Last updated: May 2026
The University of Cincinnati College of Nursing offers a BSN-to-DNP with a major in Nurse Anesthesia.
It is one of the longest-running nurse anesthesia programs in the country and consistently ranks among the top CRNA programs in the U.S. News & World Report rankings.
This guide is written for prospective applicants nationwide. You do not have to live in Ohio to apply.
Key Takeaways for the 2026 Applicant
- Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), entry-level
- Length: 36 months (nine semesters), full-time
- Format: On-campus didactic plus clinical rotations across the Cincinnati region
- Start month: January (annual cohort)
- Accreditation: COA-accredited through May 2032 (10-year cycle)
- GRE: Optional, not required
- CCRN: Required for acceptance
- Open to applicants from any U.S. state: Yes
- Minimum critical care: 1 year of full-time adult or pediatric ICU experience
Program Overview
The UC Nurse Anesthesia DNP is a 36-month, full-time entry-level program housed at the College of Nursing on UC’s Uptown campus.
It is the only nurse anesthesia program in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana ranked among the nation’s top 10 by U.S. News & World Report.
Format and Schedule
The curriculum runs three semesters per year for three years, totaling nine semesters of full-time study.
Clinical responsibilities begin in the third semester and gradually increase through the rest of the program.
Clinical sites include a Level I trauma center, a high-risk obstetric unit, a top-ranked pediatric hospital, and multiple outpatient surgery centers.
Where the Program Lives
Address: Procter Hall, 3110 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0038.
Program contact: (513) 584-2440 or beth.clayton@uc.edu.
Accreditation Status
The program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
The most recent review was May 2022. The next scheduled review is May 2032.
That ten-year cycle is the longest reaffirmation period the COA awards, signaling a mature and well-regarded program.
Always confirm current status on the official COA list of accredited programs before applying.
Admission Requirements
Academic Prerequisites
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution
- Minimum prerequisite grade of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Pharmacology, and Statistics
- Strong cumulative GPA (UC does not publish a hard floor, but successful applicants typically present 3.5+)
Licensure and Certifications
- Current, active, unrestricted RN license in any U.S. state with no disciplinary action
- CCRN certification — required for acceptance
- BLS, ACLS, and PALS through the American Heart Association
- Eligibility to obtain an Ohio nursing license for clinical placements
Critical Care Experience
Applicants must have completed at least one year of full-time critical care experience as an RN within the past two years by the application deadline.
Acceptable settings: adult ICU and pediatric ICU only.
Not accepted as critical care experience: neonatal ICU, ICU step-down, operating room, PACU, invasive radiology or cardiology, and emergency room.
UC strongly advises applicants to be currently working in the ICU at the time of application. Most successful applicants have at least two years of ICU experience.
GRE Policy
The GRE is optional, not required.
If submitted, official scores should go to the University of Cincinnati (institution code 1833), not to NursingCAS.
Additional Requirements
- Three letters of reference, including one from a direct clinical manager
- Personal statement and curriculum vitae
- Interview by invitation only
- English proficiency testing for international applicants (waived for degrees from English-speaking countries)
- Federal background check and drug screen on acceptance
Application Cycle and Timeline
Applications are submitted through NursingCAS.
UC operates a priority consideration deadline. Applicants who submit by the priority date receive earliest review.
Confirm the current cycle’s exact priority and final deadlines on the program’s admissions page before applying.
The selected cohort begins coursework the following January.
Curriculum and Clinical Training
Year 1
The first year focuses on graduate-level science: anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, chemistry and physics for anesthesia, and research methods.
Students complete simulation lab work and observe in the operating room before transitioning to direct patient care.
Year 2
Clinical rotations expand across UC Health and partnered Cincinnati-area hospitals.
Students manage progressively complex anesthetic cases under preceptor supervision.
Year 3
The final year emphasizes specialty rotations (cardiac, pediatric, obstetric, regional, trauma) and the DNP scholarly project.
Graduates exit ready to sit for the National Certification Examination from the NBCRNA.
Tuition, Fees, and Cost of Attendance
UC publishes per-credit and per-semester tuition for the Nurse Anesthesia DNP program.
Rates below reflect 2025-26 totals and are subject to change in future academic years.
Per-Semester Tuition (Full-Time, 10+ credits)
- Ohio resident: $8,359 per semester
- Metro resident (Kentucky or Indiana): $8,609 per semester
- Non-resident: $14,228 per semester
- Program fee: $338 per semester (all enrollment levels)
Per-Credit Tuition (Part-Time, 9 credits or fewer)
- Ohio resident: $836 per credit
- Metro resident: $861 per credit
- Non-resident: $1,423 per credit
- Program fee: $34 per credit
Other Required Costs
- Web-based Certification Exam Review Course: $300
- NBCRNA National Certification Examination: $725
- Three required state nurse anesthesia meetings (one per year): $75 registration each, plus travel
- Books, equipment, professional liability insurance, immunizations, and background checks
Residency Note
Metro and non-Ohio residents who move to Ohio pay in-state tuition rates once residency is officially established under university policy.
Faculty and Program Leadership
Program Director: Beth Clayton, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN.
UC’s nurse anesthesia program is supported by 15 experienced CRNA didactic and simulation faculty plus more than 80 clinical faculty across regional sites.
Career Outcomes
Graduates earn a DNP and are eligible to sit for the NBCRNA National Certification Examination.
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse anesthetists earn a median annual wage well into six figures with strong projected job growth through the next decade.
UC’s combination of high-volume clinical sites and Top-10 reputation gives graduates a strong launch into the national CRNA job market.
How UC Compares to Other Ohio CRNA Programs
UC is one of several CRNA programs in Ohio. Each has a distinct format, length, and entry pathway.
See our full guide to CRNA schools in Ohio to compare UC against Case Western, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio State, Akron, Lourdes, Otterbein, Ohio University, Ursuline, and Youngstown State.
UC’s defining feature is the combination of national Top-10 ranking, 10-year COA reaffirmation, and access to Cincinnati’s Level I trauma and pediatric clinical networks.
Who This Program Is Best Suited For
Applicants who already have at least one year of full-time adult or pediatric ICU experience and hold a current CCRN.
RNs licensed in any U.S. state — UC does not require Ohio residency to apply, only eligibility to obtain Ohio licensure for clinical placements.
Applicants comfortable with a traditional, on-campus integrated DNP format and willing to relocate to the Cincinnati region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to live in Ohio to apply?
No. Applicants are accepted from across the United States.
You will need to obtain Ohio RN licensure for clinical rotations once enrolled.
How long is the program?
Thirty-six months, equal to nine full-time semesters.
Cohorts start every January.
Is the GRE required?
No. The GRE is optional.
If you choose to submit, send official scores to UC under code 1833, not to NursingCAS.
Is CCRN certification required?
Yes. CCRN certification must be on file with UC by the application deadline.
What kind of ICU experience counts?
Adult ICU and pediatric ICU only.
NICU, ICU step-down, OR, PACU, invasive radiology/cardiology, and ER are not accepted.
How much does the program cost?
In-state full-time tuition is $8,359 per semester for the 2025-26 year, plus a $338 program fee.
Out-of-state full-time tuition is $14,228 per semester for the same year.
Budget for nine semesters of tuition plus exam review, certification, and required meetings.
Is the program accredited?
Yes. The program is COA-accredited with the next scheduled review in May 2032.
That ten-year cycle is the longest the COA awards on reaffirmation.
When do classes start?
Classes start in January each year.
Most applicants apply in the calendar year before their desired start.