Best Anesthesiologist Assistant colleges in the U.S. 2024

As the job title suggests, Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) help anesthesiologists with their duties, which include pre-operative patient evaluations and preparation, the administration of anesthesia care, monitoring vital signs during surgery, and making adjustments to anesthesia as needed. CAAs keep close watch over patients to ensure their safety and aid with post-op care related to recovery and pain management. 

To become certified, Anesthesiologist Assistants must earn a medical-related bachelor’s degree plus an anesthesia-related master’s from a school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Afterward, they must take and pass the Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) exam!

Anesthesiologist Assistants typically get a bachelor’s in a medical-related field, such as nursing, medical technology, respiratory therapy, or even biology. These undergraduate degrees tend to take four years to complete, on average, if attending school full-time. Part-time students may take five-to-seven years. 

Next comes the all-important anesthesiologist assistant graduate program, which incorporates a Master of Science in Anesthesia Degree. These programs include typical classes such as anatomy and pharmacology, as well as plenty of didactic courses (i.e. lectures) and clinical rotations at local healthcare settings for students to gain hands-on training. Anesthesiologist assistant programs are designed to be full-time and take ~24-28 months to finish all requirements. 

Following graduation, students must next pass their Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) exam.

Types of Anesthesiologist Assistant Classes

Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant training programs emphasize science/pre-medical courses as opposed to nursing. Curricula for these graduate programs include course topics such as:

• Airway Management
• Anesthesia Instrumentation
• Anesthesia Principles and Techniques
• ECG for Anesthesiology
• Human Anatomy
• Pathophysiology
• Patient Assessment and Monitoring
• Pharmacology for Anesthesiology
• Physiology
• Professional and Ethical Issues
• Anesthesia subspecialties, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, trauma, orthopedics, neuro, cardiac anesthesia, and regional anesthesia
• Clinical rotations to learn clinical skills and practice simulations
• Lab sessions

Skills Learned in an Anesthesiologist Assistant Degree Program

CAA’s learn how to:

• Administer various kinds of anesthesia, including general, regional, and monitored anesthesia care. This involves calculating drug dosages, selecting the right anesthetic agents, and managing induction, maintenance, and emergence 
• Assess patients, including reviewing their medical histories, conducting exams, and evaluating any pre-op conditions or risks prior to creating an individualized anesthesia plan
• Manage patient airways during anesthesia via endotracheal intubation, mask ventilation, and/or supraglottic airway devices
• Monitor patients during surgery while under anesthesia, to include reading vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen, etc.) and taking action as needed
• Operate and troubleshoot anesthesia equipment, i.e., delivery systems, ventilators, monitors, etc.
• Respond to emergency situations
• Work effectively as part of a larger healthcare team with surgeons, nurses, and others
• Understand pharmacology related to anesthetic agents and drug interactions
• Maintain ethical and professional standards and codes of conduct
• Stay up-to-date on new techniques, equipment, and research

These skills will help students pass their CAA credentialing exam, qualify for great jobs, and even prepare for a higher-level degree, if desired!

Anesthesiologist Assistant Degree Specializations

Anesthesia is a specialized area of medicine with several subspecialties, including:

• Acute Pain Management
• Cardiac Anesthesia
• Cardiothoracic Anesthesia
• Critical (Intensive) Care
• Hospice And Palliative Care
• Neuro-Anesthesia
• Obstetric Anesthesia
• Pediatric Anesthesia
• Regional Anesthesia

Check with the program you’re interested in to see which subspecialties they offer training in.

Bachelor’s level classes will vary based on one’s major, but typical prerequisites to apply to an anesthesiologist assistant master’s program include:

• Biology (Anatomy and Physiology) with labs
• Chemistry (General, Organic, and Biochemistry) with labs
• Physics
• English
• Math (Calculus and Statistics)
• Medical Terminology
• Cell Biology 
• Microbiology

Admissions requirements inevitably vary between schools, but there are some standard requirements and materials that you can expect. We spotlight some standard admission requirements for undergraduate programs below:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent: Those eligible for a bachelor's degree program must hold a high school diploma or GED.
• Official Transcripts: You'll be asked to submit official transcripts from high school or from any previously attended colleges.
• Minimum GPA: This can vary, but many schools require a GPA that hovers around 3.0. That said, some schools accept individuals with a GPA greater than 2.0.
• Application and Fees: In addition to submitting a fully-completed online application, you'll also need to pay any fees associated with the application.
• Letters of Recommendation: Some schools ask for recommendation letters. Common letter writers include employers, coaches, teachers, counselors, and faith leaders. 

Personal Statement: This is a chance to set yourself apart from your fellow applicants and tell your story while discussing academic and career goals. What makes you a good candidate?

An Anesthesiologist Assistant degree is a master’s degree program. How long it will take to finish will depend on a few variables, such as:

• Which bachelor’s degree type did you get, or do you plan to get? This matters in case you may need to complete prerequisites to qualify for an Anesthesiologist Assistant master’s degree program. 
• Do you have any applicable graduate credits to transfer?
• Will you attend full- or part-time? Note, Anesthesiologist Assistant training programs are full-time, but it may be possible to take a few part-time courses before applying. Each program will have its own requirements regarding transfer credits. 
• Note, it’s possible some programs offer certain courses online, but we haven’t spotted them yet! 

