To qualify for admission, applicants will need to have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00/4.00 scale. The GPA will include all courses completed at the undergraduate level. A graduate degree GPA and the last 60 credit hours completed will also be taken into consideration.

To meet our accreditation standard, one year of full-time experience (two years preferred) must be completed within five years of the matriculation date.

The admission committee prefers higher-level adult intensive care experience caring for ventilated patients, interpreting invasive monitors, and titrating vasoactive medicines. Examples include, but are not limited to, a Level I/II trauma center, Medical ICU, Cardiovascular ICU, Surgical ICU, Pediatric ICU, Cardiac ICU, Neuro ICU, etc.

Note: Level I or II trauma centers are preferred but not required.

Yes, while incredibly beneficial, the following experiences will not meet the one-year requirement for admission. Additional experience may apply.

• Neonatal ICU (NICU)
• Emergency Department/Room
• Progressive Care Unit
• Step-Down Unit
• Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
• Operating Room

Unfortunately, no, OR experience does not typically present the life-threatening pathophysiology experience that the admissions committee would like to see.

No, we do not require applicants to take the GRE examination for our admission process.

No, the ACLS, BLS, and PALS certifications are not required for the admission process. Those who are admitted will be asked to provide an active BLS CPR certification prior to matriculation. The ACLS and PALS certifications are due by the end of the first year.

Applicants who have been dismissed from another nurse anesthesia program may be considered for admission into the DNP-CRNA program; however, a letter of support from the director of the previous CRNA program is required.  

The program enrolls students once per year, with classes beginning in the summer semester.

We are currently accepting 34 new students per year.

If admitted, a DNP prerequisite course is required prior to matriculation. This is a graduate-level statistics course (500+), completed at a Regional or CHEA and USDE-approved institution, with a grade of “B” or above. Marian offers BMS 511 Biostatistics in a 5-week online course. 

Transfer credit requests are evaluated on an individual basis following admission into the program. To be considered, the course(s) will need to meet equivalency standards, have earned a grade of “B” or better, and meet other requirements. Students will need to submit a syllabus for review and a transcript with the final course grade for this process.  

While we understand that applicants may want to take some courses ahead of time, it may be better for applicants to complete the coursework within the cohort. Here are a few additional considerations:

• Our program’s flat-rate tuition model simply divides the total program cost evenly across the nine semesters, so applicants have a predictable expense each semester for tuition. Transferring in courses may lighten the study load, but will not change the overall cost of your studies at Marian. 
• Our courses are offered once a year. Since the program includes anesthesia-specific courses every semester (typically, building on pre-requisite courses), the length of the program will not change despite transferring in any classes.
• To qualify for financial aid, applicants must carry a load of at least five credit hours.

The DNP–CRNA program is 36 months (9 semesters). Refer to the program curriculum for a complete list of courses offered each semester.

Only full-time study is available for the DNP–CRNA program.

During the first two semesters, courses are offered in a hybrid format. Orientation will be held on campus during the first week of the program. Courses meet weekly in a virtual format while exams are proctored at the MU Indianapolis campus and the Saint Thomas ABSN site in Nashville, Tennessee. Simulation labs begin in the third semester and are held in person.

CRNA programs require significant time, travel, and commitment. Due to the extensive curriculum, simulation labs, and clinicals, we strongly discourage students from seeking outside employment during the program. 

During the first year, students may be able to work limited hours. Maintaining a good work, education, life balance is essential, so the decision to work is left to the discretion of the student.

Once the fourth semester begins, students will adhere to a strict no-work policy.

A $750 non-refundable deposit will be required upon acceptance into the program. The deposit will be applied to the first semester tuition upon matriculation.  

Currently, tuition is assessed as a flat rate per semester. Tuition includes the following items:

• Instruction fees
• Accreditation fees
• Technology fees
• Simulation lab fees
• Medatrax fees
• AANA membership fees
• Apex Board Prep subscription fees
• Self-Evaluation Exam fees (2^nd and 3^rd year)

Students will be responsible for textbooks, health insurance, housing, and travel expenses incurred for clinical rotations. Housing and travel expenses will vary by clinical placement.

Yes, financial aid services are available. Those who qualify may be eligible for an Unsubsidized and/or Graduate PLUS loan. Contact our Health Professions Financial Aid team at HPFinAid@marian.edu for additional information.