Anesthesiology, Master of Medical Science (Beginning Summer 2025)

Saint Louis University’s Master of Science in Anesthesia program prepares Anesthesiologist Assistants in cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. This 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 care to patients.

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 are awarded a Master of Science degree in Anesthesia.

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 (ACT), 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
  • Two semesters of Anatomy & Physiology with lab
  • 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 
• 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.

• 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, OR staff, and surgeons.
  • Exhibit professionalism and advocacy through self-learning and professional conduct.
• Graduates will master the practice 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 subspecialities 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.