Degree Type

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)

The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) equips registered nurses with the clinical expertise, leadership skills, and scholarly foundation needed to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). In partnership with affiliated hospital-based schools of nurse anesthesia, the program integrates advanced theoretical instruction with extensive clinical immersion to prepare graduates to deliver safe, competent, and compassionate anesthesia care.

Program Length

• Duration: 36 months, full-time

This full-time, 36-month program combines rigorous academic coursework at CCSU with comprehensive clinical training provided through affiliated hospitals, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience that meets national standards for CRNA education.

Credit Hours

• Total Credit Hours: 100 credits

Starting Month

May

The program begins each May, with the first semester focusing on foundational sciences such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and advanced pharmacology.

Application Deadline

Deadline: September 1

Applicants must submit all required materials by September 1 for consideration for the following May cohort. Interviews are typically conducted in the fall semester for qualified candidates.

Program Requirements

• Educational Background:
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or equivalent degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Licensure:
  • Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the United States.
  • Eligibility for Connecticut RN licensure is required prior to the start of the program.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of one year of full-time clinical experience as a registered nurse in a critical care setting; two or more years preferred.
  • Acceptable critical care areas include adult ICU, surgical ICU, neuro ICU, cardiac ICU, or trauma ICU, where nurses manage ventilated patients, invasive monitoring, and vasoactive infusions.
• Academic Performance:
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Competitive applicants typically have strong science GPAs in anatomy, physiology, and chemistry coursework.
• Certifications:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) — required before beginning clinical rotations.
  • CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) certification is highly recommended.
• Prerequisite Coursework:
  • Undergraduate courses in Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, and college-level Mathematics are required.
  • Statistics and Research coursework are strongly recommended for success in the doctoral curriculum.
• Additional Requirements:
  • Three letters of professional recommendation (at least one from a supervisor in a critical care setting).
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing clinical experience and academic history.
  • Personal statement describing professional goals and reasons for pursuing nurse anesthesia.
  • Qualified applicants must participate in a personal interview with the admissions committee at an affiliated clinical site.

Program Overview

The CCSU DNAP program combines rigorous didactic instruction with advanced clinical training. Students begin with coursework in advanced physiology, pharmacology, chemistry, and anesthesia theory. In later semesters, they transition to clinical residency experiences under the supervision of CRNAs and anesthesiologists, gaining expertise in all anesthesia subspecialties—including general, regional, obstetric, pediatric, and cardiac anesthesia.

The program culminates with a doctoral project focused on improving clinical outcomes, patient safety, or anesthesia practice efficiency, allowing students to apply research and quality improvement methodologies in real-world clinical settings.

Additional Program Features

• Accreditation: Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), ensuring eligibility for the National Certification Examination (NCE) upon graduation.
• Clinical Experience: Students complete over 2,000 hours of direct anesthesia care across diverse healthcare facilities in Connecticut and neighboring states.
• Leadership Preparation: Graduates are trained for leadership roles in anesthesia departments, hospital administration, and academic settings.

Contact

Central Connecticut State University – Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program
1615 Stanley Street
New Britain, CT 06050

Phone: (860) 832-2676
Email: dnap@ccsu.edu