8 Schools • 3 Online • 3 Mostly Online • 4 Hybrid
Georgia offers one of the Southeast’s largest selections of PMHNP programs, with eight universities providing MSN, DNP, and post-graduate certificate pathways. Tuition ranges from approximately $272 to $2,090 per credit, giving prospective students a wide range of public and private options.
The schools differ more in delivery and clinical support than degree availability. Georgia Southern and Augusta provide the state’s lowest-cost doctoral pathways, while Mercer offers the broadest selection of entry options. Georgia College stands out for faculty-supported clinical placement, Valdosta uses a predictable weekend hybrid schedule, and Emory emphasizes psychotherapy and advanced doctoral preparation.
Use the comparison table below to identify the programs that best match your budget, preferred format, and career goals.
Compare Georgia PMHNP Programs
Click any school name for a full profile with admission requirements, curriculum, clinical hours, tuition, and accreditation.
| School | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
| Augusta University | Hybrid | Cohorts on Augusta and Athens campuses | $441 cpc | BSN-DNP, Certificate | Board pass rate track record |
| Brenau University | Hybrid | Monthly in-person weekend intensives in North Atlanta | $845 cpc | Certificate | Certificate with DNP dual enrollment |
| Emory University | Mostly Online | Designated onsite or virtual intensives | $1,936 DNP $2,090 certificate | DNP, Certificate | Psychotherapy-intensive doctorate |
| Georgia College & State University | Mostly Online | 1–3 campus days per semester plus immersion weeks; | $400–$600 | MSN, Certificate | Dedicated preceptor placement support |
| Georgia Southern University | Online | None stated | $272 cpc | BSN-DNP,Certificate | Lowest-cost DNP |
| Georgia State University | Mostly Online | Campus lab days for assessment course; mandatory on-site class days | $414 | MSN Certificate | Affordable Atlanta-based MSN |
| Mercer University | Hybrid | In-person labs in Atlanta; | $1,159 MSN $1,285.50 DNP | MSN BSN-DNP MSN-DNP | Widest pathway selection |
| Valdosta State University | Hybrid | 5 weekend meetings fall/spring, 4 in summer | $329 | MSN Certificate | Predictable weekend schedule |
PMHNPOnline.com Online Format Classification
- Online: No routine campus visits required.
- Mostly Online: Coursework is online with one or more required campus intensives.
- Hybrid: Regular online and on-campus instruction.
- Campus: Most coursework takes place in person.
These classifications are based on each program’s actual campus attendance requirements rather than the school’s marketing terminology.
What’s the Best PMHNP Program for You?
Best Overall Value
The Georgia Southern University BSN-to-DNP costs an estimated $21K, runs more than 95% online, and charges out-of-state students the same graduate rate as Georgia residents.
Strongest Clinical Training
Emory University builds 1,080 direct clinical hours, 90 simulation hours, and required rotations in pediatrics, inpatient settings, and two psychotherapy modalities into its DNP.
Best Budget Certificate
Augusta University delivers a 22-credit post-master’s certificate for about $10K in-state, backed by a 100% PMHNP board pass rate over the last five years.
Best Placement Support
Georgia College & State University assigns a dedicated Clinical Coordinator to arrange preceptor placements for all 570 required clinical hours.
Most Degree Pathways
Mercer University is the only supplied Georgia school offering MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and post-master’s DNP PMHNP tracks under one roof.
Best Low-Cost MSN
Valdosta State University prices its family-focused MSN at roughly $19K in-state at $329 per credit — the cheapest master’s route among the supplied schools.
Georgia DNP PMHNP Programs
Four schools offer doctoral PMHNP entry, and the price spread is dramatic: Georgia Southern’s estimate is roughly one-eighth of Emory’s. Augusta, Georgia Southern, and Mercer admit BSN-prepared nurses directly, while Mercer adds a shorter doctorate for certified APRNs. Clinical expectations run high across the board, from 720 hours at Georgia Southern to well over 1,000 at Augusta, Emory, and Mercer.
| School | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Augusta University | $42K in-state | 3 yrs FT, 4 PT | 1,183 |
| Emory University | $167K | 2.5 yrs | 1,080 |
| Georgia Southern University | $21K | 3 yrs | 720 |
| Mercer University (BSN-DNP) | $101K | 2.5–3 yrs | 1,020 |
| Mercer University (MSN-DNP) | $76K | 2 yrs | 960 |
- Lowest doctoral cost: Georgia Southern — ~$21K over three years
- Heaviest clinical load: Augusta — 1,183 total hours, though the figure blends 840 clinical, 135 lab, and 300 residency hours
- APRN-to-doctorate route: Mercer — the only supplied post-master’s DNP, finishing in six semesters.
