DNP- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
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| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2026-09-01 | - |
| 2027-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
DNP- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program
Overview
A PMHNP is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who provides mental health care to families, individuals, and populations across the lifespan. The PMHNP works primarily in hospitals, psychiatric facilities, outpatient clinics, substance abuse programs, and private psychiatric or mental health practices to diagnose conditions and prescribe treatments.
Why Choose PMHNP?
Students should choose the PMHNP track if they enjoy working with diverse communities and focusing on mental health across the lifespan. As a PMHNP, the student will learn how to deliver family-focused care in diverse settings to patients from different backgrounds, including underserved and vulnerable populations.
Sites of Practice
Graduates from our PMHNP track practice independently and serve as valued members of larger health care teams. Our graduates practice in a range of settings and with diverse populations, including:
- Correctional facilities
- Community health centers (urban and rural)
- Home health agencies
- Inpatient settings
- Veteran's facilities
- Integrated primary care and behavioral health settings
- Outpatient clinics (community mental health, private practice)
- Schools/Universities
Our PMHNP students are prepared to:
- Partner with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams to promote and support optimal mental health
- Perform physical, psychological, and psychiatric assessments, including ordering and interpreting psychiatric related diagnostic testing
- Provide evidence-based care to patients with psychiatric and mental health conditions
- Establish differential diagnoses, provide psychotherapies, interventions, and manage psychotropic medications
- Support nursing and the role of the PMHNP
Available Pathways
- Post Master's NP to Psychiatric Mental Health DNP
- BSN to DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Expected Costs
All DNP Program Costs
- COMPLIO: $154
- Typhon: $90
- Books: $750
- Tuition for PMH Track:
- In-State: $444.26 (per credit hour)
- Out of State: $1,075.66 (per credit hour)
Curriculum
Our DNP program prepares the learner for an advanced practice role and to capably apply evidence to nursing practice consistent with improved patient outcomes. The DNP program's academic (didactic) curriculum and required clinical hours provide each student with a solid foundation to become a leader in the advanced practice nursing profession.
Program by Year
Year 1
Year one of the DNP program is offered online and requires no campus visits. Students will complete core DNP academic classwork with peers across all DNP tracks in the College of Nursing.
Year 2
The second year includes track-focused classes, seminars, and clinical experiences.
Year 3
Students will work with faculty to complete an Evidence-based Quality Improvement DNP project/product based on AACN's The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice in collaboration with a clinical agency or organization local to the student.
Application Requirements
- BSN degree from a nationally accredited program with an upper division grade point average of 3.0 or higher or hold an MSN in a Nurse Practitioner track and be a nationally certified APRN with a graduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
- Unencumbered and unrestricted APRN license
- Three letters of recommendation
- Current CV or resume
National Certifications
After completing the PMHNP track, students are eligible to sit for the PMHNP certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).