Updated June 2026 · 9 min read
Part of the CRNA Career Hub — browse every related guide in one place.
Utah has a single accredited nurse anesthesia program — Westminster University's DNP-NA in Salt Lake City, the only one in the entire Intermountain region. It's affordable by CRNA standards and posts a 100% certification pass rate, but with one in-state seat, a regional application plan isn't optional.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Degree | Doctor of Nursing Practice — Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA) |
| Length | 9 semesters (about 3 years), entry-to-practice doctorate |
| Format | 5-semester didactic phase: first 2 semesters fully online, next 3 on campus; clinical rotations follow |
| Recent cost | ~$115,000 (listed as one of the more affordable programs) |
| Outcomes | Reported 100% certification exam pass rate |
Westminster University's Doctor of Nursing Practice in nurse anesthesia is the sole COA-accredited CRNA program in Utah and, more broadly, the only one in the Intermountain region. It's a nine-semester (roughly three-year) entry-to-practice doctorate built for BSN-prepared registered nurses. The didactic portion spans five semesters, starting in the first summer term: the first two semesters are delivered fully online and completed remotely, the next three are on-campus instruction in Salt Lake City, and full clinical rotations begin after the on-campus coursework is complete.
Among nurse anesthesia programs, Westminster is frequently cited as one of the more affordable, with a recent total in the neighborhood of $115,000 — meaningfully lower than many private doctorates. The program also reports a 100% pass rate on the CRNA certification exam, a strong signal of preparation quality. For applicants weighing debt load against earning potential, an affordable program with a top pass rate is an unusually favorable combination.
The DNP-NA is built for BSN graduates with a GPA of at least 3.0 and a minimum of one year of critical-care work experience. Applicants also need current BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications. As with every CRNA program, the ICU experience requirement is non-negotiable, and stronger applicants typically bring more than the minimum year, high-acuity unit experience, and the CCRN credential.
Because Utah has just one program, your strategy has to be regional from day one. Apply to Westminster, but build a list that also includes Colorado, Arizona, and other Western programs to give yourself realistic odds across a small, competitive applicant pool. Strengthen your file with the required ICU year (ideally more), the CCRN — see the CCRN guide — and a sharp personal statement.
Westminster University in Salt Lake City is Utah's only accredited CRNA program: a nine-semester DNP-NA that is both relatively affordable (~$115,000) and high-performing (100% certification pass rate). It's an excellent program, but with a single in-state seat, Utah applicants must apply regionally to give themselves a fair shot. For the bigger picture, see CRNA acceptance rates and the CRNA job outlook.
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