Updated June 2026 · 11 min read
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Missouri offers four accredited nurse anesthesia programs split between its two big metros — St. Louis and Kansas City — plus a well-regarded option in Springfield. One of them, Goldfarb at Barnes-Jewish College, ranks among the very best in the nation. Here's how the Missouri programs compare and how an ICU nurse earns an interview.
| Program | Degree | Length | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldfarb School of Nursing (Barnes-Jewish College) | DNP | 36 months | St. Louis |
| University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC) | DNP | 36 months | Kansas City |
| Webster University | DNAP | 36 months | St. Louis |
| Missouri State University | DNAP | 36 months | Springfield |
Missouri has four COA-accredited nurse anesthesia programs. Every accredited U.S. program now awards a doctorate — the COA phased out master's-level CRNA entry on January 1, 2025. Some programs award the DNP and others the DNAP (Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice); both qualify graduates to sit for the National Certification Examination. Confirm current tuition, credit counts, and clinical-hour requirements directly with each school.
Goldfarb's nurse anesthesia program in St. Louis is the standout: it was ranked No. 9 nationally in the U.S. News & World Report "Best Grad Schools" 2026 nurse anesthesia rankings, and it is fully accredited by the COA. Its close tie to Barnes-Jewish Hospital — one of the highest-acuity academic medical centers in the Midwest — gives students exceptional case volume and variety. For applicants who want a top-ten program in the center of the country, Goldfarb is the anchor.
The University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Nursing and Health Studies awards a DNP and is affiliated with University Health (Truman Medical Center) for clinical training, anchoring the Kansas City side of the state. Webster University in St. Louis awards a DNAP and offers a second metro option in the eastern part of the state. The Missouri State University School of Anesthesia in Springfield runs a full-time, 36-month DNAP and has earned a maximum 10-year COA accreditation award — a strong signal of program stability and a solid option for southwestern Missouri ICU nurses.
Where you accumulate critical care hours matters as much as your GPA. Missouri offers several high-acuity systems ideal for CRNA candidacy:
| Hospital | Metro | Notable ICU Types |
|---|---|---|
| Barnes-Jewish Hospital | St. Louis | CVICU, transplant ICU, academic acuity |
| SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital | St. Louis | Level I Trauma, Neuro ICU, SICU |
| Mercy Hospital St. Louis | St. Louis | CVICU, SICU, MICU |
| University Health Truman Medical Center | Kansas City | Level I Trauma, SICU, Neuro ICU |
| Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City | Kansas City | CVICU, cardiac surgical ICU |
| Cox Medical Center / Mercy Springfield | Springfield | SICU, CVICU, MICU |
Programs want sustained adult critical care managing ventilated patients on vasoactive infusions with arterial and central lines. A CVICU or trauma SICU role at one of these systems 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 Missouri 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 programs in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield, a Missouri applicant can apply to several in-state options without relocating during school.
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