FAQ

Is the UTHealth Houston Master of Science in Anesthesia (MSA) Program Accreditated?

The UTHealth Houston Master of Science in Anesthesia Program was awarded accreditation on January 16th, 2025, by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Committee for the Anesthesiologist Assistant (ARC-AA).

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs is located at 9355 113st N. #7709, Seminole Florida, 33775, and can be reached at (727) 210-2350 or at [email protected].

The CAAHEP website is www.caahep.org. ARC-AA can be reached at 612.836.3311 or at [email protected].

 

How do I go about fulfilling the shadowing requirement? Does the UT MSA Program facilitate shadowing opportunities?

The UT MSA program requires that every applicant be familiar with the practice of anesthesia, the operating room environment, and the role that anesthesiologist assistants play in the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT). Applicants must arrange to spend time with an anesthetist or anesthesiologist in an operating room environment observing the administration of anesthesia and other human patient care activities. We strongly recommend shadowing for a minimum of 8 hours to familiarize themselves of the role and responsibilities of an anesthesia provider.

At this time, the UT MSA Program does not have a formal program for assistance with shadowing opportunities – applicants should obtain opportunities directly through personal resources or clinical sites, often by contacting the Chief Anesthetist at a given group. Applicants should contact hospitals and medical centers in their region and let them know that they are applying to an Anesthesiologist Assistant Program and are interested in shadowing an Anesthesiologist (MD or DO) or Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA).

 

What are the prerequisite courses?  
The prerequisite courses are listed here. All prerequisite coursework must be completed within seven (7) years prior to the date of application submission.

 

Do you accept online courses or courses taken at community college?
Yes, as long as they are from an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States, U.S. territory or Canada.

 

Do I have to complete the required courses before applying to the program?
No. All of our requirements (Bachelor’s degree and all prerequisites) must be completed prior to matriculation in the Fall semester, not the date of application submission.

 

Do I need to take both Anatomy and Physiology?
Eight (8) credit hours that relate to the study of Human Physiology are required. Human Anatomy courses without a Physiology component will not fulfill this prerequisite.

 

Is there an exemption for prerequisite time limits if I did exceptionally well on the MCAT?

A MCAT score >505 will waive the time limit for ALL prerequisite courses. A score of >505 on the MCAT does NOT waive prerequisite courses – it merely waives the time limit.

The MCAT score must be within 3 years of submission of your application.

 

How do I report my MCAT or GRE score?
You can obtain your MCAT score from the AAMC, download your score report, including verification code, and upload it to the CASAA application.

 

Is prior healthcare experience required?
No. However, applicants with prior healthcare experience, including roles such as Anesthesia Technician, Surgical Technician, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Medical Assistant, Medical Scribe, or Nursing are preferred.

 

Do you give preference for admission to Texas residents?
The MSA program welcomes all applicants.

 

How do I apply?
Apply through CASAA.

 

What is the CASAA application fee?
For questions regarding CASAA and the application process, please refer to the CASAA Applicant Help Center.

 

My coursework was done at a University that uses a different grading scale to calculate GPA. How does CASAA calculate GPAs  for the UT MSA Program?
For questions related to the CASAA application portal, please reach out CASAA for help.

 

What is the interview process like? 
Applicants are invited to in-person one-one-one interviews with multiple interviewers from Program Leadership. Interviews take place between October and February during the application cycle, with admissions decisions made on a rolling basis. Competitive applicants will be notified via email by the UT MSA Admissions Committee with specific details regarding their mandatory in-person interview.

The interview is designed to evaluate interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, professionalism, adaptability to social cues, and overall demeanor. These criteria aim to assess the applicant’s ability to navigate the professional and collaborative environments integral to success in the UT MSA program.

 

When and how will I know if I am accepted?
After your interview, a decision will be communicated within ten (10) business days, excluding university holidays. The decision will be sent via email and will indicate either acceptance, denial, or placement on the waitlist.

 

What is a rolling admission?
Rolling admissions is a process where applications are reviewed, and decisions are made continuously as they are received, rather than waiting for a set deadline at the end of the application cycle.

 

Is there a seat deposit upon accepting my offer?

Accepted students will pay a non-refundable $1,000.00 seat deposit. Candidates must accept the offer in writing and pay the non-refundable seat deposit by the deadline given in the offer email to secure their seat in the program. The deposit will be credited toward tuition upon enrollment; however, it is non-refundable if the student chooses not to enroll.

 

I have accepted my offer and paid my deposit. What do I do now?

Students who have received a acceptance letter from the UTHealth Houston Master of Science in Anesthesia Program have fourteen (14) calendar days from the date of the offer to accept or decline the offer.

Begin gathering the required immunization records, apply for FAFSA, and consider living arrangements and transportation to and from the medical center and surrounding hospitals in the Greater Houston area. Please refer to the UTHealth Houston General Information Catalog for immunization requirements and Student Health Services page for additional information.

A welcome email from the Program Director will be sent to the incoming class in April with pre-program materials and a save-the-date for a meet-and-greet and whitecoat fitting.

 

Can I work part-time while I am in the program?  
Due to the rigorous nature and demands of the program, UT MSA  students are prohibited from working part-time during the program.

 

What can I do to make myself a more attractive candidate for admission?
In addition to academic excellence, the information considered by the Admissions Committee includes the personal statement by the student, exceptional MCAT/GRE scores, and healthcare experience. Healthcare experience in roles such as Anesthesia Technician, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Nursing is preferred. Volunteer work is not recognized as healthcare experience by the UT MSA Admissions Committee.

 

Can I come visit for a tour?
Tours are not available at this time. All interviewees will be given a tour of the classroom, state-of-the-art simulation lab, and main training hospital, Memorial Hermann Hospital – Texas Medical Center the day of interview.

 

Will a Criminal Background Check be performed?
Yes, all students accepted into the program must complete a Criminal Background Check. Further instructions regarding this process will be provided by the UT MSA team, so please monitor your communication channels for updates.

 

Can I transfer into the program?
No. Transferring from any other training program is prohibited. No exceptions.

 

What is the size of the matriculating class?  
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston welcomed an inaugural class of 35 anesthesiologist assistant students in August of 2024.

 

Where can I find more information about Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants?
American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAAA).