3 Best CRNA Schools in Maryland – 2025


Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

How challenging are CRNA programs in Maryland? “Very challenging!” say graduates. But well worth the challenge because once you graduate, you’ll enter a field with almost limitless professional potential, working side-by-side with physicians as a valued teammate, providing anesthesia and airway support to patients during surgical procedures. You’ll be able to work in a wide range of rural or urban practice settings, including hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, obstetric delivery rooms, and plastic surgery practices throughout the Old Dominion State. You’ll earn $182,710 on average, and demand for your services will rise 12 percent over the next decade. Learn more with this guide to the 3 best CRNA schools in Maryland for 2025.



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WHAT ARE THE BEST CRNA SCHOOLS IN MARYLAND (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?

(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 3 Best Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Programs in Maryland (Online & Campus).)

1. Uniformed Services University - Bethesda


Programs Offered: DNP


About the School: If you are searching for the best CRNA schools in Maryland then Uniformed Services University is a great place to start. The school prepares you for the field of nursing anesthesia like none other, offering your rigorous training in didactic and clinical courses. With more than 50 years of commitment to military healthcare, the school has carved a niche for itself in nurse anesthesia training.

Program Overview: USU’s high-quality CRNA program prepares competent nurse anesthetists who are prepared to meet the unique needs of military healthcare. Open to uniformed personnel, this certified registered nurse anesthetist program in Maryland requires completing 113 credits. Offered over three years of full-time study, the curriculum consists of core courses, electives, and CRNA-related courses.

The core courses cover topics such as leadership & teamwork, advanced health assessment, advanced anatomy, advanced physiology, evidence-based practice methods, healthcare informatics and healthcare practice, and policy & evaluation. Further, the electives allow you to learn specialized skills in operational readiness and interdisciplinary health policy.

Through the anesthesia-related courses, you will learn about the principles of anesthesia, and acute & chronic pain. The curriculum also includes six DNP practicum and nurse anesthesia clinical courses. Upon completion of the program, you’ll be eligible to take the CRNA certification exam.

Admission Requirements: USU’s CRNA program accepts applications from students coming from a military background. To qualify, you must have BSN or an MSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The school also requires you to have an active RN license. Besides, at least one year of critical care in a military or civilian hospital is required. Completed applications also include a resume, transcripts, a personal goal statement, and letters of recommendation.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Uniformed Services University CRNA Students

• USU’s CRNA program proudly ranks among the top 10 in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• Since the time USU’s CRNA program was incepted, the school is proud to report a 100% pass rate on the CRNA certification exam, having a 90% plus first-time pass rate.
• USU receives generous funding for its innovative research. Recently, the school was awarded $400k for faculty and student research projects. CRNA students have enormous opportunities to engage in research and innovation to enhance learning and critical thinking skills.
• Among all the CRNA schools in Maryland, USU stands out for offering students the unique advantage of practicing skills in a military field practicum. Anesthesia students are put through challenging scenarios on a battlefield, thereby preparing them to work in any type of healthcare environment.


2. University of Maryland - Baltimore


Programs Offered: Post-Baccalaureate DNP with Specialty, Post-Master's DNP with Specialty, and Post-Master's DNP


About the School: University of Maryland is one of the few CRNA schools in Maryland that offers program options to fit the individual academic and career goals of its students. Regardless of whether you are a registered nurse with a BSN or advanced practice nurse with a master's degree or a CRNA with an MSN, here, you’ll find a path that is right for you. No matter at what point you start your journey, when you leave college, you’ll be proficient in handling the complex challenges of the anesthesia field.

Post-Baccalaureate DNP with Specialty Program Overview: University of Maryland’s BSN to DNP program is perfect if you want to take your baccalaureate education in nursing straight to the doctoral level. Leading to the CRNA certification, the program starts with one year of didactic courses, followed by clinical training in years three and four.

