While all Anesthesiologist Assistant ( AA ) programs strive to prepare you for board certification and practice, only Nova Southeastern University (NSU) AA programs rise above the rest as national standouts. Here’s how to become an Anesthesiologist Assistant with the added expertise and confidence to stand out amongst your peers:
Offered on NSU’s Fort Lauderdale, Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Jacksonville, Florida campuses as well as Denver, Colorado.
Start DatesThe Florida NSU AA programs begin each May. The Denver program begin each January.
Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.
Credit HoursThe M.S. in Anesthesia Degree is 117 credit hours and is a 27-month program.
NSU is excited to be the largest educator of Anesthesiologist Assistants in the country with four programs located in Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa and Jacksonville, Florida and Denver, Colorado . We always maintain a low faculty to student ratio to ensure that our students get the one-to-one faculty attention you expect from a professional graduate program.
Dr. Robert Wagner, chair Department of AnesthesiaMy success with the program is mostly due to my relationships with the faculty. They were so accessible and I was able to have such a close relationship with them. that made me very comfortable and prepared me for my clinical year.
Giselle Rivero, Miami
Average annual starting salary for Anesthesiologist Assistants
Source: 2019 survey conducted by NSU
NSU A.A. graduates pass their Anesthesiologist Assistant certification exam on the very first attempt
NSU A.A. graduates pass their Anesthesiologist Assistant certification exam on the very first attempt
Data source for claim: past 4 consecutive years of graduating classes and 7 out of 8 past consecutive years of graduating classes.
Please note that there is only one application required you’ll need to submit as part of the A.A. program admissions process. Submit your CASAA application .
Email Kandee Griffith, your Admissions Counselor, or call at (904) 245-8913.
Email Coralie Berard, your Admissions Counselor, or call at (954) 262-1124.
The Master of Science in Anesthesia program has partnered with the Central Application Service for Anesthesiologist Assistants (CASAA), to collect and manage applications to the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program. The Florida NSU AA programs matriculate students once per year each May. The Denver NSU AA program matriculates students once per year each January.
The following application process is required of all applicants:
1) Submit a CASAA application along with the required fee before the specified deadline. Each NSU AA program requires applicants to complete a separate CASAA application.
2) Submit all supplemental documentation directly to CASAA by specified deadline.
Please note that applications will not undergo review until the CASAA application is verified,and supplemental documents are received.
| All Florida AA Programs (Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa) | |
| CASAA Application Dates | June 15 - January 15 |
| Orlando CASAA APPLICATION | |
PENDING
(Check back regularly for updated information)
GRE/MCAT Score Submission Deadline
Effective for 2024-2025 CASAA cycle, ONLY the Ft. Lauderdale AA program only is requiring the CASPER exam.
The NSU Fort Lauderdale Anesthesiologist Assistant program requires all applicant to complete a Casper assessment. Students applying to the Fort Lauderdale program will have the opportunity to submit their Casper assessment with their CASAA application for admissions review. The Casper assessment is a unique tool currently being utilized by graduate health professional programs nationwide with the intention and focus on supplementing prospective candidate strengths and suitability for graduate study. To register for the Casper exam, visit https://acuityinsights.app/casper/. All test results must be received by January 15.
Denver AA Program
GRE/MCAT Score Submission Deadline
The Admissions Committee begins interviews as early as September of the preceding year. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as the CASAA application opens to afford the best opportunity to receive an interview.
Prospective Master of Science in Anesthesia students are selected by the Committee on Admissions (COA), which considers the overall qualities of the applicant. Areas of consideration include interpersonal skills, personal motivation, knowledge and understanding of the AA profession and the Anesthesia Care Team, academic performance and level of achievement, life experiences, and recommendations. Personal interviews are offered to the most qualified applicants to assess interpersonal and communication skills, altruistic attitude, maturity, and commitment to the AA profession and anesthesia care team model.
