Updated June 2026 · 8 min read

CRNA Programs in West Virginia

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

West Virginia has two accredited nurse anesthesia programs — a long-established DNP at West Virginia University and a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice at the University of Charleston. Two in-state options give applicants more room than most small states, but both are competitive and clinically demanding.

West Virginia University DNP — Nurse Anesthetist

WVU's School of Nursing runs a well-established DNP Nurse Anesthetist program in Morgantown. It is offered full-time only, requires 88 credits across nine continuous semesters, and recently earned a 10-year accreditation through 2035 — the highest level the COA grants, which is a strong signal of program stability and quality. For a state program, that long accreditation term is worth weighting heavily when you compare options.

University of Charleston — Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)

The University of Charleston offers a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice in partnership with Charleston Area Medical Center, one of the state's largest hospital systems. The CAMC partnership matters: a strong, high-volume clinical partner is exactly what a nurse anesthesia student needs to log the cases that build competence. Note the early application cycle — the Fall 2026 deadline fell in mid-December 2025, so future cohorts will likely follow a similar roughly-one-year-ahead timeline.

Admission Requirements

Both West Virginia programs follow the national CRNA template. You will need a BSN with a competitive GPA, a minimum of one year of full-time adult critical-care experience, and current BLS and ACLS certification. 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 West Virginia

West Virginia applicants are in a relatively strong position with two in-state doctoral programs. Apply to both WVU and the University of Charleston, watch the early-December deadline for the Charleston cohort, and build a regional backup list across Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Kentucky. 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

West Virginia offers two accredited CRNA paths: WVU's DNP Nurse Anesthetist in Morgantown, carrying a 10-year accreditation through 2035, and the University of Charleston's DNAP partnered with CAMC. Two in-state options give applicants real flexibility — but both are competitive, so apply to both and keep a regional backup list. For the bigger picture, see how to become a CRNA and the CRNA job outlook.