Frequently Asked Questions
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 depending 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 here. 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 Mount Marty College Nurse Anesthesia Program Office. The address is Mount Marty College, Nurse Anesthesia Program Office, 5001 W 41st, Sioux Falls, SD 57106. Official transcripts and GRE score must be mailed directly to Mount Marty College from the original sites. The Mount Marty GRE code is 6416.
4. When is the application deadline?
All application materials, including GRE score, must be received by the Nurse Anesthesia Program Office in Sioux Falls, SD before
September 15 of the year prior to which admission is being sought.
5. How many applicants do you have each year?
We typically receive approximately 100-150 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 discipline from a fully
accredited college or university. Applicants with non-nursing degrees must be registered nurses
(RN) with 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
critical care nursing is required.
8.Do I need a full year of critical 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: Cardiovascular (CV) ICU, Surgical ICU, Medical ICU, Neuro ICU, Pediatric ICU, Neonatal ICU. 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 September 15, 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 application packet and may be downloaded at www.mtmc.edu/msna
13. How old can the GRE scores be?
We accept only GRE scores reported officially from Educational Testing Service (ETS). According to their website, "GRE scores are valid for five years after the testing year in which you tested (July 1 - June 30)."
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?
For the Revised General Test administered since August 2011, we require minimum scores of 146 on the verbal portion and 140 on the quantitative portion. For General Tests taken prior to August 2011, we require minimum scores of 400 each in the verbal and quantitative sections. The most recent GRE scores will be considered, even if they are lower than previous scores. GRE General Test scores must be officially reported to Mount Marty College directly from Educational Testing Service (GRE's parent organization). Mount Marty College's GRE code is 6416.
16. Who should I speak with regarding the application process?
All questions regarding the Mount Marty College Nurse Anesthesia Program should be directed
to Mount Marty College Nurse Anesthesia Program Office. The program office can be contacted at msna@mtmc.edu or by telephone at (605) 362-0100 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
September 15 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 September 15, 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 in November or December. Each applicant spends approximately 1/2 day 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 semester 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 course 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 Anesthesia are available through the Financial Aid Office.
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 Free Application for Federal Student Aid online. Contact the Financial Aid Office on campus at (605) 668-1589, toll-free at (855)MT-MARTY ext 1589 or online.
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 invitation, 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. Most students will be
required to travel for their specialty rotations. Travel expenses, room and board are 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
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 Nurse Anesthesia Program Office in Sioux Falls, SD.❏ 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 Nurse Anesthesia Program Office in Sioux Falls, SD.
❏ 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. The GRE
code for Mount Marty College is 6416. Please allow 4-8 weeks for the GRE scores to be reported to the College.
Mail materials to:
Program & Admission Information
Mount Marty College
Nurse Anesthesia Program Office
5001 W. 41st Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
(605) 362-0100
(877) 727-8672
msna@mtmc.edu
Application materials must be received by September 15th prior to the year seeking admission.
