Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Anesthesia (MSA) program at Case Western Reserve University is a professional postgraduate program that began in 1970. It is the second anesthesia program of its kind in the nation and has been in continuous operation for over 55 years. The program is designed to prepare students to enter the certified anesthesiologist assistant profession.

Program History

The MSA program originally awarded a baccalaureate degree and evolved into a professional postgraduate program in 1987, granting the master's degree. Today, students earn a Master of Science in Anesthesia degree.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the MSA program requires:

• A bachelor's degree with prescribed prerequisites typical of premedical coursework
• Successful completion of the MCAT or GRE
• The early decision deadline for admission into the program is in October
• The regular decision deadline is in mid-January each year

Program Structure

• Coursework begins at the end of May and consists of 24 consecutive months of didactic and clinical study
• The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and is based on the Standards for Anesthesiologist Assistant Programs
• Graduates must complete a curriculum that includes 70 credit hours (six semesters) of classroom and clinical instruction
  • The first three semesters integrate basic science and clinical instruction

Program Locations

The MSA program is housed within the School of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University and has additional locations in:

• Houston, Texas
• Washington, D.C.
• Austin, Texas The network is led by Shane Angus, CAA, MSA, and Matthew P. Norcia, MD.

Clinical Partnerships

The MSA program maintains partnerships with more than 100 affiliate clinical sites across the country.