Most CRNA programs ask for a handful of prerequisite courses on top of your nursing degree. Statistics is the most common, followed by chemistry, anatomy and physiology.
Each program sets its own list, and some limit how old a course can be. This guide shows what is most common and how to plan your courses before you apply.
The most common prerequisites
Everything CRNA's School Finder data (October 2026) tracks the course requirements of all 154 accredited programs. Here is how often each course is required.
| Course | Programs that require it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | 79 | 10 more have conditions or track-specific rules |
| Physiology | 44 | Often met by your nursing degree |
| Anatomy | 43 | Often met by your nursing degree |
| General chemistry | 36 | 35 more require chemistry in some form, with details that vary |
| Microbiology | 21 | Usually part of a BSN |
| Pharmacology | 17 | |
| Research or nursing research | 16 | |
| Organic chemistry | 8 | About 50 more list organic chemistry or biochemistry as an option |
| Physics | 5 |
A "Varies" entry in our data usually means the program accepts one of several chemistry courses, or the rule differs by track. Read the exact wording on the program's site.
What programs actually write
Program wording shows how much the details differ:
- TCU lists Anatomy and Physiology I and II, microbiology, and at least one chemistry, biochemistry or organic chemistry course.
- Mayo Clinic asks for at least 30 semester credits of basic or advanced science, including anatomy, chemistry and physiology.
- The Army program (USAGPAN) requires a statistics course of at least 3 credits with a grade of C or better. A biochemistry or organic chemistry course from the last 5 years is optional but can strengthen your application.
Time limits on prerequisite courses
In our data, 43 programs set a time limit on how recent some prerequisites must be. Another 5 recommend recent coursework, and 93 list no limit.
The window and the courses it covers differ by program. The Army program, for example, wants its optional chemistry course taken within 5 years of the application deadline. A course from your first year of college may not count by the time you have two or three years of ICU experience.
Where you take the course matters
Many nurses take prerequisites online or at a community college while working in the ICU. That is usually fine, but some programs restrict where credits come from.
TCU, for example, requires prerequisites from a US college with institutional accreditation from a recognized regional accreditor. It names Portage Learning as a provider that does not meet its rules. Before you pay for a course, email each target program and ask if they accept it.
How prerequisites affect your GPA
Prerequisites often feed into a science GPA, which many programs review separately from your overall GPA. The median minimum GPA across programs in our data is 3.0.
Some programs also look at your last 60 credits. In our data, 32 programs say they weigh recent coursework this way. Mayo Clinic, for example, lets applicants below its GPA minimum ask the director to review their last 60 credits or last 30 science credits.
This makes recent prerequisites a practical way to show you can handle doctoral science. Aim for A grades, especially in chemistry. If your GPA is a concern, see CRNA schools for a low GPA.
How to plan your prerequisites
- Build a short list of programs. Use the CRNA school finder or all CRNA schools to pick 5 to 10 targets.
- Make a course grid. List each program's prerequisites, minimum grade, time limit and accepted providers.
- Check your transcripts. Mark which courses your nursing degree already covers and which are too old.
- Take the gaps once. Choose courses that satisfy the strictest program on your list, such as a chemistry with a lab.
- Time it with your deadline. Many programs want prerequisites finished before you apply, or at least before you start. See CRNA schools by deadline.
- Keep syllabi. Some programs ask for a course description to decide if a course is equivalent.
Our free CRNA school application checklist has space to track each program's requirements. For the rest of the application, read CRNA school requirements.
FAQ
Do I need organic chemistry for CRNA school?
Only a few programs require it outright. Many more accept organic chemistry or biochemistry as one option for their chemistry requirement.
Can I take prerequisites online?
Often yes, but not always. Ask each program before you enroll, since some reject certain online providers.
Does a graduate statistics course count?
Many programs accept either an undergraduate or graduate statistics course. The Army program accepts both, with a 3-credit minimum.
What if my chemistry course is more than 10 years old?
Check the time limit for each program. If it is too old for your top choices, retaking it can also help your science GPA.
Sources
- COA Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs, Practice Doctorate (revised May 2025, effective January 2026)
- TCU School of Nurse Anesthesia: BSN to DNAP admission
- Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences: DNAP application process
- US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing: application requirements
- Everything CRNA School Finder data (October 2026), compiled from program websites and admissions-office correspondence