Updated June 2026 · 10 min read
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Maryland punches above its size in nurse anesthesia: two of the country's most respected academic programs sit in Baltimore, with a federal military program just outside Washington. For an ICU nurse in the Baltimore–DC corridor, the case volume and program prestige are hard to beat. Here's how the Maryland programs compare.
| Program | Degree | Length | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland School of Nursing | DNP | 36 months | Baltimore |
| Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing | DNP | 36 months | Baltimore |
| Uniformed Services University (military) | DNP | 36 months | Bethesda |
Maryland has three COA-accredited nurse anesthesia programs, all awarding the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Every accredited U.S. program now awards a doctorate — the COA phased out master's-level CRNA entry on January 1, 2025. The Uniformed Services University program serves active-duty military nurses. Confirm current tuition, credit counts, and clinical-hour requirements directly with each school.
The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) offers a full-time, 36-month DNP nurse anesthesia specialty in Baltimore, COA-accredited with its next program review scheduled for October 2027. UMSON pairs with the University of Maryland Medical Center and the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, giving students some of the highest-acuity trauma and surgical exposure in the country. Recent cohorts have reported a 100% first-time NCE pass rate and 100% employment. As a public program, in-state tuition (roughly $89,000 all-in) runs well below the out-of-state total — a meaningful advantage for Maryland residents.
The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing DNP in nurse anesthesia carries the weight of the Hopkins name and clinical system — one of the most prestigious academic medical centers in the world. Students train across the Johns Hopkins Hospital's high-acuity services. As a private program, tuition is higher than UMSON, but the brand recognition and clinical depth are exceptional. Both Baltimore programs admit small, competitive cohorts.
Where you accumulate critical care hours matters as much as your GPA. Maryland offers several high-acuity systems ideal for CRNA candidacy:
| Hospital | Metro | Notable ICU Types |
|---|---|---|
| R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma (UMMC) | Baltimore | Primary adult trauma, SICU, Neuro ICU |
| The Johns Hopkins Hospital | Baltimore | CVICU, transplant ICU, academic acuity |
| University of Maryland Medical Center | Baltimore | CVICU, transplant ICU, MICU/SICU |
| Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center | Baltimore | Burn ICU, MICU, SICU |
| Suburban Hospital (Johns Hopkins) | Bethesda | CVICU, SICU |
| MedStar Washington Hospital Center | Washington DC area | CVICU, Neuro ICU, Level I Trauma |
Programs want sustained adult critical care managing ventilated patients on vasoactive infusions with arterial and central lines. A CVICU, trauma SICU, or Shock Trauma role is far stronger on a CRNA application than a step-down or community "ICU" that does not manage that acuity.
Working backward from a fall 2027 start: most Maryland programs accept applications roughly September–December 2026, interview January–March 2027, and decide by spring 2027. Have your CCRN completed and at least one year (ideally two) of high-acuity ICU hours documented before applications open. With two strong Baltimore programs plus easy access to programs in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and DC, Maryland applicants can build a robust list without relocating during school.
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