Effective January 2024, all incoming students for winter 2025 and summer 2025, must take a general Anatomy and Physiology I and II course with labs or Human Anatomy with lab and Human Physiology with lab for eight (8) semester hours.
Anatomy and Physiology I (A & P I) with Lab and Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (A & P II)
OR
Human Anatomy with Lab and Physiology with Lab
Physics I and II with labs
(Trigonometry, Pre-calculus or Calculus based)
*Algebra based college physics does not meet requirements & will not be accepted*
Please note the following courses are NOT REQUIRED but suggested.
| Preferred Courses - Not Required | Semester Hours |
| Biology I and II with Labs | 8 semester hours |
| Biochemistry Lab | 1 semester hour |
| Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 semester hours |
| Microbiology with Lab | 4 semester hours |
| Organic Chemistry II with Lab | 4 semester hours |
AP and IB credits are acceptable if they are listed with course subject name and earned semester hours on official transcripts.
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Applicants seeking to enhance their application and scientific knowledge may be interested in our Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-Anesthesiologist Assistant Studies. With a fall program start,this two-semester certificate program has limited enrollment, and to apply, candidates must have previously submitted a CASAA application to NSU during the last year's admission cycle. The program aims to provide a platform for demonstrating the academic excellence and acquiring the skills essential for admission into the Anesthesiologist Assistant program.
Note: Curriculum is subject to change as directed by the department.
| Course Title & Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ANES 5048: Medical Terminology This is a self-study, online course. Use of medical language for appropriate and accurate communication in patient care. Course includes terminology and symbols, word formation, body systems and disease terms, abbreviations, and procedures. | 1 |
| ANES 5081: Introduction to Clinical Anesthesia Prepares and educates the student to work within the anesthesia care team. Introduction to induction, maintenance, and emergence from anesthesia. Includes history of anesthesia, types of anesthesia, universal precautions and infection control, layout of the operating room, sterile fields and techniques, interacting with patients, starting intravenous catheters and arterial cannulae, obtaining arterial blood samples, and application of ASA-standard monitors. Students will use an anesthesia simulator to gain the basic knowledge and usage of monitors. | 2 |
| ANES 5301: Anesthesia Laboratory I A state-of-the-art laboratory and anesthesia simulator will prepare the student for the usage and complete understanding of the monitors and practice of anesthesia. Students will apply their didactic knowledge to scenarios on the anesthesia simulator. Patient modalities—such as pulse oximetry, capnography, and blood pressure monitoring systems—are explored. Laboratory experiments will develop students’ understanding of anesthesia delivery systems, various types of breathing circuits, fresh gas flow effect, theory of dilutional methods of cardiac output monitoring, and relations between mean circulatory filling pressures and central venous pressure. A vascular sonography lab will allow a unique and comprehensive understanding of transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography, cerebrovascular testing, and venous and peripheral arterial testing. | 3 |
| ANES 5328: ECG for Anesthesiologist Assistants This course presents a comprehensive approach to perioperative emergency and advanced cardiac life support, including monitoring, interpretation, and management of pathologic conditions affecting the circulatory and pulmonary systems. Relevant anatomy, physiology, neurophysiology, pharmacology, and medical equipment will be included. Emphasis is placed on rhythm strip analysis and evidenced-based perioperative applications. | 2 |
| PHS 5400: Physiology Clinically relevant physiologic principles of the major organ systems covered in Anatomy. Pathological changes that occur in the human physiology in the disease process. | 4 |
| ANA 5420: Anatomy Gross structures of the human body. Integrates topographic and radiographic anatomy to stress the application and importance of clinical anatomy. Develops the knowledge of the human anatomy necessary for the practice of the profession. | 4 |
