4 Best CRNA Schools in Missouri – 2025

Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

Do you want to take your nursing career in Missouri in a new direction? Do you have a passion for pharmacology and hands-on procedures? If so, you may be interested in becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. CRNAs administer anesthesia and maintain airway patency during invasive medical procedures in a range of practice settings throughout Missouri, including surgical operating theaters, ICUs, cardiac care units, and ambulatory care clinics. Graduates of CRNA programs in Missouri make $205,190 annually, and their employment opportunities are projected to increase by 11% in the next 10 years. Sound intriguing? This guide to the 4 best CRNA schools in Missouri for 2025 will provide you with more facts.

RECOMMENDED ONLINE NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS

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

(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 4 Best Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Programs in Missouri (Online & Campus).)

1. Barnes Jewish College - St. Louis

Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP

About the School: If you are keen on enrolling in one of the best CRNA schools in Missouri, then Barnes Jewish College is an excellent option. The school stands out because of several reasons, including a close-knit learning environment, excellent simulation training, and diverse clinical opportunities. The school’s simulation center is one of the best in the nation and has been recognized as the Center of Educational Excellence. Therefore, as a CRNA student, here, you’ll be provided with unmatched clinical experiences in a safe learning environment.

Program Overview: Barnes Jewish College’s BSN to DNP-BSN program combines online and on-campus classes and takes 36 months to complete. The 91.5 credit curriculum prepares you for the CRNA certification exam. The program starts in the spring semester with initial online classes in foundation courses, after which the coursework progresses to in-person courses in advanced topics.

This CRNA program in Missouri teaches you various concepts, including biostatistics & epidemiology, health promotion & population health, advanced pharmacology, and chemistry & applied physics. The program also includes topics such as health systems policy, leadership & collaboration for quality & safety, informatics, and financial principles. The program also includes courses in graduate anatomy, basic principles of anesthesia, health assessment, and advanced pathophysiology. The comprehensive CRNA curriculum also includes simulation training and clinical experiences in a variety of healthcare settings. Towards the end of the program, you’ll require to complete a DNP project.

Admission Requirements: The Barnes Jewish College CRNA program’s admission requirements include an accredited BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, you must have an active RN license in Missouri. To qualify for admission, you must have at least one year of critical care experience. Further, the school requires you to submit your official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Barnes Jewish College CRNA Students

• Barnes Jewish College CRNA program boasts of an excellent pass rate on the CRNA certification exam.
• Barnes Jewish College CRNA program reports a very low attrition rate of almost 0%. This is a good indication of a satisfying educational experience.
• Barnes Jewish College CRNA program is taught by an expert faculty who have several years of anesthesia practice experience.
• Barnes Jewish College CRNA program graduates are in high demand among employers in the region. With a 100% employment rate, all of the program graduates find jobs in a variety of settings such as hospitals, surgery rooms, clinics, etc.

2. Webster University - Saint Louis

Programs Offered: DNAP and DNAP (Completion)

About the School: Among the best CRNA schools in Missouri, Webster University stands out as a non-profit institution that was established in 1915. Here, high-quality CRNA training comes at an affordable cost. Aside from this, the school enrolls students coming from 138 countries, offering a diverse learning environment. With more than 10,000 students working across the globe, the school offers a robust professional networking platform. To complete your CRNA training, here you can enroll either in the DNAP entry or DNAP completion program, based on your previous nursing degree.

DNAP Program Overview: Webster University’s DNAP-CRNA program spans three years. The program comprises a total of 141 credits. The didactic portion of this program builds a strong foundation in anesthesia basic and advanced concepts. In addition, the clinical portion of the program prepares you for safe anesthesia care, teaching you the administration & management of a variety of anesthesia techniques in regional & general anesthesia.

This certified registered nurse anesthetist program in Missouri comprises required science courses, including biochemistry, physics for anesthesia, advanced anatomy & physiology, biostatistics, cell biology, and genetics. Also, the program includes courses in pharmacogenomics, immunology, population health, and pharmacology. Additionally, the nurse anesthesia courses cover topics such as advanced health assessment, principles of anesthesia, and foundational and advanced topics in anesthesia. In addition, the program also includes courses in translational research, organization & management in health administration, health care policy, health administration law & ethics, and politics & economics of healthcare. In the final portion of the program, you’ll complete nurse anesthesia clinical simulation courses from the beginning to the advanced level. Towards the end of the program, you’ll also complete the required doctoral thesis. Upon completion of this program, you’ll be eligible to take the CRNA certification exam.

DNAP (Completion) Program Overview: Webster University’s DNAP-CRNA program is a 32-credit coursework designed for certified CRNAs who now want to obtain doctoral education. The program is offered 100% online, thereby allowing you to continue with your nursing anesthesia practice. The program covers doctoral-level topics such as translational research, healthcare policy analysis & advocacy, organization & management in health administration, financial management, population health, and health administration law & ethics. The program also covers current topics in nursing anesthesia.

Admission Requirements: To qualify for the DNAP completion program, you must have a master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally, you must have a valid CRNA and RN license. On the other hand, to qualify for the DNAP program, you must have an accredited BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The DNAP program also requires you to have a valid RN license and at least one year of critical care nursing experience.

For both programs, you must be prepared to submit official transcripts, a current resume, and letters of recommendation, one for the DNAP completion and three for the DNAP entry program.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Webster University CRNA Students

• Webster University CRNA program partners with prominent clinical sites to provide students with the most rigorous clinical training.
• Webster University offers several financial benefits to eligible CRNA students, including scholarships, graduate assistantships, veteran benefits, and other financial aid opportunities.
• Webster University CRNA program is offered in small-sized classes where you’ll receive personalized attention.

