Nevada’s UNR and UNLV PMHNP programs offer outstanding value through low in-state tuition and guaranteed clinical placements for strong certification outcomes.
Costs range from $7,423 to $25,451 across certificates, MSN, and DNP tracks, with typical completion in 1.5 to 3 years full-time.
Nurses in NV can increase their options by considering national online programs as well (covered below).
Program Comparison Table (High Level)
| School | Est. Cost Range (NV Residents) | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| University of Nevada, Reno | MSN: $18K BSN–DNP: $25K Certificate: $8K–$14K | – graduates regularly meet or exceed national PMHNP pass rates – Orvis coordinates all clinical placements – (780+ PMHNP hours; 1,000 total for DNP) – offers separate APRN vs. non-APRN certificate plans |
| University of Nevada, Las Vegas | MSN: ≈ $17K Adv. Grad Cert: ≈ $10K PMHNP for FNP Cert: ≈ $8K | – 46-credit MSN – 2 advanced graduate certificate options – built on a public-policy and informatics rich core – 500+ direct care hours – guaranteed clinical placements – uses on-campus orientations and skills sessions |
Complete List of Schools for PMHNP in Nevada
You will notice additional national online programs in this list to increase application options for Nevada nurses.
University of Nevada Reno PMHNP Programs
Reno | $353.50 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / MSN / DNP
UNR’s PMHNP programs run fully online and the school arranges every clinical placement, so students can focus on learning rather than logistics. Tracks include an MSN, a BSN-to-DNP, and a Post-Master’s Certificate with options for APRNs and non-APRNs. Graduates train to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions across the lifespan, with cohorts that often achieve 100% first-attempt certification pass rates. ..read more.
UNLV PMHNP Programs
Las Vegas | $354 cpc | Certificate / MSN
UNLV offers an MSN-PMHNP and two certificate options that run primarily online with required on-campus sessions and 500+ direct patient-care hours. Estimated resident costs are about $16,261 for the 46-credit MSN, $9,898 for the 28-credit PMHNP certificate, and $7,423.50 for the 21-credit PMHNP for FNP certificate. The curriculum builds advanced assessment, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and APRN practice skills for work across the lifespan. ..read more.
Walden University PMHNP Programs
Fully Online | $775 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Nevada nurses can pursue Walden University’s fully online, CCNE-accredited Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs—including BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, MSN-PMHNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate options—while balancing work in Las Vegas, Reno, or rural counties. The university’s Practicum Pledge provides hands-on assistance in arranging clinical placements statewide, so Nevada students complete their required practicum hours close to home. Graduates gain the advanced skills in psychopharmacology and psychotherapy needed to serve Nevada’s diverse populations, veterans, and growing behavioral health demands.
Chamberlain MSN PMHNP Program
online | $735 cpc | Certificate / MSN
The CCNE-accredited Chamberlain MSN PMHNP program is a 100% online pathway requiring students to complete 650 supervised practicum hours and attend two mandatory in-person visits for intensive experiences. The Las Vegas, Nevada campus is one of the locations where students can fulfill their required on-campus lab and intensive sessions, providing a local option for the necessary in-person component. Students can finish the full MSN (45 credit hours) in about 2.5 years, or the Graduate Certificate (35 credit hours) in 1.5 years.
Nightingale College PMHNP Program
online | $550 cpc | MSN
Nightingale College's 55-credit MSN-PMHNP program is explicitly authorized for enrollment by residents of Nevada, providing a fully online, 24-month path to advanced practice. The curriculum includes 810 hours of integrative clinical contact and is designed to meet the educational requirements for PMHNP licensure in the state. Nevada students are prepared for the ANCC certification examination, with the degree structured to allow graduates to pursue prescriptive authority upon state licensure.
Post University PMHNP Programs
online | $604 cpc | MSN
The 630-hour clinical component of Post University's MSN-PMHNP program distributes hands-on learning across psychiatric assessment (N 561), child/adolescent care (N 563), adult/older adult care (N 565), psychiatric specialty/SUD treatment (N 567), and integration synthesis (N 569) at total program cost around $30,000-$31,000. Each preceptorship course requires completion of clinical hours within the 8-week timeframe under individualized preceptor supervision, building competencies in DSM-5-based diagnosis, psychotropic medication management, and evidence-based psychotherapy interventions. The curriculum emphasizes culturally competent, patient-centered care integrating family dynamics, developmental considerations, and interprofessional collaboration throughout the lifespan.
