Mount Marty University-Sioux Falls
The Sioux Falls location is home to Mount Marty's nationally-recognized Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia. The nurse anesthesia graduate program is based on a nursing and a pre-medical background of sciences and involves an in-depth application of these sciences to the art of anesthesia. The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia (DNAP) program consists of 2 tracks: the BS to DNAP and the MS to DNAP track. The BS to DNAP track is open to nurses who have a bachelor's degree in nursing or biomedical sciences. The MS to DNAP track is open to MS prepared practicing nurse anesthetists seeking a doctoral degree. The program is located in Sioux Falls, SD.
Upon successful completion of the National Certification Examination, graduates of the BS to DNAP track are qualified to work in every area of anesthesia as clinical practitioners, researchers, administrators, and educators throughout the United States and in the armed forces.
Each individual is a being with inherent value deserving respect and consideration. This theme is emphasized throughout the curriculum as issues of research, technology and values are discussed.
The program was preceded by the diploma program at Sacred Heart Hospital (Yankton) in 1942 and the baccalaureate program at Mount Marty initiated in 1971. It was upgraded to a Master's program in 1983. In 2018, it transitioned into a Doctoral program.
BS to DNAP Applicant Requirements
To be accepted/admitted into the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing
- Graduation from an accredited (ACEN or CCNE) nursing program
- Current licensure as an RN
- Cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale
- Minimum of 1 year (2 years preferred), full-time experience as a registered nurse in a critical care area within the United States, its territories, or a U.S. military hospital outside of the United States
- Prerequisite courses: one course in chemistry (preferred organic/biochemistry, organic chemistry, or biochemistry) and one course in elementary statistics or epidemiology
- Basic Life Support (BLS), Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications valid through the end of the first academic year (required prior to entering the program)
MS to DNAP Applicant Requirements
To be admitted into the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice post master’s program, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Master’s degree in nursing or other appropriate Master’s degree that provided the ability for the graduate to obtain certification as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
- Graduation from an accredited (COA) Nurse Anesthesia program
- Current licensure as an RN and current certification as a CRNA
- Cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale
Application Deadline Information
Cohort Starting summer 2027
Status: Closed
Cohort starting Summer 2028
Application Window: April 1 - July 1
Status: Closed until April 1, 2027
Application Deadlines
- Submit your completed NursingCAS application by July 1.
- Your NursingCAS application must be verified by July 15.
- The Mount Marty University application fee must be received by July 15.
To apply to the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program, you will complete
the application via NursingCAS. NursingCAS is a service that allows applicants to use a
single online application and one set of materials to apply to any participating schools.
Create an account and apply on NursingCAS nursingcas
Please select the following options within their respective drop down menus:
School: Mount Marty Location: South Dakota Degree Type: Choose DNAP Nurse Anesthesia Delivery: Hybrid; On Campus for Nurse Anesthesia
After selecting your program, proceed to Review My Selections. After reviewing, continue to your application.
Below are a list of materials and documents that you will be required to submit with your application when the respective year is open.
1. Academic History
a. Colleges Attended
b. Official Transcripts
2. Evaluations / References
a. BS to DNAP References: Three (3) professional references are required: one from your current nursing unit director/manager, one from a current nursing unit shift supervisor, and one from a current professional nursing colleague. The reference letters should attest to the applicant’s preparation, initiative, and aptitude for successful completion of doctoral education. All references should be in the form of a letter.
3. Current Resume
4. Critical Care Experience / RN Licensure Form
5. PALS, ACLS, BLS, CCRN or other Certifications
6. Nursing License(s)
Mount Marty University requires a $35 application fee also. Please submit payment to Mount Marty using the following link: https://admission.mountmarty.edu/register/DNAPapplicationfee.
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Applications for students with a master’s degree in nursing are available here and not on the Nursing CAS website.
The Admissions Committee will carefully review all components, including completed application and supporting material, academic performance, nursing experience, and references. Because class size is limited, not all candidates who meet minimum requirements will be invited for interview. All applicants will receive a notification regarding invitation for interview within 6 weeks of the application deadline. Interviews will be conducted on the Nurse Anesthesia campus in Sioux Falls September 28 - October 2.
Once the cohort has been chosen, the Clinical Director utilizes the preference data to determine the clinical location assignments. Students cannot be guaranteed clinical site preferences when assignments are made due to clinical site limitations.
All students must attest that they meet the Core Performance Standards upon entrance to the program, and throughout their student experiences.
Traits of a competitive applicant
- Two or more years in a critical care unit (ICU, CCU, SICU, MICU, NICU, PICU) within the last three years.
