Students who want to become anesthesia assistants can find appropriate degree programs at 2- and 4-year colleges and universities. Programs for anesthesiology assistants train students to not only assist in planning the administration of anesthesia to patients, but also help manage pre-operative and post-operative care for the patient.
Schools with Anesthesiology Assistant Programs
The following list includes a number of public and private schools that offer programs for anesthesiology assistants.
| College/University | Location | Institution Type | Degrees Offered* | Tuition** (2015-2016) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 4-year, Private, not-for-profit | Master's | Graduate tuition $17,190 |
| Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH | 4-year, Private, not-for-profit | Master's | Graduate tuition $41,137 |
| University of Missouri - Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | 4-year, Public | Master's | In-state Graduate tuition $6,213; Out-of-state Graduate tuition $16,043 |
| City College - Fort Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-year, Private | Associate's | Undergraduate tuition $13,068 |
| City College - Miami | Miami, FL | 4-year, Private | Associate's | Undergraduate tuition $13,068 |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | 4-year, Private, not-for-profit | Master's | Graduate tuition $38,800 |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee, WI | 2-year, Public | Associate's | In-state Undergraduate tuition $4,360; Out-of-state Undergraduate tuition $6,286 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-year, Private | Master's | Graduate tuition $16,760 |
| Renton Technical College | Renton, WA | 2-year, Public | Associate's transfer program | Undergraduate tuition $4,836 |
Sources: *School websites, **National Center for Education Statistics
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School Selection Criteria
Students interested in a career as an anesthesia assistant should keep these guidelines in mind when evaluating programs:
- Choose schools that are equipped with cutting-edge technology to prepare for potential employment in leading hospitals.
- Seek programs that offer at least one year of clinical rotations to gain exposure to patients of all ages and with various medical needs.
- Some schools offer associate's degrees while others offer master's degree programs in this discipline; students should select a program that is suited to their long-term career goals.
- Review programs to ensure that they are accredited.
Master of Medical Science - Anesthesiologist Assistant
For students already holding a bachelor's degree, this 3-year master's degree program teaches patient drug and anesthesia administration and management of all anesthesia-related equipment in the operating room. MCAT or GRE scores are required for admission. Students are required to accumulate clinical experience hours for graduation.
Master of Medical Science in Anesthesiology
Some programs in anesthesiology offer a 'general track' option to students with baccalaureates that included pre-med courses or a 'physician assistant track' option to certified physician assistants. Both tracks are 24 months long. The coursework is similar, but the general track requires eight hours of experience with anesthesia in surgery, while the physician assistant track does not. MCAT or GRE scores are only required for admission into the general track. Programs include extensive clinical experiences, and students have opportunities to participate in research.
Aspiring anesthesiologist assistants can opt to pursue their career by completing an associate's degree, or by completing a master's degree program. Before enrolling, it's important to ensure the program is accredited and has clinical rotations that incorporate hands-on training.
