Apply to the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice - Post-Master's Program

Distance Education Information

MUSC has been approved by South Carolina to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. Currently, MUSC accepts applications to the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice from students who live in all states.

To learn more please see the Office of Institutional Effectiveness' State Authorization page.

Requirements

Prerequisites for admission include:

• Evidence of graduation from an accredited baccalaureate or higher nursing program, or possession of a bachelor of science degree in a basic or appropriate health sciences field;
• Evidence of a master’s degree from a nationally accredited nurse anesthesia program;
• Certification as a CRNA;
• Licensure to practice as a registered nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse; 
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (includes all college level courses; official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended must be submitted);
• A graduate level research course;
• Submission of a curriculum vitae and three professional references;
• Submission of required essays. One essay will focus on the applicant’s professional goals. The second essay will discuss the applicant’s research area of interest and proposed doctoral scholarly project.

International Applicants

MUSC’s DNAP degree program is unable to admit international students requiring an F-1 visa. Applications will only be accepted from U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or those holding other valid nonimmigrant visa classifications that allow participation in lawful study while in the United States.

Application Process

In addition to the application itself, the applicant must complete supplemental materials specific to the program. The Division of Nurse Anesthesia Admissions Committee reviews all applicant files for merit. Personal interviews are required for acceptance and will be scheduled after applications are reviewed. When determining which applicants to interview and then to accept to the program, the committee will focus on academic achievement, professional experience, recommendations, and the quality of the essays.  For the selected, eligible applicants, interviews will be scheduled throughout the Spring semester. The twenty most qualified applicants will be invited to an in-person panel interview, and then the top applicants will be invited to join the program. Acceptance may be considered with prerequisite courses or a master's degree completion pending at the time of interview with the requirement that prerequisites and a master’s degree be completed by the time of enrollment in the DNAP program. Applicants are required to submit official transcripts from each post-secondary school attended, and all materials must be received by the application deadline listed below. Supplemental material forms are available in PDF format within the application and are also sent through email once an application is submitted.

Use of Marijuana and/or CBD Products

Marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug and is illegal to purchase in South Carolina. Apart from a narrow and limited scope of codified/documented medical exceptions, it is illegal for individuals to use marijuana/tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in South Carolina. Although cannabidiol (CBD) products may be purchased and used in South Carolina, please be aware that CBD products may contain higher levels of THC than represented on packaging and use of CBD products can result in a positive drug screen for THC/marijuana. Be aware that current drug testing methods cannot accurately ascertain the origins of THC metabolites (i.e., whether from marijuana or CBD products). Your academic program has the authority to conduct random and/or scheduled drug testing; if your test result is reported as positive for THC metabolites (even if you only used a CBD product), your ability to be accepted into the program, progress in the program, and/or successfully complete the program may be negatively impacted.

Scholarship Eligibility

MUSC offers scholarships for which you may be eligible. Some are awarded based on academic achievement; others are awarded based on community service, for example. However, the majority of scholarships awarded at MUSC are based on financial need. This means those scholarships are only awarded to students who need some financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition and fees. If you would like to be considered for a financial need-based scholarship, you must have an up-to-date Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Make sure you list Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC’s code: 003438. We encourage you to submit the FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit the FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the Fall.

Application Deadlines