Mississippi offers two accredited PMHNP programs at UMC and USM with tuition between $562 and $572 cost per credit. Completion times typically spanning 1.5 to 3 years full-time based on degree level, with online formats. Click any school name for a full profile with admission requirements, curriculum, clinical hours, tuition, and accreditation.
UMC vs USM PMHNP Comparison
| School | Format | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mississippi (UMC) Jackson | Online | $562 | MSN – Family PMHNP BSN–DNP Certificate | Low-cost 100% online |
| University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg | Mostly Online | $572 | BSN–DNP Certificate | BSN–DNP with strict progression rules |
Best For
- University of Southern Mississippi — Guaranteed preceptor placement
- University of Mississippi Medical Center — Clinical network depth
Both institutions maintain CCNE accreditation and provide access to extensive clinical networks across Mississippi’s healthcare landscape.
Mississippi PMHNP Program Summaries
UMC PMHNP Programs
Jackson | $562 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Online
UMMC School of Nursing PMHNP pathways are designed for working nurses, with small class sizes, direct faculty engagement, and low in-state tuition. Learners complete robust clinical immersions—about 630 hours in the MSN and ~1,230 hours in the BSN–DNP—through UMMC’s 200+ affiliated sites. As Mississippi’s only academic health science center and home to the state’s Level I trauma center and children’s hospital, UMMC pairs breadth of placements with evidence-based practice leadership (JBI Centre of Excellence; Cochrane US affiliation). Graduates are prepared to assess, diagnose, and treat psychiatric conditions across the lifespan with both psychopharmacologic and psychotherapeutic approaches...read more.
University of Southern Mississippi PMHNP Program
Hattiesburg | $572 cpc | Certificate / BSN-DNP | Mostly Online
USM offers two PMHNP options: a 73-credit BSN-to-DNP completed in about three years and a 28-credit post-graduate certificate finished in roughly five semesters. Coursework is primarily online with one campus visit each semester, and students complete clinicals in their home communities with faculty-supported placements. Progression is rigorous (maximum of two C grades) and at least one year of mental health experience is required before beginning clinical courses. Programs align with NONPF competencies and USM’s nursing programs are CCNE-accredited...read more.
How to Choose the Best PMHNP Program for You
Which Mississippi PMHNP Program Fits Your Goals?
University of Mississippi Medical Center is the strongest choice if you want the widest range of entry points — the state’s only MSN option plus DNP and certificate tracks, all 100% online. Backed by 200+ affiliated clinical sites.
University of Southern Mississippi is the value option, offering Mississippi’s cheapest fixed-cost certificate ($16,016) and a slightly lower DNP total, with faculty-arranged clinical placements that eliminate preceptor hunting.
Mississippi BSN-DNP-PMHNP Programs
Two Mississippi universities offer BSN-to-DNP PMHNP pathways at nearly identical cost. Southern Miss has a slight tuition edge and arranges clinical preceptors for students, while UMC delivers 100% online coursework backed by the state’s only academic medical center and 200+ affiliated clinical sites.
| School | Track | Total Cost | Credits | Cost/Credit | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mississippi Medical Center | BSN-to-DNP | $42,150 | 75 | $562 | ~3 years | 1,230 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | BSN-to-DNP | $41,756 | 73 | $572 | ~3 years | Not clearly stated |
Highlights
- Lowest estimated DNP tuition: University of Southern Mississippi (by ~$400)
- Faculty-arranged clinical placements (no preceptor hunting): University of Southern Mississippi
- Largest clinical network: UMC (200+ affiliated sites, state’s only Level 1 trauma center and children’s hospital)
- Only 100% online DNP: University of Mississippi Medical Center
Mississippi BSN-MSN-PMHNP Programs
UMC is the only Mississippi school offering an MSN-level PMHNP. The Family PMHNP track is delivered 100% online at the state’s resident tuition rate for online students, who pay a $150-per-semester distance learning fee instead of the non-resident surcharge.
| School | Total Cost | Credits | Cost/Credit | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mississippi Medical Center | $25,852 | 46 | $562 | ~2 years FT | 630 |
Highlights
- 100% online with access to 200+ affiliated clinical sites
- One year of RN experience required before admission
Mississippi Post-Graduate Certificate Programs
Both Mississippi universities offer post-master’s certificate pathways. Southern Miss publishes the only fixed cost estimate ($16,016), while UMC individualizes each certificate plan — and its cost — through a gap analysis of prior graduate coursework.
| School | Total Cost | Credits | Cost/Credit | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mississippi Medical Center | Varies (gap analysis) | Individualized | $562 | 1–2 years |
| University of Southern Mississippi | $16,016 | ~28 * | $572 | 1.5–2 years |
*Southern Miss does not publish a certificate credit total; ~28 is derived from the $16,016 estimate at $572/credit.
Highlights
- Only fixed-cost certificate: University of Southern Mississippi ($16,016)
- Shortest potential completion for certified NPs: UMC (individualized plans shorten with prior NP certification)
- Only 100% online certificate: University of Mississippi Medical Center
National Online Programs
Expand your options beyond the local schools above to include national online programs.
Post University PMHNP Programs
National | $604 cpc | BSN-MSN | Online
Post University delivers its MSN-PMHNP Specialization entirely online with monthly enrollment opportunities and one-class-at-a-time progression through 8-week terms costing around $30,000-$31,000 over approximately 34 months of study. The program requires mandatory APEA 3P Exam passage after completing the foundational "3 Ps" courses, with Diagnostic Reasoning course required for students who don't pass, ensuring clinical readiness before advancing to psychiatric specialization coursework. Student success advisors provide one-on-one support throughout the program while flexible scheduling and practice-focused curriculum prepare graduates to make positive impacts on mental health care in their communities.
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
National | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN / DNP | Online
Purdue Global delivers three PMHNP tracks online—Certificate, MSN focus, and MSN-to-DNP—with CCNE accreditation and immersive VR activities. Typical costs are ~$20,160 for the certificate (~1.5 years) and ~$32,760 for the MSN (~2 years), followed by the DNP phase for MSN-to-DNP students. The program is authorized for Mississippi residents.
Walden University PMHNP Programs
National | $775 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP / MSN-DNP / DNP | Online
Mississippi nurses looking to become psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners can benefit from Walden University’s online PMHNP programs, which accommodate working RNs and APRNs throughout the state. The Practicum Pledge® supports Mississippi students in securing clinical placements for direct patient care experience, no matter where they reside. Comprehensive coursework and simulation labs prepare graduates for PMHNP board exams and advanced roles in Mississippi’s mental health field.
WGU PMHNP Programs
National | flat rate cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN | Online
WGU offers two competitive, CCNE-accredited pathways—a BSN-to-MSN and a Post-Master’s Certificate—for nurses aiming to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The competency-based structure allows students to progress quickly through familiar material, though the required 650 clinical hours ensure a minimum completion time of 1.5 to 2.5 years. The full MSN path totals around $36,000 and provides in-depth training on providing comprehensive mental healthcare for individuals and families across the lifespan.
Wilkes University PMHNP Programs
National | $751 cpc | Certificate / RN-MSN / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Online
Wilkes University’s PMHNP pathways provide Mississippi nurses with online MSN, certificate, and DNP options tailored for working professionals who need flexibility. Mississippi students benefit from built-in clinical placement services that help secure appropriate mental health practicum sites within driving distance. The program’s emphasis on rural and underserved populations prepares graduates to address significant behavioral health gaps across Mississippi.