Anesthesiology, Master of Medical Science

Saint Louis University’s Master of Medical Science in Anesthesiology program prepares anesthesiologist assistants in cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. SLU's rigorous 27-month program equips students with the critical skills, educational training and diverse clinical rotations they need to become well-qualified, competent and certified anesthesiologist assistants. Graduates are prepared to practice within the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) model and provide exceptional patient care.

Curriculum Overview

The 27-month curriculum includes intensive didactic sessions complemented by clinical rotations through a variety of subspecialties such as cardiac, pediatrics, trauma, orthopedics, regional anesthesia, neurosurgical anesthesia and obstetric anesthesia. The program, which encompasses classroom, simulation and skills lab, and clinical requirements, prepares students for the certification examination offered by the National Commission for the Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants upon graduation. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a Master of Medical Science in Anesthesiology.

Clinical and Research Opportunities

Students have opportunities to collaborate on clinical research studies related to anesthesia practice, patient safety, and outcomes. Clinical experiences are available in a variety of settings, including Level 1 trauma centers, community hospitals, pediatric hospitals, and surgery centers performing diverse surgical subspecialties.

Careers

Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) are instrumental members of the Anesthesia Care Team, helping to coordinate and implement care before, during, and after surgery. Many students receive multiple job offers before graduation. The starting salary for CAAs is approximately $150,000 annually, with generous sign-on bonuses, an average of five weeks’ vacation each year, pension and profit-sharing, and other excellent benefits.

Admission Requirements

Qualified student applicants must possess the following:

• A baccalaureate degree with the following coursework:
  • Two semesters of Biology with lab
  • A combined Anatomy and Physiology I and II (6-8 credits) will be accepted in place of separate anatomy and physiology courses
  • Two semesters of General Chemistry with lab
  • Two semesters of Organic Chemistry with lab (Biochemistry can be supplemented for second semester Organic Chemistry)
  • Two semesters of Physics with lab
  • One semester of Calculus 
  • PLEASE NOTE: Pre-requisite requirements should be completed within 7 years of matriculation to this program. Survey courses are not accepted. Online courses are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• GPA minimum 3.2 on a 4.0 scale (most applicants average 3.5 or higher)
• MCAT or GRE scores within 3 years of matriculation and scores submitted no later than the application deadline. There is no absolute minimum requirement, but the following results are considered competitive for admission to this program: MCAT minimum total score of 501 and GRE minimum score of 152 in Verbal Reasoning and a minimum score of 155 in Quantitative Reasoning.
• Minimum 8 hours of shadowing with documentation from an anesthesiologist or CAA
• 3 letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant's ability and personal character as they relate to the pursuit of graduate study and a career as an Anesthesiologist Assistant.
• Completed and submitted an application through the CASAA Portal. You'll submit your transcripts directly through the CASAA Portal.
• Complete an interview by invitation only on-campus. Any travel expenses are the responsibility of the candidate. An interview does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Technical Requirements

Each student must possess general abilities required of most health care practitioners, and specific abilities that relate more directly to the practice of anesthesia. Essential requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:

Intellectual abilities: Student must have sufficient powers of intellect to acquire, assimilate, integrate and apply information; must have the intellectual ability to solve problems.

Observational skills: Student must have the ability to gather all relevant information about a patient’s physical and psychosocial status with all five senses, especially sight, hearing and touch.

Communication abilities: Student must be able to speak intelligibly, to hear adequately, and to observe closely patients to elicit and transmit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive non-verbal communication. Communication includes not only speech but also reading and writing. In addition, the student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with all members of the health care team.

Motor functioning skills: Student must have physical dexterity to master all technical and procedural aspects of patient care, and adequate motor capability to perform complex two-handed tasks.

Ethics and Professionalism: Students must interact with all individuals in a respectful and effective manner regardless of gender, age, race, sexual orientation, religion, or any other protected status. They must maintain ethical and moral behavior consistent with professional standards for interactions with students, faculty, staff, patients, and the public. Professionalism, compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all qualities that are expected throughout the AA educational program.

Physical Health: Students must possess the physical health and stamina needed to carry out the program of AA education.

A disability does not preclude a student from admission, and the MMS in Anesthesia program makes reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. However, each enrolled student is expected to demonstrate, without unreasonable dependence on technology or intermediaries, the skills and attributes outlined in the Program's Physical and Technical Requirements policy.

Tuition 

The approximate cost for SLU's anesthesiology assistant program is calculated annually and is subject to change.

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Accreditation 

The Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia program at Saint Louis University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (https://www.caahep.org/) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Committee for the Anesthesiologist Assistant (ARC-AA). 

CAAHEP
9355 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

• Graduates will be able to develop, prepare, and execute an anesthetic plan.
  • Evaluate patient medical history, perform a physical/airway evaluation, and develop an anesthetic plan.
  • Assess the nature of the surgery and associated risks to prepare a safe and effective anesthetic plan.
• Graduates will demonstrate core medical knowledge pertaining to the field of anesthesia, physiology, and application.
  • Students will develop a mastery of anesthesiology and all pertinent concepts and subspecialties of the profession pertaining to the physiology and application.
• Graduates will practice professionalism, communication, and advocacy.
  • Practice effective communication with the anesthesia care team, operating room staff, and surgeons.
  • Exhibit professionalism and advocacy through self-learning and professional conduct.
• Graduates will master the practice of anesthetic management and multitasking
  • Mastery of determining an anesthetic plan unique to a patient and related procedure being performed.
  • Perform sedation, general and regional anesthesia safely and cost-effectively.
• Graduates will be proficient in the practice of psychomotor clinical skills.
  • Demonstrate a mastery of the skills necessary to practice anesthesiology and the associated subspecialties gained through their clinical training.
  • Perform all aspects of anesthesiology care to include IV insertion, central line, arterial line, epidural/spinal, various intubation techniques with airway equipment, peripheral nerve blocks, spinals and epidurals.

Students must earn a B- or better in all required courses. 

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.