Master of Science in Anesthesia Curriculum

Certified anesthesiologist assistant students in lecture in Washington, D.C. classroom

The Master of Science in Anesthesia is a graduate-level program for certified anesthesiologist assistants. At the completion of the program, each student earns a master’s degree in Anesthesia. The program is clinically-oriented and is designed to provide superior clinical training, including elective rotations in the second year that assure our graduates are on the cutting edge of the national trend in anesthesiologist assistant education.

The Master of Science in Anesthesia Program is divided into two phases. The first is the Basic Science Phase, which is twelve months in length and consists of basic science and clinically-focused didactic courses as well as clinical experience in general anesthesia. The second is the Clinical Phase, which is also twelve months in length and provides rotations in all subspecialties of anesthesia. A student who enters the clinical phase has completed basic science and clinical medicine courses, and is able to perform a history and physical exam, generate a well-crafted anesthetic plan, and complete basic technical skills. The student also possesses the rudimentary fund of knowledge to manage a basic anesthetic plan.

Click here to review the curriculum in the CWRU General Bulletin.

MSA Program Objectives and Goals

Clinical Practicum Objectives

Upon completion of the coursework, the Master of Science in Anesthesia student is expected to:

  • Complete preoperative evaluation and patient assessment. 
  • Prepare the anesthesia care plan.
  • Select, prepare, organize and care for equipment.
  • Prepare the patient.
  • Induce patient using anesthesia. 
  • Maintain anesthesia.
  • Emerge patient from anesthesia. 
  • Complete post-operative assessment and care.
  • Conduct themselves in a professional manner.

Click here to download a thorough guide of our clinical practicum objectives, which details each step of the process outlined above and speaks to the daily work of a certified anesthesiologist assistant.

Student Learning Objectives

Within this coursework and the clinical practicum are key skills, taught throughout the program of study and vital to the success of certified anesthesiologist assistants. These skills include:

  • Patient care
  • Medical knowledge
  • Practice-based learning and improvement
  • Systems-based practice
  • Interpersonal and communication skills
  • Professionalism

Click here to download a discussion of these key skills, including how certified anesthesiologist assistants are expected to demonstrate these skills, the values inherent to each, and how we measure our students' mastery of these skills.