Program Tracks Overview
| Program Track | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – PMHNP | $34,782 | 2.5 years (30 months)* |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP | $34,782 | 2-2.5 years |
*Accelerated 24-month track available
Husson’s graduate nursing students have achieved an impressive 95% passage rate on national certification exams, and students receive free 24/7 tutoring and mental health support throughout the program.
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is $34,782 ($682 per credit × 51 credits) and would take 2.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
This CCNE-accredited program prepares nurses to deliver high-quality mental health care to patients across the lifespan with a biopsychosocial orientation to mental illness, emphasizing the integration of both neurobiological and psychosocial sciences. An accelerated 24-month track option is available for students who wish to complete the program more quickly.
MSN Curriculum
The 51-credit curriculum includes 15-week psychiatric nursing courses covering advanced health assessment, physiology and pharmacology, diagnosis and pharmacological treatment of psychiatric illnesses, and evidence-based practice. T
he program emphasizes cost-effective access to mental health care across the lifespan—including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults—with a particular focus on underserved populations.
Students may transfer up to 9 credits from accredited institutions toward the graduate degree.
Required Courses (51 credits):
NU 700 – Theories and Roles for Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
Students analyze nursing and related theories to guide advanced practice and role development. Students examine interprofessional collaboration, policy, and state/national legislation that shape APRN practice now and in the future.
NU 702 – Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
Students evaluate and prescribe medications for common acute and chronic conditions. Students apply safety, regulation, and clinical decision rules, and collaborate with pharmacy to improve outcomes.
NU 704 – Advanced Health Assessment (3)
Students take comprehensive histories, perform regional physical exams, and document findings. Students build differential diagnoses and order appropriate diagnostics with cultural competence.
NU 706 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
Students study disease mechanisms across the lifespan at cellular and organ levels. Students connect genetics, immunity, infection, and degeneration to clinical signs and management.
NU 708 – Socio-Cultural Perception of Addiction and Population Health (3)
Students assess how culture and systems influence health, treatment, and access. Students focus on addiction epidemiology, medication-assisted treatment, rural care, special populations, and team collaboration.
NU 709 – Diagnosis and Pharmacologic Management of Psychiatric Illness (3)
Students link neurobiology, genetics, and body systems to psychiatric diagnoses. Students apply psychopharmacology across the lifespan using safe, evidence-based protocols. Prereq: NU 702.
NU 710 – Advanced Evidence-Based Practice (3)
Students frame EBP questions, search the literature, and appraise studies. Students design a practical translation plan to improve outcomes for individuals, families, and populations.
NU 740 – Public Health Policy Issues and Challenges (3)
Students evaluate how politics and financing shape public health and care delivery. Students use ethical and sociopolitical frameworks to analyze legislation and policy impact.
NU 801 & NL 801 – Family Psychiatric Nursing I & Clinical I (6)
Students develop advanced mental health assessment skills, including DSM use and neurological/biological review. In clinical, students complete comprehensive assessments, assign DSM diagnoses, and start care plans with medication and non-drug options.
NU 810 & NL 810 – Family Psychiatric Nursing II & Clinical II (6)
Students study theories for individual and family therapy and integrate psychopharmacology. In clinical, students apply these interventions across settings, with emphasis on children and adolescents. Prereq: NU 801 & NL 801.
NU 812 & NL 812 – Family Psychiatric Nursing III & Clinical III (6)
Students focus on health promotion, prevention, and group therapy strategies across the lifespan. In clinical, students design interventions and programs that reduce stressors and support community mental health. Prereq: NU 801, NU 810, NL 801, NL 810.
NU 821 – Strategy & Analysis of Organizational Process (3)
Students practice leadership in complex systems using conflict resolution, negotiation, and strategic planning. Students examine informatics, law, operations, and economics to drive measurable improvements.
NU 836 – Healthcare Informatics and Technology (3)
Students apply informatics to patient care and education. Students evaluate tools, manage data, and build skills with key software applications.
NU 840 – Graduate Nursing Capstone
Students complete a scholarly project that synthesizes evidence in their specialty area. Students work with a faculty mentor to produce a formal presentation and publishable paper.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students are required to complete 600 clinical hours across three Family Psychiatric Nursing courses (NL 801, NL 810, and NL 812).
Clinical experiences include advanced mental health assessment across the lifespan, psychiatric nursing care throughout the lifespan, and psychiatric nursing with groups.
A virtual clinical orientation is provided, and clinical placements are coordinated to ensure students gain hands-on experience in diverse psychiatric settings.
MSN Admissions Requirements
Prerequisites:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution
- Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license
- Completion of standard graduate nursing admission requirements
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Completion of application process through Husson University admissions
- Students can transfer up to 9 credits toward the graduate degree
- Multiple start dates available (Term 1: October 27, 2025; Term 2: January 20, 2026)
Applicants should visit Husson’s state authorizations page to confirm program availability in their state.
Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate program is $34,782 ($682 per credit × 51 credits) and would take approximately 2-2.5 years to complete.
This CCNE-accredited certificate program is designed for registered nurses with MSN degrees seeking to develop the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to practice in psychiatric mental health advanced practice nursing.
Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Master’s Certificate program follows the same 51-credit curriculum as the MSN track, ensuring comprehensive preparation for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner practice.
The curriculum emphasizes the theoretical and research foundations of practice with a biopsychosocial orientation to mental illness, integrating both neurobiological and psychosocial sciences.
Required Courses (51 credits):
- NU 700 Theories and Roles for Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
- NU 702 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
- NU 704 Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NU 706 Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- NU 708 Socio-Cultural Perception of Addiction and Population Health (3)
- NU 709 Diagnosis and Pharmacologic Management of Psychiatric Illness (3)
- NU 710 Advanced Evidence Based Practice (3)
- NU 740 Public Health Policy Issues and Challenges (3)
- NU 801 & NL 801 Family Psychiatric Nursing I – Adv Mental Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Clinical (6)
- NU 810 & NL 810 Family Psychiatric Nursing II – Across the Lifespan and Clinical (6)
- NU 812 & NL 812 Family Psychiatric Nursing III – Psychiatric Nursing with Groups and Clinical (6)
- NU 821 Strategy & Analysis of Organizational Process (3)
- NU 836 Healthcare Informatics and Technology (3)
- NU 840 Graduate Nursing Capstone (3)
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
The Post-Master’s Certificate program requires 600 clinical hours distributed across three Family Psychiatric Nursing clinical courses (NL 801, NL 810, and NL 812).
Clinical experiences focus on advanced mental health assessment, psychiatric nursing care across the lifespan, and psychiatric nursing with groups. Virtual clinical orientation is provided, and students engage in clinical experiences that match their specialty area focus.
Certificate Admissions Requirements
Prerequisites:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from an accredited institution
- Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license
- Active APRN license (if applicable in applicant’s state)
- Completion of standard graduate admission requirements
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Transfer up to 9 credits from prior graduate coursework (if applicable)
- Completion of application through Husson University admissions
Students should verify state authorization requirements before applying to ensure the program meets their state’s educational requirements for PMHNP practice.
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition is $682 per credit hour. The rate is effective as of May 1, 2022, and all rates are subject to change.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Husson University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Husson Online programs are also accredited through the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
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