About the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program
The Master of Medical Science Anesthesiology (MMSc) degree program is a graduate medical education program that prepares knowledgeable, skilled anesthetists through rigorous, didactic and clinical education. The program is open to individuals holding a baccalaureate degree who have completed basic pre-med courses. Individuals who successfully complete this program are awarded a Master of Medical Science degree by Emory University.
Students begin the program in August and graduate in December after completing classroom and clinical education spanning seven semesters (27 continuous months). Following graduation and successful completion of the certifying examination, graduates can become integral anesthetist members of an anesthesia care team practice led by an anesthesiologist.
Accreditation
The Master of Medical Science Anesthesiology (MMSc) program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) to "prepare entry-level Anesthesiologist Assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains" (CAAHEP Standard II. C. Minimum Expectations).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
727-210-2350
Certification and licensure
The certification process for Anesthesiologist Assistants begins by successfully completing the certifying examination administered by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA). Because employment in almost every locale is contingent upon certification, students are expected to plan for, apply for, and take the certifying examination in their year of graduation.
Who is a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)?
Certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAAs) are skilled health professionals who work under the direction of an anesthesiologist to develop and implement anesthesia care plans. CAAs work exclusively within the anesthesia care team model as described by the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
All CAAs have completed premedical coursework, a baccalaureate degree and must graduate from an accredited CAA program. This comprehensive didactic and clinical training program fulfills the requirements for awarding a Master of Medical Science degree. CAAs participate in the provision of all types of anesthesia including administering drugs, obtaining vascular access, applying and interpreting monitors, establishing and maintaining the patient's airway and assisting with preoperative assessment and postoperative care.
