Master of Health Sciences – Anesthesiologist Assistant

Academic Requirements
The minimum academic requirements for admission to the ﬁrst‐year MHS-AA class are:

Completion of the Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE; subject tests not required), Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), or Dental Admissions Test (DAT), within five years prior to the matriculation date.

A baccalaureate degree earned from a regionally accredited college or university. Exceptions are only made for those students accepted through our Partner Programs.

Satisfactory completion, with a grade of C or higher, of the following college courses intended for STEM majors; survey, introductory, pass/fail, and audit/non‐credit courses not accepted. Completed within six years prior to the matriculation date:
- Biological Sciences: 2 semesters with lab (8 semester hours; 12 quarter hours)
- Calculus: 1 semester (3 semester hours; 4.5 quarter hours)
- Chemistry, General: 1 semester with lab (4 semester hours; 6 quarter hours)
- Chemistry, Organic I: 1 semester with lab (4 semester hours; 6 quarter hours)
- Chemistry, Organic II or Biochemistry: 1 semester with lab (4 semester hours; 6 quarter hours)
- English Composition/Technical Writing: 1 semester (3 semester hours; 4.5 quarter hours)
- Human/Medical Anatomy: 1 semester with lab (4 semester hours; 6 quarter hours)
- Human/Medical Physiology: 1 semester with lab (4 semester hours; 6 quarter hours)
- Physics: 2 semesters with lab (8 semester hours; 12 quarter hours)
- Statistics: 1 semester (3 semester hours; 4.5 quarter hours)

Substitutions or Waiver of Admissions Requirements
Prerequisite course substitutions are permitted in some situations:

A combined course is accepted as Human/Medical Anatomy and Physiology I and II: 2 semesters with lab (8 semester hours; 12 quarter hours)

Liberal arts combined writing courses and thesis/capstone projects may substitute for English

Time‐limit waiver is given for MCAT score > 500 or DAT > 17

Time‐limit waiver may be considered for direct patient care work experience

An advanced healthcare degree/certification (PA, NP, DPT, ODT, PsyD, PharmD, etc) and direct patient care work experience of at least two years may substitute for up to six courses.

A BSN degree/certification and direct patient care work experience of two or more years in the ICU, perioperative services, or ED may substitute for up to five courses.

An applicant may request substitution of coursework for KCU's prerequisites by forwarding the following to the Oﬃce of Admissions:

A letter describing the rationale for the request

One or more of the following supporting documents for prior coursework:
- Letter from faculty course director detailing course content
- Copy of the course description from the university catalog
- Copy of the course syllabus

All of the following supporting documents for work experience:
- Letter of recommendation from a direct supervisor or department head
- Copy of degree and certification(s)
- Complete direct patient care work history with job duty details, including dates and rationale for lapses

Applicants will be notiﬁed of decisions after KCU's review. If a substitution is granted, the substituted course will not be counted toward the fulﬁllment of any other prerequisite.

Admissions Partner Programs
KCU has developed partner programs with select educational institutions that have exceptional premedical programs. The Partner Program sequence requires:

Petition to participate through the Partner Program's undergraduate pre‐health advisor
A minimum ACT score of 24
The completion of all listed prerequisites in the ﬁrst three years of matriculation (minimum of 90 semester or 135 quarter credits)
A cumulative grade point average of 3.25
A minimum 3.5 science GPA
GRE, MCAT, or DAT test score

Students must maintain the GPAs listed above to matriculate at KCU. Any partner applicant that applies in the Fall 2024 term and beyond will be required to take the GRE, MCAT, or DAT before they matriculate to KCU. The test score will not be used in the admission decision and does not have to be completed before the applicant applies, interviews or is accepted to KCU. However, the test score will need to be submitted to the Admission Oﬃce before the student begins classes.

Application Process
Step 1: Complete the CASAA Application
The Centralized Application Service for Anesthesiologist Assistants (CASAA) is a web‐based application portal for individuals seeking admission to masters-granting anesthesiologist assistant programs in the United States. CASAA is a service of the Association of Anesthesiologist Assistant Education Programs (AAAEP), the national organization of educational leaders collaborating to advance and support anesthesiologist assistant education. KCU's Master of Health Sciences in Anesthesiologist Assistant applicants are encouraged to begin the application process a year prior to their anticipated matriculation.

Step 2. Complete the KCU Secondary Application
Upon review of CASAA applications, KCU invites qualified applicants to complete our secondary application online. The $60 nonrefundable fee is waived if the applicant has received a waiver for CASAA fees.

The major criteria for rating applicants include academic excellence and nonacademic achievements. Academic excellence is measured by an assessment of the results of the standardized test score, grades, and grade point averages. Nonacademic achievements also are considered, as well as a candidate's ability and desire to fulﬁll the mission of the University. The Admissions Committee looks for the following nonacademic achievements:

Leadership roles
Involvement in community organizations/projects
Commitment to an organization(s) for more than two years
Shadowing of an anesthesia professional (e.g., anesthesiologist, CAA, or CRNA)
Experience in the medical ﬁeld (e.g., EMT, RT, LPN, CNA, ORA, scribe, technician – anesthesia, surgical, pharmacy, veterinary, etc.)
Participation in a domestic/international mission trip
Healthcare ﬁeld volunteer experiences
Involvement in research activities

Step 3: Complete Your Interview with KCU
Following the above assessment, selected applicants are invited for a formal personal interview. Interviews are opportunities for applicants to demonstrate professionalism, critical thinking, and high‐level communication skills. Typically, interviews start in April and end in August.

