Anesthesia Science

Admission Requirements

Procedure for Admission to the Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia Science (Anesthesiologist Assistant) Program

Application Process

South University has partnered with the Central Application Service for Anesthesiologist Assistant (CASAA) to collect and manage applications to the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program. To apply, please follow the instructions outlined below.

• Visit the South University page on the CASAA website for details about our program and application requirements.
• Visit http://casaa.liaisoncas.com to complete an online application for admission through CASAA.
• Please follow the instructions on the CASAA site regarding the submission of documents.

Admissions Cycle by Campus:

The dates for early application submissions and final application deadlines for each South University Anesthesiologist Assistant program are posted on the programs' websites and updated annually.

The applicant is solely responsible for completion of his/her application. The program is not responsible for deficiencies due to U.S. mail or failure of third parties to complete an applicant's request for transcripts, scores, letters of reference, et cetera.

The most qualified candidates for admission will be invited for an on-campus interview based upon when the application was completed and verified in CASAA. During the interview process, candidates will have the opportunity to meet faculty, visit clinical training sites, attend a brief orientation to South University Anesthesiologist Assistant program, and receive financial aid information. Eligible applicants will receive a request for an interview from the program via email at least two weeks prior to the interview date. Interviews are scheduled at the Savannah campus between October and March, Orlando Campus between August and December, and on the West Palm Beach Campus between January and June. 

Students who are offered admission into a South University Anesthesiologist Assistant program are only permitted to accept an admission offer at one campus. Within 30 days of the student signing the admission acceptance form, it is the responsibility of the student to notify any other South University Anesthesiologist Assistant program(s) of his/her intent to withdraw. Admission acceptance fees are non-refundable, and do not transfer between South University Anesthesiologist Assistant programs or other South University programs of study.

Admission Requirements

General Admission Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university.
• Required prerequisite courses are listed in the following table.  Excluding English, the most advanced pre-requisite coursework in each subject area must have been completed within seven years of application date.  Pre-requisite coursework subject areas: Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, and Math.
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work.
• Entrance Exams
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Medical College Admission Test or taken within 5 years prior to the completion of the application.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The program must receive official score reports directly from the Educational Testing Service. The Code for South University is 7450.
  • Medical College Admission Test scores may be submitted for consideration if completed within five years of the application. The applicant may submit official MCAT scores through CASAA.
• The South University Anesthesiologist Assistant Program accepts credit for Advanced Placement courses.  AP courses taken and successfully completed will be counted as one course credit toward completion of the respective pre-requisite subject.  Grades earned in AP courses are not used in the calculation of the applicant's overall or pre-requisite GPA.
• Verification of familiarity with the practice of anesthesia, including the environment in which day-to- day work occurs.  The required form is located on the admissions page of the South University Anesthesiologist Assistant program website.
• Three letters of recommendation are required to be submitted as part of the CASAA application. Recommended sources of reference include: employers/managers, professors, advisors, or research directors.
• CASAA applicant personal statement.

As the admissions process also takes into consideration the personality characteristics deemed essential to becoming an anesthesiologist assistant, material such as a noncognitive or personality assessment may be required.     Students wishing to enter the Anesthesiologist Assistant program in the College of Health Professions should be aware that applicants with a prior felony or serious misdemeanor conviction will not be considered. Acceptance into a South University program or its completion does not imply or guarantee that a student will be able to obtain subsequent licensure or certification.   

Required Pre-requisite College Courses

(substitutions are not permitted and survey courses or courses for non-science majors are not acceptable)

Technical Standards

To undertake and successfully complete the Anesthesiologist Assistant program, as well as to function as an anesthetist after graduation, requires that an individual meet certain fundamental physical, cognitive, and behavioral standards. The requisite technical skills include, but are not limited to the following:

