Disclosure: This site earns commissions from affiliate links (Amazon, Etsy, and others) at no extra cost to you.   Full affiliate disclosure →

Updated June 2026 · 9 min read

This article was created with AI assistance.

CRNA Programs in Utah

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.

The landscape: Utah has exactly one COA-accredited nurse anesthesia program — Westminster University in Salt Lake City, the only such pathway in the Intermountain region. That makes a strong out-of-state backup plan essential for Utah applicants.

Westminster University DNP-NA

AttributeDetail
LocationSalt Lake City, Utah
DegreeDoctor of Nursing Practice — Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA)
Length9 semesters (about 3 years), entry-to-practice doctorate
Format5-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)
OutcomesReported 100% certification exam pass rate

The Only Program in the Intermountain Region

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.

Cost and Outcomes

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.

Admission Requirements

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.

One in-state seat means you must apply widely. With a single program in Utah and the whole Intermountain region, treating Westminster as anything other than a reach is a mistake. Plan from the start to apply to programs in neighboring states as well — Colorado and Arizona are the closest options and should be on nearly every Utah applicant's list.
Confirm the current numbers. Tuition, semester structure, cohort size, and admission rules change year to year. Treat the figures here as a planning baseline and verify Westminster's current details on its official site and the COA accredited-programs list before applying.

Application Strategy for Utah

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.

Bottom Line

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.

Get The ICU Notebook Newsletter

Clinical tools and career insights for ICU nurses. One email per week, no fluff.

Yes, send it free

No spam. Unsubscribe any time.