Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long is the program?
2. How many students do you accept each year?
3. How do I apply to the nurse anesthesia program?
4. When is the application deadline?
5. How many applicants do you have each year?
6. Does my bachelor’s degree need to be in nursing?
7. How many years of RN experience are required?
8. Do I need a full year of intensive care experience before I submit my application?
9. What do you accept for “Critical Care Experience”?
10. If I don’t have my course prerequisites or bachelor’s degree completed by December 1, but will before
the start of classes, can I apply?
11. How many letters of recommendation are required?
12. Are there specific forms for use for recommendations?
13. How old can the GRE scores be?
14. Do you require the GRE?
15. What are the GRE requirements?
16. Who should I speak with regarding the application process?
17. Are all applicants invited for interviews?
18. What can I expect during the interview?
19. What if I only have one semester of chemistry?
20. Do I need to have CCRN certification before applying?
21. Will I be able to work during the program?
22. What is the college tuition?
23. Is there a difference between in-state versus out-of-state tuition?
24. Is financial aid available?
25. If I am accepted for admission to the program, will I be required to make a deposit to hold my
position?
26. Will I have to travel during the program?
27. Am I required to carry health or malpractice insurance during the program?
28. What are the requirements for admission?
29. What is the application procedure?

1. How long is the program?
30 months. The program begins in late August and finishes 30 months later in late February. The program
is divided into two-phases, an initial didactic phase of 11 months and a clinical phase lasting 19
months.
2. How many students do you accept each year?
The Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia program admits approximately 35-42 students each year.
Our class size varies dependant on the number of clinical positions available.
3. How do I apply to the nurse anesthesia program?
The online application for admission to the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia program can be
accessed at https://www.mtmc.edu/secure/applications/msna.aspx Step 1 of the application process must
be completed online.
Once your online application is completed, download and complete the checklist and supplemental
forms (including recommendation forms). These materials should be submitted together in a 9 x 13
envelope to the Yankton campus admission office. The address is Mount Marty College, Office of
Admissions, 1105 W. 8th St, Yankton, SD 57078.
Official transcripts and GRE score must be mailed directly to MMC Office of Admission from the
original sites. The Mount Marty GRE code is 6614.
4. When is the application deadline?
All application materials must be received by the Office of Admission on the Yankton campus before
November 1 of the year prior to which admission is being sought.
5. How many applicants do you have each year?
We typically receive approximately 200 applications each year.
6. Does my bachelor’s degree need to be in nursing?
No. Your bachelor’s degree may be in nursing or an appropriate bio-medical discipline from a fully
accredited college or university. Applicants with an alternate degree do have to be a registered nurse
(RN) and have experience as an RN.
7. How many years of RN experience are required?
A minimum of one-year (two years preferred) experience as a registered nurse in an area of intensive
care nursing is required.
8.Do I need a full year of intensive care experience before I submit my application?
No. You can apply while you are completing the required nursing experience. The one-year experience
must be completed by the time you begin the program.
9. What do you accept for “Critical Care Experience”?
These include the following critical care settings: CVICU, SICU, MICU, NeuroICU, PICU, NICU.
Experience in an open-heart recovery unit also meets our ICU requirement. We typically do not consider
experience in the following areas as meeting our ICU requirement: step down or transition care areas,
post-coronary care, intermediate care units, progressive care units, recovery room/PACU, operating room
or emergency room.
We look for candidates who have developed critical thinking skills caring for seriously ill patients with
multi-system involvement. In addition to possessing independent decision making skills, candidates
should be capable of using and interpreting advanced monitoring techniques, ECG interpretation, ventilator management, regulating and instituting pharmacological agents based on physiological and pharmacological
principles.
10. If I don’t have my course prerequisites or bachelor’s degree completed by November 1, but will before the start of classes, can I apply?
Yes. You must show proof of enrollment and current GPA. The program may grant admission on a
contingent basis, pending completion of course work and degree. As long as all requirements for
admission are complete by the opening day of classes, your admission status will be the same as all other
students. However, if requirements are not completed by the start of classes, you will not be admitted to
the program and will need to reapply for the next start date.
11. How many letters of recommendation are required?
Two letters of recommendation are required for admission to the graduate school. Recommendations
must be from:
1) An RN who is your critical care unit director or manager.
2) An RN who is a critical care coordinator or shift supervisor in your critical care area.
Recommendations from RNs who have been accepted into, or are currently enrolled in, the nurse anesthesia
program will not be considered. Recommendations from family or friends will not be
considered.
12. Are there specific forms for use for recommendations?
Yes. Forms are included in the applicatoin packet and may be downloaded at www.mtmc.edu/academics/majors/nurse_anesthesia/files/nurse anesthesia web app.pdf.
13. How old can the GRE scores be?
The GRE exam must have been taken after October 2002.
14. Do you require the GRE?
Yes. All applicants, regardless of other degrees held, are required to take the GRE.
15. What are the GRE requirements?
1. We require a minimum score of 400 each in the verbal and quantitative sections.
2. The most recent GRE scores will be considered, even if they are lower than more remote scores.
3. GRE exam scores must be officially reported to the Office of Admissions directly from GRE.
Mount Marty College GRE code is 6416.
16. Who should I speak with regarding the application process?
Questions regarding the application process or completeness of your application file should be directed
to MMC Admission office. The admission office may be contacted by e-mail at mmcadmit@mtmc.edu
(preferred) or by telephone at 605-668-1545 or toll-free at 800-658-4552.
