Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Programs
Nurses with a passion for mental health who want to take their careers to a higher level can opt to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). With both Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) pathways, students have a wealth of educational program options for the specialty. With just a few years of schooling, a rewarding psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP) career can be achieved.
Choosing a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program
Students who want to choose a great psychiatric nurse practitioner program should keep the following in mind when researching schools:
Accreditation
It's important to pick a psychiatric nurse practitioner program that's accredited by a nationally recognized organization, such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and/or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Programs may also hold various local and regional accreditations as well. Accreditations demonstrate that the program is held to rigorous standards.
Program Cost
Psychiatric nurse practitioner program tuition is typically listed per credit hour. Both MSN and DNP level programs can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 or more per credit, depending on the school, state, and degree level chosen. DNP programs are generally more expensive, as they require more credits than MSN programs. Tuition costs usually do not include extra expenses, such as books, program fees, and other mandatory fees.
Program Length
A typical MSN-level psychiatric nurse practitioner program requires roughly 50 credits for completion. Part-time and full-time study options are readily available, so students can finish in anywhere from 8 to 11 semesters. Doctoral programs require closer to 75 total credits and can take 3-5 years to complete, depending on whether a student attends full or part-time. Both program options require a minimum number of clinical hours as well.
Internship/Externship Opportunities
With clinical hours being a requirement of psychiatric nurse practitioner programs, many schools have special relationships with nearby hospitals and medical facilities to facilitate this. Students can inquire about what internship opportunities are available and where, and may even be able to choose their own preceptor sites.
Online/Campus Options
In this age of technology, many schools are now offering online psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in addition to traditional, campus-based programs. Some schools even offer a "hybrid" program, allowing students to take many courses online but also offering classroom-based lectures and labs.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner FAQs
Public health emergencies and disasters often have unique challenges that require flexible solutions. Different disasters and emergencies necessitate different health service needs, depending on who they impact and how.
Exposure to disasters, including hurricanes, fires, floods, and contagious disease outbreaks can severely affect many individuals' mental health, which can add to the rising needs of services that are already stretched thin.
During times of crisis, it is critical that mental health professionals, including psychiatric nurses and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), provide services immediately after the event. Populations exposed to traumatic events frequently experience anxiety, depression, grief, and mental stress. It is not uncommon for people to attempt to regulate their mental disorders through alcohol and substance abuse. If mental health professionals cannot make themselves available physically - for instance, due to road closures after a natural disaster - telehealth options can be utilized to ensure that patients are able to access care quickly.
Following an emergency or natural disaster, it is normal for mental health administrators to be overextended. Through careful planning, implementation, and community efforts, clinics can apply trauma knowledge to their communities. Survivors of natural disasters must get the PTSD care they need, along with other mental health needs.
Mental health professionals, especially psychiatric nurses, are in high demand in the face of shortages, especially in rural areas. According to reports, one in five Americans has a mental health or substance abuse issue. Across the country, many patients are burdened with unmet needs, which is where telehealth comes in.
Mental health treatments do not rely on a physical exam or contact to treat medical conditions. Most mental health sessions rely on emotional connections and the ability to hold conversations. Often, a video or phone platform is sufficient for creating a safe space. During times of crisis or natural disasters, telehealth psychiatric sessions can remove stress and fears that come with traveling beyond the safety of one’s home.
Telehealth services can impact mental health by addressing the nationwide shortage of mental health professionals. Now, a psychiatric nurse can extend their geographic sessions and treat patients who are hundreds of miles away. This allows our telehealth psychiatric care to grow and meet the demands of many Americans.
Access to mental health services is critical, especially for mobility-challenged patients, those unable to leave the house, those lacking dependable transportation, and those who live in remote areas. Many psychiatrists and therapists are able to lower their hourly fees to treat low-income patients without having to leave their homes.
Depending on where a psychiatric nurse practitioner works, the dress code can be variable.
Psychiatric NPs working in acute care (i.e., emergency rooms or inpatient units) may wear scrubs and a lab coat with the facility logo. They can also wear professional, business attire with or without a lab coat. It depends on the facility.
Psychiatric NPs working in the clinic setting can wear business attire. A lab coat may or may not be required by the organization. Some feel that providers who do not wear scrubs and a lab coat are more "approachable" therefore allowing patients to be more receptive to care. It helps place patients at ease and makes them feel more comfortable. Many psychiatric nurse practitioners prefer a less “clinical” environment when treating patients, and shunning the scrubs and lab coat helps build a quiet, comforting environment.
