Last updated: October 2026 | Researched and reviewed by Daniel Etheridge, CRNA
If you are considering the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) CRNA program in Galveston, this article covers cost, admission requirements, deadlines, clinical sites, and outcomes.
UTMB runs a 36-month BSN to DNP nurse anesthesia program with one Fall start each year. The first 18 months mix online and on-campus coursework, and the last 18 months are clinical rotations.
Applications for Fall 2027 are due December 1, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- 36-month BSN to DNP, Fall start only
- Apply by December 1, 2026
- CCRN required; GRE not listed
- About $98K in-state at 2026-27 rates
- Outcomes not yet published
UTMB Nurse Anesthesia Program Quick Facts:
| Degree | BSN to DNP, Nurse Anesthesia |
| Length | 36 months, 9 semesters, 112 credit hours |
| Location | Galveston, TX |
| Class starts | Fall, once a year |
| Application | Opens August 6, 2026; due December 1, 2026 |
| Cost | $780 per credit in-state, $1,300 out-of-state (2026-27) |
| ICU experience | 1 year full-time equivalent; 2 years preferred |
| Outcomes | Pending (not yet published) |
One of 9 CRNA Schools in Texas
UTMB is one of 9 accredited CRNA programs in Texas.
UTMB CRNA Program Overview
UTMB’s BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia track is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). It is a full-time, 36-month program of 112 credit hours that ends with a DNP scholarly project.
The first 18 months combine online core DNP courses with mandatory on-campus learning almost every week, and the schedule changes each semester. The last 18 months are full-time clinical rotations.
UTMB strongly discourages working during the program. Students may never work in any role that delivers anesthesia services.
UTMB CRNA Program Admission Requirements
- Current, unencumbered RN or APRN license in the U.S. or its territories
- CCRN required; ACLS, PALS, and BLS required if admitted
- BSN from a CCNE-, ACEN-, or CNEA-accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 hours, and a minimum 3.0 science GPA
- Organic chemistry or biochemistry (lecture) within the last 5 years with a B or better
- Basic statistics with a B or better (no expiration)
- At least 1 year of recent full-time equivalent ICU experience; 2 years preferred
- Resume, transcripts, personal statement, and 3 references (one from your current clinical manager)
- Kira video assessment (through NursingCAS) and a faculty interview
Adult, pediatric, and Level IV neonatal ICUs count. Step-down, recovery room, ER, and cardiac cath lab experience do not.
Application Dates and Deadlines
| Application opens | August 6, 2026 |
| Application deadline | December 1, 2026 |
| NursingCAS verified status deadline | December 8, 2026 |
| Class starts | Fall 2027 |
Once your NursingCAS application is verified, UTMB sends a supplemental application within 3 to 5 days, and it carries a fee. Source: UTMB School of Nursing deadlines.
UTMB CRNA Program Tuition and Cost
| 2026-27 rates | Texas resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition per credit hour | $780 | $1,300 |
| Example 12-credit semester (tuition + fees) | $11,538.72 | $17,778.72 |
| Estimated program total (112 credits + fees) | ≈$98,000 | ≈$156,000 |
The estimate is our own math: 112 credits at the posted rate, plus about $1,161 in per-semester fees over 9 semesters, plus one-time fees. It does not include health insurance, course and lab fees, or distance education fees ($68 per online credit hour). Source: UTMB nurse anesthesia fee sheet.
Clinical Rotations and Training Sites
Clinical rotations fill the last 18 months of the program on full-time, rotating schedules. UTMB’s listed clinical partners include:
- UTMB Galveston, Clear Lake, and Angleton
- HCA Clear Lake, Kingwood, Northwest, and West
- MD Anderson Cancer Center
- HCA Corpus Christi Doctors Regional and Bay Area
- Texas Children’s Austin
- Citizens Medical Center, Victoria
- Memorial Medical Center, Port Lavaca
The COA requires at least 2,000 clinical hours, and UTMB says it aims to exceed that.
Pass Rates, Attrition, and Employment
| Measure | UTMB |
|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | Pending |
| Attrition rate | Pending |
| Employment within 6 months | Pending |
UTMB’s program page lists all three outcomes as pending and says they will be updated as cohorts move through the program. Source: UTMB DNP Nurse Anesthesia.
Living in Galveston While Attending UTMB
Plan to live within driving distance of Galveston for the first 18 months, because on-campus sessions happen almost every week. Where you live during clinicals depends on your rotation sites.
Is the UTMB CRNA Program Right for You?
This program may fit you if:
- You have your CCRN and at least 1 year of ICU experience
- You would rather not take the GRE
- You can be in Galveston almost weekly for 18 months
- You can stop working during the program
It may not fit if your critical care time is in step-down, PACU, ER, or the cath lab, or if you need published pass rates before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the UTMB CRNA program cost?
At 2026-27 rates, tuition is $780 per credit hour for Texas residents and $1,300 for non-residents. Across 112 credit hours plus about $1,161 in per-semester fees, we estimate about $98,000 in-state and $156,000 out-of-state. Rates may change before the Fall 2027 class starts.
When is the UTMB CRNA application deadline?
For the Fall 2027 class, applications opened August 6, 2026, and are due December 1, 2026. Your NursingCAS application must reach Verified status by December 8, 2026.
Does UTMB require the GRE or CCRN?
The CCRN is required. The GRE is not listed in UTMB’s published requirements for the nurse anesthesia program.
How much ICU experience does UTMB require?
At least one year of recent, full-time equivalent critical care experience as an RN, with two years preferred. Step-down, recovery room, emergency room, and cardiac cath lab experience do not count.
What is the UTMB CRNA pass rate?
UTMB has not published a pass rate, attrition rate, or employment rate yet. Its program page lists all three as pending until its first cohorts finish.
Is the UTMB CRNA program online?
Part of the coursework is online, mainly the core DNP courses. On-campus time is mandatory from the first semester and happens almost every week during the first 18 months.
Next Steps
Get your NursingCAS application in before December 1, 2026, and leave time for it to reach Verified status by December 8. Finish the Kira assessment early.
You can compare all Texas CRNA programs on our state page, or browse programs in every state on our CRNA Schools by State page.
Contact the Program
UTMB School of Nursing
Galveston, TX
Program email: sondnpcrna@utmb.edu
Admissions recruiter: (409) 772-8328
Program page: UTMB DNP Nurse Anesthesia
Deadlines: Application Dates