Degree Type

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)

The University of South Dakota’s Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program is a 36-month, full-time doctoral program designed for experienced registered nurses seeking to advance their careers as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). The program integrates advanced clinical training, state-of-the-art simulation, and scholarly research to prepare graduates to deliver safe, evidence-based anesthesia care. Students collaborate with peers across the School of Health Sciences to develop interprofessional teamwork and leadership skills essential for modern healthcare delivery.

Program Length

• 36 months (full-time)

Credit Hours

• 84 credit hours

Format

• Hybrid: online coursework combined with in-person learning and clinical rotations
• Delivered on-site in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
• State-of-the-art simulation facilities and interprofessional collaboration across the School of Health Sciences

Start Date

Spring (January)

Application Deadline

June 1 of the year prior to the January start

Admission Requirements

• Completed application via NursingCAS.
• $36 USD Graduate School application fee (submitted via USD application portal after NursingCAS processing).
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions (must verify degree completion and be NursingCAS-verified).
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or entry-level master’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (undergraduate and/or graduate) on a 4.0 scale.
• Science GPA considered as part of the admission review.
• Current, unencumbered U.S. RN license. Upon matriculation, a South Dakota or compact state license is required.
• At least one year (preferably two years) of full-time experience as an RN in an intensive care or critical care setting.
• Current certifications (required at time of application):
  • Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
• Completion of an 8-hour CRNA shadowing experience (submit shadow experience log).
• Successful completion (grade “B” or higher) of:
  • Statistics
  • Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry
• 500-word written statement describing advanced practice professional goals.
• Three professional letters of recommendation (from a manager/supervisor, anesthesia provider, or nursing faculty).
• Current resume or CV.
• English proficiency for international applicants (minimum TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6.0, PTE 53, or Duolingo 110).

Program Structure

The DNAP curriculum develops expert anesthesia providers through progressive stages of didactic learning, simulation training, and clinical immersion.

• Year 1: Foundational courses in advanced physiology, pharmacology, chemistry, and research methods, emphasizing evidence-based anesthesia practice.
• Year 2: Transition to clinical settings under supervision, with rotations in adult, pediatric, obstetric, ambulatory, and specialty anesthesia (cardiovascular, neuro, thoracic).
• Year 3: Advanced clinical immersion, leadership development, and completion of a scholarly project focused on improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

Clinical Experience

• Students gain experience in a range of anesthesia settings, including high-acuity surgical, critical care, and specialty rotations.
• Emphasis on the use of advanced technology and evidence-based practice to enhance patient safety and outcomes.
• Over 2,000 hours of supervised clinical practice by program completion.

Accreditation

• Initial accreditation granted October 12, 2022, by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
• Approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing as of January 18, 2023.

Contact

University of South Dakota
School of Health Sciences — Department of Nursing
414 East Clark Street, Lee Med 303
Vermillion, SD 57069

Phone: (605) 658-5600
Fax: (605) 658-3301
Email: gradnursing@usd.edu | CRNA@usd.edu