| ANES 5621: Principle of Airway Management I This course will provide an opportunity to learn and appreciate structure, function, pathophysiology, disease, and management of the human airway. The basic and advanced principles of elective and emergent airway management, including equipment and techniques, will be covered. Examination, recognition, techniques, and management involved in pediatric and adult difficult airways will be discussed. Course will correlate with laboratory work for a better understanding and use of bag/ mask ventilation, oral and nasal airways, oral and nasal intubation techniques, lightwands, fiberoptic intubations, double lumen tubes, surgical airways, and application of laryngeal mask airway. | 2 |
| Total: | 18 |
| Course Title & Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ANES 5302: Anesthesia Laboratory II This course is a continuation of ANES 5301. A state-of-the-art laboratory and anesthesia simulator will prepare the student for the usage and complete understanding of the monitors and practice of anesthesia. Students will apply their didactic knowledge to scenarios on the anesthesia simulator. Patient modalities—such as pulse oximetry, capnography, and blood pressure monitoring systems—are explored. Laboratory experiments will develop students’ understanding of anesthesia delivery systems, various types of breathing circuits, fresh gas flow effect, theory of dilutional methods of cardiac output monitoring, and 206 College of Health Care Sciences—Department of Anesthesia relations between mean circulatory filling pressures and central venous pressure. A vascular sonography lab will allow a unique and comprehensive understanding of transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography, cerebrovascular testing, and venous and peripheral arterial testing. | 3 |
| ANES 5462: Pharmacology for Anesthesia I Emphasizes drugs specifically related to the practice of anesthesia, including inhaled anesthetics, opioids, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, anticholinesterases and anticholinergics, neuromuscular blockers, adrenergic agonists and antagonists, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, antidysrhythmics, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, anticoagulants, antihistamines, and antimicrobials. | 2 |
| ANES 5601: Applied Physiology for Anesthesia Practice I Pathophysiology in a systems approach—cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, neuro, metabolic, and endocrine. Emphasizing hemodynamics, Starling forces, pulmonary responses, renal hemodynamics, temperature regulation, blood gases/pH, and maternal and fetal physiology. Also emphasizes those systems that affect evaluation and planning for anesthesia and that are affected by the administration of anesthesia. | 3 |
| ANES 5622: Principle of Airway Management II This course is a continuation of ANES 5621. This course will provide an opportunity to learn and appreciate structure, function, pathophysiology, disease, and management of the human airway. The basic and advanced principles of elective and emergent airway management, including equipment and techniques, will be covered. Examination, recognition, techniques, and management involved in pediatric and adult difficult airways will be discussed. Course will correlate with laboratory work for a better understanding and use of bag/mask ventilation, oral and nasal airways, oral and nasal intubation techniques, lightwands, fiberoptic intubations, double lumen tubes, surgical airways, and application of laryngeal mask airway. | 2 |
| ANES 5801: Instrumentation and Monitoring Practical principles, application, and interpretation of various monitoring modalities including ECG, invasive and noninvasive blood pressure, oximetry, cardiac output, respiratory gas analysis, respiration, and instrumentation as they pertain to anesthesia practice. Also includes intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring, temperature, renal function, coagulation/hemostasis, neuromuscular junction, transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography, cerebrovascular testing, and venous and peripheral arterial testing. | 2 |
| ANES 5901: Anesthesia Principle and Practices I Principles involved in the formulation of anesthetic plans based upon data obtained during the preoperative evaluation. Includes the formulation and practices of different anesthetic plans and techniques as related to specific surgical procedures and pathophysiology. | 2 |
| ANES 5104: Principles of Life Support* This course provides for the certification of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). It will focus on the assessment and management of adults, children, and infants in cardiopulmonary crisis. ACLS and PALS certification will be obtained during this semester. | 3 |
| MHS 5205: Writing for Medical Publication | 3 |
| Total: | 20 |
* Basic Life Support Certification and Advanced Cardiac Lifesaving will be obtained during this semester
| Course Title & Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ANES 5001: Clinical Anesthesia I Developmental skills and foundations of the clinical practice of anesthesia are gained through one-on-one supervised instruction in the operating room and other ancillary anesthetizing locations. Participation and responsibilities increase through the year as knowledge and skills develop. | 3 |
