Nurse Anesthesia Program

FAQ

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

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 will open between July 15 and August 1, 2026 and close on August 31, 2026. All application materials must be submitted by the August 31, 2026 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.

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: [email protected]
Website: http://coacrna.org

90%

NCE First Time Pass Rate

0%

Attrition Rate (Class of 2026)

100%

Employment Within Six Months

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

Director, Program of Nurse Anesthesia

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

Nurse Anesthesia Program

Program Information Sessions – 2026

Message from the Director

The Program of Nurse Anesthesia

Degree Information and Performance Metrics

Program Video

Program Details

Performance Outcomes (August 2026)

90%

0%

100%

Enrollment Data (Summer 2026)

230

26

3.71

3.64

4.90

100%

Program Director