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
online | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
The Purdue Global PMHNP program is authorized for enrollment in Nevada, offering residents online, CCNE-accredited education across three tracks: a Post-Graduate Certificate, MSN, and MSN-DNP. These programs prepare graduates for roles in diagnosing and managing psychiatric disorders across the lifespan in various settings like acute care and private practice. A feature of the curriculum is its utilization of immersive virtual reality (VR) for assignments focused on telehealth and group therapy sessions.
WGU PMHNP Programs
online | flat rate cpc | Certificate / MSN
The BSN-to-MSN PMHNP program is designed to transform BSN-prepared RNs into advanced practice psychiatric providers, with an estimated cost of about $36,000 and a minimum duration of 2.5 years. The 51-competency unit degree is CCNE-accredited and prepares students for all aspects of mental healthcare, including therapeutic interviewing and collaborative care. Graduates are ready to meet the high demand for PMHNPs and can potentially save money by accelerating their coursework within the university's flat-rate term structure.
UNLV vs UNR for PMHNP
TLDR: Quick Program Match
Choose University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) if you want the lowest MSN cost ($17,068), exceptional clinical placement support (OSN coordinates and secures ALL clinical placements for you), and graduates who regularly exceed national certification pass rates with most cohorts achieving 100%.
Choose University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) if you want the most affordable MSN in Nevada ($16,261), guaranteed clinical placements in the greater Las Vegas area for Nevada RN license holders, or the specialized FNP-to-PMHNP certificate pathway ($7,423.50 for just 21 credits in 1.5 years).
Choose UNR’s BSN-to-DNP if you want a terminal doctoral degree at exceptional value ($24,038-$25,451 for 68-72 units) from Nevada’s oldest school of nursing (founded 1956) and a Carnegie R1 research institution.
Choose UNR’s Post-Master’s Certificate if you’re already an APRN and want the absolute lowest certificate cost in the region ($8,131 for 23 credits with 500-780 clinical hours).
PMHNP MSN Comparison
Nevada offers two remarkably affordable public university PMHNP master’s programs with nearly identical costs—both under $18,000 total.
UNLV edges ahead as Nevada’s lowest-cost MSN at $16,261 ($353.50/credit for 46 credits), just $807 less than UNR’s $17,068 ($353.50/credit for 48-50 units).
What truly distinguishes these programs is clinical placement support:
- UNR’s Orvis School of Nursing coordinates and secures ALL clinical placements for graduate students, eliminating the stress of placement logistics so students can focus entirely on learning
- UNLV guarantees clinical placements in the greater Las Vegas area for Nevada RN license holders but expects students to propose local preceptors in partnership with the School.
Both programs boast exceptional outcomes—UNR graduates regularly exceed national first-attempt certification pass rates with most cohorts achieving 100%, while UNLV offers specialized certificate pathways including a unique FNP-to-PMHNP option.
| School | Total Cost (NV Residents) | Cost Per Credit | Credits | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNLV | $16,261 | $353.50 | 46 | 2-3 years |
| UNR | $17,068 | $353.50 | 48-50 | 2 years full-time |
MSN Program Highlights
University of Nevada, Reno:
- Clinical Placement: OSN coordinates and secures ALL clinical placements—students fully engage in learning without managing logistics
- Outcomes: Graduates regularly exceed national first-attempt certification pass rates; most cohorts achieve 100%
- Clinical Hours: 780 hours in diverse settings (psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, telehealth, addiction treatment, community mental health)
- Institution: Carnegie R1 research institution; Nevada’s first and oldest school of nursing (founded 1956)
- Admissions: March 1 deadline for fall admission; requires 500-word statement of intent
University of Nevada, Las Vegas:
- Clinical Placement: Guaranteed placements in greater Las Vegas area for Nevada RN license holders; students encouraged to propose local preceptors
- Clinical Hours: Minimum 500 direct patient-care hours
- Format: Seven required on-campus visits (orientation, skills labs, OSCEs, presentations)
- Unique Features: Specialized FNP-to-PMHNP certificate pathway available
- Admissions: Competitive fall admission; requires minimum one year RN clinical experience by program start
- Seat Holding: $500 non-refundable deposit required
Nevada PMHNP DNP Programs
Only University of Nevada, Reno offers a BSN-to-DNP PMHNP pathway in Nevada, providing the state’s sole option for nurses seeking a terminal doctoral degree without first completing a master’s program.
UNR’s 68-72 unit DNP costs an exceptional $24,038 (full-time) to $25,451 (part-time), making it one of the most affordable doctoral programs nationally at just $353.50 per credit.
The program takes 3 years full-time or 5 years part-time and requires 1,000 total clinical hours (780 PMHNP-specific clinical hours plus additional DNP residency hours). Students benefit from the same comprehensive clinical placement support that distinguishes UNR’s MSN program—OSN coordinates and secures all placements.
