Last updated: May 2026
Thinking about nurse anesthesia school in Oklahoma? You’re looking at a small but expanding in-state landscape.
One program — The University of Tulsa — currently appears on the official Council on Accreditation (COA) List of Accredited Educational Programs.
A second program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is launching its first cohort and is under review for initial COA accreditation.
This guide is written for BSN-prepared registered nurses with adult ICU experience who want to enter nurse anesthesia school for the first time.
You do not need to live in Oklahoma to apply. Both programs draw applicants from across the country.
We compare the two Oklahoma options head-to-head so you can decide where (and whether) to apply for Fall 2026.
Heads up: Older guides on the web sometimes still list a third Oklahoma CRNA program at Oklahoma City University (Kramer School of Nursing).
As of the COA’s March 6, 2026 List of Accredited Educational Programs, OCU is not currently listed as offering an entry-level nurse anesthesia program.
Always verify the current accreditation status of any program directly with the COA before applying.
Quick Facts: Becoming a CRNA in Oklahoma
- Entry-level programs in state: 1 fully COA-accredited (Tulsa) + 1 under initial-accreditation review (OUHSC)
- Degree offered: DNP (doctorate required for new CRNAs)
- Typical length: 36 months, full-time, front-loaded
- Minimum nursing experience: 1–2 years adult ICU before applying
- Average Oklahoma CRNA salary: ~$200,000 (BLS, 2024)
- Open to out-of-state applicants: Yes — both programs
- National accreditor: Council on Accreditation (COA)
- State professional association: Oklahoma Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (OANA)
Entry-Level CRNA Programs in Oklahoma (2026)
Below is the current snapshot of both nurse anesthesia programs accepting (or about to accept) new BSN-prepared applicants in Oklahoma.
Click each school for the deep-dive page with admissions, tuition, curriculum, and clinical site details.
1. The University of Tulsa — Oxley College of Health Sciences (DNP)
The University of Tulsa is currently the only Oklahoma school on the COA’s official List of Accredited Educational Programs (March 6, 2026).
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Nurse Anesthesia track is an entry-level, 36-month, front-loaded program.
Cohorts are approximately 18 students, currently priced at $1,408 per credit hour.
Applicants need a BSN, an active RN license, at least one year of adult ICU experience, current CCRN certification, and a documented CRNA shadow experience. The GRE is not required.
Clinical rotations span Saint Francis Health System, Hillcrest Medical Center, and Ascension St. John in Tulsa.
Accreditation status to know: In May 2025, the COA granted Tulsa continued accreditation for two years (effective May 20, 2025).
The program must submit progress reports on Standard A (Conducting Institution) and Standard D (Graduate Standards). The next consideration for continued accreditation is scheduled for Spring 2027.
Tulsa remains a fully accredited program — but the shorter cycle is something prospective applicants should be aware of when comparing programs.
Read the full University of Tulsa CRNA School guide →
2. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (BSN-to-DNP, under initial review)
OUHSC’s Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing in Oklahoma City is launching a BSN-to-DNP Nurse Anesthesia track.
It is the first CRNA program at a public university in Oklahoma.
The program is led by program director Angela Mund, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, with assistant program director Blake Frazier, DNAP, APRN, CRNA.
Structured as 36 months / 114 total credits (83 didactic + 31 practicum), the inaugural cohort matriculates Fall 2026.
The application deadline for the first class is April 15, 2026.
Critical: this program is not yet COA-accredited.
OUHSC explicitly states the Nurse Anesthesia track is “currently under review for initial accreditation by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).”
Only graduates of fully COA-accredited programs are eligible to sit for the National Certification Exam.
Verify accreditation status directly with OUHSC and the COA before submitting a deposit.
Read the full OUHSC CRNA School guide →
Program Structure: What to Expect
Both Oklahoma programs follow the COA-required doctoral entry standard.
Every nurse anesthetist who graduates after January 1, 2025 must hold a doctoral degree (DNP or DNAP).
Expect a 36-month, front-loaded structure that splits roughly into two phases.
Didactic phase (months 1–12)
Heavy classroom and simulation-lab work in graduate-level pharmacology, advanced human physiology and pathophysiology, and anesthesia principles.
Additional coursework includes chemistry and physics for anesthesia, professional aspects, and research methods.
Students typically log hundreds of simulation hours before they ever touch a patient.
Clinical residency phase (months 13–36)
Full-time clinical rotations across academic medical centers, community hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and rural critical access hospitals.
By graduation, every student must demonstrate the COA-required minimum case counts.
Specialty rotations include obstetric anesthesia, pediatrics, regional anesthesia, and trauma.
