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Keck School of Medicine of USC

Nurse Anesthesia Program

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Program Information Sessions – 2026

The USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia will host two virtual information sessions via Zoom on March 31, 2026 and June 30, 2026, from 5:00–6:30 p.m. PST. Prospective attendees are encouraged to review the program website and FAQ in advance. Before each session, participants may submit general questions not already addressed on the website.

Please RSVP to loida@usc.edu

Message from the Director

Our mission is to provide scholarly education and professional development for future nurse anesthetists with the academic strength and leadership skills to advance the nurse anesthesia profession.

Jeffrey R. Darna, PhD, DNP, CRNA, ACNP-BC, FAANA
Photo of Jeffrey R. Darna

The Program of Nurse Anesthesia

The USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia is a full-time, 36-month professional degree program in nurse anesthesiology with a comprehensive curriculum that leads to the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degree and eligibility to sit for the National Certification Examination. The program is administered by the USC Keck School of Medicine and the Department of Anesthesiology.

Expert academic and clinical faculty prepare nurse anesthesia trainees in the planning, administration, and evaluation of anesthesia and pain management across the lifespan and perioperative continuum. The program provides a diverse and rigorous clinical experience supported by academic coursework and leadership development.

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Degree Information and Performance Metrics

The USC Keck School of Medicine confers the DNAP degree upon successful program completion. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination (NCE) administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Upon passing the NCE, graduates may pursue state licensure as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

The application cycle opens on July 1 and closes on August 31. All application materials must be submitted by the August 31 deadline to be considered for an interview. Interviews are conducted in November, and a new cohort matriculates each May.

Program Video

Nurse Anesthesia Video thumbnail. OR setting

The USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia is accredited through Spring 2033 by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). The University of Southern California is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Please refer to the university website for additional accreditation information.

Program Details

The USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs

Curriculum Overview

Curriculum Overview The USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia is a full-time, rigorous 36-month curriculum requiring completion of 81 units for DNAP degree conferral and eligibility for board certification. The first (summer) semester is delivered in a hybrid format, combining remote and in-person instruction. All remaining coursework is completed in person on the USC Health Sciences Campus.

Clinical Affiliation Sites

The USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia operates multiple primary and enrichment clinical education sites, including Keck Hospital of USC, the Los Angeles General Medical Center, and Cedars Sinai Medical Center. The program assigns nurse anesthesia trainees to specialty clinical rotations within the Los Angeles and Orange County regions.

Financial Aid

USC and the Keck School of Medicine of USC support and guide students through the financial aid process.

Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs

Address: 10275 W. Higgin Rd., Suite 906
Rosemont, IL 60018-5603
Phone: (224) 275-9130
Email: accreditation@coacrna.org
Website: http://coacrna.org

Performance Outcomes (June 2025)

96%

NCE First Time Pass Rate

8.3%

Attrition Rate (Class of 2025)

100%

Employment Within Six Months

Enrollment Data (Summer 2026)

230

Total submitted applications

26

Admission cohort size

3.71

Mean (cumulative) undergraduate GPA

3.64

Mean years of critical care nursing

4.90

Mean years as a registered nurse

100%

Applicants with CCRN credential

Program Director

Photo of Jeffrey R. Darna
Director, Program of Nurse Anesthesia

Jeffrey R. Darna, PhD, DNP, CRNA, ACNP-BC, FAANA