Oklahoma offers two PMHNP programs ranging from $22,885 to $67,660 depending on degree level, with completion times spanning 1.5 years to 4 years based on program type and enrollment pace.
| School | Est. Cost Range | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City University | DNP: $67,660 Certificate: $22,885 | – ACEN accredited with above-average NCLEX outcomes. – DNP is 68 credits over 4 years with campus-based weekly classes. – Certificate is 23 credits over ~1.5 years for APRNs. – Clinicals include inpatient + outpatient psychiatric settings. |
| University of Oklahoma (OU Health) | BSN→DNP: $36,603 Certificate: $28,804 | – BSN→DNP is 76 credits with 1,152 total clinical hours. – Certificate is 38 credits with 768 hours and 2–3 year pacing. – Training spans pediatric, adult, and geriatric psychiatric care. – On-campus skills labs and standardized patient simulations included. |
List of PMHNP Options for OK Nurses
Oklahoma City University PMHNP Programs
Oklahoma City | $590 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / DNP
Oklahoma City University's Kramer School of Nursing offers two psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner pathways designed for different career stages. The BSN-to-DNP track provides comprehensive doctoral preparation over four years with 68 credit hours, while the Post-Master's Certificate offers focused specialization in 23 credit hours for nurses already holding advanced practice credentials. Both programs emphasize evidence-based practice, utilize hybrid learning formats with minimal residency requirements, and prepare graduates to address mental health needs across diverse clinical settings through rigorous coursework and extensive practicum experiences...read more.
OU Health PMHNP Programs
Oklahoma City | $626.40 cpc | Certificate / DNP
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Nursing offers two psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner pathways designed to prepare skilled providers for comprehensive mental health care across the lifespan. The BSN to DNP track provides 76 credit hours with 1,152 clinical hours over three to four years, while the Post-Graduate Certificate offers focused preparation in 38 credit hours with 768 clinical hours over two to three years. Both programs utilize hybrid delivery combining online coursework with on-campus clinical components, require clinical rotations in Oklahoma, and prepare graduates for the American Nurses Credentialing Center PMHNP certification exam with flexible scheduling options for working nurses...read more.
Walden University PMHNP Programs
Fully Online | $775 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Oklahoma Walden University offers its highly flexible, fully online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner tracks, including a BSN-to-DNP option, to Registered Nurses in Oklahoma. The program's core didactic content covers advanced psychopathology and diagnostic reasoning, ensuring future Oklahoma PMHNPs are prepared to treat mental health disorders across the lifespan. A major highlight is the Walden Practicum Pledge, which commits the university to partner with students to secure preceptor sites within Oklahoma if they cannot find one independently.
Post University PMHNP Programs
online | $604 cpc | MSN
Post University’s American Sentinel College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers a fully online MSN with a PMHNP Specialization for nurses in Oklahoma seeking advanced mental health training. The 51–54 credit hour program spans about 34 months, combining 8-week online courses with 630 supervised clinical hours across diverse psychiatric settings. With tuition around $31,000, students gain comprehensive clinical and theoretical preparation for national PMHNP certification.
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
online | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Purdue Global delivers the PMHNP Certificate, MSN focus, and MSN-to-DNP fully online with CCNE accreditation and VR learning. Costs run about $20,160 for the certificate (~1.5 years) and $32,760 for the MSN (~2 years); the MSN-to-DNP adds doctoral study after the MSN. The university is authorized to offer these programs to Oklahoma residents.
Wilkes University PMHNP Programs
online | $751 cpc | Certificate / MSN / RN to MSN
Oklahoma nurses can pursue PMHNP credentials through Wilkes University's online programs featuring complimentary clinical placement support built into tuition costs. The three program tracks—MSN ($31,542), post-graduate certificate ($21,779), and DNP (~$31,680)—prepare Oklahoma graduates to provide psychiatric care across the lifespan with 500-1,000 clinical hours. Wilkes achieved 95.4% PMHNP certification pass rates in 2023, equipping Oklahoma nurses with advanced competencies in psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and evidence-based mental health interventions.
Oklahoma City vs OU Health for PMHNP
TLDR: Quick Program Recommendations
Choose OU Health (University of Oklahoma) if you want the most affordable DNP option ($36,603 for residents) with 1,152 clinical hours, NONPF/AACN alignment, and online format for SARA state residents, completing in 3 years full-time.
Choose Oklahoma City University if you want ACEN-accredited education with one weekly on-campus class day, above-average NCLEX pass rates, and no GRE requirement for DNP admission ($67,660, 4 years).
