Pre-CAA

Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (Pre-CAA)

Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) are highly trained healthcare professionals who work under the direction of licensed anesthesiologists as part of the anesthesia care team. CAAs help develop and implement anesthesia care plans, administer anesthesia, monitor patients throughout surgical procedures, and respond to changes in patients' conditions.

Becoming a CAA requires completing a master's-level professional program, typically lasting 24–28 months. CAAs work in hospitals, surgical centers, and other healthcare settings where anesthesia services are provided.

Unlike some other healthcare professions, CAAs are not currently authorized to practice in every state. Students interested in this profession should research where CAAs can practice and how this may influence their future career opportunities.

Is this career right for you?

Do you enjoy science, particularly subjects like physiology, chemistry, and pharmacology?
Are you interested in working in an operating room and being part of a collaborative healthcare team?
Can you remain calm, focused, and attentive to detail in high-pressure situations?
Do you enjoy working with technology, medical equipment, and hands-on procedures?
Would you find it rewarding to help patients feel safe and comfortable before, during, and after medical procedures?
Are you comfortable with a career that involves significant responsibility, rapid decision-making, and potentially unpredictable work hours?

Prerequisite Courses

On your path toward becoming a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant, you will engage in many facets of professional and personal development. CAA programs seek academically strong, compassionate, detail-oriented individuals who can communicate effectively, think critically, and work collaboratively in complex healthcare environments.

Your academic preparation is particularly important because anesthesiology requires a strong foundation in the biological and physical sciences. The courses listed below meet many of the common requirements for CAA programs; however, there is variability among school policies.

You are responsible for verifying the prerequisites for each of the schools that interest you.

Most CAA programs require coursework in Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Biochemistry. Many also require or recommend Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Statistics, Calculus, and English or Writing.

Students interested in the University of Colorado Anschutz Anesthesiologist Assistant Program should pay particular attention to its requirements, including two semesters of Organic Chemistry with labs, Biochemistry, Statistics, and Human Anatomy and Physiology.

The provides detailed information about its admission requirements. Students can also explore accredited programs through the .

OPHA generally recommends retaking AP/IB credits that are part of the prerequisite requirements for health professional schools. Some CAA programs accept AP/IB credits, while others require college-level coursework or allow students to substitute higher-level courses. Completing the prerequisite coursework at the college level may help keep your school options open.

Most CAA programs expect strong grades in prerequisite courses, often a B- or higher. Some programs also place time limits on prerequisite coursework, commonly requiring science courses to have been completed within the previous five to seven years. If you have received lower grades in required courses, we encourage you to speak with a Pre-Health Advisor about whether retaking them would strengthen your preparation.

There is a lot of variability and nuance when it comes to prerequisites. OPHA's Pre-Health Advisors can help you determine which courses will prepare you for the programs that interest you.

Biology

Generally, two semesters of general biology with associated labs are required. At ��ñ��, there are multiple options for fulfilling this requirement.

Option 1:

General Biology 1 and Lab (EBIO 1210 and EBIO 1230), 4 credits
General Biology 2 and Lab (EBIO 1220 and EBIO 1240), 4 credits

Option 2:

Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (MCDB 1150), 3 credits
Principles of Genetics (MCDB 2150), 3 credits
One of the following 2-credit labs:
- From Dirt to DNA: Phage Genomics Lab (MCDB 1161), 2 credits
- Drug Discovery Through Hands-on Screens (MCDB 1171), 2 credits
- MCDB 2161, 2 credits
- Drug Discovery Through Hands-on Screens 2 (MCDB 2171), 2 credits

Some schools have specific expectations for general biology coursework and may not accept every combination listed above. Students should confirm whether their chosen sequence satisfies the requirements of their intended programs.

Chemistry

CAA programs generally require two semesters of General Chemistry with labs, at least one semester of Organic Chemistry with lab, and often Biochemistry. Some programs require Organic Chemistry II in addition to Biochemistry, including CU Anschutz.

To maintain flexibility when applying to multiple CAA programs, OPHA recommends planning to complete both Organic Chemistry II and Biochemistry.

General Chemistry 1 and Lab (CHEM 1113 and CHEM 1114), 5 credits
General Chemistry 2 and Lab (CHEM 1133 and CHEM 1134), 5 credits
Organic Chemistry 1 and Lab (CHEM 3311 and CHEM 3321), 5 credits
Organic Chemistry 2 and Lab (CHEM 3331 and CHEM 3341), 5 credits
Principles of Biochemistry (BCHM 4611), 3 credits

If you are a Chemistry or Biochemistry major, be sure to talk with your Pre-Health Advisor, who can help you identify the appropriate chemistry courses for your major and professional school requirements.

Physics

Generally, two semesters of Physics with associated labs are required. At ��ñ��, you have the option of taking an algebra-based (precalculus-based) sequence or a calculus-based sequence.

