DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program Application Procedures
Program Accreditation and Inaugural Class
The University of South Alabama College of Nursing is pleased to announce that its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Anesthesia Program received accreditation approval on November 17, 2026.
The program will begin accepting applications on November 18, 2026, for its inaugural cohort. Admission to the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program is highly competitive, with 15 students selected for the inaugural class.
Applicants must complete both a Primary Application through NursingCAS and a Supplemental Application through the University of South Alabama. Both applications, all required official transcripts, transcript verification, and applicable application fees must be completed and received by the published deadline for an applicant's file to be eligible for review.
IMPORTANT: Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the NursingCAS application immediately when the application period opens. NursingCAS transcript processing and verification can take several weeks. Submitting an application does not mean that the application has been verified. Applications that have not achieved VERIFIED status in NursingCAS by the deadline may not be considered for admission.
Application Deadlines and Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | 11/18/2026 |
| Final Application Deadline | 1/15/2027 |
| Candidate Interviews | 1/28/2027-2/15/2027 |
| Matriculation | 6/2027 |
Final Application Deadline: January 15, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST).
All application materials must be received and processed by the deadline, including:
- Completed NursingCAS Primary Application with VERIFIED status.
- All required official transcripts received and verified through NursingCAS.
- Completed University of South Alabama Supplemental Application.
- Receipt of all required application and processing fees.
- All additional application materials and questions required within the applications.
Applications will not be forwarded for program review unless both applications are complete, NursingCAS verification is finalized, and all required fees have been received by the application deadline.
Start Here
Complete the NursingCAS Primary Application FIRST. Applicants must complete BOTH steps to be considered for admission.
The Primary Application is completed through the Centralized Application Service for Nursing Programs (NursingCAS).
NursingCAS is an independent application service separate from the University of South Alabama and the College of Nursing. Applicants are responsible for completing all required application sections, submitting official transcripts, and paying any applicable NursingCAS fees.
The NursingCAS application is the first and most time-sensitive step in the application process.
Official Transcripts
Applicants must request official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended, regardless of whether a degree was awarded or coursework was transferred to another institution.
This includes:
- All undergraduate institutions attended.
- All graduate and professional institutions attended.
- Institutions where individual courses or prerequisite coursework were completed.
- Institutions where coursework was attempted but a degree was not earned.
- Any additional postsecondary institutions attended, including non-degree and applicable foreign institutions.
Official transcripts must be submitted directly from the issuing institution to NursingCAS in accordance with NursingCAS requirements.
Transcripts submitted directly by the applicant are not considered official. You are allowed to attach unofficial transcripts to your application file within NursingCAS for the usual circumstance of delayed verification.
IMPORTANT: NursingCAS Transcript Verification
Applicants should prioritize submitting their NursingCAS application and requesting official transcripts as soon as the application period opens on November 18, 2026.
NursingCAS must receive and process official transcripts before an application can advance through the verification process.
Applicants should not wait until the application deadline to request transcripts or submit their NursingCAS application.
NursingCAS applications progress through the following stages:
In-Progress → Received → Complete → VERIFIED
In-Progress: The applicant is completing the application and has not yet submitted all required information.
Received: The application has been submitted, but required materials may still be outstanding.
Complete: NursingCAS has received the required application materials, official transcripts, and applicable fees, and the application is awaiting verification.
VERIFIED: NursingCAS has completed its verification process, including review of the applicant's academic coursework and transcripts.
Verification occurs after NursingCAS has received the required materials. The process may take approximately two weeks or longer, depending on application volume and processing circumstances.
An application marked "Received" or "Complete" is NOT considered VERIFIED.
Applicants are responsible for monitoring their NursingCAS application status and resolving any outstanding requirements.
The University of South Alabama DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program requires that the NursingCAS application achieve VERIFIED status no later than January 22, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. CST.
Applications awaiting verification after the deadline will not advance to program review.
NursingCAS Application Requirements
Applicants should carefully complete all sections and respond to all questions required within the NursingCAS application for the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program.
Academic History
Provide a complete record of all postsecondary institutions attended and all required academic information.
Professional Experience
Provide a comprehensive record of professional nursing employment and clinical experience.
Applicants should include relevant professional experience, certifications, leadership activities, professional development, scholarly activities, and other accomplishments demonstrating preparation for doctoral-level nurse anesthesia education, as requested within the application.
Curriculum Vitae or Résumé
Applicants should provide an updated curriculum vitae or professional résumé if required within the application, outlining their educational background, nursing employment history, clinical experience, professional certifications, leadership, and scholarly accomplishments.
Program-Specific Questions
Applicants must complete all questions and required responses included within the NursingCAS application. These responses will be considered as part of the competitive admissions review.