• Effectively communicating verbally with patients and their family members and with other healthcare professionals.
• Interacting with patients, including obtaining a history and performing a physical examination.
• Effectively communicating in writing, and by record keeping, those data and information essential to the practice of anesthesia and the care of patients.
• Reading and comprehending written parts of the medical record and other patient care documents in order to safely and effectively participate in the practice of anesthesia.
• Having sufficient knowledge, motor skill, and coordination to perform diagnostic and therapeutic tasks, including invasive procedures, on patients in a timely manner so as to insure the safety and well-being of the patients. These tasks include but are not limited to peripheral and central venous catheterization, arterial puncture and cannulation, breathing bag-and-mask ventilation, laryngeal mask airway insertion and management, endotracheal intubation.
• Having sufficient strength, motor skill, and coordination to lift, move, and position patients as required for administration of anesthesia and performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Having sufficient speed and coordination to quickly and safely react to emergent conditions throughout the hospital in order to assure patient safety.
• Recognizing and differentiating colors of signals displayed on monitors; being able to work in both light and dark conditions as exist in patient care areas (e.g., operating room, radiology suite, endoscopy suite); being able to recognize details of objects both near and far.
• Hearing, processing, and interpreting multiple conversations, monitor signals, alarms, and patient sounds simultaneously in fast-paced patient care settings (e.g., operating room, intensive care unit, emergency room).
• Having no impairment that would preclude continuous performance of all of the above activities or any and all of the other activities that are an integral part of an anesthesiologist assistant's participation in the anesthesia care team.

Applicant Selection

The South University Anesthesiologist Assistant Program receives a large number of applications each year, and each application is reviewed by a member of the Admissions Committee. Due to the volume of applications received, the program has standardized the evaluation process to be both comprehensive and fair. To determine which candidates are selected for admission, the Admissions Committee has established the following selection factors as components of determining admission into the South University Anesthesiologist Assistant Program.   Applicants for admission are considered and ranked using multiple factors as described below:

• Academic achievement (overall GPA, prerequisite GPA, and science GPA)
• Entrance Exam Scores.  Preference will be given to those with GRE scores (Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning) > 50th percentile and MCAT scores > 500
• Prerequisite coursework obtained from a four-year college or university designed for science majors
• Letters of reference
• Direct patient care experience
• Personal statement/essay
• Anesthesia/shadowing experiences
• Community service/volunteer activities
• Interview performance
• Results of noncognitive/personality assessment

Evidence of an applicant's interpersonal skills, problem-solving ability, professionalism, motivation, academic potential, communication, and knowledge of the AA profession/health care system are assessed by the Admissions Committee. The committee will determine the degree to which applicants demonstrate alignment with the South University AA Program mission and expectations.

Completion of Application

Prior to matriculation, each person accepted into the Anesthesiologist Assistant program must provide an official transcript indicating degree conferred and show completion of all required course work. Complete transcripts and an official record of undergraduate degree must be on file with the program before registration will be permitted for the first quarter.

Medical History and Immunizations

A recent medical history, physical examination, and all immunization records required must be maintained in the individual student's compliance tracking portal from the time of matriculation until graduation.  It is the student's responsibility to keep these records complete and up to date. Students who do not maintain these records as required will be referred to the Progress and Promotions committee for a professionalism standard violation.

Students entering senior year may be required to obtain an updated current history, physical examination, background check and drug screen depending on the rotation site.

Policy on Experiential Learning

No course credit is awarded for experiential learning to applicants of the Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia Science program.

Transfer of Credits Policy

No transfer credit is accepted for the Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia Science program.

All students must complete each course in the curriculum.

Policy on Advanced Placement Courses

The South University Anesthesiologist Assistant program accepts credit for Advanced Placement courses.  AP courses taken and successfully completed will be counted as one course credit toward completion of the respective pre-requisite subject.  Grades earned in AP courses are not used in the calculation of the applicant's overall or pre-requisite GPA.

Insurance Requirements

Students in the Anesthesiologist Assistant program are required to have continuous health insurance coverage in force for the duration of their enrollment.  Documentation of this insurance coverage must be stored and maintained in the student's compliance tracking account selected by the program.  If at any time a student does not have insurance in force and current documentation listed in his/her compliance tracking account they will cease participation in clinical education and be referred to the Progress and Promotions committee for a violation of the standards of Professionalism for the Anesthesiologist Assistant program.

