Since there are no campus based PMHNP programs in Wyoming, students often find themselves choosing between regional powerhouses like Nightingale College (which has a major presence in the Mountain West) and national online leaders like Post University, Purdue Global, and Walden.
By including these national options, Wyoming nurses gain access to significantly more start dates and varying clinical hour requirements, which is essential given the rural nature of the state and the potential difficulty of securing local preceptors.
| School | Est. Cost Range | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Walden University | MSN to DNP: ≈ $70K (3 yrs) BSN to DNP: ≈ $75K (3.25 yrs) MSN: ≈ $45K (2.5 yrs) Certificate ≈ $36K (varies) | – Guided clinical placement, virtual skills labs – Fits working nurses who need maximum flexibility |
| Nightingale College | MSN: ≈ $35K (2 yrs) | – Online MSN-PMHNP with 810 clinical hours – 1 in-person seminar & 6 semesters of coursework – Fits nurses seeking a fast 24-month path with direct clinical focus |
| Post University | MSN: ≈ $31K (≈34 months) | – Fully online MSN-PMHNP with 630 clinical hours – Monthly start dates, and 8-week courses taken one at a time – Fits nurses who need extended completion timelines |
| Purdue Global | Certificate: ≈ $21K (1.5 yrs) MSN: ≈ $33K (≈2 yrs) MSN-DNP: ≈ Cost Varies | – Online PMHNP with VR learning modules and local clinicals. – Fits nurses seeking flexible MSN or certificate entry |
| Western Governors University | MSN: ≈ $36K (2.5 yrs min) Certificate: ≈ $22K (1.5 yrs min) | – Competency-based PMHNP with 650 clinical hours – Flat-rate tuition – Fits self-paced learners who want cost control |
Program Summaries List
Nightingale College PMHNP Program
online | $550 cpc | MSN
The Nightingale College MSN-PMHNP program is authorized to enroll residents of Wyoming, providing a fully remote pathway to an advanced degree. This CCNE-accredited program spans 24 months and requires the completion of 55 credit hours, which includes over 800 hours of clinical experience to be fulfilled within the state. Graduates will meet the educational standards necessary to sit for the national ANCC certification and apply for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure in Wyoming.
Post University PMHNP Programs
online | $604 cpc | MSN
The MSN-PMHNP program at Post University's American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences delivers practice-focused psychiatric nursing education at approximately $30K-$32K with core courses costing $588 per credit and NP population-focused courses at around $604 per credit over roughly 34 months. Wyoming residents and students in 42 other approved states can access the fully online curriculum featuring mandatory APEA 3P Exam passage after completing pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment foundations, with Diagnostic Reasoning course required for non-passing students. Graduates prepare to sit for ANCC nurse practitioner certification after completing 630 supervised clinical hours emphasizing culturally competent, patient-centered mental healthcare for individuals presenting with conditions ranging from mild depression and anxiety to significantly disabling psychiatric disorders.
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
online | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
The online PMHNP programs from Purdue Global are authorized for enrollment in Wyoming, providing three CCNE-accredited options: a Post-Graduate Certificate, MSN, and MSN-DNP program. These programs prepare students for national certification and subsequent licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) specializing in psychiatric care. The online format offers flexibility, requiring an approved criminal background check and an unencumbered RN license for admission.
WGU PMHNP Programs
online | flat rate cpc | Certificate / MSN
Western Governors University delivers flexible PMHNP education with flat-rate tuition around $7,000 per six-month term, dedicated Program Mentors, and 100% online coursework except for local clinical internships. The BSN to MSN track takes minimum 2.5 years while the Post-Master's Certificate requires minimum 1.5 years, both culminating in 650 supervised clinical hours and eligibility for national certification. WGU's competency-based model allows students to accelerate through familiar material, with average student loan debt for graduates less than half the national average.
Admissions Snapshot for PMHNP Programs
| University | Min. GPA | RN Experience Required | Academic Format | Key Differentiator |
| Nightingale College | 3.0 (2.7 for Probation) | 1 Year (within last 2 years) | 3 Semesters/Year | Requires 3-day in-person residency in Salt Lake City |
| Post University | 3.0 | 1 Year (within last 3 years) | 8-Week Courses | “3 P’s” exam required for progression |
| Purdue Global | 2.5 | Active License Only | 10-Week Terms | Highest clinical hour requirement for certification prep |
| Walden University | 3.0 | Active License Only | Quarter System | Multiple tracks including RN-to-MSN |
Strategic Differences for Wyoming Residents
In-Person Requirements: Nightingale College is largely online but requires a mandatory three-day in-person residency in Salt Lake City for health assessment validation. For Wyoming residents, this is a relatively short trip compared to other national programs that may have more distant residencies.
Clinical Intensity: Nightingale requires 810 clinical contact hours, which is significantly higher than the national minimum (typically 500). This extra experience can be a major advantage for nurses in rural Wyoming who want the most “hands-on” training possible before practicing.
Experience Barriers: If you have been away from the bedside for a few years, note that Nightingale requires you to have worked as an RN within the last two years. If you don’t meet this, Purdue Global or Walden may be better options as they only require an active, unencumbered license.
2026 National PMHNP Application Calendar
| University | Start Frequency | Upcoming 2026 Start Dates | App Deadline (approx.) |
| WGU | Monthly | Feb 1, Mar 1, Apr 1, May 1, June 1, July 1, Aug 1, Sept 1, Oct 1, Nov 1, Dec 1 | 15th of month prior |
| Walden | 8x / Year | Feb 2, Feb 23, May 4, May 25, Aug 31, Nov 30 | ~3 weeks before start |
| Post | 6x / Year | Jan 5, Mar 9, May 4, June 29, Aug 24, Oct 19 | ~4 weeks before start |
| Purdue Global | 10-Week Cycles | Jan 21, April 1, June 10, Aug 19, Oct 28 | ~4-5 weeks before start |
| Nightingale | 3x / Year | Jan 5, May 4, Aug 31 | July 17 (for Aug start) |