Additional Requirements
Applicants must complete all required NursingCAS declarations, certifications, and program-specific application questions.
Only applicants who have satisfied all Primary Application requirements, including transcript verification, will be eligible to proceed through the admissions process.
The Supplemental Application is submitted electronically to the University of South Alabama College of Nursing.
Applicants should complete this application only after the NursingCAS Primary Application has achieved VERIFIED status.
Supplemental Application Instructions
- Access the University of South Alabama Graduate Nursing Supplemental Application using the link above.
- Complete the required applicant and academic information.
- Select the appropriate graduate nursing program and DNP Nurse Anesthesia pathway, as available in the application.
- Complete all required supplemental application sections and questions.
- Submit the Supplemental Application electronically.
- Pay the required $100 non-refundable application processing fee.
Important: The Supplemental Application, required $100 processing fee, and VERIFIED NursingCAS application must all be completed and received by the January 15, 2027 deadline.
Submitting a Supplemental Application does not guarantee that an application file is complete or eligible for review.
Please do not submit the Supplemental Application until your NursingCAS Primary Application has been VERIFIED.
Admission to the University of South Alabama DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program is limited and highly selective.
The inaugural class will consist of 15 students selected through a competitive admissions process.
Initial Application File Review
Following the application deadline, completed and eligible application files will undergo review by the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program.
Only applications meeting all submission, transcript verification, fee payment, and applicable program admission requirements will be considered.
The review process will evaluate applicants' qualifications and preparation for the academic and clinical demands of doctoral nurse anesthesia education.
Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection for an interview or admission to the program.
Candidate Interviews
Applicants selected to advance beyond the initial program review will be invited to participate in an interview.
Interviews are anticipated to take place in late January and early February 2027.
Candidates selected for interviews will receive notification of their assigned interview date, time, and additional instructions.
Interview appointments will be scheduled by the program. Applicants should make every effort to remain available during the designated interview period.
An invitation to interview does not guarantee admission.
Final Selection of the Inaugural Cohort
Following completion of the interview process, the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program will select 15 candidates for admission to its inaugural class.
Final selection will be based on the program's comprehensive evaluation of eligible applicants, including the application review and interview process.
Candidates will be notified of their admission status following completion of the selection process.
Admission to the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program and permission to begin coursework and clinical education are contingent upon satisfying all applicable University of South Alabama, College of Nursing, and program requirements.
These may include:
- Completion and submission of the official acceptance packet.
- Successful completion of required criminal background screening.
- Negative drug screening in accordance with program and clinical agency requirements.
- Completion of required health documentation and immunizations.
- Compliance with applicable clinical education and institutional requirements.
- Completion of any additional onboarding requirements established by the College of Nursing or Nurse Anesthesia Program.
Students must complete all required admission and registration conditions before beginning the program.
Failure to satisfy these requirements may affect an applicant's eligibility to enroll.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required materials are submitted, received, and processed before the published deadline.
The following circumstances will result in an application file being ineligible for program review:
- NursingCAS application not submitted by the deadline.
- NursingCAS application not VERIFIED by the deadline.
- Official transcripts missing or not processed in time for verification.
- Supplemental Application not completed by the deadline.
- Required application or processing fees not received.
- Required application questions or materials missing or incomplete.
Applicants should understand that requesting transcripts, submitting an application, or paying an application fee does not independently satisfy all admission application requirements.
Only complete application files with VERIFIED NursingCAS status and all required fees received by the deadline will be reviewed.
Apply Early. The application period is limited, and NursingCAS transcript verification requires additional processing time.
Prioritize NursingCAS. Begin the NursingCAS application immediately and request official transcripts from every college or university attended.
Monitor Verification Status. Check NursingCAS regularly to confirm receipt of transcripts and completion of the verification process.
Complete Both Applications. The NursingCAS Primary Application and University of South Alabama Supplemental Application are separate and both are required.
Answer All Application Questions. Complete all required questions and responses within both applications.
Confirm Payment. Ensure that all applicable application and processing fees, including the $100 Supplemental Application fee, have been received.
Prepare for Interviews. Applicants advancing beyond the initial application review should be prepared to participate in assigned interviews during late January or early February 2027.
Understand the Competitive Process. Only 15 students will be selected for the inaugural DNP Nurse Anesthesia cohort.
Contact Information
For questions concerning the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program admissions and application process, please contact:
Lynnelle Kahalley
University of South Alabama
College of Nursing
DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program
Email: lkahalley@southalabama.edu
Applicants are encouraged to communicate early regarding application questions and to contact NursingCAS directly regarding transcript processing or verification concerns.
The University of South Alabama DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program looks forward to welcoming its inaugural cohort of 15 future nurse anesthetists.