Students using private health insurance must ensure that their plan covers treatment and monitoring for needle stick injuries and other documented exposure to blood borne pathogens for all clinical rotation locations. For example, a student from Michigan who is part of parental family coverage HMO may not be eligible for coverage in Savannah, West Palm Beach or at other remote sites while on clinical rotations. For the student's own personal safety it is imperative that they have an adequate health plan or the resources to pay for necessary medical care in the event of a needle stick or exposure to pathogenic organisms.

Payment for all medical and psychiatric services, elective and emergent; are the responsibility of the student regardless of the source of an illness or injury are the responsibility of the student regardless of what the source of an illness or injury may be.  The student is responsible for payment of medical services including all laboratory and other diagnostic and therapeutic services rendered as part of a protocol into which a student is entered in the event of exposure to known or suspected pathogenic organisms. Each clinical site has a specific established protocol for exposure that the student must follow.

Background Checks

The Anesthesiologist Assistant program follows the College of Health Professions Background Check Policy located in the South University Catalog (www.southuniversity.edu/admissions/academic-catalog). Students must complete a background check at their own cost using the agency identified by the AA Program prior to matriculation. No other background checks will be accepted. Students may be required to submit additional background checks during their enrollment as required by the clinical site.

Background checks confirm that students have no current record of criminal activity, and this information may be relayed to clinical sites for verification during their enrollment. Any new activity found as a result of such background checks in violation with the College of Health Professions Background Check Policy may affect the student's status in the program and the student will be referred to the Progress and Promotions Committee. Any violations that involve felony or serious misdemeanor convictions will result in immediate dismissal from the educational program. Students may appeal this decision based on verification of factual information according to the appeals process outlined in the student handbook.Note: Applicants are not eligible for admittance to the AA program if they have a felony conviction, plea, or adjudication withheld, or any disqualifying misdemeanor, for which a pardon or exemption for disqualification has not been received, including but not limited to rape or sexual abuse or molestation, and abuse, endangerment, or neglect of a child, disabled person, or elderly person.

Drug Screening

Applicants who are accepted into the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program must complete a drug screen at his/her own cost using the agency identified by the AA Program Director. Applicants must submit the drug screen results to the program office prior to matriculation. The Anesthesiologist Assistant program follows the College of Health Professions Substance Abuse and Screening Policy located in the South University Catalog (www.southuniversity.edu/admissions/academic-catalog). Students will be required to submit additional drug and alcohol screens throughout their enrollment, based on reasonable suspicion and as needed for clinical site placements.

Note: Applicants with positive drug screen results will not be admitted into the AA Program. Students who have a positive drug and alcohol screen result during enrollment will be referred to the AA Program's Progress and Promotions committee.

Applicants with Disabilities

In accordance with policies of South University, the program does not discriminate against any individual because of disability. Applicants must meet the requirements for technical standards as printed above. Students with disabilities should consult with the Dean of Student Affairs, who coordinates disability services.

Guidelines for Graduates of Colleges and Universities outside the United States

Please note that no exemptions will be made for required course work regardless of degrees or certification received outside the United States, experience, work background, or education.

In addition to the General Admission Requirements (above), the applicant who has graduated from a college or university outside the United States regardless of United States' residency status must do the following (not necessary for United States Territories):

• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work taken outside the United States must be submitted to the program, along with the report from a credentialing organization (e.g., Educational Credential Evaluators, Incorporated) demonstrating equivalency to a bachelor's degree received at an American college or university, and evaluating the transcript course-by-course for equivalency to required pre-requisites for admission to the Anesthesiologist Assistant program.
• A statement from a responsible person certifying that the applicant's financial resources are sufficient to meet necessary expenses (International Students only).
• Deficiencies in required course work must be made up by taking appropriate courses in a college or university in the United States.
• A statement from a qualified physician describing any emotional or physical illnesses suffered by the applicant during the preceding five years, or certifying freedom from such illnesses (International Students only). In addition to the General Admission Requirements (above) and the first three requirements of this section, the applicant who has been graduated from a college or university of a country for which English is not the primary language regardless of United States' residency status  must do the following:

Student must obtain minimum listed below for each section. Scores must be from exam taken within 7 years of application to the program. The program must receive an official score report directly from Educational Testing Services, Princeton, NJ.