| ANES 5303: Anesthesia Laboratory III This course is a continuation of ANES 5302. A state-of-the-art laboratory and anesthesia simulator will prepare the student for the usage and complete understanding of the monitors and practice of anesthesia. Students will apply their didactic knowledge to scenarios on the anesthesia simulator. Patient modalities—such as pulse oximetry, capnography, and blood pressure monitoring systems—are explored. Laboratory experiments will develop students’ understanding of anesthesia delivery systems, various types of breathing circuits, fresh gas flow effect, theory of dilutional methods of cardiac output monitoring, and relations between mean circulatory filling pressures and central venous pressure. A vascular sonography lab will allow a unique and comprehensive understanding of transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography, cerebrovascular testing, and venous and peripheral arterial testing. | 3 |
| ANES 5463: Pharmacology for Anesthesia II This course is a continuation of ANES 5462. Emphasizes drugs specifically related to the practice of anesthesia, including inhaled anesthetics, opioids, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, anticholinesterases and anticholinergics, neuromuscular blockers, adrenergic agonists and antagonists, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidysrhythmics, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, anticoagulants, antihistamines, and antimicrobials. | 2 |
| ANES 5602: Applied Physiology for Anesthesia Practice II This course is a continuation of ANES 5601. Pathophysiology in a systems approach—cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, neuro, metabolic, and endocrine. Emphasizing hemodynamics, Starling forces, pulmonary responses, renal hemodynamics, temperature regulation, blood gases/pH, and maternal and fetal physiology. Also emphasizes those systems that affect evaluation and planning for anesthesia and that are affected by the administration of anesthesia. | 3 |
| ANES 5802: Instrumentation and Monitoring II This course is a continuation of ANES 5801. Practical principles, application, and interpretation of various monitoring modalities, including ECG, invasive blood pressure, oximetry, cardiac output, respiratory gas analysis, respiration, and instrumentation, as they pertain to anesthesia practice will be discussed. The course also includes intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring, temperature, renal function, coagulation/hemostasis, neuromuscular junction, transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography, cerebrovascular testing, and venous and peripheral arterial testing. | 2 |
| ANES 5902: Anesthesia Principle and Practices II This course is a continuation of ANES 5901. Principles involved in the formulation of anesthetic plans based upon data obtained during the preoperative evaluation. Includes the formulation and practices of different anesthetic plans and techniques as related to specific surgical procedures and pathophysiology. | 2 |
| ANES 5101: Student Lecture Series I This course provides the opportunity for students to explore a special topic of interest under the direction of a faculty member. Arrangements are made directly with the appropriate faculty member and the program director. Topic exploration is governed by the needs of the program and the educational goal of the student. Possible topics involve clinical and nonclinical aspects of the practice of medicine in the United States. | 1 |
| Total: | 16 |
Minimum clinical experience: 150 hours (anesthesia rotations in hospital)
| Course Title & Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ANES 5000: Professional Issues in Anesthesiologist Assistant Practice This course examines the current professional and ethical issues that exist within the health care industry associated with the practice of anesthesia and patient care. Course topics include beneficence, non-maleficence, and respect for autonomy, as well as political and legal issues contained in closed claims examinations and current issues regarding anesthesiologist assistant practice. | 2 |
| ANES 5002: Clinical Anesthesia II This course is a continuation of ANES 5001. Developmental skills and foundations of the clinical practice of anesthesia are gained through one-on-one supervised instruction in the operating room and other ancillary anesthetizing locations. Participation and responsibilities increase through the year as knowledge and skills develop. | 3 |
