Program Track Overview
As a leading HBCU, DSU emphasizes cultural competence, diversity, equity, and social determinants of health throughout the curriculum while preparing graduates to provide holistic, evidence-based care to clients with mental illness across the lifespan.
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP Option
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is approximately $27,775-$57,888 for in-state residents or extended rate residents (VA, NJ, DC, MD, NY), or $57,888 for out-of-state residents and the program takes approximately 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on 48 credits × $455-$948/credit plus fees per semester.
Curriculum
The MSN-PMHNP curriculum totals 48 credits and includes core APRN courses plus psychiatric specialty courses:
Core APRN Courses
NURS 509 – Ethical and Legal Perspectives (3 credits)
Students study core ethics and health law. Students examine how professional values shape policy.
Prereq: None
NURS 530 – Research and Applied Statistics in Nursing (3 credits)
Students learn to read studies, use statistics, and apply evidence to practice and quality improvement. Students focus on research that addresses health disparities.
Prereq: None
NURS 653 – Comprehensive Advanced Health Assessment for the APRN (3 credits)
Students perform advanced histories and exams and form clear differentials for diverse age groups. A short residency reinforces assessment skills.
Prereq: None
NURS 611 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
Students link disease mechanisms to signs, symptoms, and differentials across the lifespan. Coverage includes acute and chronic physical and mental conditions.
Prereq: None
NURS 612 – Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
Students apply pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenetics to safe prescribing. Students weigh outcomes, safety, quality, and cost.
Prereq: None
NURS 628 – Advanced Psychopharmacology for the PMHNP (3 credits)
Students select and monitor psychiatric medications using neurobiologic principles. Students practice patient-centered prescribing across the lifespan.
Prereq: None
NURS 654 – Examining the Leadership Role of the APRN (2 credits)
Students practice data-driven leadership to influence care and operations. The course develops skills as clinician, educator, consultant, researcher, and team member.
Prereq: None
PMHNP Specialty Courses
NURS 631 – Psychiatric Mental Health Disorders and Therapeutic Modalities I (2 credits)
Students begin holistic, evidence-based care for common psychiatric conditions and apply ethical and legal standards. Students integrate assessment with differential reasoning.
Prereq: NURS 653, 611, 612, 628
NURS 621 – Psychiatric Mental Health Disorders and Therapeutic Modalities Practicum I (4 credits, 180 hours)
Students deliver supervised care using interviewing, diagnosis, and first-line therapies across the lifespan. Students apply ethics, scope, and health equity in practice.
Prereq: NURS 653, 611, 612, 628
NURS 632 – Psychiatric Mental Health Disorders and Therapeutic Modalities II (2 credits)
Students build on PMH care with prevention, health promotion, and stepped interventions. Students refine assessment and legal/ethical decision-making across settings.
Prereq: NURS 631
NURS 622 – Psychiatric Mental Health Disorders and Therapeutic Modalities Practicum II (4 credits, 180 hours)
Students expand clinical management from Practicum I with medication and therapy follow-up. Students apply structured reasoning and address social drivers of health.
Prereq: NURS 621
NURS 633 – Psychiatric Mental Health Disorders and Therapeutic Modalities III (2 credits)
Students address atypical and complex presentations and match therapies to patient needs. Students integrate prevention, disease management, and equity concepts.
Prereq: NURS 632
NURS 623 – Psychiatric Mental Health Disorders and Therapeutic Modalities Practicum III (4 credits, 180 hours)
Students manage increasing case complexity with greater autonomy. Students document outcomes and adjust plans using evidence and ethical standards.
Prereq: NURS 622
NURS 619 – Special Population for the PMHNP (2 credits)
Students plan and deliver care for special populations with attention to disparities and Healthy People 2030 goals. Students integrate assessment and diagnostic reasoning for acute and chronic needs.
Prereq: NURS 633
NURS 624 – Special Population for the PMHNP Practicum IV (4 credits, 180 hours)
Students provide focused care to special populations and apply targeted therapies. Students evaluate outcomes while addressing equity and social factors.
Prereq: NURS 623
NURS 651 – Capstone for the PMHNP (3 credits: 45 practicum, 30 theory)
Students synthesize program learning in a professional portfolio and complete guided practicum hours. Students start structured preparation for the PMHNP certification exam.
Prereq: All PMHNP NURS courses
More curriculum details available here.
The curriculum emphasizes health disparities, Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), Healthy People 2030, diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout all courses.
Clinicals
Students complete a total of 765 practicum hours distributed across four clinical practicum courses and the capstone. The clinical practicum includes 180 hours each in Practicum I, II, III, and IV, plus 45 additional hours in the capstone course.
Students arrange their own clinical placements with local preceptors, allowing them to gain experience in their communities while completing the 100% online program.
Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a nationally accredited (ACEN or CCNE) program
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Current U.S. unencumbered RN license
- Valid nursing license in the state where clinical experiences will occur
- One letter of professional reference from faculty, colleagues, or work supervisors (not from family, friends, or co-workers)
- Current resume
- Completed application to School of Graduate, Adult and Extended Studies
- $50 non-refundable application fee
- Program does not accept students from AL, AZ, AR, CO, CA, LA, MS, NY, OK, SD, TN, TX, and WA
- Some states (AL, OR, MN, AK, WY) have specific NP requirements – students must contact their State Board of Nursing
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition for Dover campus is $455 per credit hour for in-state residents and residents of VA, NJ, DC, MD, and NY, or $948 per credit hour for out-of-state residents.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing Program at Delaware State University is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The most recent accreditation decision is Continuing Accreditation. Graduates of the PMHNP program are eligible to apply for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Certification for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC™).
Other Delaware PMHNP Programs
View All PMHNP Programs in Delaware
- University of Delaware - Newark
- Wilmington University - Wilmington