For questions regarding critical care experience, prerequisites or information concerning the program,
please contact the anesthesia program by e-mail (preferred) at msna@mtmc.edu or by telephone at 605-
322-8090 or toll-free at 877-727-8672.
17. Are all applicants invited for interviews?
No. Admission into our program is very competitive. All complete applications received before the
November 1st deadline are reviewed by the admissions committee. The committee thoroughly evaluates
all aspects of the application, including overall GPA, basic science GPA, clinical experience, references,
resume and personal essay. Interview offers are extended to those applicants the committee feels are
most qualified. Incomplete applications, or applications submitted after the November 1st, deadline will
be reviewed only at the discretion of the admissions committee.
18. What can I expect during the interview?
Interviews are conducted at the anesthesia program campus in Sioux Falls, SD, usually late January or
early February. Each applicant spends approximately 30 minutes with the program director, program
faculty members and CRNA clinical instructors. Applicants will have the opportunity to ask questions
concerning program design. Current students are also available to answer questions and offer their
perspective of the program.
19. What if I only have one semester of chemistry?
We require two semesters (minimum of 6 hours) of college-level chemistry. These chemistry classes
should have included some elements of inorganic, organic and biochemistry. If applicants have only
taken one semester of chemistry, they should look for a second chemistry class which would extend
their knowledge beyond the first chemistry.
20. Do I need to have CCRN certification before applying?
CCRN certification is not required for admission, however it is strongly encouraged.
21. Will I be able to work during the program?
Becoming a nurse anesthetist is very demanding. Students should expect to devote 60-70 hours per
week to program requirements. We strongly discourage students from seeking employment during the
program. During the didactic phase, it may be possible to work 1-2 weekend shifts per month. It is nearly
impossible to work during the clinical phase of the program. Students are strictly prohibited from working
in any capacity that involves the administration of anesthesia.
22. What is the college tuition?
Current tuition and fees for the Master of Science in Nurse Anethesia can be found at www.mtmc.edu/financial/costs/anesthesia.aspx..
23. Is there a difference between in-state versus out-of-state tuition?
The tuition rates are the same for in-state or out-of-state students.
24. Is financial aid available?
Financial aid is available from the Federal Government in the form of student loans. You can apply for
financial assistance by completing the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Contact the Financial Aid
Office on campus at 605-668-1589, toll-free at 800-658-4552 ext 1589 or online at www.mtmc.edu/financial/index.aspx.
25. If I am accepted for admission to the program, will I be required to make a deposit to hold my position?
Yes. Applicants who are offered a position in the program will be required to make a non-refundable $750
deposit to hold their position. The deposit must be received within 2 weeks of our offer, or the position is
offered to another applicant. The deposit will be credited toward the student’s tuition account at the time
of matriculation. All deposits are nonrefundable.
26. Will I have to travel during the program?
Phase I (didactic phase) consists of 11 months of classroom work on the anesthesia campus in Sioux Falls,
SD. During Phase II of the program students will finish the remaining 19 months of the program at their
primary clinical site located throughout SD, NE, MN and IA. All students will spend 2-4 months during
Phase II on a specialty rotation to gain experience not offered by their primary site. Some students may be
required to travel for their specialty rotations. Travel expenses, room and board will be the responsibility
of the student.
27. Am I required to carry health or malpractice insurance during the program?
You are required to carry health insurance during Phase I and Phase II. Full-time students are billed the
yearly cost of the insurance in the fall and enrolled in the program unless a signed insurance waiver card is
returned to the Business Office in Bede Room 211. If you have questions about the insurance, contact the
Business Office at 605-668-1575 or 800-658-3677. For further questions on the student health insurance,
please contact Rice Insurance at 605/334.6800 or 800/658.3677 or visit the Student Assurance Services
web site at www.sas-mn.com.
Students wishing to carry their own heath insurance coverage must show proof of enrollment in their
chosen company.
Malpractice coverage is provided for students by the college during Phase I and Phase II of the nurse
anesthesia program.
28. What are the requirements for admission?
Admission requirements must be completed before enrollment in the fall semester.
Requirements include:
➢ Bachelor’s degree in nursing or bio-medical sciences.
➢ Cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale.
➢ Proof of current RN registration (photocopy of nursing license.)
➢ Two (2) references:
1) Nursing unit director/manager
2) Nursing unit critical care coordinator/shift supervisor
➢ Minimum of one year experience (2 years preferred) as a registered nurse in a critical care setting.
➢ Course prerequisites:
1) 2 Chemistry courses
2) 1 Statistics or epidemiology course
➢ Graduate Record Exam (GRE) transcript
➢ Personal Interview
➢ Core Performance Standards, signed and dated prior to admission
➢ Complete health questionnaire, physical examination, immunization record (required prior to the start
of fall semester).
➢ Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
➢ Current resume.
➢ Personal essay.
29. What is the application procedure?
Application materials must be received by November 1 prior to the year seeking admission. Application
to the Master of Science Nurse Anesthesia program is a 3-step process.
STEP 1: COMPLETE ONLINE NURSE ANESTHESIA APPLICATION
Complete the online application before mailing the completed admission packet or forwarding materials.
Supporting application materials cannot be processed unless the online application has been completed
and your account established.
STEP 2: APPLICATION PACKET CONTENTS AND CHECKLIST
Submit the following items together in a 9x13 envelope to the Admission Office, Yankton campus. Do not send directly to the Anesthesia Offices, Sioux Falls campus.
❏ Completed Checklist
❏ $35 non-refundable application fee made payable to Mount Marty College
❏ Supplemental Forms
❏ Core Performance Standards, signed and dated
❏ Critical Care Experience/RN Licensure Form
❏ Educational Data Form
❏ Two unopened reference letters. Opened reference letters will not be considered.