Regardless of the setting, psychiatric nurse practitioners must also consider safety when choosing professional attire. Sometimes patients experience acute mental illnesses and may view the provider as a threat. Dangling jewelry, lanyards, strings, neckties, and even belt loops can be grabbed and used to harm a provider. Dressing for safety as well as professionalism is essential in the field of mental health.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Degree Levels Offered
Two advanced nursing options are available for those interested in becoming psychiatric nurse practitioners. A master's level program, which gives students the high-level education needed to enter this advanced field, and a doctoral program for those who want an even more elevated educational experience.
MSN Programs
The master's level psychiatric nurse practitioner program prepares nurses to perform mental health assessments and interventions on children, teens, and adults. The curriculum consists of both advanced general nursing courses and specialized psychiatric nursing courses. Classes taken may include Integrated Behavioral Health Care and Common Psychiatric Presentations, Diagnoses and Management of Adults for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics. The University of Colorado, for example, offers both full-time and accelerated MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs.
RN to MSN Programs
For nurses who are interested in pursuing a career as a psychiatric NP but have not completed their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, an RN to MSN bridge program may be a good first step. RN to MSN programs allow registered nurses who have an ADN or non-nursing bachelor's degree to complete their BSN and MSN simultaneously. There is also certain RN to MSN programs that specialize in the psychiatric nurse practitioner role by offering courses in psychotherapy with individuals, psychotherapy with groups, and psychopharmacologic approaches to the treatment of psychopathology. One example of these programs is offered at Walden University, which prepares students to provide care for patients with psychiatric disorders, medical brain disorders, and patients with substance abuse problems.
DNP Programs
Doctoral psychiatric nurse practitioner programs take a more complex approach to the curriculum, preparing nurses to utilize a full scope of therapies and emphasizing leadership. Courses taken may include Theory of Psychopharmacology from a Neurological Basis, Therapeutic Modalities, and Organizational Systems and Leadership. Washington State University, as an example, offers a DNP-level Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program.
RELATED: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner vs. Psychiatrist: Which Path is Right for You?
RN to DNP Programs
Another route to a career as a psychiatric nurse practitioner for nurses who have completed their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is a BSN to DNP bridge program. BSN to DNP programs are specially designed to allow students to complete their master's and doctoral degrees in nursing simultaneously. Some BSN to DNP programs are tailored for aspiring psychiatric nurse practitioners, such as the one at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which offers courses in advanced psychiatric mental health nursing, counseling models for advanced practice psychiatric nursing, and neuroscience of pharmacology for advanced practice nursing.
See our list of post master’s psychiatric NP graduate certificate programs.
Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Programs
Prospective psychiatric nurse practitioner students are often incredibly busy with work, family, and other obligations. This has prompted many schools to offer online programs to accommodate these students. Keep in mind, however, that some online programs may still require a few trips to campus for various orientations, and clinical hours will still need to be completed in person.
Advantages of an Online Program
Online psychiatric nurse practitioner programs offer the most convenience and flexibility. Students enrolled in these programs are able to take courses from the comfort of their own homes, at times that suit their schedules. This is particularly ideal for those who don't have a university within feasible commuting distance. Speaking of commuting, online programs also eliminate the expenses associated with transportation, including gas, parking fees, and more.
Program Accreditation
Those apprehensive about opting for an online psychiatric nurse practitioner program should look for schools that offer fully accredited programs. Like campus-based programs, CCNE and ACEN are two reputable accreditations to search for. Many large universities offer an online or hybrid version of their programs.
Costs and Length
Credit requirements are the same for online psychiatric nurse practitioner programs as they are for campus-based versions. Total length can be more variable for online programs, though, as they tend to offer more flexibility when it comes to program entrance and course completion. Tuition also falls in a similar range, from $500 per credit and up, though students tend to have a lot more options when it comes to online programs. As an example, Drexel University offers an online MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program which charges approximately $1,046 per credit.
What Are the Admissions and Certification Requirements?
Admissions requirements for most psychiatric nurse practitioner programs include:
- BSN or higher from an accredited university
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Resume or CV
- 1 or more years of clinical experience may be required
- Official transcripts from all schools attended
- Reference letters
Certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) can be obtained through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Eligibility requirements include:
- Must hold a current, U.S. RN license
- Graduate of an accredited psychiatric nurse practitioner program (MSN or DNP)
- Must have completed clinical training in at least two psychotherapeutic treatment modalities
List of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Psychiatric nurse practitioner programs are available across the country, see the following campus, hybrid, and online nurse practitioner programs by state.
