Updated June 2026 · 8 min read

CRNA Programs in North Dakota

Part of the CRNA Career Hub — browse every related guide in one place.

North Dakota has exactly one accredited nurse anesthesia program — the University of North Dakota's DNP in Nurse Anesthesia in Grand Forks. It's an established, fully accredited option, but with a single program in the state, in-state applicants should plan to apply across the region as well.

University of North Dakota DNP — Nurse Anesthesia

The University of North Dakota runs the only nurse anesthesia program in the state, offered through its College of Nursing as a full-time, 36-month Doctor of Nursing Practice track. It is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) through 2031 and trains students to the national clinical standard — a minimum of 2,000 clinical hours and 600 cases — required to sit for the certification exam.

Admission Requirements

UND follows the national CRNA template. You will need a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited nursing program, a current unencumbered U.S. RN license in good standing, a minimum of one year of full-time critical-care experience, and a minimum 3.0 GPA. As everywhere, the ICU requirement is non-negotiable, and competitive applicants typically bring more than the minimum year, high-acuity experience, and the CCRN credential — see the CCRN guide. For the full checklist, review the general CRNA school requirements.

Application Strategy for North Dakota

Because North Dakota has a single program, your plan should be regional from day one. Apply to UND, but build a list that also includes Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin to give yourself realistic odds across a competitive applicant pool. Strengthen your file with the required ICU year (ideally more), the CCRN, and a sharp personal statement. For realistic expectations, see CRNA acceptance rates.

Bottom Line

The University of North Dakota in Grand Forks is the state's only accredited CRNA program: a three-year, COA-accredited DNP in Nurse Anesthesia with accreditation secured through 2031. It's a solid, established option, but with one cohort in the state, North Dakota applicants should apply regionally to give themselves a fair shot. For the bigger picture, see how to become a CRNA and the CRNA job outlook.