After the interview, the Admissions Committee reviews the applicant's file and then makes recommendations to the MHS-AA program director to decide on admission. KCU admits on a rolling basis, thus applicants are notiﬁed via email as soon as a ﬁnal decision has been made. Some applicants may be placed on a waitlist and admitted to the program should space become available.

Step 4: Complete your Acceptance and Pre-Matriculation Activities
Acceptance to KCU is conditional until all fees/deposits, paperwork/documentation, and coursework are completed. Failure to submit all items by the posted due dates will result in forfeiture of a seat in the upcoming class.

Deposits
Applicants who are offered a seat are notified by email and typically given two weeks to respond. The acceptance deposit ($1500) is due within 30 days of notification, and the matriculation deposit ($1500) is due within 60 days of notification; both are required from admitted applicants to secure a seat. These deposits are non‐refundable and non‐transferable to another program. Students who pay the deposits but do not attend will forfeit their deposits. For those who pay their deposits and matriculate, the amount will be credited to their tuition.

Students are strongly encouraged to pay via KCU's online payment portal. However, if a student wishes to pay via paper check, the payment should be made payable to Kansas City University and sent to:

Kansas City University
Attn: Student Accounts
1750 Independence Ave
Kansas City, MO 64106

Official Transcripts
Incoming students must submit official transcripts from all universities or colleges attended (including advanced placement and dual credit in high school) to the KCU Office of Admissions. Oﬃcial transcripts submitted to CASAA are downloaded by the Oﬃce of Admissions so applicants only need to submit updated transcripts showing courses that were in progress or showing degree conferred. If you have any questions about which transcripts are due, please email [email protected]. All required coursework is to be completed with a grade of “C” or better and degree completion be veriﬁed no later than January 2nd of the matriculation year, unless granted an extension by the Oﬃce of Admissions.

Criminal Background Check
Prior to matriculation, all students matriculating into KCU must have a criminal background check performed at their own expense. The background check will be performed by a certifying organization retained by KCU. The background check is to satisfy federal and state requirements for individuals participating in clinical activities involving patient care. Students must pay for an extra background check in select degree programs before starting clinical activities.

Note: Discovery following admission or matriculation of intentional misrepresentation or omission of any information used in the application process will subject the student to disciplinary action, including rescinded admission, probation, suspension, or dismissal. Matriculation will be denied to applicants who have failed to maintain a good record of scholastic performance and/or personal conduct between the time of their acceptance and matriculation at the University. The University reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant for any reason the University deems suﬃcient.

Immunization Requirements
Students who project themselves as future health care professionals are obligated to protect their health and the health of their future patients. All matriculating students at KCU are required to be vaccinated in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) immunization guidelines. These guidelines change and are updated periodically, and applicants and students are expected to be knowledgeable regarding the current CDC guidelines for health care workers found on their website: www.cdc.gov.

KCU students are responsible for maintaining a current and thoroughly documented oﬃcial record of immunizations. Students who fail to meet these guidelines will not be allowed to matriculate or may jeopardize their eligibility for continued enrollment or clinical assignments.

Health & Minimum Technical Standards
All candidates and enrolled students must meet health and technical standards to be admitted to, participate in, and graduate from the education programs of KCU.

Reasonable accommodation will be made as required by law; however, the candidate/student must be able to meet all technical standards with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates attest to their abilities prior to matriculation. Students attest yearly and are responsible to inform the KCU disability services coordinator of any changes to their status.

Please refer to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requests for accommodation should be directed to the KCU disability services coordinator, [email protected]. More information can be found here.

Additional Information

Readmission Policy
Students who have withdrawn or have been dismissed from KCU are not eligible for readmission to any KCU program of study. Limited exceptions are available for those students who withdrew due to a documented ADA disability, and who wish to return to KCU in the academic program from which they withdrew. Any request for exception must be directed to the vice provost for Student Services oﬃce; requests are handled on an individual basis.

Transfer Admission Policy
The MHS-AA program does not accept transfer students. Applicants are not eligible for transfer credit or placement into an advanced year.

Housing
KCU does not provide housing.

Campus Transfer Appeals
Appeals for a campus transfer are not permitted once a student has been admitted to KCU and prior to matriculating into the program. After matriculation, KCU does not permit students to transfer between campuses.

Required Textbooks
The list of required textbooks for students is posted on the library website. Students are responsible for purchasing and having all textbooks or e‐books on the list.

Medical Equipment
Students are required to have certain medical equipment when starting school. The Oﬃce of Admissions sends information to students prior to matriculation about speciﬁc equipment and pricing. Medical equipment can be purchased through the KCU Campus Store.

Previous Attendance at Foreign Institutions
Applicants with college credit at foreign institutions, or institutions teaching in a language other than English, must submit oﬃcial foreign transcripts to one of the following evaluation services as part of the admissions processes:

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203‐3470
[email protected]

Josef Silny and Associates
International Education Consultants
7101 SW 102 Avenue
Miami, FL 33171
305.273.1616
[email protected]

Non‐U.S. Citizens/International Applicants
An international applicant is an applicant who is not a US citizen or permanent resident. KCU MHS-AA program accepts only US citizens and permanent residents.