Georgia MSN PMHNP Programs
Four schools run master’s-level PMHNP tracks, and Georgia Southern adds a 43-credit MSN exit within its doctorate. Public-university pricing dominates: Georgia College, Georgia State, and Valdosta all land under $23K in-state, while Mercer’s private-tuition MSN more than doubles that.
Clinical requirements cluster between 570 and 780 hours, and every program runs on a hybrid or mostly online schedule rather than fully remote.
| School | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Georgia College & State University | $15K–$22K | 2–3 yrs | 570 |
| Georgia State University | $23K | 20 mo FT | 590 |
| Mercer University | $54K–$58K | 17–28 mo | 780 |
| Valdosta State University (Family PMHNP) | $19K | 2 yrs | 675 |
- Fastest full-time finish: Georgia State — 20 months across five semesters, fall admission only.
- MSN exit option: Georgia Southern — leave the DNP after 43 credits
- Integrated primary care: Valdosta — the family PMHNP curriculum adds pediatric and adult health courses
Georgia Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP Programs
Seven of the eight schools offer a certificate, making this Georgia’s most crowded pathway. Costs range from roughly $4K at Georgia College to $54K at Emory, and most schools individualize the plan of study through gap analysis. Clinical totals vary just as widely — 500 to 720 hours where stated — so certified NPs should compare hour requirements as closely as price.
| School | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Augusta University | $10K | ~1 yr | 504 clinical/lab |
| Brenau University | $26K | 15 mo (4 semesters) | Not clearly stated |
| Emory University | $54K | 1–1.5 yrs | 720 direct + 45 simulation |
| Georgia College & State University | $4K–$7K | 1–2 yrs | 570 |
| Georgia Southern University | $14K (~$7K if done in 1 yr) | ~2 yrs | 630 |
| Georgia State University | $13K–$20K | ~12 mo (3 semesters) | 500 minimum |
| Valdosta State University (Family PMHNP) | $14K | 1–2 yrs | Set by gap analysis |
- Cheapest certificate: Georgia College — $4K–$7K depending on prior coursework,
- No federal loans: Emory — the $54K certificate is non-degree-seeking and ineligible for federal student aid
- Stack toward a doctorate: Brenau — certificate students may dual-enroll in the DNP and graduate with both credentials sooner.
- Widest cost swing: Georgia State — $13K if all core courses are waived, $20K if none are.
Georgia PMHNP School Summaries
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
National | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN / DNP | Online
Purdue Global's PMHNP programs are authorized in Connecticut, providing three online pathways: a Postgraduate Certificate (48 credits, $20,160), MSN with PMHNP Population Focus Area (78 credits, $32,760), and MSN-DNP bridge program. Connecticut-based students complete faculty- and preceptor-supported clinical experiences in local communities, with all programs accredited by CCNE and featuring innovative VR technology for telehealth training. Graduates are prepared to practice in diverse settings including hospitals, community mental health centers, prisons, and private practices throughout Connecticut.
Walden University PMHNP Programs
National | $775 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP / MSN-DNP / DNP | Online
Walden University’s CCNE-accredited, 100% online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs offer Connecticut nurses four convenient pathways (BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, MSN-PMHNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate) to gain the skills needed to address the state’s mental health crisis. The innovative Practicum Pledge ensures that busy Connecticut nurses receive personalized assistance securing local preceptors in areas like Hartford, New Haven, and Fairfield County. Fully equipped with virtual skills labs and comprehensive psychopharmacology training, graduates are ready to provide high-quality psychiatric care from Stamford to the Quiet Corner.
WGU PMHNP Programs
National | flat rate cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN | Online
WGU delivers an online PMHNP MSN and a Post-Master’s Certificate using competency progression. Students fulfill 650 clinical hours near home, or 750 if starting in Kansas after March 1, 2025. One-to-one mentoring and term pricing support a 2.5-year minimum for the MSN and 1.5-year minimum for the certificate.
