywhere from 4 to 10 applicants competing for a single spot in the program.

Some Universities will not disclose their number of applicants. They fear that students will calculate their chances of acceptance and choose not to apply. It is in the schools best interest to receive as many applications as possible, to ensure they have a quality applicant pool.

For this reason, it’s not possible for me to create a fully complete list of “less competitive schools”.

Also, schools may be very competitive in certain admission requirements while being much less competitive in other areas – it really depends on which pool of applicants you’re competing against.

As you're looking for "easy CRNA Programs," keep an eye out for low requirements. Schools with less applicants tend to lower their requirements to enlarge their "eligible applicant pool." Schools with an abundance of applicants increase their minimum standards, giving you more hoops to jump through so they'll have fewer and more qualified applicants.

As a general rule, the more CRNA Programs there are in a certain region, the less likely they are to be highly competitive. The opposite is also true. The most competitive programs are likely to be on the West Coast, simply because it has such a dense population and only a handful of schools to choose from.

Other factors that contribute to a school’s level of competition include its size (larger and/or more prestigious schools tend to be more competitive), it’s price (cheap CRNA Schools are highly sought after), and its location (beachfront, great weather and popular cities cause students to flock). Sometimes, however, CRNA Programs in less desirable places will have lower tuition simply to lure students in.

Instead of creating a list of "easy CRNA Programs", I'll refer you to programs that accept less than a 3.0 GPA and ones that don't require the GRE. These tend to be less competitive.

The best advice I have for you is to call the program directors of your top choices and ask them what your chances are of getting accepted.

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24 Month CRNA Programs

The length of a CRNA Program is a fairly significant factor. If you can get the same degree and the same experience while spending one less year in school, why not? You would think that most of the 24 month CRNA programs would be more demanding while the 36 month programs would be more laid back and give you more breathing room.

Though this can be true, it’s not necessarily the case. Look at each program individually and ask the program directors how much of your time you’ll need to commit (I’ve included that information for most CRNA schools, but not all).

A crna program’s length can sometimes be a greater factor in determining cost than the tuition! You’re not just paying for every hour you’re in class; you’re losing $120k - $160k of potential income for every extra year you’re in school.