Doctorate Program
La Roche University prepares nurse anesthetists for advanced leadership roles involving health care policy, administration and education.
Choose between an Entry Level or a Completion program to earn your Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice at La Roche.
We are now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 cohort. Complete applications must be submitted by December 1, 2025 to:
La Roche University
Office of Graduate Studies & Adult Education
9000 Babcock Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Entry Level DNAP Program
This entry level program prepares graduates to assume leadership positions, with the ultimate goals of improving health care and patient outcomes.
Admission Requirements- A BSN or MSN from an ACEN, CNEA or CCNE accredited program.
- Current, valid RN license in U.S. state /territory or locale where student will complete clinical requirements.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2.
- Current minimum one-year full time adult ICU/critical care nursing experience (within the last five years) by the start of the program.
- CCRN certification required.
- Current certifications in BLS, ACLS and PALS.
- A minimum of one undergraduate course (3 credits) of Chemistry with a grade of B or higher.
- A minimum of one undergraduate course (3 credits) of Microbiology or Anatomy & Physiology with a final grade of "B" or higher.
- A minimum of one undergraduate course (3 credits) of Basic Statistics with a final grade of “B” or higher.
- A minimum of one undergraduate course (3 credits) of Research course with a final grade of “B” or higher *All prerequisite coursework must be completed within the last 10 years. Transfer credits will not be accepted.
- Shadowing experience required (note date, place and types of cases).
- A 500-word essay addressing your career goals.
- Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references. One letter must be from a critical care supervisor.
- Interview with the Admissions Committee.
You will be contacted once the nurse anesthesiology program office has received all required documentation for this application. After an assessment of your completed application, you will be notified if you are eligible for an interview. Please note fulfilling the above requirements does not guarantee an interview or acceptance into the nurse anesthesiology program.
For International Students
In addition to meeting the standard academic criteria for the program to which you are applying, international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency. All international students must take one of the tests indicated below and meet the university minimum score requirement: - A minimum TOEFL IBT of 100
- A minimum IELTS overall band score of 7.0
- A minimum Duolingo English test score of 125
- Valid Greencard
Once the University receives all required documentation for your application, La Roche will contact you. After an assessment of your completed application, La Roche will notify you on whether you are eligible for an interview. Please note: Fulfilling the above requirements does not guarantee an interview or acceptance into the nurse anesthesiology program |
DNAP Completion Program
The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) is designed to meet the needs of the working professional. This completion program is only offered as a part-time option and is offered in six consecutive semesters. The program begins in early fall with a week-long residency on campus. Classes are offered within a 15-week format.
Graduates of the programs are prepared to:
Initiate changes in response to social, political, economic and ethical issues in health care.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs and policies for the improvement of health care.
Develop leadership skills to meet the challenges of increasingly complex health care and educational environments impacting the practice of nurse anesthesia.
Employ teaching and learning principles in the education of individuals, families, anesthesia students and peers.
Initiate physiologically sound, evidence-based and culturally sensitive individualized anesthesia care for diverse populations across the lifespan while considering the surgical procedures and comorbid conditions.
Adhere to the American Nurse Anesthetist Association’s (AANA) Code of Ethics and Practice standards.
Admission RequirementsAdvanced Standing PolicyLa Roche University offers advanced standing in the DNAP completion program for appropriate Master’s prepared Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) that graduated from a Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Program (COA) who wish to pursue a doctoral degree.
All submitted applications will be reviewed by the anesthesia Program Director, Assistant Director and graduate admission counselor to determine if advanced standing will be granted. Advanced standing will be granted upon admission. Competencies of the CRNA applicant will be assessed in three areas: clinical experience, letters of recommendation and submitted essay of professional goals and research area of interest.
CRNA’s with advanced standing complete the required coursework in 24 months. The schedule of classes is designed to accommodate working professionals. Most courses are offered in an online format and students will only need to come to campus for residency three times. Upon completion of the program, CRNA’s will receive a DNAP degree. All applicants will meet the same criteria as the entry-level DNAP. Requirements - Completed and signed application
- Official transcripts
- Evidence of graduation from a Council on Accreditation (COA)-accredited nurse anesthesia educational program with a Master’s degree
- Certification as a CRNA
- Current, valid RN license
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2
- Current certifications in BLS, ACLS, and PALS
- A minimum of one undergraduate course (3 credits) of Basic Statistics with a final grade of “B” or higher
- A minimum of one undergraduate course (3 credits) of Research course with a final grade of “B” or higher
- Transfer credits will not be accepted
- Submission of a curriculum vitae and three professional references
- Interview with Admissions committee
- Submission of required essays: One essay will focus on the applicant’s professional goals. The second essay should discuss the applicant’s research area of interest and proposed doctoral capstone project
In your essay please include: - Your area of interest (advanced clinical practice, administration, education) for a scholarly project
- Why you are interested in this clinical are
- Why it is relevant for current society
- Why it potentially warrants evidence-based practice change
- How it is relevant to the role of the DNAP-prepared nurse and the implementation of evidence-based practice
Research Requirements
Applicants must present evidence of a research thesis or evidence-based research to be considered for admission to the DNAP program.
Residency Requirements
The DNAP Completion Program requires three immersion sessions spread throughout the curriculum. Dates to be determined.
The first-week residency is an intensive week in which students are required to attend classes and seminars on the La Roche University campus.
This intensive week is usually the week before classes begin in the fall, which is usually in August. There are two additional residency sessions which are two to three days in length.
The spring semester begins in January, and the summer semester begins in May.
All residencies are mandatory.
For International Students
In addition to the requirements listed above, international students must: - Complete the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) process to evaluate the international license to practice nursing and any educational program transcripts
- Provide a copy of U.S. Nursing License
In addition to meeting the standard academic criteria for the program to which you are applying, international applicants also must demonstrate English proficiency. All international students must take one of the tests indicated below and meet the university minimum score requirement.
- A minimum TOEFL IBT of 100
- A minimum IELTS overall band score of 7.0
- A minimum Duolingo English test score of 125
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Why La Roche?
The transition to the practice doctorate for nurses and other non-physicians in the U.S. has been driven by national health care policy that attempts to reduce medical errors, mediate health care costs and improve quality and outcomes for patients.
Practice doctorates have been established for many health professions in environments such as: optometry, audiology, pharmacy and physical therapy.
La Roche's DNAP program responds to the needs of today's complex health care environment. Doctoral candidates receive a practice-based education that covers the science, strategies and economics behind providing the highest level of patient care.
Accreditation
Both the Entry Level an Completion Level DNAP programs are approved and accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). COA, 10275 W. Higgins Rd. Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603; (847) 655-1160.
Graduate Programs
Doctorate Programs