History of the MSA Program

The Anesthesiologist Assistant Program at Case Western Reserve University began in 1969 and originally awarded a baccalaureate degree, evolving into a professional postgraduate curriculum in 1987 and granting the Master of Science degree. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Academic and clinical instructors, including board certified anesthesiologists and certified anesthesiologist assistants (AA-C), hold faculty appointments from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

Graduates sit for the certification examination administered by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA) and co-sponsored by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).

To maintain certification, anesthesiologist assistants must submit 40 CME credits biennially (AMA Physician Category I or AAPA approved) and pass the Continued Demonstration of Qualifications Examination every six years.