If you are looking for unique CRNA programs that will match up with your specific educational or experiential background, then you’ve come to the right place.
As you can see, this page was designed for serious applicants looking to learn more about Unique CRNA Programs. Applicants who are wondering…
How to find 100% online CRNA schools
How to find CRNA schools that are less competitive
How to find CRNA schools that do not require the GRE
How to find CRNA schools that do not require a BSN (they will accept your ADN + your Bachelor’s degree in a science that is closely related to anesthesia)
(And much more.)
If you’d like to save time in your search and sort schools by 59 distinct criteria (instead of just 4), you’ll probably want to use the CRNA School Finder. It’s updated every month, so your search is always in real time.
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.
Find a list of all hybrid programs here.
In addition to hybrid programs, this spreadsheet will allow you to search by 59 different criteria!
The screenshot below only displays about one-tenth of the spreadsheet. You’ll be amazed at just how useful and time-saving this tool is in helping you find the right school.
Programs That Will Accept ER as Critical Care
Some CRNA schools have certain ICU units that they prefer (usually Surgical 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 in passing 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 are always better off with a more well-rounded foundation of experience, and just because CRNA programs accept a certain type of experience, this doesn’t mean it is their first choice for an applicant.
Bryan College of Health Sciences, Nebraska. Applicants should contact the school if they have questions about their clinical experience.
Charleston Area Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia, West Virginia. Those who have experiences in other areas may be considered provided they can demonstrate competence in managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.
Duke University Nurse Anesthesia Program, North Carolina
Drexel University Nurse Anesthesia Program, Pennsylvania
Excela Health School of Anesthesia, Pennsylvania. Level One Trauma experience only.
Florida International University, Florida. They will accept experiences on an individual basis.
Florida State University, Florida. Those who have experiences in other areas may be considered provided they can demonstrate competence in managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.
Goldfarb School of Nursing – Barnes Jewish College at Washington University Medical Center, Missouri. Experience with ventilators, invasive lines, and critical care pharmacology.
Hamot Medical Center School of Anesthesia with Gannon University, Pennsylvania. Emergency room experience is considered only if it is obtained in a large trauma center.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Louisiana.
Midwestern University, Arizona
Missouri State School of Anesthesia, Missouri
National University – Fresno, California. Trauma emergency department and other experiences will be considered on an individual basis.
University of New England, Maine. ER experience considered on an individual basis but is generally not sufficient as the sole critical care experience.
Northeastern University, Massachusetts
Our Lady of the Lake College, Louisiana. Those who have experiences in other areas may be considered provided they can demonstrate competence with invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Minnesota
State University New York (SUNY) Buffalo, New York – prefer ICU experience, accept ER on an individual basis.
Truman Medical Centers School of Nurse Anesthesia, Missouri
University of Arizona School of Nursing, Arizona. Those who have experiences in other areas may be considered provided they can demonstrate competence with invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.
University of Detroit Mercy, Michigan. ER is acceptable if you can demonstrate familiarity with invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.
University of Michigan-Flint & Hurley Medical Center, Michigan. You are expected to have a working knowledge of the pulmonary artery and other advanced monitoring modalities, as well as titration of vasopressors (which are not usually utilized in the ER).
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Minnesota. “Those who have experiences in other areas may be considered provided they can demonstrate competence with invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology.”
University of North Florida, ER is determined on an individual basis.
University of Saint Francis, Indiana. ER is determined on an individual basis.
University of Southern California, California. ER is determined on an individual basis.
Villanova University & Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Pennsylvania
Virginia Commonwealth University DNAP Degree, Virginia
York College of Pennsylvania & WellSpan Health, Pennsylvania
Yale-New Haven Hospital & Central Connecticut State University, Connecticut. ER is determined on an individual basis.
Programs That Are Less Competitive
If your GPA hovers near the 3.0 mark, you have a very slim chance of getting accepted into a CRNA program. In fact, when you use this School Finder to filter schools by GPA requirements, you’ll find that many schools require a 3.2. Most accepted applicants have above a 3.5. average GPA. Some of the more competitive CRNA Programs require a 3.8 cumulative GPA.
If you shine in other ways, however, and you’re determined to become a CRNA, then I recommend that you read the Insider’s Guide to CRNA School.
The guide above will give you specific steps to take in order to drastically improve your resume and you’re willing to do what it takes, the CRNA School Guide 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/”>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.
Columbia University, New York. No minimum GPA requirement.
Frank J. Tornetta School of Anesthesia at Einstein Medical Center Montgomery/ La Salle University Graduate Nursing, Pennsylvania. No minimum GPA is stated.
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.
Saint Mary’s 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.
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.
University of Saint Francis, Indiana. They are looking for a GPA of 3.2 overall but will consider a lower GPA. If your GPA is lower than 3.2 overall, you must submit the GRE and your application will be considered on an individual basis.
University of Scranton, Pennsylvania. They recommend having a 3.0 GPA, but if you have less than 3.0 GPA, you are required to submit GRE scores.
