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Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, DNP

Program Overview

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program offers two options for completion, based on your level of degree upon entry. The focus is on the diagnosis and management of psychiatric conditions including the provision of psychotherapy and psychotropic medication management.

Plans of Study

The PMHNP program is open to registered nurses who already hold a bachelor's degree or master’s degree and are interested in providing mental health services for patients across the lifespan in a variety of healthcare settings.

PMHNP DNP for Nurses with a Bachelor's Degree

  • Delivery format: Hybrid in-person and online format.
  • Time to degree: Four years.

View Learning Outcomes & Degree Requirements

PMHNP DNP for Nurses with a Master's Degree

  • Delivery format: Hybrid in-person and online format.
  • Time to degree: Three years.

View Learning Outcomes & Degree Requirements

Master of Public Health Dual Degree Option

The PMHNP program offers the opportunity to earn a Master of Public Health along the way, saving time and streamlining required coursework for the two degrees.

View Learning Outcomes & Degree Requirements

Post-Doctoral Certificate

A practitioner certificate is available for individuals with an earned doctorate.

PMHNP Certificate

Program Delivery

  • Hybrid Instruction - Through direct instruction by faculty members we ensure a robust learning experience by combining in-person attendance along with online instruction. We are committed to accessible education for the working professional and continue to develop our program to ensure a quality learning and interactive experience between faculty and students.
  • You attend teaching weekends Friday (8 a.m. – 9 p.m.) and Saturday (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.). For dates, see our teaching weekend schedule. In-person requirements for courses will be confirmed by faculty.

Clinical/Practicum Hours

PMHNP students complete approximately 1,000–1,200 clinical hours throughout the program. The number of hours varies depending on which plan of study students choose to pursue.

Upon completion of the program, you will have completed the required coursework and clinical hours to meet the AACN Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice.

State Authorization

Please check our State Authorization Status List for the states and territories from which we can enroll students in specific online degree programs.

Teaching Weekend Schedule

Earn a degree while working full-time. Learn more about our teaching weekend schedule.

Nina Diez