The post-BSN curriculum comprises 93 credits and requires completing core graduate and anesthesia-related courses. Some of the topics covered include chemistry, technology, advanced physiology & pathophysiology, health assessment, principles of anesthesia, methods of research & evidence-based practice, regional anesthesia, and health systems policy & leadership. The program prepares you for interdisciplinary collaboration and to provide competent nursing anesthesia care in a variety of healthcare settings. Also, you’ll complete five anesthesia practicum experiences and two nursing anesthesia seminars. Toward the end of the program, you’ll complete a DNP project.

Post-Master's DNP with Specialty Program Overview: This CRNA program in Maryland is typically meant for MSN graduates or BSN-prepared RNs having a master’s degree in a related field. The program prepares you for the CRNA certification exam and requires completion of around 48 to 93 credits, depending on the courses previously completed by you. Some of the courses included in the program teach you subjects such as chemistry, advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and principles of nurse anesthesia. The program also includes practicum courses and anesthesia seminars.

Post-Master's DNP Program Overview: University of Maryland’s post-master’s DNP program allows certified CRNAs who have a master’s degree to earn doctoral-level knowledge. Based on your prior coursework, you will require completing as little as 37 credits.

Admission Requirements: For University of Maryland’s BSN to DNP, you require having a BSN and an RN license. If you are applying for the DNP with specialty, you must either have an accredited MSN or a BSN with a master’s degree in a related field. Alternatively, to qualify for the post-masters DNP, you must have an accredited MSN along with an active CRNA license.

Aside from this, other admission requirements include submission of your official transcripts, resume, personal goal statement, and letters of recommendation.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential University of Maryland CRNA Students

• University of Maryland CRNA students practice clinical skills at some of the top hospitals in the state. So, during the second and third years of the program, you may well be gaining hands-on experience in various areas of anesthesia at Saint Agnes Hospital, VA Medical Centers, and the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, to name a few.
• University of Maryland’s DNP-CRNA program is ranked one of the top programs in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• University of Maryland’s DNP-CRNA program is a high-performing program with great results in terms of pass rate and placement rate. This CRNA program in Maryland records a 100% pass rate and 100% employment of its graduates.


3. Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore


Programs Offered: DNP-NA


About the School: Johns Hopkins University is a renowned name in the field of nursing education. Whether it is the high-quality CRNA education that you are seeking or the number of learning opportunities, at this CRNA school, you will be provided with a conducive environment to succeed as a nurse anesthetist. Besides, the school helps in making your education affordable by offering several funding options.

Program Overview: Johns Hopkins offers an excellent DNP-NA program that takes three years to complete. With several online courses blended into the curriculum, the program makes it rather convenient for you to complete your CRNA training.

The program requires the completion of 88 credits. During the first year, the program mainly entails the completion of online didactic courses and simulation training. The clinical experiences start in the second year and continue until the end of the program.

This CRNA program in Maryland covers various doctoral and anesthesia-related topics, including, health promotion, human anatomy, health finance, biostatistics, advanced physiology, clinical pharmacology, nursing health policy, and nursing research. The program also teaches you concepts in nursing anesthesiology and basic and advanced nurse anesthesia principles. The program also comprises eight clinical residencies.

Admission Requirements: The admission process for JHU’s CRNA program requires you to have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally, you must have an active RN license. The program also requires you to complete one year of critical care nursing experience. You must also be prepared to submit three letters of recommendation, official transcripts, a current resume, and a written statement.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Johns Hopkins University CRNA Students

• Johns Hopkins University’s DNP-CRNA program consistently ranks among the best in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• Johns Hopkins University’s DNP-CRNA program is offered in an interdisciplinary learning environment where CRNA students regularly interact with students from other healthcare disciplines.
• Johns Hopkins University’s CRNA students practice clinical skills in a state-of-art simulation lab. Further, the real-world clinical experiences at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and other partner hospitals enhance learning and prepare students for a variety of anesthesia settings.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


What are the Total Number of Accredited CRNA Schools in Maryland?

As per the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), currently there are 3 accredited CRNA schools in Maryland that offer a total of 3 Nurse Anesthesia programs.

Program Type #
MSNA0
DNAP 3
Post-Master's Certificate 0
DNAP Completion 0
Total 3



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