Program Overview

Master of Science in Anesthesia Anesthesiologist Assistant Program

The Master of Science in Anesthesia Anesthesiologist Assistant Program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in anesthesia care. The program is structured into several sessions, each with its own set of courses and objectives.

Session 1 (August – December)

• 5051 Intro to Physiology (2 credits): This course provides a thorough review of human cellular and organ systems physiology.
• 5021 Human Anatomy (1.5 credits): This course incorporates relevant human anatomy concepts pertinent to anesthesia practice.
• 5031 Physics for Anesthesia (1.5 credits): This course reviews relevant physical principles involved in the delivery of anesthesia and in the care of the surgical patient.
• 5041 Pharmacology I (1.5 credits): This course provides introductory concepts in pharmacology and instruction on the pharmacology and application of commonly utilized medications in the clinical anesthesia environment.
• 5211 Foundations in Anesthesia (2 credits): This course introduces students to anesthesia concepts, including basic practices and principles in anesthesia care.
• 5311 Patient Assessment I (0.5 credits): This course prepares students to perform a preoperative interview, including a focused preoperative medical history, review of the electronic medical record, and physical exam.
• 5411 Anesthesia Planning I (0.5 credits): This course prepares students for care of the healthy surgical patient, focusing on the knowledge and skills necessary to formulate, organize, prepare, and implement an anesthetic plan.
• 5511 Anesthesia Simulation I (2 credits): This course develops and applies real-time monitoring and decision-making skills necessary for supervised clinical education.
• 5711 Intro to Clinical Anesthesia (0.5 credits): This course introduces learners to the clinical environment, where they observe anesthesia practices and management.

Session 2 (January – April)

• 5111 Anesthesia Equipment and Delivery Systems (1.5 credits): This course reviews the mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic components of anesthesia delivery systems.
• 5121 Perioperative Monitoring (3 credits): This course provides learners with the relevant knowledge and skills for monitoring perioperative patients through basic and complex anesthetics.
• 5042 Pharmacology for Anesthesia II (2 credits): This course continues the study of pharmacological concepts and the application of medications used to manage various patient comorbidities in the clinical environment.
• 5221 Implementation and Management I (2 credits): This course develops anesthesia knowledge tailored to patient comorbidities and surgical procedures, with an emphasis on cardiac and pulmonary disease.
• 5312 Patient Assessment II (0.5 credits): This course further develops the student's understanding and ability to perform preoperative assessments on patients with both simple and complex medical conditions.
• 5412 Anesthesia Planning II (0.5 credits): This course focuses on creating anesthetic plans for geriatric patients and those with cardiac and pulmonary comorbidities.
• 5512 Anesthesia Simulation II (2 credits): This course manages more complex patients and develops the knowledge and skills to manage adverse events commonly encountered in anesthesia practice.
• 5712 Clinical Anesthesia I (5 credits): This course applies real-time monitoring and decision-making skills in supervised clinical education.
• 5611 Research Seminar I (1 credit): This course provides learners with the structure and framework to critically evaluate literature and improve their clinical knowledge base.

Session 3a (May – June)

• 5222 Implementation and Management IIa (1 credit): This course introduces care of the patient with kidney disease, endocrine disorders, and transfusion therapy.
• 5811 Special Topics in Anesthesia Ia (1 credit): This course introduces students to advanced practice concepts of specialized surgical management and subspecialty anesthesia.
• 5513 Anesthesia Simulation IIIa (1 credit): This course participates in advanced simulation, including crisis management and anesthesia emergencies.
• 5413 Anesthesia Planning III (0.5 credits): This course plans for patients with kidney disease, bariatric, and endocrine disorders.
• 5911 Professionalism (0.5 credits): This course provides a foundation in the ethical, legal, cultural, and professional issues in modern anesthesia care.
• 5713 Clinical Anesthesia IIa (2.5 credits): This course continues rotations in the Clinical environment, developing skills in real-time supervised management of patients.

Session 3b (July – August)

• 5223 Implementation and Management IIb (1 credit): This course continues the study of Implementation and Management IIa.
• 5812 Special Topics in Anesthesia Ib (1 credit): This course continues the study of Special Topics in Anesthesia Ia.
• 5514 Anesthesia Simulation IIIb (1 credit): This course continues the study of Anesthesia Simulation IIIa.
• 5131 Ultrasound for Anesthesia (2 credits): This course combines lectures and hands-on practice for students to apply ultrasound skills to an array of anesthetic practices.
• 5714 Clinical Anesthesia IIb (2.5 credits): This course continues rotations in the Clinical environment.

Session 4 (August – December)

• 6223 Implementation and Management III (2 credits): This course introduces care of the patient with hepatic, hematologic, and neuropsychiatric disorders.
• 6812 Special Topics in Anesthesia II (1 credit): This course continues the study of Special Topics in Anesthesia Ib.
• 6414 Anesthesia Planning IV (0.5 credits): This course combines knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacology, and advanced surgical topics to create detailed anesthetic plans for complex patient and surgical needs.
• 6612 Research Seminar II (0.5 credits): This course builds upon the skill of statistical analysis of published medical literature.
• 6711 Clinical Anesthesia III (6 credits): This course continues rotations in the Clinical environment, further developing skills in the supervised clinical environment.
• 6611 Research Seminar III (1 credit): This course provides learners with the structure and framework to critically evaluate literature and improve their clinical knowledge base.

Session 5 (January – April)

• 6712 Clinical Anesthesia IV (15 credits): This course involves sub-specialty training, including pediatric, obstetric, cardiac, thoracic, trauma, regional/acute pain, and neuroanesthesia.
• 6613 Research Seminar IVa (0.5 credits): This course applies reflective practice as a method to improve performance and quality outcomes.

Session 6a (May – June)

• 6713 Clinical Anesthesia Va (7.5 credits): This course continues rotations in sub-specialty and general practice areas.
• 6614 Research Seminar IVb (0.5 credits): This course continues the study of Research Seminar IVa.

Session 6b (July – August)

• 6714 Clinical Anesthesia Vb (7.5 credits): This course continues rotations in sub-specialty and general practice areas.
• 6615 Research Seminar V (1 credit): This course serves as a review in preparation for the NCCAA certifying exam.

Session 7 (September – December)

• 6715 Clinical Anesthesia VI (15 credits): This course continues rotations in sub-specialty and general practice areas.