Updates

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Date: 
Updated 7/9/26

In keeping with its philosophy of offering a program of the highest quality, MTSA continually evaluates its educational program via its institutional effectiveness process and reserves the right to make changes in the policies, curriculum, or practicum at any time including any fees or costs related to these changes.  

The MTSA Student Handbook is updated annually. However, items in the handbook may change between publications. Such changes are expected to be minimal. Students will receive notification of these changes and are expected to abide by them. 

This page includes changes made after the current version of the handbook was initially published. 

Date

Title

Change Made

Applied to Cohort

This column includes the date change(s) made/approvedThis column includes the name of the policy/handbook section that was changed, with a link to itThis column includes a brief description of what change(s) was/were madeThis column includes the cohorts to which the change(s) will be applied.
7/9/20265.1.110 Student Lines of Communication Added Official MTSA Communication Channels section explaining that MTSA maintains all official channels of communication and resources, and students are responsible for using those official channels. Asks students to submit feedback.All currently enrolled students
7/9/20265.1.114 Student Standards of Conduct Added statement that prohibits students from publishing any information with MTSA’s information, logo, etc.All currently enrolled cohorts
7/9/20265.4.103 Policy of MTSA Clinical Standards Added ACLS, BLS & PALS requirement languageAll currently enrolled cohorts
7/9/2026New Student OnboardingExpanded ACLS, BLS & PALS certification requirement language to include that students must maintain certification (through AHA) throughout programAll currently enrolled cohorts
7/9/20265.1.106 Refund Policy/Withdrawal ProceduresAdded language to allow administrative withdrawal if a student completes the Course Participation Requirement Survey but does not participate in the course in any other way before the withdrawal deadline (60% of semester)All currently enrolled cohorts
7/9/2026Student AdvisementChanged “will to “may”; added language about simulation and wellness issuesAll currently enrolled cohorts
7/9/2026Graduation Requirements

Removed “including all DSLOs” and added the following

  • Achievement of all required program outcomes (COA Doctoral Student Learning Outcomes)  