Wilkes University PMHNP Programs
National | $751 cpc | Certificate / RN-MSN / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Online
Wilkes University's Passan School of Nursing provides three online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) tracks with dedicated clinical placement services and a high ANCC board pass rate of 95.4%. The university confirms its online MSN and Post-Graduate Certificate programs are authorized to enroll students located in Connecticut, having determined the curriculum meets the state's educational requirements for APRN licensure. These flexible, online programs prepare registered nurses with an unencumbered license for advanced practice in psychiatric/mental health care across diverse populations.
Other Online PMHNP Options
Georgia’s in-state lineup has real gaps for some applicants. No supplied school offers a fully online, no-visit program with nationwide clinical placement. National providers such as Chamberlain University and Purdue Global fill some of these gaps with coast-to-coast enrollment and structured placement support, and they may suit RNs who relocate frequently or live near state lines.
Fairfield University PMHNP Programs
Fairfield | $1,100 cpc | BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Campus
Fairfield is a campus program on both tracks built around state-of-the-art simulation facilities and a trauma-informed clinical philosophy. The school arranges placements statewide with experienced PMHNP preceptors, and its CYCLE component adds community youth mental health hours no competitor matches. DNP students rotate through unusually varied sites, including forensic and federal facilities. U.S. News ranks the MSN #2 in Connecticut. Best for Connecticut nurses who want doctoral-level training, heavy simulation, and arranged placements — and don't need online flexibility...read more.
Goodwin University PMHNP Program
East Hartford | $949 cpc | BSN-MSN / MSN | Mostly Online
Goodwin's 50-credit MSN pairs the state's lowest per-credit rate at $949 with one of its lightest campus footprints — flexible online coursework and just two immersion weekends. No GRE is required, but admission is limited to Connecticut RNs with 2+ years of recent bedside experience. Clinical training totals 600 hours across three courses, each adding a $1,350 clinical fee, and students may travel significant distances to sites. Best for cost-conscious Connecticut residents who want minimal travel outside clinicals...read more.
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
National | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN / DNP | Online
Purdue Global's PMHNP programs are authorized in Connecticut, providing three online pathways: a Postgraduate Certificate (48 credits, $20,160), MSN with PMHNP Population Focus Area (78 credits, $32,760), and MSN-DNP bridge program. Connecticut-based students complete faculty- and preceptor-supported clinical experiences in local communities, with all programs accredited by CCNE and featuring innovative VR technology for telehealth training. Graduates are prepared to practice in diverse settings including hospitals, community mental health centers, prisons, and private practices throughout Connecticut.
Quinnipiac University PMHNP Programs
Hamden | $995 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN | Mostly Online
Quinnipiac delivers coursework 100% online in seven-week blocks, punctuated by three one-week campus immersions with simulation labs. The school arranges clinical placements only for Connecticut students. Graduates can roll into the DNP within two years without repeating coursework — a pathway no other online-leaning CT program advertises. Best for northeastern nurses who want structured online pacing and a built-in doctoral runway. ..read more.
Sacred Heart University PMHNP Program
Fairfield | $955 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN | Mostly Online
Sacred Heart pairs the lowest confirmed online MSN price in the state ($40,110) with the leanest curriculum — 42 credits, 540 clinical hours, and classes of 15–28 students. Campus commitment is a single annual residency. The tradeoff is rigidity: one start date per year, and clinical hour totals sit below every competitor except Western Connecticut State. The 21-credit certificate finishes in 15 months and prepares graduates for ANCC or AANP exams, the only CT program citing both. Best for self-directed nurses who value price and small cohorts over scheduling flexibility...read more.
University of Saint Joseph PMHNP Programs
West Hartford | $1,111 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN / DNP | Mostly Online
USJ runs a hybrid model organized around one weekly evening class designed for nurses working full-time. No competitor matches its entry-point menu: an MSN, three certificates calibrated to prior credentials, and an 18-credit post-master's DNP. Clinical infrastructure stands out — a 1:6 faculty-to-student ratio in acute-care rotations and partnerships with Saint Francis, Hartford Hospital, and Yale-New Haven Hospital. Best for working RNs and credentialed APRNs who want a predictable evening schedule and a track built for their exact background...read more.
Walden University PMHNP Programs
National | $775 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP / MSN-DNP / DNP | Online
Walden University’s CCNE-accredited, 100% online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs offer Connecticut nurses four convenient pathways (BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, MSN-PMHNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate) to gain the skills needed to address the state’s mental health crisis. The innovative Practicum Pledge ensures that busy Connecticut nurses receive personalized assistance securing local preceptors in areas like Hartford, New Haven, and Fairfield County. Fully equipped with virtual skills labs and comprehensive psychopharmacology training, graduates are ready to provide high-quality psychiatric care from Stamford to the Quiet Corner.
