The Indiana University School of Medicine Anesthesiologist Assistant Program welcomes you to learn more about our program and our profession! A Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) is a highly skilled professional healthcare provider who works under the direction of an anesthesiologist. A CAA carries out a wide range of clinical duties, among them:
- Performing pre-anesthesia history and physical exam
- Forming an anesthesia plan within the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) model
- Administering anesthetic, adjuvant, and accessory drugs used in anesthetic practice
- Managing airways
- Implementing regional and neuraxial anesthesia blocks
- Administering fluid and blood product
- Inserting peripheral and central venous catheters and arterial lines
- Monitoring of patients and interpretation of data via noninvasive and invasive techniques
The program offers a Master of Science in Anesthesia degree. This 28-month degree is divided into two phases, the didactic phase, which consists primarily of classroom-based learning, and the clinical phase, which consists primarily of clinical rotations. Even in the didactic phase, students gain early exposure to the operating room with a limited rotation schedule beginning in the first semester.
If you’re interested in applying to the program, take a look at program requirements here. For an overview of what makes a successful applicant, please review program averages for accepted students below.
The CAA career path is a rewarding choice for motivated, critically thinking individuals with a passion for patient care. And with an ever-growing demand for anesthesia providers nationwide, there’s never been a better time to join the profession.
To learn more about becoming a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant, reach out to Program Coordinator Chris Guagliardo at iusmaa@iu.edu. Also, check out our website at https:// medicine.iu.edu/anesthesia/education/ms.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All requirements must be completed prior to matriculation. Coursework can be outstanding at the time of your application. Standardized tests must be included for consideration for an interview.
Bachelor’s Degree: Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or Canada. Applicants must have a permanent resident visa at the time of application or be a U.S. citizen.
GPA: There is no absolute minimum, but the following results are the average for our matriculants:
Overall GPA: 3.58 Science GPA: 3.50 Pre-Requisite GPA: 3.52
Test Scores: Applicants must have taken the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) within 3 years of the matriculation. There is no absolute minimum, but the following results are the average for our matriculants:
MCAT: 498
GRE:
Verbal Reasoning 62nd percentile
Quantitative Reasoning 62nd percentile
Pre-requisite Requirements should be completed with a B- or better and should be within 10 years of matriculation. Survey courses will not be accepted. AP credit will be accepted for pre-requisite coursework. For questions regarding appropriate alternative coursework, contact the MSA program (info below). Online courses will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Course | Number of Semesters Note
Biology | 2 Microbiology, Cell & Molecular Biology, Biochemistry may be substituted for this requirement.
Human Anatomy | 1
Human Physiology | 1 A two-semester combined Anatomy and Physiology course is accepted.
Chemistry with Lab | 2
Organic Chemistry with Lab |2
Physics with Lab |2
Statistics |1 Biostatistics may be substituted for this requirement
Shadowing: Applicants must complete at least 8 hours of shadowing. This can be either a Physician Anesthesiologist (MD or DO), Anesthesiologist Resident, Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) or a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) who practices in the Anesthesia Care Team Model. Form is located on our website.
Letters of Evaluation must be submitted by faculty, advisors, school administrators, employers, or other individuals who can speak to the applicant’s ability and personal character as they relate to the pursuit of a career as an anesthesiologist assistant. Of the three required letters, one must be from a professor or instructor whom can attest to the applicant academic ability. Family members and/or friends of the family will not be considered as valid letters of recommendation for application submissions.