Jump to Your State Listings
Alabama
Samford University
Birmingham, AL 35229
(205) 726-2011
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 348-6639
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL 35294
(205) 975-7529
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL 36688
(251) 445-9400
Alaska
University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 786-4406
Arizona
Arizona State University
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(480) 965-7788
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721
(520) 626-6154
Arkansas
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 686-7000
California
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA 91702
(626) 969-3434
Brandman University
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 341-9800
Cal State LA
Los Angeles, CA 90032
(323) 343-3000
California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA 90840
(562) 985-4111
California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA 92096
(760) 750-4000
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA 92350
(909) 558-4923
National University
San Diego, CA 92123
(800) 628-8648
University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, CA 94143
(415) 476-1435
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 260-4600
Colorado
Colorado State University Pueblo
Pueblo, CO 81001
(719) 549-2462
University of Colorado
Aurora, CO 80045
(303) 724-2152
Connecticut
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 254-4000
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT 06825
(877) 791-7181
University of Saint Joseph
West Hartford, CT 06117
(186) 023-2457 x1
Yale University
Orange, CT 06477
(203) 785-2389
Delaware
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716
(302) 831-1253
Florida
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(561) 297-6261
Florida International University
Miami, FL 33199
(305) 348-7703
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306
(850) 644-5621
Nova Southeastern University - Miramar
Miramar, FL 33025
(954) 262-9498
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL 33124
(305) 284-3666
Georgia
Augusta University
Augusta, GA 30912
(706) 721-9767
Georgia College
Milledgeville,, GA 31061
(800) 342-0471
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA 30458
(912) 478-4636
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 413-2000
Idaho
Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID 83209
(208) 282-2102
Illinois
Rush University
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 942-7100
Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing
Peoria, IL 61603
(309) 655-2201
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL 62025
(888) 328-5168
University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford
Rockford, IL 61107
(815) 395-0600
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 996-7800
University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL 60435
(800) 735-7500
Indiana
Indiana University
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 274-2806
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, IN 46953
(866) 468-6498
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN 47712
(812) 464-8600
Iowa
Allen College
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 226-2000
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA 51104
(800) 662-3303
Clarke University
Dubuque, IA 52001
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
(319) 335-7018
Kansas
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
(785) 864-6414
Washburn University
Topeka, KS 66621
(785) 670-1010
Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky University
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate - Family (Post-MSN) Online
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-MSN) Online
- Psychiatric Mental Health Online
Richmond, KY 40475
(859) 622-1000
Frontier Nursing University
- Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Online
Hyden, KY 41749
(606) 672-2312
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY 41099
(800) 985-7215
University Of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 852-5825
University of Kentucky College of Nursing
Lexington, KY 40536
(859) 323-5108
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 745-0111
Louisiana
Louisiana State University New Orleans
New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 568-4200
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA 70609
(337) 475-5000
Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, LA 70301
(187) 764-2465 x7
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6011
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA 70402
(985) 549-5637
Maine
University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME 04104
(180) 080-0487 x6
Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD 21205
(410) 955-4766
University of Maryland
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 706-6109
Massachusetts
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 552-4250
MGH Institute Of Health Professions
Boston, MA 02129
(617) 726-2947
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy And Health Sciences
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 879-5964
Northeastern University
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 373-2000
Regis University
Weston, MA 02493
(781) 768-7000
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA 01003
(413) 545-2703
Michigan
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI 49283
University of Michigan- Flint
Flint, MI 48502
(810) 762-3300
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI 48202
Minnesota
The College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN 55811
(800) 447-5444
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 624-9600
Winona State University
Rochester, MN 55904
(507) 285-7100
Winona State University Rochester
Rochester, MN 55904
(507) 285-7100
Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
(601) 266-1000
University Of Mississippi Medical Center
Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 984-1000
Missouri
Maryville University
St. Louis, MO 63141
(314) 529-9300
Mizzou Online
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-2491
University of Missouri - St. Louis
St. Louis, MO 63121
(314) 516-5000
University of Missouri Health
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-0277
University of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO 64110
(816) 235-1000
Montana
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717
(406) 994-3783
Nebraska
Clarkson College
Omaha, NE 68131
(402) 552-3100
