Program Details:
- Credit Hours: 45
- Courses in Program: 17
- Cost Per Credit: $1,220
- Transfer Credits Accepted: 9
- Estimated Completion Time: 2.5 to 3.5 years
Help address the need for mental health care with D’Youville University’s online psychiatric nurse practitioner program.
Even before the turmoil of the last several years, there was a pressing national need for better access to mental health services. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) can play an important role in helping people receive support for depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and many other mental health issues.
In most states, PMHNPs can provide counseling and prescription services to patients with acute or chronic mental health conditions. If you have at least one year of experience working as a registered nurse (RN) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), you can prepare to make a difference with D’Youville University.
Our online Master of Science – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program (MS-PMHNP) offers the clinical education you need to provide primary mental health services to patients across the lifespan. Combining interactive online coursework with 780 hours of hands-on clinical practicum experiences, this program teaches advanced knowledge and skills in:
- Psychotherapy
- Individual and group counseling
- Prescription writing
- Advanced pathophysiology
- Mental health assessment and intervention
On your journey toward becoming a mental health care provider, you’ll benefit from personal attention offered by D’Youville nursing faculty—all of whom bring clinical experience to the courses they teach.
This program meets licensure requirements in the state of New York. Note that PMHNP is not a recognized credential for Extended Class Advanced Practice Certification as a nurse practitioner in Ontario.
Who This Program Is For
The online MS-PMHNP is a 40-credit master’s degree program. It offers a flexible pathway into primary mental health care for bachelor’s-qualified nurses and other students who want to serve families. These include:
-Have an active, unencumbered RN license
-Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN)
-Have at least one year of work experience as a registered nurse in a related field
If you pursue the MS-PMHNP as a full-time student, you can complete the program in as few as two years. If you earn the degree while continuing to work, you can finish in as few as three years. Whichever option you choose, you’ll have more control over your schedule thanks to the flexibility of classes that are mainly delivered online.
COURSES AND REQUIREMENTS
This program is for working nurses who have earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing. International medical graduates, unmatched medical students, and others who wish to apply must also be working nurses and complete a BSN program before pursuing the MS-PMHNP.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
We require that applicants hold a bachelor’s degree and have completed at least one year of practice as a registered nurse in a psychiatric or mental health setting. To apply, prospective students must:
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a CCNE or NLNAC (ACEN) accredited program at a college or university in the US.
- A curriculum vitae (CV)/ current resume documenting at least one year of practice as a registered nurse with a baccalaureate degree.
- Official transcripts from all college/ universities attended.*
- College transcripts must show completion of a 3-credit descriptive statistics course or equivalent with a grade of C or better.
- An overall G.P.A. of at least 3.00. Applicants whose overall G.P.A. was between 2.70–2.99 will be considered based on their professional experience and CV. Preferential admissions will be given to applicants with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher.
- Active unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in the state or province in which the student resides.
- A current CPR certification with a psychomotor component.
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Course must be completed in-person and equivalent to America or Canadian Red Cross Certification
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- Applicants who work full-time are not eligible to complete the Family Nurse Practitioner track on the planned two-year completion timeline.
- Canadian students: D’Youville is proud to welcome Canadian applicants to our online programs. Our program is 100% online and therefore does not require any visa to attend.
*Non-U.S. students must submit a “course-by-course” evaluation (or equivalent) of all college and/or university transcripts through the World Education Services (WES) or other approved foreign transcript evaluation agencies.
**A student who meets the entry requirements and is currently or previously enrolled in a nurse practitioner program at another college or university must obtain a letter from their current school of nursing stating the student is in good standing, not on probation, and able to register for classes. Students who were dismissed for any reason from a graduate nursing program will not be considered for admission.
TUITION AND FEES
Tuition and fees vary based on your program of study and whether you are considered a full- or part-time student. Financial aid is available for those who qualify and can be applied to full- and part-time status.
Entering the program with previous academic credit can help lower your cost. Below, you’ll find information about the potential cost of your program.
| COST | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Program Tuition | $1,220 per credit hour | $54,900 |
| Fees Per Semester | $305* | $1,525 |
| Full Program Total | $56,425 | |
CAREER OUTCOMES
Becoming certified as a PMHNP prepares you for mental health care service in community settings as well as inpatient mental health facilities. General demand for nurse practitioners across all specialties is projected to grow rapidly over the next decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for nurse practitioners will grow by 52% from 2020-2030, making this one of the fastest-growing occupations in the nation.[1]
[1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-6
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners
PMHNPs support patient mental health through assessment, diagnosis, and counseling. Although their exact scope of practice may vary by state, PHMNPs can generally provide mental health counseling, make referrals, and prescribe medications. As of May 2021, nurse practitioners across all specialties earned a median annual salary of $120,680 per year.[1]
[1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-5
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
Start your journey toward a new chapter as a psychiatric mental health NP with D’Youville. Fill out an information form today!