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Wisconsin. They prefer a 3.0 GPA but will consider 2.70-2.99 on a probationary status.
Do not require the GRE
California State University Fullerton, California
Clarkson College Nurse Anesthesia Program, Nebraska
Decatur Memorial Hospital and Millikin University, Illinois, does not require the GRE unless your GPA is below a 3.0.
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.
Excela Health School of Anesthesia with Saint Vincent College, Pennsylvania
Fairfield University & Bridgeport Hospital, CT
Geisinger Health System with Bloomsburg University Nurse Anesthesia Program, Pennsylvania
Georgetown University, Washington, DC. GRE is only required if GPA is lower than 3.5
Goldfarb School of Nursing – Barnes Jewish College at Washington University Medical Center, Missouri
Gonzaga University & Sacred Heart Medical Center, Washington – Requires a CCRN instead.
Loma Linda University, California
Lourdes University, Ohio
Marian University, Indiana
Marquette University, Wisconsin – GRE not required if your GPA is 3.2 or higher.
Medical University of South Carolina, South Carolina – GRE is not required unless you have a GPA of less than 3.6.
Midwestern University, Arizona
Minneapolis School of Anesthesia, Minnesota
Murray State University & Baptist Health, Kentucky
National University – Fresno, California
Northern Kentucky University, Kentucky
, Michigan. GRE requirement may be waived if your GPA is a 3.5 or better.
Oregon Health and Science University, Oregon
Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, New Jersey
Rutgers School of Nursing, New Jersey
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Minnesota
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Illinois
Jefferson University, Pennsylvania. Only require the GRE or MAT if your GPA is below a 3.2.
University of Akron, Ohio
University of Arizona School of Nursing, Arizona
University of Detroit Mercy, Michigan
University of Iowa, Iowa
University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas
University of Miami School of Nursing, Florida
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Minnesota
University of North Dakota, North Dakota
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Pennsylvania. They do offer a waiver for GRE scores, however, the final say is the Master’s Admissions Committee and acceptance is not guaranteed. (It never is.)
University of Saint Francis, Indiana. The GRE is only required if your overall GPA is below 3.2.
University of Scranton Nurse Anesthesia Program, Pennsylvania. You may either submit a GRE score OR present a record of progressively higher work experience. You will need to submit GRE scores if your GPA is less than 3.0.
University of Tennessee College of Nursing at Knoxville, Tennessee. The GRE is only required for those applicants with a GPA of less than 3.3.
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The GRE is only required for those applicants with a GPA of less than 3.0.
Villanova University & Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Pennsylvania. GRE requirement may be waived if GPA is 3.4 or better.
Wayne State University, Michigan. They require a CCRN certification instead of the GRE.
Webster University, Missouri
Programs That Will Accept the MCAT or 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.
Drexel University Nurse Anesthesia Program, Pennsylvania will accept the MAT in place of the GRE.
Emory University, GA. They will take the GMAT in place of the GRE if taken within 5 years of the application deadline.
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, Ohio. Accepts the GRE or MAT.
InterAmerican University, Puerto Rico. Accepts the GRE, EXADEP, MAT or GMAT.
Raleigh School of Nurse Anesthesia & University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina
St. Joseph Hospital School of Anesthesia for Nurses, Rhode Island
State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, New York. Accepts the MAT in place of the GRE.
University of Puerto Rico, PR. Accepts both the GRE and the EXADEP.
University of Tennessee Chattanooga – Erlanger Health System, Tennessee. Accepts the MAT in place of the GRE.
Villanova University & Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Pennsylvania. Accepts the MAT in place of the GRE.
Less Competitive CRNA Programs
CRNA Program acceptance rates range from 6% to 50%. And no, this isn’t made up. This is based on the number of seats in the program divided by the number of qualified applicants. You can access this data and see where programs fall throughout this distribution by downloading the school finder.
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 as to ensure they have a quality applicant pool.
For this reason, it is not possible to create a fully complete list of “less competitive schools”, however, you can find a pretty thorough list of them on the spreadsheet mentioned above.
Also, schools may be very competitive in certain admission requirements while being much less competitive in other areas; it depends on which pool of applicants you’re competing against.
As you are looking for “easy CRNA Programs,” keep an eye out for low requirements. Schools with fewer applicants tend to lower their requirements to expand more qualified applicants.
You can now sort the searchable spreadsheet for any requirement you want! This allows you to see how each school compares to the others, and filter all schools by requirements, allowing you to pull together a list of all schools with the lowest requirements.
As a general rule, the more CRNA Programs there are in a certain region, it is less likely applicant pools will 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 andful of schools to choose from.
Rather than guessing, look at the numbers!
Find schools listed by acceptance rate (along with 58 other criteria) and make an educated decision today about which school will offer you the best CRNA education.
Return to top of Unique CRNA Programs
*This page was updated October 22, 2018 *
Did you find an error on this page? Please report it here