References are required from the following RNs:
❏ Nursing director/manager
❏ Critical care coordinator/shift supervisor

Use the reference forms provided. Indicate your decision regarding a waiver of the right of access to this reference before giving it to each person completing the reference. You should then give the form to the recommender
with a business size envelope (self-addressed and stamped if indicated). The person providing the reference
should seal the envelope and place their signature across the flap. The envelope should be returned to you, and
you should return it unopened in your application packet. Do not return separately.
❏ Current resume
❏ Personal essay describing your goals for graduate study, reasons you selected nurse anesthesia as a career
choice and what you have to offer the profession of nurse anesthesia. Essays should typed and no more than
500-600 words.
❏ Photocopy of your current RN license
❏ Photocopy of current ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification card.
❏ Photocopies of other certifications you hold: ❏ PALS ❏ CCRN ❏ Other

STEP 3: APPLICATION FORWARDED MATERIALS
Please have the following items sent directly to the Admission Office at Yankton campus. Do not send directly to the Anesthesia Offices, Sioux Falls campus.
❏ One official transcript from each college/university attended.
❏ Official transcript verification of classes in which you are currently enrolled
❏ One official GRE score transcript. Register for the general GRE test online at www.gre.org. The GRE
code for Mount Marty College is 6416. Please allow 4-8 weeks for the GRE scores to be reported to the college admission office.

Mail materials to: Admission Office, Mount Marty College, 1105 West 8th Street, Yankton, SD 57078