Oklahoma DNP-PMHNP Program Comparison
OU Health offers the most affordable DNP at $36,603 for Oklahoma residents with the highest clinical hour requirement (1,152 hours) and fastest completion (3 years full-time), while Oklahoma City University provides ACEN accreditation with weekly on-campus attendance and more flexible scheduling over 4 years.
| School | Total Cost (Residents) | Duration | Practice Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| OU Health | $36,603 | 3 years full-time / 4 years part-time | 1,152 hrs |
| Oklahoma City University | $67,660 | 4 years full-time | 720 hrs |
Key Differentiators:
Cost Savings
OU Health saves $31,057 compared to Oklahoma City University for Oklahoma residents
Clinical Hours:
OU Health requires 1,152 total hours (432 more than Oklahoma City University’s 720)
Completion Speed:
OU Health completes in 3 years full-time vs. Oklahoma City’s 4 years
Format:
OU Health is online for SARA-participating states; Oklahoma City requires one campus day weekly
Accreditation:
OU Health programs align with NONPF/AACN standards; Oklahoma City holds ACEN accreditation
State Restrictions:
OU Health requires clinical rotations in Oklahoma only; Oklahoma City provides practice settings in Oklahoma
On-Campus Components:
OU Health includes standardized patient visits, clinical skills labs, physical assessments, and OSCEs; Oklahoma City has weekly class meetings
GRE Requirement:
Oklahoma City does not require GRE; OU Health application doesn’t specify GRE
Practice Inquiry:
OU Health integrates 4 Practice Inquiry courses (384 hours total) throughout DNP project; Oklahoma City uses 2 DNP Project courses
Oklahoma Post-Graduate Certificate Programs
Oklahoma City University offers the lowest certificate cost at $22,885 with fastest completion (1.5 years), while OU Health provides more comprehensive training at $28,804 with 768 clinical hours over 2 years full-time.
| School | Cost (Residents) | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City University | $22,885 | 1.5 years full-time | 720 hrs |
| OU Health | $28,804 | 2 years full-time / 3 years part-time | 768 hrs |
Certificate Highlights:
Lowest Cost: Oklahoma City University at $22,885, saving $5,919 compared to OU Health
Fastest Completion: Oklahoma City completes in 1.5 years vs. OU Health’s 2 years full-time
Clinical Hours: OU Health requires 768 hours (48 more than Oklahoma City’s estimated 720)
Credit Requirements: OU Health requires 38 credits vs. Oklahoma City’s 23 credits (15-credit difference)
Prerequisites: Both require advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment at graduate level
Current Certification: Oklahoma City requires current APRN licensure in Oklahoma (Adult, Pediatric, Acute Care, or other AP role with national certification); OU Health requires master’s in nursing
GPA Requirements: Oklahoma City requires 3.25 graduate GPA; OU Health requires 3.0 cumulative
Start Dates: Oklahoma City admits in summer; OU Health offers fall admission
Clinical Distribution: OU Health specifies 128 hours (systems interventions) + 320 hours (adults/geriatrics) + 320 hours (children/adolescents); Oklahoma City includes 3 practicum courses
On-Campus Requirements: Both include on-campus standardized patient visits, clinical skills labs, and assessments
State Restrictions: Both require clinical rotations performed in Oklahoma only
Admissions Requirements Comparison
| School | Minimum GPA | Application Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| OU Health | 3.0 cumulative | Not specified |
| Oklahoma City University | 3.0 (DNP), 3.25 (Certificate) | Not specified |
Admission Notes:
- All programs require BSN (or MSN for certificates) from regionally accredited institutions and active RN licensure
- OU Health requires Oklahoma or compact state RN license by second semester (DNP) or first semester (certificate)
- Oklahoma City University requires Oklahoma or multistate RN licensure and minimum 1 year professional nursing experience
- Both programs conduct interviews with qualified applicants (OU Health: most qualified; Oklahoma City: admission committee)
- Neither program accepts international students with F-1 visas due to online/hybrid delivery formats
- OU Health requires residence in SARA-participating state for online program enrollment
- Oklahoma City requires BSN-level health assessment and statistics courses completed
- Oklahoma City University does not require GRE for DNP admission
- OU Health uses standard application materials (transcripts, resume/CV, interview)
- Oklahoma City requires 3 professional references (DNP) or 2 recommendations (certificate)
- OU Health requires applicants to check State Board of Nursing for professional licensure requirements
- Oklahoma City certificate requires personal essay (750 words or less) describing career goals
- Oklahoma City DNP requires personal essay (500-750 words) demonstrating writing skills and career goals
- Both programs have above-average NCLEX pass rates (Oklahoma City explicitly noted)