Creighton University
Omaha, NE 68178
(402) 280-2700
University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Psychiatric Mental Health NP Campus
Omaha, NE 68198
(402) 559-4000
Nevada
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV 89154
(702) 895-3011
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV 89557
(775) 784-1110
New Hampshire
Rivier University
Nashua, NH 03060
(603) 888-1311
The University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862-1177
New Jersey
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Teaneck, NJ 07666
(201) 692-2000
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ 07764
(732) 571-3400
Rutgers School of Nursing
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 972-4307
Seton Hall University
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Online
South Orange, NJ 07079
New Mexico
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003
(575) 646-3812
The University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131
(505) 272-0858
New York
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY 11530
(800) 233-5744
Binghamton University
Binghamton, NY 13902
(607) 777-2000
Columbia University
New York, NY 10032
(212) 305-5756
D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY 14201
(716) 829-8000
Hunter College
NY, NY 10065
(212) 772-4000
Mount Saint Mary College
Newburgh, NY 12550
(845) 561-0800
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing
- Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Campus
- Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Campus
New York, NY 10010
(212) 998-5300
St. John Fisher College
Rochester, NY 14618
(585) 385-8000
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY 11794
(631) 689-8333
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14214
(716) 645-2000
North Carolina
Duke University
- Psychiatric Mental Health NP Online
Durham, NC 27710
(919) 684-3786
The University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
(919) 962-2211
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 962-3000
North Dakota
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND 58202
(701) 777-3000
Ohio
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 368-2000
Kent State University
Kent, OH 44242
Ohio University
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online Campus
Athens, OH 45701
(740) 593-1000
Otterbein University
Westerville, OH 43081
(614) 890-3000
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH 43210
(614) 292-4041
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325
(330) 972-7111
The University of Toledo
Toledo, OH 43606
(800) 586-5336
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH 45220
(513) 556-0000
Ursuline College
Pepper Pike, OH 44124
(440) 449-4200
Wright State University
Dayton, OH 45431
(937) 775-3333
Oregon
Oregon Health & Sciences University
Portland, OR 97239
(503) 494-8311
Pennsylvania
DeSales University
Center Valley, PA 18034
(610) 282-1100 x2838
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 895-2000
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA 19141
(215) 951-1000
Robert Morris University
Moon Township, PA 15108
(800) 762-0097
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Campus
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Campus
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-8281
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
(412) 624-4586
South Carolina
Anderson University
Anderson, SC 29621
(864) 231-2000
Francis Marion University
Florence, SC 29502
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
(803) 777-7412
South Dakota
Mount Marty College
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 668-1545
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007
(605) 688-4114
Tennessee
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN 37614
(855) 590-3878
King University
Briston, TN 37620
Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, TN 37752
(423) 869-3611
Tennessee Tech University
Cookeville, TN 38505
(931) 372-3101
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center- Memphis
Memphis, TN 38163
(901) 448-5500
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN 37996
(865) 974-4151
Union University
Jackson, TN 38305
(731) 661-6545
Texas
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX 76308
(940) 397-4000
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX 79430
(806) 743-2730
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
- Psych/Mental Health Hybrid
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 500-2000
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, TX 78539
(888) 882-4026
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX 78712
(512) 471-3434
The University of Texas at Tyler
Tyler, TX 75799
(903) 566-7000
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio - UT Health San Antonio
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210) 567-7000
Utah
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
(801) 581-3414
Vermont
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405
(802) 656-3131
Virginia
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 993-1000
Radford University
Radford, VA 24141
(540) 831-5000
Shenandoah University
- BSN-to-DNP: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Campus
- Post Graduate DNP: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Campus
Winchester, VA 22601
(540) 665-4500
University of Virginia
- Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Campus
- Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Campus
Charlottesville, VA 22903-3388
(434) 924-0141
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA 23298
(804) 828-0724
Washington
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 328-4220
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA 98447
(253) 535-7411
Seattle University
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 296-6000
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
(206) 543-2100
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164
(509) 335-3564
Washington State University Vancouver
Vancouver, WA 98686
(360) 546-9788
West Virginia
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV 26506
(304) 293-0111
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Buckhannon, WV 26201
(304) 473-8000
Wisconsin
Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI 53234
(414) 382-6000
University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Psychiatric Mental Health Hybrid
Madison, WI 53715
(608) 263-2400
Wyoming
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY 82071
(307) 766-1121
Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.