3. University Health Truman Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia - Kansas City

Programs Offered: DNP

About the School: University Health Truman Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia is a terrific option if you are seeking high-quality CRNA education. Ever since the school was established, it has prepared competent CRNAs for the full scope of CRNA practice. With an expert faculty that mostly has a doctoral degree, students are mentored by experienced practitioners who are excellent educators. Besides, being one of the prominent Level-1 trauma facilities in the state, CRNA students enjoy the unparalleled advantage of completing their anesthesia training in a comprehensive medical facility.

Program Overview: University Health Truman Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia’s DNP-CRNA program is a 36-month coursework, having the first 12 months of foundational concepts in sciences.

In the first year, you’ll learn about concepts of physiology, pharmacology, advanced health assessment, health care policy, and leadership in nursing anesthesia. The coursework also covers topics such as pathophysiology, pharmacology, and nursing research.

In the second year, you’ll obtain proficiency in topics such as obstetrics, anesthesia, healthcare outcomes, pediatric anesthesia, acute & chronic pain management, and basic & advanced principles in nurse anesthesia.

In the third and final year of the program, you’ll complete courses in health systems, & economics, anesthesia & co-existing diseases, and anesthesia crisis resource management. This CRNA program in Missouri program also includes clinical experiences and a DNP project.

Admission Requirements: To qualify for University Health Truman Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia, you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.2. Also, you must have a current and unencumbered RN license in Missouri. The school also requires you to submit your RN licensure copy, a resume, and a personal statement, and hold active certifications in ACLS, BLS, or CCRN. You must also be prepared to submit your transcripts and three references.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential University Health Truman Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia CRNA Students

• University Health Truman Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia CRNA program is offered in small-sized classes of 18 to 22 students. The individualized attention that you receive will help you build close connections with faculty and peers.
• University Health Truman Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia is one of the most affordable CRNA schools in Missouri. Also, the school provides you with free health insurance and professional liability insurance. The school also pays for your housing when you have to travel to sites away from home for your clinical training.
• University Health Truman Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia provides exceptional clinical experiences. With over 15,000 anesthesia cases at the university, CRNA students are prepared with a wide variety of anesthesia cases.
• University Health Truman Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia boasts an excellent pass rate on the CRNA certification exam.

4. Missouri State University - Springfield

Programs Offered: RN-to-DNAP and CRNA-to-DNAP

About the School: Missouri State University of one of the well-known CRNA schools in Missouri that prepares you for the highest level of nursing anesthesia practice. The school builds a solid foundation through didactic and clinical training, producing well-prepared CRNAs for this thriving field of advanced practice nursing. With a close-knit environment, the school nurtures the academic and professional dreams of students coming from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Here, depending on your educational background, you can enroll in either the RN to DNAP or CRNA to DNAP program. While the former is meant for registered nurses the latter is open to certified nurse anesthetists.

RN-to-DNAP Program Overview: MSU’s RN-to-DNAP program takes your bachelor’s in nursing degree straight to the doctoral level. Within as little as three years of full-time study, this equips you with the highest level of clinical skills. The program is offered in a cohort format, combining online and on-campus classes. Initially, the coursework is offered online, and thereafter mostly you’ll attend on-campus lectures.

The program covers various topics in sciences and nursing anesthesia. You’ll learn about human neurophysiology & anatomy, medical cell biology, anesthesia pharmacology, clinical physiology, healthcare informatics, healthcare ethics, and leadership for evidence-based practice. Also, you’ll obtain proficiency in various areas of anesthesia, starting from the basic to the advanced principles. The program also includes a course in the business of anesthesia. Besides the didactic training, the program also includes clinical practicum courses and a capstone project presentation.

CRNA-to-DNAP Program Overview: MSU’s CRNA-to-DNAP program can equip you with the skills and knowledge to transform patient outcomes. This certified registered nurse anesthetist program in Missouri comes with three options; one-year, two-year, and three-year plans. While the one-year plan requires you to take three courses each semester, the two-year and three-year plans offer a more flexible schedule to suit the need of full-time working CRNAs.

To graduate with a DNAP degree, certified nurse anesthetists will require completing 27 credits. The program prepares you with doctoral-level knowledge in leadership, evidence-based practice, patient safety in healthcare, the business of anesthesia, anesthesia & healthcare policy, health & wellness, and healthcare ethics.

Admission Requirements: MSU’s RN to DNAP program is open to BSN-prepared RNs who have a GPA of at least 3.0. Also, this program requires that you have at least one year of experience in an acute care setting. Besides, a current BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification is required to be eligible for admission.

To be considered for the CRNA-to-DNAP program, you must have an active CRNA license. Also, your MSN must be from an accredited college, having a minimum GPA of 3.0.

For both programs, to complete your application, you must submit your transcripts, a resume, a personal goal statement, and the required number of recommendation letters.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Missouri State University CRNA Students

• Missouri State University CRNA students enrich their learning by completing their clinical experiences at a variety of clinical sites, including hospitals, surgery centers, labor & delivery rooms, MRI, endoscopy, etc.
• Missouri State University CRNA students can access several resources to aid their academic success. To enhance their learning experience, students can use the services of the Learning & Writing Center, career center, and other such adult student services.
• Missouri State University CRNA students have several options to fund their CRNA education. Eligible students can apply for financial aid, scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs to make their CRNA education more affordable.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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

As per the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), currently there are 4 accredited CRNA schools in Missouri that offer a total of 6 Nurse Anesthesia programs.




Nearby States


Popular Related Articles