Applicants must submit scores for either the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or the Graduate Records Admission Test (GRE). Since anesthesiologist assistant graduate programs are designed to be full-time endeavors, the average completion time is between 24-28 months.

Anesthesiologist Assistant training programs are done in cohorts, meaning you’ll join a group of students and work through the curriculum together at the same pace. Many courses require hands-on practice, and clinical rotations will require you to be present in real-world healthcare settings. The clinical rotation portion of the training can last several months. 

As mentioned, in addition to a medical-related bachelor’s, you’ll need to complete a graduate-level Anesthesiologist Assistant program. Requirements for admittance vary but tend to include:

• Academic Prerequisites: You’ll need to have completed certain courses as part of your bachelor’s to have the proper educational foundation to undertake a Master of Science in Anesthesia. Classes may include Biology (Anatomy and Physiology) with labs, Chemistry (General, Organic, and Biochemistry) with labs, Physics, English, Math (Calculus and Statistics), Medical Terminology, Cell Biology, and Microbiology. 
• Official Transcripts: You'll be asked to submit official transcripts of all undergrad coursework, plus any graduate courses you may have taken.
• Minimum GPA: Anesthesiologist Assistant programs are quite tough, so expect to need at least a 2.75 GPA to meet the minimum requirements. Programs vary and GPA requirements depend, in part, on how many students apply each year. To be competitive, you’ll need at least a 3.2 or higher. 
• Application and Fees: All Master of Science in Anesthesiologist Assistant programs use the Centralized Application Service for Anesthesiologist Assistants (CASAA) portal. In addition to submitting a fully-completed online application, you'll also need to pay any fees associated with the application.
• Letters of Evaluation: Graduate programs may require three letters of evaluation (or recommendation). Common letter writers include employers, former professors, and persons who can speak to your potential to succeed in a demanding graduate program. 
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) Scores: Check with your program’s admissions requirements to confirm how current they must be. Usually, scores should be no older than five years. 
• Personal Statement: Many graduate programs want to learn why you’re interested in studying to be an Anesthesiologist Assistant.
• Background check and Drug Screening: Many Anesthesiologist Assistant training programs require these checks upon acceptance. 
• Student Health Insurance: Check with your school to learn details about health insurance requirements. 
• Additional Admissions Requirements: Programs may also request things such as “documented anesthesia exposure by observation in the operating room,” proof of publication in a current anesthesia journal, evidence of sufficient computer skills, or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores if needed. 

If you have any questions, it's a good idea to reach out to admissions professionals! 

After completing your anesthesiologist assistant training program and earning your master’s degree, it’s time to take the Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) exam. Administered by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants, the “Eligibility to sit for the NCCAA Certification Exam includes graduation from an approved educational program, along with completion and documentation of NCCAA Standards of Clinical Experience,” as noted in the NCCA Certification Handbook. 

There are also continuing training requirements. The American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants adds that “recertification requires that CAAs submit documentation to NCCAA every two years that they have completed 40 hours of continuing medical education (CME). In addition, every six years they must pass the Examination for Continued Demonstration of Qualifications (CDQ).”

Some Anesthesiologist Assistant positions require additional certifications or other specific training. In addition, there may be possible regional requirements to meet, so it is important to check the guidelines related to the state you intend to work in. 

Source: Glassdoor.com, Salary.com

Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 1% job growth rate for anesthesiologists but doesn’t cite projections for Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants. It seems reasonable to assume the need for CAAs will be at least as high as it is for full-fledged anesthesiologists, if not more so. 

In terms of salaries, CAAs earn between $139,777 and $211,750 a year, per Salary.com. Wages vary based on years of experience, areas of specialization, the employer, and one’s geographic location.

The states with the highest average anesthesiologist assistant salaries are California, Vermont, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Arizona! The lowest paying states listed are Mississippi, Arkansas, North Carolina, North Dakota, and South Carolina, but keep in mind that costs of living are one reason why salaries vary so much by state.

Not every state currently permits Anesthesiologist Assistants to work, instead utilizing Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA). Per the American Society of Anesthesiologists (as of March 13, 2023) CAAs may practice in the following states (but we highly encourage you to check for updates in the state you plan to work in):

• Alabama
• Colorado
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Guam
• Kansas (delegatory authority)
• Kentucky
• Indiana
• Michigan (delegatory authority)
• Missouri
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania (delegatory authority)
• South Carolina
• Texas (delegatory authority)
• Utah
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

• What is a certified anesthesiologist assistant?
  • A certified anesthesiologist assistant works under the supervision of an anesthesiologist to administer anesthesia to patients before, during, and after medical procedures.
• What is an anesthesiologist assistant college degree?
  • Students must complete a master’s degree anesthesiologist assistant program which includes didactic courses, clinical rotations, and simulation training.
• Are clinical rotations required for an anesthesiologist assistant program?
  • Yes, anesthesiologist assistant training requires clinical rotations as part of the curriculum so that students may gain sufficient practical experience. The college will help arrange suitable rotation schedules.
• Will I be a certified anesthesiologist assistant after graduation?
  • After successful completion of an anesthesiologist assistant program, graduates must take and pass the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA) exam. Some states have additional requirements to obtain licensure to work in that state.
• Can anesthesiologist assistants work in every state?
  • No. Currently, less than half of all states permit anesthesiologist assistants to work due to various regulatory restrictions. Nurse anesthetists perform these duties in most states.