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CRNA ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applications may be accepted after the deadline date on a space available basis. Check with the Office of Admission. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- A baccalaureate in nursing from a nationally accredited program. RNs with baccalaureate degrees in other fields will be evaluated individually and additional course work may be required.
- Current California licensure as a registered nurse.
- Official transcripts of all previous academic and professional coursework completed or in progress prior to admission.
- Evidence of experience in clinical practice as a registered nurse with a minimum of one year of intensive care unit experience at the time of interview required; the Program conducts admission interviews yearly in the early spring. Two to three years of critical care nursing experience is preferable. Practice areas that are considered critical care are: surgical intensive care (including trauma, post-cardiovascular surgery and neurosurgical specialty units), medical intensive care (coronary care, pulmonary care, and other medical sub-specialty units), and pediatric and neonatal intensive care units.
- Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0
- Minimum last 60 semester or 90 quarter unit GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores of 1000 or higher.
- TOEFL (U.S. citizens or international students) - The need for TOEFL will be assessed based on information provided by applicants on the application for admission, if required, a score of 250 must be achieved and official score results must be provided.
- Current ACLS and PALS certification
- Successful completion of college chemistry, with content to include inorganic, organic and/or biochemistry (6 - 8 semester units total) prior to enrollment. Organic and biochemistry need not be separate courses.
- Successful completion of a course in statistics.
- Introductory physics is highly recommended.
- Completion of a 1-2 day clinical shadowing experience with a CRNA or physician anesthesiologist.
- A written goal statement that clearly articulates academic and career goals as well as an understanding of the CRNA role and profession at large.
- A minimum of three letters of recommendation are required. Two letters must be from individuals who can readily assess current levels of clinical expertise. The third letter of recommendation may also address clinical expertise or may speak to academic preparedness for graduate study.
Admission policies:
- Not all qualified candidates may be interviewed and not all interviewed candidates will be accepted. Selection of candidates for interview will be based on criteria listed above, quality and presentation of application material, quality and professionalism of communication with the program during the application process and an informed understanding about the role of a CRNA.
- Faculty reserves the right to interview and accept qualified students at any time after the college priority application deadline of December 1st.
- The applicant may substitute the GRE with successful performance scores on the MCAT.
Application Checklist
To be considered for an interview the following items must be sent in one envelope with your application:
- Copies of all college transcripts (please include legends if available)
- $50 non-refundable fee
- Completed goal statement
- Letters of reference
- Copy of RN license
CRNA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When is the application deadline?
A: December 1
Q: Will you accept applications after the application deadline?
A: Typically we will accept applications through February 1 on a space available basis. This date is very dependent on the overall quality of the applicant pool. Please call 510-869-8984 after December 1 of each year to ask if we are still accepting applications.
Q: Do I need to have the GRE completed at the time of application?
A: Taking the GRE examination prior to December 1 is preferred and you may self-report their known GRE scores in their application. If you are unable to complete the GRE prior to December 1, you may take the exam in the month of December and self report the scores that populate at the end of the exam.
Q: Do I need to take the GRE if I already have Masters degree or higher?
A: Yes. All applicants must take and report the GRE scores regardless of the level of degree held at the time of application.
Q: Do I have to have my ACLS and PALS certification at the time of application?
A: No. You may complete these certifications anytime before the start of classes.
Q: If I live out of state, do I have to have a California RN license at the time of application?
A: No. You may obtain this anytime before the start of classes.
Q: If I have not completed the required units of chemistry or statistics, do I have to have them completed at the time of application?
A: Completion of or enrollment in these required courses prior to an interview is strongly advised.
Q: If I have completed all of the required chemistry units, what chemistry is advisable to take to be a competitive candidate?
A: We recommend you take a specifically titled biochemistry course. It may be a lower divsion or an upper division course.
Q: If I choose to take physics, do I have to have it completed at the time of application?
A: No. You may take it prior to the start of classes.
Q: Where do you recommend taking prerequisite courses?
A: You may take prerequisite courses at accredited two/four-year college/university.
Q: How many students do you accept in the part-time option of the program each year?
A: We plan to accept no more than 4 students into the part-time option each year.
Q: How many students do you invite to interview each year?
A: The number of students we invite to interview has typically at or about 60 students, but this number can be increased depending on the quality of the applicant pool.
Q: How many students do you plan to seat each year?
A: Typically we plan to seat 25-28 students per year.
CRNA Fall 2008 Statistics
| Total Applications |
117 |
| Entering Class | 25 |
| Avg. Cumulative GPA |
3.36 |
| Avg. Last 60 Semester Unit GPA |
3.52 |
| Avg. Verbal GRE |
510 |
| Avg. Quantitative GRE |
600 |
| Avg. Analytical GRE |
3.7 |
| Men |
13 |
| Women |
12 |
| In-State |
21 |
| Out-of-State |
4 |
| Asian |
4 |
| White |
11 |
| Not Reported |
2 |
| African American |
3 |
| Hispanic |
1 |
| Multi-ethnic |
1 |
| Other |
2 |