Western Connecticut State PMHNP Program
Danbury | $1,671 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN | Hybrid
WCSU is the state's budget play: flat-rate tuition puts the full MSN at roughly $31K. Delivery mixes evening classes with "online/hybrid options." The 47-credit curriculum requires 540 clinical hours, with flexibility in practicum timing and location. Certificate pricing varies with how many 3P prerequisites need refreshing. Best for tri-state nurses who prioritize total cost and can tolerate ambiguity in format details until speaking with the program coordinator. ..read more.
WGU PMHNP Programs
National | flat rate cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN | Online
WGU delivers an online PMHNP MSN and a Post-Master’s Certificate using competency progression. Students fulfill 650 clinical hours near home, or 750 if starting in Kansas after March 1, 2025. One-to-one mentoring and term pricing support a 2.5-year minimum for the MSN and 1.5-year minimum for the certificate.
Wilkes University PMHNP Programs
National | $751 cpc | Certificate / RN-MSN / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Online
Wilkes University's Passan School of Nursing provides three online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) tracks with dedicated clinical placement services and a high ANCC board pass rate of 95.4%. The university confirms its online MSN and Post-Graduate Certificate programs are authorized to enroll students located in Connecticut, having determined the curriculum meets the state's educational requirements for APRN licensure. These flexible, online programs prepare registered nurses with an unencumbered license for advanced practice in psychiatric/mental health care across diverse populations.
Yale University PMHNP Programs
New Haven | $2,071 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN | Campus
Yale offers two MSN routes: a hybrid format with 100% live online classes plus three 3–4 day campus immersions (part-time only, three years, launching Spring 2026), and a two-year residential program. Its Clinical Support Unit guarantees Connecticut placements or telemedicine-based clinical training — the strongest placement commitment in the state. Fifteen jurisdictions are ineligible for the hybrid track. At $2,071 per credit, total cost exceeds $107K either way, partially offset by merit and need-based scholarships requiring no separate application. Best for nurses who want institutional placement backing and national-caliber faculty access, and can absorb the price. ..read more.
FAQ
How many online PMHNP programs are in Georgia?
Eight schools offer PMHNP tracks with substantial online delivery: Augusta, Brenau, Emory, Georgia College & State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Mercer, and Valdosta State. Together they span MSN, BSN-to-DNP, post-master’s DNP, and certificate pathways.
Are any Georgia PMHNP programs fully online?
Georgia Southern comes closest — more than 95% online with no stated campus requirements, though selected courses schedule live remote sessions. Every other school requires some in-person attendance, from Emory’s intensives to Valdosta’s weekend meetings.
Which Georgia PMHNP program has the lowest tuition?
By pathway: Georgia Southern’s ~$21K BSN-to-DNP is the cheapest doctorate, Valdosta’s ~$19K MSN and Georgia College’s $15K–$22K estimate lead the master’s tier, and Georgia College’s $4K–$7K certificate is the least expensive credential overall.
Which Georgia schools offer a DNP PMHNP?
Augusta, Emory, Georgia Southern, and Mercer offer doctoral PMHNP entry. Mercer alone adds a post-master’s DNP for already-certified APRNs, and Brenau certificate students can dual-enroll in its DNP.
Do Georgia PMHNP programs require campus visits?
Most do. Valdosta meets four to five weekends per semester, Brenau holds monthly Atlanta intensives, Georgia College schedules immersion weeks plus periodic visits, Georgia State mandates assessment lab days, and Augusta and Mercer run recurring campus components. Georgia Southern states none.
Can I complete clinical hours near home?
Generally yes, within limits. Emory and Georgia State place students in their local areas, while Augusta and Georgia Southern require clinicals in Georgia or South Carolina and Georgia College requires them in Georgia. Placement support varies from dedicated coordinators to student-secured preceptors.
Can out-of-state nurses enroll in Georgia PMHNP programs?
It depends heavily on the school. Augusta requires Georgia or South Carolina residency, Georgia Southern blocks residents of fourteen states, and most programs require a Georgia or compact RN license. Georgia Southern does charge out-of-state students in-state graduate rates.