The algebra-based sequence is usually recommended unless your major requires the calculus-based sequence. Some CAA programs have specific preferences regarding the type of physics coursework accepted.

Option 1: Algebra-based

General Physics 1 (PHYS 2010), 5 credits, lab included
General Physics 2 (PHYS 2020), 5 credits, lab included

Option 2: Calculus-based

General Physics 1 (PHYS 1110), 4 credits
General Physics 2 (PHYS 1120), 4 credits
Experimental Physics 1 (PHYS 1140), 1 credit

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Human Anatomy and Physiology are required or strongly recommended by many CAA programs, including CU Anschutz. These courses provide an important foundation for understanding how anesthesia affects the body's major systems and how patients respond to medications and medical procedures.

At ��ñ��, students can complete:

Introduction to Human Anatomy (IPHY 3410), 3 credits
Introduction to Human Anatomy Lab (IPHY 3415), 2 credits
Human Physiology (IPHY 3430), 4 credits
Human Physiology Lab (IPHY 3435), 2 credits

Although Anatomy and Physiology labs may not be required by every program, they can provide valuable hands-on learning and strengthen your preparation for graduate-level coursework.

Statistics

Many CAA programs require at least one semester of Statistics. Statistical knowledge is valuable for interpreting medical research, understanding patient data, and making evidence-based clinical decisions.

At ��ñ��, common options include:

Psychological Science 1: Statistics (PSYC 2111), 4 credits
Introduction to Data Science & Biostatistics (IPHY 3280), 4 credits
Introduction to Statistics (MATH 2510), 3 credits
Biological Statistics (EBIO 4410), 4 credits

Calculus

Calculus is required by some CAA programs and recommended by others. Even when it is not required, calculus can provide useful preparation for advanced coursework involving physiology, pharmacology, and the physical sciences.

Calculus 1 (MATH 1300), 5 credits

Students should check their intended programs to determine whether calculus is required and whether other mathematics courses are accepted.

Writing/English Composition

Some CAA programs require at least one semester of English, Writing, or English Composition. These courses help develop written communication and critical thinking skills, both of which are important in healthcare.

At ��ñ��, this requirement can generally be fulfilled through an appropriate WRTG or ENGL course, subject to individual program requirements.

Additional Classes to Consider

While not necessarily required for admission, additional coursework in the biological, behavioral, and social sciences can strengthen your preparation for CAA programs.

Depending on your interests and the requirements of your intended schools, consider:

General Psychology (PSYC 1001), 3 credits
Introduction to Sociology (SOCY 1001), 3 credits
Genetics: Molecules to Populations (EBIO 2070), 4 credits, or Principles of Genetics (MCDB 2150), 3 credits
Microbiology (EBIO 3400), 3 credits
Cell Biology (MCDB 3145), 3 credits
Immunology (IPHY 4600 or MCDB 4300), 3 credits

Courses in ethics, public health, communication, and other disciplines can also help you develop a broader understanding of healthcare and the diverse needs of patients.

Talk with your Pre-Health Advisor about which additional courses may complement your academic interests and professional goals.

Other Desired Traits and Experiences

Admission to a CAA program involves more than completing prerequisite courses. Programs want to see that you understand the profession, have explored healthcare environments, and possess the interpersonal and professional skills necessary to care for patients.

Shadowing and Clinical Exposure

Shadowing a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant or anesthesiologist is one of the most important ways to explore this career. Spending time observing anesthesia providers in an operating room can help you better understand the responsibilities of a CAA, the anesthesia care team, and the realities of working in a surgical environment.

Many CAA programs require a minimum number of anesthesia shadowing hours. For example, CU Anschutz requires at least eight hours of shadowing an anesthesia provider in an operating room and strongly encourages applicants to complete additional hours.

We recommend seeking opportunities to shadow more than one anesthesia provider, ideally in different clinical settings, to develop a broader understanding of the profession.

Direct Patient Interaction

Although CAA programs differ in their clinical experience requirements, gaining meaningful experience interacting directly with patients can strengthen your application and help prepare you for a career in healthcare.

Consider opportunities that allow you to communicate with patients, provide hands-on care, and develop a better understanding of the healthcare system. Examples include working or volunteering as a nursing assistant, medical assistant, emergency medical technician, or in other patient-facing healthcare roles.

Consistent involvement over time is generally more meaningful than accumulating hours solely to meet an application requirement. Focus on experiences that allow you to develop communication skills, compassion, reliability, and confidence working with patients.

Other

For example, shadowing a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant or anesthesiologist is one of the most important ways to explore this career. Spending time observing anesthesia providers in an operating room can help you better understand the responsibilities of a CAA, the anesthesia care team, and the realities of working in a surgical environment.