- Specialty certification such as CCRN*, TNCC, CMC, CSC, etc.
- Experience as a preceptor or ability to assume charge position duties on a given shift.
- Service to the community, church or nursing unit.
- Commitment to the nursing profession.
- Knowledge of the role of a nurse anesthetist through a variety of shadowing experiences.
Only applicants who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents are eligible for admission to the Mount Marty University Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesiology. Applicants who do not meet this requirement are not eligible for admission at this time.
- Indirect costs not included in tuition include the cost of books, travel and living costs during clinicals, health insurance, and internet connection.
- $35 application fee. Please submit payment using the following link: https://admission.mountmarty.edu/register/DNAPapplicationfee
- $1,200 Tuition Deposit upon acceptance
- Financial aid is available from the Federal Government in the form of student loans. You need to apply for financial assistance by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid online.
Questions? Call 605-362-0100 and/or email anesthesia@mountmarty.edu.
The BS to DNAP is 36 months in length, starting in May with completion in May, with applications and consists of 2 phases. The initial didactic phase is 14 months total, 3 months of online coursework and 11 months classroom and hands on learning. During Phase I of the program, students spend 2 separate weeks in their primary clinical site. In Phase II, students will finish the remaining 22 months in a clinical setting.
Students will also complete 3-5 eight-week specialty rotations to gain experience not offered by their primary site. The program exceeds the courses, hours, and techniques required by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.
The 24-month MS to DNAP track will be delivered primarily through distance education formats, with face-to-face time during each semester.
Within the framework of the Mount Marty University Mission Statement, faculty and staff strive to provide quality education within the nurse anesthesia program, promoting personal growth, professional commitment, and service to the community. We believe that we serve all God's people through our profession. We strive to integrate the Mount Marty University core values of awareness of God, community, hospitality and lifelong learning into our lives and into the nurse anesthesia program.
Mission
The mission of the Nurse Anesthesia Program is to prepare the next generation of advanced practice nursing professionals committed to excellence in clinical care, advancing the profession, and service to the human community.
Objectives
The overall objective is to develop nurse anesthetist capable of safe anesthetic management throughout the patient's perioperatie continuum. Excellence in nurse anesthesia practice encompasses independent practice, autonomy, consultation, research, and clinical skill.
The graduate-level Nurse Anesthesia Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education (USDE).
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906
Rosemont, IL 60018-5603
224-275-9130
The program's next review by the COA is scheduled for 2035. Additional accreditation information is available on the COA's List of Recognized Programs.
The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs requires all programs to publish the following information regarding the most recent graduating class on an annual basis: attrition, employment of graduates within six months of graduation, and the certification examination pass rate for first time takers. (Standard V, Criterion E3)
- Relevance: All classroom instruction is provided by nurse anesthetists or doctoral prepared registered nursing faculty.
- Experience: Faculty average more than 22 years of experience as nurse anesthetists and have either earned doctoral degrees or are pursuing doctoral degrees.
- Simulation: Use of high fidelity simulation throughout the first year of the program reinforces classroom instruction and prepares the student for clinical practice. Anesthesia Crisis Resource Management (ACRM) is used throughout the program to prepare students for emergency management in the perioperative setting. Use of SIMVANA Virtual Reality Experience prepares students for clinical practice, crisis management and perioperative awareness.
- Flexible: The program utilizes 50 clinical sites to achieve excellent clinical experiences for students. Primary clinical placements are determined through a personalized matching process.
- Variety of Experiences: All types of techniques and cases, for patients across the lifespan, are available to the student in either primary affiliation or enrichment rotations.
- Cohort Program: Students develop student study groups and networks through the cohort system.
- Distance Education: Students in the MS to DNAP track complete courses through blended offerings of primarily on-line coursework with face-to-face meetings each semester.
- IFNA Recognized: The program is recognized by the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (IFNA). This recognition represents the commitment of the program to a common standard for education quality for nurse anesthesia programs around the word.
Mount Marty graduates can be admitted into the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program, located at our Sioux Falls campus, provided they meet the following requirements:
- Earned a 3.6 overall GPA from Mount Marty University.
- Earned a 3.6 GPA in sciences coursework.
- This includes nursing and other science courses.
- Completed two years as a nurse in an intensive care unit (adult or pediatric) by the time the DNAP program begins.
- Example: if a student graduates from Mount Marty in May 2025 and begins as a nurse in an intensive care unit shortly after graduating and and earning their nursing license, they can apply in summer 2026 to start the DNAP program in summer 2027.
Interested students still need to submit the application for admission through NursingCAS.
Virtual Tour
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