Anesthesia (MSA) Program

Joseph M. Rifici, CAA, MEd
Executive Program Director

Jennifer Puin, PhD
Network Admissions Director

For inquiries, please email us at msaprogram@case.edu or call us at 216.368.2336

The Master of Science in Anesthesia (MSA) program at Case Western Reserve University began in 1970, the second anesthesia program of its kind in the nation. The program originally awarded a baccalaureate degree, then evolved into a professional postgraduate program in 1987 and began granting the master's degree. Today, students earn a Master of Science in Anesthesia degree that is designed to prepare them to enter the certified anesthesiologist assistant profession.

Admission to the MSA program requires a bachelor's degree with prescribed prerequisites typical of premedical coursework and successful completion of the MCAT or GRE. The early decision deadline for admission into the program is in October and the regular decision deadline is in mid January each year. Coursework begins at the end of May and consists of 24 consecutive months of didactic and clinical study. The MSA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and is based on the Standards for Anesthesiologist Assistant Programs. Graduates must complete a curriculum that includes 70 credit hours (six semesters) of classroom and clinical instruction. The first three semesters integrate basic science and clinical instruction.

In addition to the main campus program, CWRU also oversees the Master of Science in Anesthesia program's Houston, Texas location, Washington, D.C. location, and Austin, Texas location.

The network is led by Joseph M. Rifici, CAA, MEd, and Matthew P. Norcia, MD, and the program is housed within the School of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. Additionally, the MSA program maintains partnerships with more than 100 affiliate clinical sites across the country. More information can be obtained from our admissions office.