| ANES 5304: Anesthesia Laboratory IV This course is a continuation of ANES 5303. A state-of-the-art laboratory and anesthesia simulator will prepare the student for the usage and complete understanding of the monitors and practice of anesthesia. Students will apply their didactic knowledge to scenarios on the anesthesia simulator. Patient modalities—such as pulse oximetry, capnography, and blood pressure monitoring systems—are explored. Laboratory experiments will develop students’ understanding of anesthesia delivery systems, various types of breathing circuits, fresh gas flow effect, theory of dilutional methods of cardiac output monitoring, and relations between mean circulatory filling pressures and central venous pressure. A vascular sonography lab will allow a unique and comprehensive understanding of transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography, cerebrovascular testing, and venous and peripheral arterial testing. | 3 |
| ANES 5903: Anesthesia Principle and Practices III This course is a continuation of ANES 5901. It discusses the principles involved in the formulation of anesthetic plans based upon data obtained during the preoperative evaluation and includes the formulation and practices of different anesthetic plans and techniques as related to specific surgical procedures and pathophysiology. | 2 |
| ANES 5102: Student Lecture Series II This course is a continuation of ANES 5101. | 1 |
| ANES 5107: Internship The student will complete 80 hours of internship in an area of interest within a healthcare organization outside of their regular places of employment. The final product of this internship is an in-depth SWOT analysis of the unit or healthcare organization. The internship site requires prior MHSc faculty approval. | 5 |
| ANES 5603: Applied Physiology for Anesthesia Practice III The course is a continuation of ANES 5602. Pathophysiology in a systems approach-cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, metabolic, and endocrine will be covered. Special emphasis will be applied to those systems that affect evaluation and planning for anesthesia and that are affected by administration of anesthesia. | 2 |
| Total: | 18 |
Minimum clinical experience: 144 hours (anesthesia rotations in hospital)
Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Lifesaving will be obtained during this semester.
| Course Title & Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ANES 6001: Clinical Anesthesia III Encompasses the student’s clinical experience in required rotations through all sub-specialty areas of anesthesia. Clinical rotations are assigned in two-week and four-week intervals and will require being on-call during some nights and weekends. Clinical practice of anesthesia is gained through one-on-one supervised instruction in the operating room and other ancillary anesthetizing locations. Monthly required readings are assigned. Monthly comprehensive examinations are administered. Each course’s grade is composed of clinical evaluations and comprehensive examination scores. | 13 |
| Total: | 13 |
Minimum clinical experience: 675 hours (anesthesia rotations in hospital)
| Course Title & Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ANES 6002: Clinical Anesthesia IV This course is a continuation of ANES 6001. Encompasses the student’s clinical experience in required rotations through all sub-specialty areas of anesthesia. Clinical rotations are assigned in two-week and four-week intervals and will require being on-call during some nights and weekends. Clinical practice of anesthesia is gained through one-on-one supervised instruction in the operating room and other ancillary anesthetizing locations. Monthly required readings are assigned. Monthly comprehensive examinations are administered. Each course’s grade is composed of clinical evaluations and comprehensive examination scores. | 15 |
| ANES 6110: Anesthesia Review Lectures, required readings, and discussions with faculty members, visiting faculty members, and current residents on clinical and research topics. Includes correlation of case management and complications. | 2 |
| Total: | 17 |
Minimum clinical experience: 675 hours (anesthesia rotations in hospital)
| Course Title & Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ANES 6003: Clinical Anesthesia V This course is a continuation of ANES 6002. Encompasses the student’s clinical experience in required rotations through all sub-specialty areas of anesthesia. Clinical rotations are assigned in two-week and four-week intervals and will require being on-call during some nights and weekends. Clinical practice of anesthesia is gained through one-on-one supervised instruction in the operating room and other ancillary anesthetizing locations. Monthly required readings are assigned. Monthly comprehensive examinations are administered. Each course’s grade is composed of clinical evaluations and comprehensive examination scores. | 12 |
| Total: | 12 |
Minimum clinical experience: 356 hours (anesthesia rotations in hospital)
Curriculum is subject to change as directed by the department.