  • Completion of all clinical case requirements 

All currently enrolled cohorts
7/9/2026SimulationAdded statement about simulation assistantAll currently enrolled cohorts
7/9/20265.4.112 Clinical Attendance and Expectations Policy Added simulation assistant sectionAll currently enrolled cohorts
7/9/2026Senior DayCreated pageAll currently enrolled cohorts
7/9/20265.4.107 Practice Doctorate Program Student Evaluations Added the Doctoral Student Learning Outcome Achievement VerificationAll currently enrolled cohorts
7/9/2026Verification of Doctoral Student Learning Outcome AchievementCreated pageAll currently enrolled cohorts
6/22/20265.4.103 Policy of MTSA Clinical Standards​Changed Clinical Instructor to Clinical Preceptor (consistent with COA language) & added "The program is responsible for ensuring its clinical supervision requirements are consistent with the COA Standards."All currently enrolled cohorts
6/22/2026Professional DevelopmentAdjusted language to increase clarity.All currently enrolled cohorts
6/22/20265.1.116 Student Appeals Policy​Added "Exhaustion of MTSA's internal appeals process does not preclude a student from filing a complaint with the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) or other appropriate regulatory or accrediting bodies."All currently enrolled cohorts
6/22/20265.4.103 Policy of MTSA Clinical StandardsAdded Clinical Vigilance & Electronic Device Use statementAll currently enrolled cohorts
6/22/2026Affiliate Site InformationStrengthened language explaining that students must complete clinical rotations as assigned, regardless of personal preferences.All currently enrolled cohorts
6/22/2026Student Advisement​Adjusted student advisement language to reflect new advising process.All currently enrolled cohorts
6/22/2026Appendix B: Institutional Statistics​Added language explaining that MTSA reports attrition rates, NCE pass rates, and employment 6 months after graduation annually, per COA requirementsAll currently enrolled cohorts
6/22/2026SimulationAdded language explaining that Simulation is integrated into didactic curriculumAll currently enrolled cohorts
6/22/2026PD Program - Specific Admissions RequirementsAdded “issued in the United States, its territories, or protectorates” to RN license requirements, per COA required languageAll currently enrolled cohorts
6/22/2026New Student OnboardingChanged New Student Orientation Course to MTSA Student Resource HubAll currently enrolled cohorts
6/22/2026Academic Calendar ChangesChanged “Deadline to drop courses without a grade” to “Deadline to drop courses without a grade & course participation deadline”All currently enrolled cohorts
6/22/2026Clinical Evaluation of Students​Changed red, yellow, and green card language to only be from clinical preceptors, not from academic faculty. Clinical instructor changed to clinical preceptor.All currently enrolled cohorts
6/8/2026Disbursement InformationAdjusted language indicating that any refunds would be mailed to that they will be issued.All currently enrolled cohorts
6/8/20265.4.112 Clinical Attendance and Expectations PolicyAdjusted language regarding the two (2) 5-day blocks of Vacation Break for clarity. Added language stating that students may only use a maximum of 4 comp days in semesters 3-5 and 4 comp days in semesters 6-9.All currently enrolled cohorts, starting Fall 2026
6/8/2026School Life and Wellness CommitteeUpdated language surrounding dissemination of information regarding dimensions of wellness, updated membership.All currently enrolled cohorts
6/8/2026Community Service ProgramChanged language from "mandatory service project" to "mandatory service participation".All currently enrolled cohorts
6/8/2026New Student OnboardingAdded link to new "Background Checks" section.All currently enrolled cohorts
6/8/2026Background ChecksNew item; students are responsible for submitting correct information or may be responsible for paying for a new background check if they submit incorrect information.All currently enrolled cohorts
6/8/2026Technology RequirementsAdded Surface Pro recommendation backAll currently enrolled cohorts
6/8/2026Clinical Support ServicesUpdated language for TB tests and background checks.All currently enrolled cohorts
6/8/2026ExpensesTB Skin testing updated language explaining that if students do not get TB tests from MTSA, they must get one elsewhere at their own expense. Expenses covered by student – Added statement requiring students to pay for background check if a new check is required due to mis-entered information.All currently enrolled cohorts
6/8/2026PD Program - Specific Admissions RequirementsAdded "Ability to Benefit" language from COAAll currently enrolled cohorts
6/8/2026Financial AssistanceUpdated verbiage under Student Loans section regarding Private Loans due to GradPLUS loan changesAll currently enrolled cohorts
6/8/2026President's WelcomeUpdated welcome messageAll currently enrolled cohorts
5/11/2026New Student OnboardingAdded ACLS, BLS & PALS language.Starting with the 2030 cohort
5/11/2026Application ChecklistRemoved ACLS/BLS requirement, added bachelor’s degree requirement & added link to full admissions requirements.Starting with the 2030 cohort
5/11/2026Admissions ContingenciesRemoved expectation to complete any courses/programs the applicant is enrolled in at the time of application.Starting with the 2030 cohort
5/11/2026Acceptance ProcessAdjusted language to increase clarityStarting with the 2030 cohort
5/11/2026The Personal InterviewArchived - added language to the Admissions Interview Process pageStarting with the 2030 cohort
5/11/2026Admissions Interview ProcessCombined the Personal Interview page with this page, eliminated duplicate language, and removed unnecessary language.Starting with the 2030 cohort
5/11/2026PD Program - Specific Admissions RequirementsMade changes to the admissions requirements for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle (2030 cohort)Starting with the 2030 cohort
5/11/2026Additional Qualifications for Admission, Progression, and GraduationAdded Health, Status, & Availability section & added language about SRNA motor requirementsAll currently enrolled cohorts
3/25/265.1.116 Student Appeals Policy Adjusted timeline to ensure that adequate time is given for each step of the process. All currently enrolled cohorts
3/25/26School Life & Wellness CommitteeAdjusted committee & class representative descriptions to describe current practices.All currently enrolled cohorts
2/26/265.4.101 Attendance Policy and ExpectationsRetired policy & replacing with 2 separate attendance policies (clinical & academic)All currently enrolled cohorts
2/26/26Academic Attendance & Expectations PolicyNew Policy (Replaces 5.4.101 Attendance Policy and Expectations)All currently enrolled cohorts
2/26/26Clinical Attendance & Expectations PolicyNew Policy (Replaces 5.4.101 Attendance Policy and Expectations)All currently enrolled cohorts
2/26/265.4.109 Student Drug Testing Policy

Added the following language: 

  • A positive drug screen result prior to enrollment may result in retraction of admission,
  • Clarifying that the options about returning to clinical is only availble if permitted.
  • Expanded reasoning for for-cause drug screens
  • Removed hair test specification for confirmational screening 
All currently enrolled cohorts
2/26/265.1.111 Student Drug & Alcohol PolicyAdded language to clarify medication disclosure requirements, emphasize that drug & alcohol use is prohibited, added 988 resource, and removed language about drug convictions & federal aid (no longer applicable). All currently enrolled cohorts
2/26/265.4.103 Policy of MTSA Clinical StandardsAdded the following languages: "If a student cancels a new Senior Elective site after the end of February of their third year in the program, they will be required to pay a $1,000 cancellation fee. The Program Director will review extenuating circumstances for potential fee exclusions." 
2/11/2026Graduation RequirementsAdded information about fee required for program extensions.All currently enrolled cohorts
2/11/26Campus Location & Academic Student FacilitiesRemoved language about mailboxesAll currently enrolled cohorts
2/11/26Facility AccessAdjusted job titles & included language about returning student IDsAll currently enrolled cohorts