Admissions Requirements
Each Oklahoma program sets its own bar, but the requirements share a common core:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution (your state of residence does not matter)
- Active, unencumbered RN license in any U.S. state, with eligibility to obtain Oklahoma licensure
- 1–2 years of full-time adult ICU experience by the application deadline
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (Tulsa and OU competitive applicants average 3.4+)
- CCRN certification (required at Tulsa, expected at OU)
- CRNA shadow experience (required at both)
- Three letters of recommendation, including at least one from an ICU manager or APRN
- Personal statement and program-specific interview
- GRE generally not required at either Oklahoma program in 2026
Application Process and Timeline
Most Oklahoma programs use NursingCAS plus a supplemental school application.
Plan your timeline backward from the program’s start date.
- 12–18 months out: Earn CCRN, complete CRNA shadow hours, refresh undergraduate science prerequisites if needed.
- 9 months out: Open NursingCAS, request transcripts, secure recommenders.
- 6 months out: Submit primary and supplemental applications. OUHSC’s deadline is April 15, 2026 for a Fall 2026 start; Tulsa runs rolling/competitive review with earlier internal deadlines.
- 3 months out: Interview season — expect MMI-style or panel interviews focused on critical-care reasoning and ethical scenarios.
- 1–2 months out: Acceptance notifications; final decision and matriculation.
National Accreditation
Every program that prepares CRNAs in the United States must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
This is not academic detail — it is a licensure-eligibility requirement.
Only graduates of COA-accredited programs are eligible to sit for the National Certification Exam administered by the NBCRNA.
In Oklahoma in 2026:
- The University of Tulsa — fully COA-accredited; granted continued accreditation for two years effective May 20, 2025; next review Spring 2027
- OUHSC — under review for initial COA accreditation (not yet accredited)
Always verify accreditation status directly on the COA’s List of Accredited Educational Programs before submitting a deposit.
The list is updated regularly.
Career Outlook for CRNAs in Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a strong CRNA employment market for several reasons.
The state has a high concentration of rural critical access hospitals where CRNAs frequently practice independently.
Oklahoma is also one of the U.S. states that has opted out of the federal physician supervision requirement for nurse anesthetists.
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, CRNAs in Oklahoma earn an average of approximately $200,000 per year.
The Oklahoma City and Tulsa metropolitan areas typically pay near the top of the range.
Practice settings span major academic medical centers (OU Health, Saint Francis, INTEGRIS), community hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, pain management clinics, and rural CAH facilities.
The Oklahoma Association of Nurse Anesthesiology publishes job listings and continuing education resources for state-licensed CRNAs.
Financial Considerations
CRNA school is a significant investment.
Total program cost in Oklahoma typically ranges from $80,000 to $160,000, depending on residency status, fees, and living expenses.
Plan for the following:
- Tuition: Tulsa lists $1,408 per credit; OUHSC charges by semester or program block
- Fees: Lab, technology, simulation, malpractice, and clinical placement fees
- Lost income: Most students cannot work during the clinical residency phase due to the demanding schedule and program policies
- Living expenses: 36 months of housing, transportation, and health insurance
- Funding: Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS loans, school-specific scholarships, and the federal Nurse Corps Scholarship Program
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CRNA schools are in Oklahoma?
One fully COA-accredited entry-level program (The University of Tulsa) plus a second program (OUHSC) that is currently under review for initial COA accreditation.
OUHSC is enrolling its inaugural Fall 2026 cohort.
Do I have to live in Oklahoma to apply?
No. Both Oklahoma CRNA programs accept applications from registered nurses across the country.
Plan for tuition and residency cost differences if you are an out-of-state applicant.
Confirm that you can obtain Oklahoma RN licensure (or eligibility) before clinical rotations begin.
Is The University of Tulsa CRNA program COA-accredited?
Yes. Tulsa appears on the COA’s official List of Accredited Educational Programs (March 2026).
In May 2025, it was granted continued accreditation for two years with required progress reports on Standards A and D.
Next review is Spring 2027.
Is the University of Oklahoma CRNA program accredited?
Not yet.
OUHSC’s BSN-to-DNP Nurse Anesthesia track is currently under review for initial accreditation by the COA.
Only graduates of fully COA-accredited programs are eligible to sit for the National Certification Exam, so applicants should monitor accreditation status carefully.
How long does CRNA school take in Oklahoma?
Both Oklahoma entry-level programs are 36 months of full-time, front-loaded doctoral study.
Combined with one to two years of ICU experience required before applying, the full path from BSN to CRNA usually spans four to six years.
What is the average CRNA salary in Oklahoma?
Approximately $200,000 per year statewide, with metro Oklahoma City and Tulsa paying near the top of the range.
The national median for CRNAs exceeds $212,000.
Next Steps
Becoming a CRNA in Oklahoma is a four-to-six-year commitment, but it leads to one of the highest-paid, most autonomous roles in advanced practice nursing.
If you are still mapping out the early steps, start with our How to Become a CRNA guide.
Ready to compare other states? Browse the full CRNA Schools by State directory.