Nurse Anesthesia

Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Master's

Advance your nursing career — and play a vital role in patient safety, comfort and care.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are highly-skilled nurses who ensure surgeries and other medical procedures are pain-free and safe, serving as key members of surgical and anesthesia teams.

This nurse anesthesia program can be completed in 36 full-time, consecutive months of study that integrates classroom learning, laboratory study and hands-on clinical training to prepare students for national certification as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.

Learn more about application requirements, curriculum, and admissions on the Mayo Clinic Health System–Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia website.

A program within Biology

Program at a glance

Format: In-person
Program start: Summer
Credits: 30

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Prepare for certification through our unique partnership program

The program combines academic excellence with extensive clinical experience to prepare students for national certification and professional success. This partnership brings together: Mayo Clinic Health System–Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia, UW–La Crosse Biology Department and Viterbo University School of Nursing.

Upon successful completion, students earn:

Master of Science (M.S.) in Biology from UW–La Crosse (30 credits)
Certificate of Completion from Mayo Clinic Health System School of Anesthesia (26 credits)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Viterbo University (22 credits)

Career outlook

Why choose UWL's program?

Accredited and respected

The School of Anesthesia is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs — recognized by both the Council on Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

Outstanding career outcomes

CRNAs are in high demand nationwide. Over the past five years, 100% of program graduates have been employed within six months of graduation.

Excellent certification success

The first-time board pass rate is traditionally very high. For the latest exam pass rates visit the Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia - Mayo Clinic Health System website.

Small cohorts, big impact

The program admits a maximum of 16 students each year, ensuring individualized attention and a close-knit, collaborative learning environment.

Strong foundational academics through partnership schools

UWL’s graduate courses provide a strong foundation in human biology and the physiological sciences — from anatomy and physiology to chemistry, endocrinology, and electrocardiography.
Viterbo University’s DNP curriculum complements the science foundation with coursework in ethics, epidemiology, healthcare policy, and quality improvement — preparing students to lead in complex healthcare settings.

Real world clinical experience

The program offers direct access to real-world clinical training. Students can see the connection between their coursework and patient care. Learn more about program curriculum and clinical sites.

Featured courses

Pathophysiology II
BIO 717 | 1 credit
A study of diseases of the human hepatic, gastrointestinal, immune, neuromuscular, and endocrine systems with an emphasis on pathophysiology, treatment, and interaction with other organ systems. Prerequisite: BIO 718; BIO 719; admission to the M.S. Biology Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Program. Offered Spring.
Chemistry for Nurse Anesthesia
CHM 530 | 3 credits
A graduate-level course that serves as a review of and introduction to chemical principles that are most important in the field of nurse anesthesia practice. Topics include but are not limited to oxidation-reduction chemistry, gas laws, effects of pH on the structure and behavior of drug molecules, primarily in aqueous environments, and metabolism of drugs. Prerequisite: admission to the MS in Biology: Nurse Anesthesia Concentration Program. Offered Spring.
Communication in the Biological Sciences
BIO 701 | 4 credits
This course covers in detail the preparation and submission of scientific manuscripts for publication and the presentation of papers at scientific conferences. Topics covered include experimental design, preparation of manuscript sections, figures, and tables; writing with clarity, precision, and word economy; dealing with journal editors and reviewers; reviewing and editing of manuscripts; presentations at scientific conferences; preparation of visual aids; and communicating with the public, the press, and politicians. Lect. 3, Lab 2. Offered Spring.