Deferment Policy

South University reserves the right to grant a one year enrollment deferral for the AA program to an accepted student under the following conditions:

1. The student has accepted a class position within the allotted time period and submitted the required deposit but has not yet begun the 1st quarter of enrollment.
2. The student submits a written request to the Program Director that specifies the reason for the request and confirms his or her intent to enroll in the program at the next class start.  Acceptance or denial of a request for deferral is at the discretion of the Program Director.
3. A student who is granted a deferment must notify the Program Director of their intent to enter in the next matriculating class no later than January 1 in the same year (i.e. to matriculate June 2024, must notify program director in writing by January 1, 2024).

Course Requirements

Entrance Exam

The South University Anesthesiologist Assistant Program requires applicants to submit scores for either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) as part of the application for admission. Exams must be taken within five years of matriculation and results submitted directly to the AA Program Office. Entrance Examination scores are assessed in conjunction with the applicant’s complete application. Average GRE scores for students accepted into the South University Anesthesiologist Assistant program are in the 55 percentile or higher range for both the Verbal and Quantitative sections. If the applicant takes the MCAT, the typical score for an accepted applicant is 125 per section or higher.

Official GRE Scores:
GRE scores will be submitted electronically to the CASAA directly from ETS, using the CASAA-school specific GRE code of 3908. Official GRE scores from ETS can be received by the CASAA at any point during the application cycle, even after the application has been submitted and verified. It is advised that all applicants check with their schools directly to determine if they need the scores by a certain deadline date. The CASAA will provide detailed instructions to applicants on the official GRE score process.

Official MCAT Scores:
MCAT scores will be sent electronically from the AAMC. Applicants must contact the AAMC to have their MCAT scores released to the CASAA. On the application, applicants must self-report their MCAT score in the "Standardized Tests" section and include their AAMC identification number. The applicant's name, date of birth, and AAMC identification number must match the same information listed on his or her MCAT exam. If the applicant's information listed on the MCAT exam does not match the information listed on the CASAA, the scores will not post automatically to the applicant's account.

Outcomes

Offered at Savannah, Orlando and West Palm Beach.

Note: The Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia Science Program at South University, Orlando has a site visit scheduled for pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org). This step in the process is neither a status of accreditation nor a guarantee that accreditation will be granted.

Mission

The mission of South University's Anesthesia Science (MMSc) degree program (Anesthesiologist Assistant Program program) is to prepare competent entry-level anesthesiologist assistants in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains who will practice in the anesthesia care team model. Students will have the opportunity to learn to provide safe and efficacious anesthesia care to patients of all ages and degrees of illness for a complete range of surgical procedures.

The program strives to enhance the overall knowledge and practice of the anesthesia care team by providing students with proficiencies in physiology, pharmacology, patient monitoring, anesthesia equipment and the principles of safe anesthesia care.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the fundamental skills necessary for safe and efficacious delivery of anesthesia to a wide variety of patient populations and surgical specialties.
2. Apply knowledge in biomedical and anesthesia sciences to the safe and efficacious delivery of anesthesia.
3. Exhibit professionalism, including ethical and moral behavior as befits an Anesthesiologist Assistant.
4. Practice effective verbal and written communication skills needed to be an effective member of the Anesthesia Care Team.
5. Promote lifelong learning and apply evidence-based medicine to clinical decision-making through the use of information literacy skills.

Prerequisites

All general admission requirement coursework presented below must be completed prior to matriculation into the South University Anesthesiologist Assistant program.

