The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degree is the highest practice degree in nurse anesthesia. MTSA offers the DNAP Practice Doctorate to registered nurses who have met each of the application requirements for admission. The DNAP Practice Doctorate is a full-time course of study for 36 consecutive months, on the campus of MTSA. In the third semester of the DNAP program, students will begin a rigorous clinical rotation process that offers students a vast array of clinical experiences in the peri-anesthesia setting. These clinical rotations will allow students to learn and sharpen their anesthetic skills throughout the remainder of the program.

The Practice Doctorate curriculum is designed to apply the scholarly process for translating evidenced based research into clinical practice. The scholarly project is a culmination of all course work during the program exemplified in a professional electronic portfolio. As well, students produce a nurse anesthesia quality improvement project in the areas of practice, education, administration or business management.

Practice Doctorate application cycle: September 15, 2025 – January 12, 2026

Learn more about the application process:

Overview»
Admission Timeline»
Requirements»
More Information (Admission Checklist, etc.)»
Comparison to PhD»
Admissions Contact»
Evaluating and Awarding Academic Credit Policy»

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Frequently Asked Questions
(Practice Doctorate/DNAP Program*)

How many years of experience are required to apply?

A minimum of 1 year of experience (before the application deadline) as a registered nurse in a critical care area such as SICU, Neuro ICU, CVICU, CCU, MICU or Trauma ICU.  CCRN is required for every applicant.

What is the length of the program?

Our program is 36 months long with 15-week semesters.

When does the program start?

The start of the program is January each year. We only accept one cohort per year.

When can I apply?

The application cycle is open September 15, 2025, to January 12, 2026. We encourage you to apply earlier rather than later as it can take time to retrieve and submit all required documents of the program.

NursingCAS can take 4-6 weeks to verify transcripts, and delays may occur during peak periods or due to unforeseen transcript issues.

What is the average GPA of applicants that are accepted?

This data varies slightly each year, but historically the average cumulative GPA is 3.4. Average cumulative science GPA is 3.5.

What is an early admissions offer?

Candidates with exceptional applications and in-person interview scores may receive priority decisions for admission after each interview date. Remaining decisions will be made once all interviews for the admission cycle have concluded.

What kind of references are needed for the CRNA program?

We require two references in total, though you are allowed to request up to five in NursingCAS. One from a current ICU shift leader, team leader, nurse manager, or other supervisor(s) and another from an individual who can attest to personal and professional attributes.

How much is tuition?

Please follow this link to view the cost of attendance for your intended Practice Doctorate Class: https://mtsa.edu/admissions/financial-aid/cost-of-attendance/

Is a BSN required?

A minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nursing OR a licensed Registered Nurse with a baccalaureate degree in a related field of science is required to apply. If your baccalaureate degree is not in nursing, you must have at least 15 semester hours of biophysical sciences beyond the basic nursing degree in addition to a bachelor’s degree in a related field of science.

What is the Chemistry Course prerequisite?

A minimum of a 3-credit hour college-level chemistry course from an accredited institution is required if your nursing degree did not require a chemistry course. A lab is not required to fulfill the requirement.

Do you require the GRE and if so, what is the minimum score required?

Yes, the GRE is required. A minimum score of 150 (verbal and quantitative) or a combined 300 is recommended for admission consideration.

I took your Advanced Physiologic Foundations Course. Does this guarantee admission into your program?

No, taking our Advanced Physiologic Foundations Course does not guarantee admission into the program, nor does it guarantee an interview, but it does help strengthen your application when our Admissions Committee meets to review applications.

Will any class credits from other institutions transfer and be accepted by MTSA for the Practice Doctorate?

Due to the single-purpose, lock-step nature, anesthesia-focused educational curricula that MTSA offers, transfer credit will not be accepted to the DNAP PD program.

What is your class size?

Our program is designed for all students beginning in the same year to take all courses together (lock-step). Currently, we can accept up to 75 students per year.

Do the students choose their clinical sites?

A variety of clinical sites in greater Nashville area, Middle TN, and neighboring states.  Second year clinical sites are generally within a 1 hour range of MTSA.  Third year sites may include one or more sites beyond the 1 hour radius.  Housing is provided by MTSA for these sites.

Are online classes available for the PD program?

Most classes are held on the campus of MTSA, and attendance is mandatory. However, there are some online courses that are part of the curriculum.

Does MTSA accept students of religious faiths other than Seventh-day Adventists?

Yes. In fact, only approximately 8 – 10 percent of the students in any given class are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Our students come from a variety of religious backgrounds. In addition, we are committed to a policy of non-discrimination and welcome students of all faiths. MTSA is a Christian institution and that philosophy is prevalent in all phases of school life.

Do you have resources for CRNAs to help determine a career path and salary expectations after graduating from MTSA?

Yes, the following resources can help prospective students learn more about a career path and salary expectations: Nurse Anesthetist careers, BLS Occupational Outlook.

Click the link below to request more information about the DNAP Entry to Practice program.

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