PMHNP Certificate Comparison for Nevada
Both Nevada universities offer post-master’s certificates, but UNR provides the most affordable APRN certificate in the region at just $8,131 for 23 credits—and potentially the lowest-cost PMHNP certificate nationally.
UNLV charges $9,898 for 28 credits, but also offers a unique FNP-to-PMHNP certificate for just $7,423.50 (21 credits over 1.5 years), specifically designed for family nurse practitioners expanding into psychiatric mental health practice.
The cost difference between schools hinges on whether you already hold APRN credentials: UNR’s APRN track requires fewer credits and less clinical time, while non-APRN applicants face significantly higher costs at both institutions.
Cost and Duration:
| School | Program Type | Cost (NV Residents) | Credits | Clinical Hours | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNR | APRN Track | $8,131 | 23 | 500-780 | 1 year FT |
| UNR | Non-APRN Track | $13,433 | 29-38 | 720 | 2 years FT |
| UNLV | Standard Certificate | $9,898 | 28 | 500+ | 2 years (4 semesters) |
| UNLV | FNP-to-PMHNP | $7,423.50 | 21 | 500+ | 1.5 years (3 semesters) |
Track Differences:
UNR APRN Track (23 units, 500-780 hours):
- For nurses who already hold APRN certification
- Assumes completion of “3 Ps” (pathophysiology, pharmacology, assessment)
- Focuses exclusively on PMHNP specialty content
- 9 units of clinical practicum vs. 12 for non-APRN track
- Most affordable certificate option in Nevada and potentially nationally
UNR Non-APRN Track (29-38 units, 720 hours):
- For MSN holders without APRN credentials
- May require “3 Ps” prerequisites (3 units each if not completed)
- 12 units of clinical practicum
- Additional therapeutic interventions coursework
- Gap analysis determines exact requirements
UNLV Standard Certificate (28 credits, 500+ hours):
- Four-semester sequence building upon graduate-prepared RN skills
- Guaranteed Las Vegas area placements for Nevada RN license holders
- Two-day orientation sessions on campus each fall
- Mandatory on-campus sessions throughout program
- Individual evaluation determines if additional courses beyond minimum 28 credits needed
- Certificate students not eligible for Federal Financial Aid
UNLV FNP-to-PMHNP Certificate (21 credits, 500+ hours):
- Exclusively for current Family Nurse Practitioners
- Three-semester accelerated pathway
- Assumes FNP degree concentration with “3 Ps” completed
- Shortest time-to-completion for FNPs seeking dual certification
- Most affordable option for FNPs expanding practice scope
Specialty Curriculum Focus
Both programs cover comprehensive PMHNP content including psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, psychopharmacology, and psychotherapy across the lifespan. Neither program offers subspecializations within PMHNP, though each provides distinct curricular organization.
Unique Curriculum Features:
University of Nevada, Reno:
- Lifespan specialization courses: Separate courses for children/adolescents (2 units), adults (2 units), and geriatric clients (1 unit) allow deep focus on developmental considerations
- Ambulatory pharmacology foundation (NURS 716) before psychiatric pharmacology builds outpatient prescribing skills
- Single comprehensive therapies course (NURS 703) covers individual, family, and group modalities with cultural responsiveness
- Evidence-based scholarship capstone (NURS 794) developing change proposals with stakeholder engagement
- Clinical practicum flexibility: Variable units (1-12) allowing students to customize clinical immersion depth
University of Nevada, Las Vegas:
- Integrated genetics emphasis: Both pathophysiology (NURS 704) and pharmacology (NURS 730) courses incorporate genetic and genomic concepts
- Diagnostic reasoning with simulation: NURS 701 includes 45 simulation hours to practice assessment and clinical decision-making
- Two-part psychopharmacology structure: Didactic course (NURS 796, 3 credits) plus separate lab component (NURS 796L, 5 credits) for applied practice
- Family theory foundation (NURS 714) using systems concepts for holistic lifespan care
- Business and roles preparation (NURS 752) covering practice setup, ethics, law, billing, credentialing, certification
- Clinical synthesis capstone (NURS 751) requiring scholarly project proposal with oral presentation
PMHNP Admissions Requirements in Nevada
| School | Program | Minimum GPA | RN Experience | Application Deadline | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNR | All | 3.0 | Not specified | March 1 (fall) | Not specified |
| UNLV | MSN | 3.0 overall or 3.0 last 2 years | 1 year | Competitive fall admission | Standard grad fee + $500 seat holding |
| UNLV | Certificate | 2.75 bachelor’s or 3.0 last 2 years; 3.0 master’s | Not specified | Rolling | Standard grad fee + $500 seat holding |