FAQ

FAQ: Orlando Anesthesiologist Assistant Program

1. What degree is offered by the Anesthesiologist Assistant program?

The South University Anesthesiologist Assistant program awards a Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia Science (MMSc) degree. Graduates are eligible to take the certifying examination for Anesthesiologist Assistants offered by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA).

South University does not guarantee third-party certification/licensure. Outside agencies control the requirements for taking and passing certification/licensure exams and are subject to change without notice to South University.

2. When does the program start each year?

The program in Orlando begins in March each year. A day long orientation will be held the Friday before the formal start of class.

3. Does the program enroll students more than once a year?

No. The program starts one class per year.

4. Does the Anesthesiologist Assistant program require applicants to have a specific undergraduate major?

While most incoming students have earned their bachelor’s degrees in a science or health care field, it is not required. Strong preparation in science is highly valued. The number of courses, level of courses, and performance are important considerations.

5. Can I enter the Anesthesiologist Assistant program with outstanding prerequisites?

No, all coursework must be completed and transcripts received prior to matriculation in March.

6. Do you accept prerequisites besides those specified?

In general, prerequisites cannot be substituted. Exceptions to the prerequisite requirements will be considered only in very rare instances and must be approved by the admissions committee.

7. Does the AA program participate in CASAA?

Yes. To apply to the South University Anesthesiologist Assistant program, visit CASAA at https://casaa.liaisoncas.com

8. Is a certain amount of health care experience required?

South University strongly encourages applicants to obtain more than the required 8 hours of anesthesia shadowing experience. While it is advantageous that entering students have some kind of direct patient care, applicants that meet the minimum requirement prior to submitting an application may be considered for admission. Significant shadowing hours are valued in considering the admissions qualifications of any given applicant.

9. Do you require the GRE or MCAT for admission?

Applicants are required to take either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test or the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Official exam results should be submitted in CASAA.

10. Should I send my official GRE/MCAT scores to the Anesthesiologist Assistant program office?

Official GRE Scores:

GRE scores will be submitted electronically to the CASAA directly from ETS using the code 3908 for South University Orlando, 2840 for South University West Palm Beach, and the code 7450 for South University Savannah. Official GRE scores from ETS can be received by CASAA at any point during the application cycle, even after the application has been submitted and verified. It is advised that all applicants check with their schools directly to determine if they need the scores by a certain deadline date. CASAA will provide detailed instructions to applicants on the official GRE score process.

Official MCAT Scores:

MCAT scores will be sent electronically from the AAMC. Applicants must contact AAMC to have their MCAT scores released to the CASAA. On the application, applicants must self-report their MCAT score in the "Standardized Tests" section and include their AAMC identification number. The applicant's name, date of birth, and AAMC identification number must match the same information listed on his or her MCAT exam. If the applicant's information listed on the MCAT exam does not match the information listed on the CASAA, the scores will not post automatically to the applicant's account.

11. Do you give preference for admission to Florida residents?

Admission preference is not given to residents of Florida. Tuition for all students is the same.

12. Does the Anesthesiologist Assistant program conduct applicant interviews?

Yes. After review of applications, those applicants deemed competitive are invited for an on-campus interview.

13. Does the Anesthesiologist Assistant program offer part-time or online courses?

Our program does not offer a part-time option or online courses.

14. Can I transfer into the program?

No. Every student accepted to our program must apply for admission.

15. Should I send official transcripts to the AA office?

When starting your application through the Central Application Service for Anesthesiologist Assistants, CASAA, all transcripts are to be sent to them for verification. If after you submit your application and have prerequisite course grades to update, at that time you may have your transcripts (not verified by CASAA) sent to the AA program office.

16. Will I be able to work while being a student in the Anesthesiologist Assistant program?

Due to the intensity of the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program, students are not permitted to hold a job while they are enrolled in the program. Students may engage in outside employment during breaks and vacation periods.

South University- Orlando, South University-West Palm Beach, and South University-Savannah have financial aid counselors available to assist the students in finding adequate sources of financing during a student’s enrollment.