Admission Process & Requirements

Admission Review Process

The UNM Anesthesiologist Assistant Program utilizes a holistic application review process. Overall qualities of all applicants will be reviewed and the highest consideration will be given to applicants who:

• Demonstrate alignment with program mission and values
• Have an excellent academic record
• Have prior healthcare experience
• Provide qualified and compelling personal references
• Reside in New Mexico or the Southwestern United States
• Have demonstrated commitment to community through service work
• Have served in the United States Military

Physical and Technical Requirements 

Each student must possess general abilities required of most healthcare practitioners, and specific abilities that relate more directly to the practice of anesthesia. Essential requirements include, but are not limited to, the following

• motor skills: physical dexterity to master all technical and procedural aspects of patient care, and adequate motor capability to perform complex two-handed tasks.
• sensory abilities: ability to gather all relevant information about a patient’s physical and psychosocial status with all five senses, especially sight, hearing and touch.
• intellectual abilities: must have sufficient powers of intellect to acquire, assimilate, integrate and apply information; must have the intellectual ability to solve problems.
• communication skills: must have sufficient use of speech, hearing and vision to communicate effectively with patients, teachers and peers in both oral and written forms.
• professionalism: must exhibit professional behavior, including the ability to place others’ needs ahead of your own; display compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, responsibility and tolerance. Must possess the ability to exercise the requisite judgment in the practice of anesthesia.
• physical health: must possess the physical health and stamina needed to carry out the program of AA education.

A disability does not preclude a student from admission, and the MSA Program makes reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. However, each enrolled student is expected to demonstrate, without unreasonable dependence on technology or intermediaries, the skills and attributes outlined in the program’s Physical & Technical Requirements policy.

Foreign Graduate Admission

Foreign national applicants who would like to be considered for admission are expected to have the equivalent of at least two years of full-time undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited college or university in the United States, and to have all the same required course prerequisites.

• Is there a minimum GRE/MCAT score?
  • In general, we will interview applicants who are in the 45% percentile and above for MCAT/GRE test scores
• Will I be able to work during the program?
  • Due to the rigorous curriculum of the MSA program and to ensure student success, it is highly recommended for students not to work during the first 4 semesters of the MSA program. In semesters 5-7, students will not be allowed to work.
• Is this program virtual?
  • The UNM MSA program is designed as in-person program for didactics, simulation, and clinical coursework. Students will need to be located within the local area of the UNM Albuquerque campus. In semesters 5-7, students will be expected to travel to some external clinical rotations.
• Can I apply to the program if I have not graduated with my bachelors degree or I still have pre-requisites that I need take?
  • Yes, applicants can still apply to the program while still currently completing their degree and/pre-requisite courses. However, applicants will need to submit proof of adequate degree completion and/or completion of the prerequisite courses prior to starting the program. Applicants should enter planned or in-progress coursework on their CASAA applications so that the admissions committee knows that they have a plan to take missing prerequisites.
• Can previous medical coursework, training, or clinical experience transfer or replace any admissions requirements or required courses in the UNM MSA Program?
  • No exceptions will be made for required prerequisite coursework, admissions test, or required graduate-level coursework within the MSA Program, regardless of degrees or certification received, prior experience, work background, or education. All accepted students must meet the admission requirements and follow the entire course curriculum.
• Transfer Admission, Transfer Credit and Experiential Learning
  • The UNM Master of Science in Anesthesia program has a carefully designed curriculum with a specific sequence of courses that build upon each other to ensure comprehensive and in-depth understanding of anesthesia concepts and practices. Therefore, transfer credit and experiential learning are not accepted for program coursework. Additionally, transfer students are not accepted. All students, including those who have previously completed coursework at another anesthesiologist assistant program, will be required to go through the entire admissions process and start at the beginning sequencing of coursework for the UNM MSA program. To qualify for graduation students must take every course required within the UNM Master of Science in Anesthesia curriculum.
• How can I submit application materials?
  • All materials should be submitted to and through the CASAA application platform. We require official test scores to be sent to CASAA by the testing agency; official transcripts should be sent by your Registrar to CASAA. 
• Why is a deposit required?
  • Accepted students will pay a non-refundable $1000 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. Deposits are credited to students’ bursar accounts upon matriculation and applied toward the first term’s bill.