The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degree is the highest practice degree in nurse anesthesia. MTSA offers the DNAP degree through a completion program specifically designed with the working CRNA in mind and in an online format. All students accepted into the program must be currently licensed CRNAs. The program can be completed over two years. MTSA’s DNAP program is differentiated from other DNP programs because it is designed specifically for the CRNA. Each course is created with specific nurse anesthesia content.

The DNAP program focuses on utilization of research findings for evidence-based clinical practice, education, and/or administration/business management related to nurse anesthesia, and the DNAP curriculum is designed accordingly. In addition to requisite foundational courses, completion of a scholarly project, which is the seminal scholarly work associated with the degree, is required. MTSA faculty mentor each DNAP student with this project that focuses on utilization and translation of research findings to augment evidence-based nurse anesthesia clinical practice, nurse anesthesia education, and/or administration/business management related to nurse anesthesia.

Completion of a master’s degree with a focus in nurse anesthesia is a prerequisite for acceptance into MTSA’s professional practice doctoral program that grants the DNAP degree.

To request a copy of a previous edition of the MTSA Student Catalog and Handbook, please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@mtsa.edu.

DNAP-Completion Application Cycle and Deadline for 2023

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*Note: If interested in one of our Dual Enrollment programs, please continue scrolling for information and the application options.*

Learn more about the Doctorate Completion program and application process:

Overview»
Requirements»
Admission Checklist»
Academic Course Sequencing by Semester»
Interview Process»
Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)»
Academic Summary & Standards»
Student Handbook»
Graduation Requirements»
Outcome Criteria Upon Graduation»
Admissions Contact»

Frequently Asked Questions (Doctorate Completion Program)

What are the basic requirements for admission to the MTSA DNAP program ?

• Graduation from a COA-Accredited Nurse Anesthesia Program
• Current Certification or Recertification as a CRNA
• Current active membership with the AANA
• Master’s Degree from a nurse anesthesia program
• Current licensure as an APN/APRN
• Current licensure as an RN
• Currently practicing as a CRNA
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA

How long is the program?

Two years inclusive of capstone project. Classes begin in August/September.

Is the program all online?

Yes, the program is all online.

What is the cost of the program?

Tuition is $30,000. Additional costs include: application fee, books, physical exam, health insurance coverage, mobile smart phone with data plan, access to a personal portable/laptop computer and high-speed internet access, for-cause drug screening, NBCRNA dues, and AANA membership dues.

Are there any financial funding options available for the Dual or DNAP Completion?

MTSA was awarded the HRSA Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) grant for the Academic year of 2022-2023 that provides up to 85% loan forgiveness to DNAP-C, Dual, and Education track students who continue employment as a clinical or academic educator for a period of 4 years after graduation. Additional private loads are available and VA benefits can be applied to the cost of tuition. MTSA’s Director of Financial Aid, Jennifer Speer, can address any funding options available by contacting her at: Jennifer.Speer@mtsa.edu.

What is the class size?

Class size is dependent upon the number of qualified applicants.

Which transcripts need to be submitted?

Original transcripts from all academic work after high school should be submitted via the NursingCAS application portal.

Alternative Program Tracks (Dual Enrollment)

• Acute Surgical Pain Management Fellowship+--

  Dual Enrollment: DNAP Completion and Acute Surgical Pain Management (ASPM) Fellowship

  Complete your DNAP degree and ASPM Fellowship in two years. Receive a 25 % discount applied to both programs (DNAP and ASPM Fellowship) if dual enrolled. Application Deadline: May 1, 2023.

  Attain the highest qualifications possible in both your acute pain clinical practice and academic credentials with a path that brings both together – MTSA’s Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice, and the Acute Surgical Pain Management Fellowship.

  CLICK HERE to begin the application process (via NursingCAS)»

  Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)»

  DUAL Application Cycle and Deadline for 2023

  Application Cycle	Application Deadline	Semester Start Date
  December 1 – May 1	May 1, 2023	August 2023

  Application period open December 1 – May 1

  For more information and to schedule a school visit (optional)
  
  Call MTSA for information at 888-353-6872. Our offices are open Monday through Thursday, 8am – 6pm CST. You may also email Hallie Evans at hallie.evans@mtsa.edu for more information or to make an appointment to visit the school.

   

  FAQs

  Why the dual enrollment option?

  Dual enrollment allows the student to accomplish both programs (DNAP completion and ASPM Fellowship) concurrently in two years. With dual enrollment, the CRNA can focus their didactic assignments within the field of Acute Surgical Pain Management. The ASPM Fellowship enhances the regional anesthesia skill set for the experienced CRNA, and the DNAP completion program challenges the CRNA to expand their knowledge base in a variety of Nurse Anesthesia concepts.

  What will it cost?

  Regular cost for the DNAP completion is $30,000. Regular cost for the ASPM Fellowship is $15,000. A 25 percent discount is offered for the completion of both programs which makes a total investment of $33,750. Please note that there is an additional $3,500 clinical fee.

  Are there any financial funding options available for the Dual or DNAP Completion?

  MTSA was awarded the HRSA Nurse Faculty Loan Program grant for the Academic year of 2023-2024 that provides up to 85% loan forgiveness to DNAP-C, Dual, and Education track students who continue employment as a clinical or academic educator for a period of 4 years after graduation. Additional private loads are available and VA benefits can be applied to the cost of tuition. MTSA’s Director of Financial Aid, Jennifer Speer, can address any funding options available by contacting her at: Jennifer.Speer@mtsa.edu.

  What will I get for my financial investment?

  Each student who successfully finishes the DNAP completion program will be conferred a Doctor of Anesthesia Practice degree. Each student that successfully completes the ASPM Fellowship will receive an ASPM Fellowship certificate of completion. Additionally, through the ASPM Fellowship each student will have opportunity to participate in three cadaveric workshops at no additional cost and earn up to 24 class “A” continuing education credits.

  Do I still have to produce a scholarly project?

  Yes, each DNAP completion student must complete and present a scholarly project. Dual enrolled students will focus their project on ASPM. Faculty experts in ASPM from around the world provide content support to ASPM Fellows’ scholarly projects.

  What is the campus onsite requirement?

  The onsite requirement is two extended weekends attending cadaver workshops, and two weeks minimal in doing clinical rotations at MTSA ASPMF sites during the second year and upon entry into the Fellowship portion of the program.

   

  Academic Course Sequencing by Semester

  Acute Surgical Pain Management Elective Course Options

  

• Nurse Educator Certificate Program+--

  Dual Enrollment: DNAP Completion and Nurse Educator Track Certificate Program (NET)

  MTSA’s Nurse Educator Certificate Program is a 12-month course of study that prepares students to function in the Nurse Educator role. Students learn about the theoretical foundations of nursing education, how to assess educational needs, various evidence-based teaching and assessment strategies, curriculum design and development, and program evaluation.

  Complete your DNAP degree and NECP in two years. Receive a 25 % Discount applied to both programs (DNAP and NECP) if dual enrolled. Application Deadline: May 1, 2023.

  The Nurse Educator Curriculum meets eligibility requirements of the National League for Nursing (NLN) Academic Nurse Educator Certification. The curriculum uses the NLN Core Competencies (NLN-CC) of Academic Nurse Educators© with task statements as a framework. Upon completion of the Nurse Anesthesia Educator Track, graduates will be eligible to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) Examination developed by the NLN Academic Nurse Educator Certification Program (ANECP).

  CLICK HERE to begin the application process (via NursingCAS)»

  Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)»

  DUAL Application Cycle and Deadline for 2023

  Application Cycle	Application Deadline	Semester Start Date
  December 1 – May 1	May 1, 2023	August 2023

  Application period open December 1 – May 1

  For more information and to schedule a school visit (optional)
  
  Call MTSA for information at 888-353-6872. Our offices are open Monday through Thursday, 8am – 6pm CST. You may also email Hallie Evans at hallie.evans@mtsa.edu for more information or to make an appointment to visit the school.

  Academic Course Sequencing by Semester

  Nurse Educator Elective Course Options