| Program | Est. Cost* | Est Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – PMHNP | $46,920 | ~2–2.5 years |
| Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP (for NPs) | $24,480 | ~1.5–2 years |
| Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP (for non-NPs) | $29,580 | ~1.5–2 years |
*plus fees
Program Tracks Overview
Shenandoah also maintains collaborative agreements (PMHNP Initiative) with partner nursing schools including James Madison University, Marshall University, and West Virginia Wesleyan College.
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is $46,920 plus fees and would take approximately 2-2.5 years (7 semesters) to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate is based on 46 credits at $1,020/credit.
MSN Curriculum
The 46-credit program combines core graduate nursing courses with specialized psychiatric mental health content:
- N 532 Advanced Practice Roles, Ethics & Policy (3 crs)
- N 560 Advanced Concepts in Physiology & Pathophysiology (3 crs)
- N 504 Introduction to Graduate Writing (1 cr)
- N 550 Advanced Pharmacology & Therapeutics (3 crs)
- N/NLAB 580 Advanced Health Promotion & Assessment Across the Lifespan (4 crs)
- N 507 Data Interpretation & Informatics (3 crs)
- PMH 525 Behavioral Neuroscience & Psychopharmacology (3 crs)
- PMH 635 Foundations of Psychotherapy (3 crs)
- PMH 641 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Adult (2 crs)
- PMHL 641 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Clinical Practicum I (180 hours) (3 crs)
- PMH 685 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Geriatric (2 crs)
- PMH 680 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Child & Adolescent (2 crs)
- PMHL 680 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Clinical Practicum II (180 hours) (3 crs)
- N 522 Research & Evidence-Based Research (3 crs)
- PMH 661 Management of Complex Mental Health Across the Lifespan (2 crs)
- N 690 Transition to APRN Practice (2 crs)
- PMHL 695 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Clinical Practicum III (240 hours) (4 crs)
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 600 total clinical hours distributed across four semesters. Clinical practicums include Practicum I (180 hours), Practicum II (180 hours), and Practicum III (240 hours). Clinical placement is collaborative between students and faculty, with experiences scheduled at the convenience of hosting facilities.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- BSN degree from CCNE or ACEN accredited institution with recommended 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Undergraduate Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology with recommended grade of “B” or better
- Undergraduate Chemistry course with grade of “C” or better
- Undergraduate Statistics course with grade of “C” or better
- Documentation of one full year of direct patient care prior to specialty courses
- Documentation of 2,080 RN or APRN direct patient care hours
- Unencumbered RN license (multi-state or individual state; must obtain licensure in clinical rotation state)
- Graduate application with $30 application fee
- Unofficial transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
- 3 letters of recommendation (one from former nursing faculty if attended school in last 5 years; two from professionals who can attest to clinical experience)
- Current resume/C.V.
- Essay (250-500 words) answering why pursuing the PMHNP role
- Interview with graduate nursing faculty may be required
- Language proficiency requirement must be met
- Upon admission: up-to-date immunizations and health records, criminal background check, urine drug screen, and CPR certification (AHA only)
- Program starts in Fall only
- Rolling admissions with priority deadline February 15
Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP (for Currently Practicing NPs)
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate for NPs is $24,480 plus fees and would take approximately 1.5-2 years (5 semesters) to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on 24 credits at $1,020/credit.
NP Certificate Curriculum
The 24-credit certificate is designed for currently practicing nurse practitioners and may require prerequisite courses (Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Health Assessment) adding 2 additional semesters:
- PMH 525 Behavioral Neuroscience & Psychopharmacology (3 crs)
- PMH 635 Foundations of Psychotherapy (3 crs)
- PMH 641 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Adult (2 crs)
- PMHL 641 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Clinical Practicum I (180 hours) (3 crs)
- PMH 685 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Geriatric (2 crs)
- PMH 680 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Child & Adolescent (2 crs)
- PMHL 680 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Clinical Practicum II (180 hours) (3 crs)
- PMH 661 Management of Complex Mental Health Across the Lifespan (2 crs)
- PMHL 695 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Clinical Practicum III (240 hours) (4 crs)
NP Certificate Clinicals
Students complete 600 total clinical hours distributed across three practicum courses: Practicum I (180 hours), Practicum II (180 hours), and Practicum III (240 hours). Clinical experiences take place in various psychiatric inpatient and ambulatory care settings including primary care sites.
NP Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master’s degree in nursing (MSN) from CCNE or ACEN accredited institution with recommended 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Active nurse practitioner certification with successful completion of Advanced Physical Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology with recommended grade of “B” or better
- Documentation of 2,080 RN or APRN direct patient care hours
- Unencumbered RN license (multi-state or individual state; must obtain licensure in clinical rotation state)
- Copy of Advanced Practice Nursing certification
- Graduate application with $30 non-refundable application fee
- Unofficial transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
- 2 letters of recommendation (1 from previous nursing faculty if graduated in last 5 years)
- Current resume/C.V.
- Essay (250-500 words) answering why pursuing the PMHNP role
- Interview with graduate nursing faculty may be required
- Language proficiency requirement must be met
- Upon admission: up-to-date immunizations and health records, criminal background check, urine drug screen, and CPR certification (AHA only)
- Program starts in Summer (May)
- Priority deadline: February 15; Final deadline: April 15
Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP (for Non-NPs)
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate for non-NPs is $29,580 plus fees and would take approximately 1.5-2 years (5 semesters) to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimated based on 29 credits at $1,020/credit.
Certificate Curriculum
The 29-credit certificate is designed for MSN-prepared nurses or Clinical Nurse Specialists without NP certification:
- PMH 525 Behavioral Neuroscience & Psychopharmacology (3 crs)
- PMH 635 Foundations of Psychotherapy (3 crs)
- PMH 641 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Adult (2 crs)
- PMHL 641 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Clinical Practicum I (180 hours) (3 crs)
- N 532 Advanced Practice Roles, Ethics & Policy (3 crs)
- PMH 685 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Geriatric (2 crs)
- PMH 680 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Child & Adolescent (2 crs)
- PMHL 680 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Clinical Practicum II (180 hours) (3 crs)
- PMH 661 Management of Complex Mental Health Across the Lifespan (2 crs)
- PMHL 695 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Clinical Practicum III (240 hours) (4 crs)
- NP 690 Advanced Nurse Practitioner Role Development (2 crs)
Certificate Clinicals
Students complete 600 total clinical hours in faculty or preceptor-supervised settings. Clinical practicums are distributed as Practicum I (180 hours), Practicum II (180 hours), and Practicum III (240 hours). Approved psychiatric mental health settings include acute inpatient units, behavioral health centers, community health clinics, substance use facilities, and private practices.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master’s degree in nursing (MSN) from CCNE or ACEN accredited institution with recommended 3.0 cumulative GPA
- For non-NP applicants: Undergraduate Chemistry course with grade of “C” or better; may require Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Pathophysiology at Shenandoah before progressing to specialty courses (adding 2 semesters)
- Documentation of 2,080 RN or APRN direct patient care hours
- Unencumbered RN license (multi-state or individual state; must obtain licensure in clinical rotation state)
- Applicants without national certification will be individually evaluated and must submit evidence of specialty expertise
- Graduate application with $30 non-refundable application fee
- Unofficial transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
- 2 letters of recommendation (1 from previous nursing faculty if graduated in last 5 years)
- Current resume/C.V.
- Essay (250-500 words) answering why pursuing the PMHNP role
- Interview with graduate nursing faculty may be required
- Language proficiency requirement must be met
- Upon admission: up-to-date immunizations and health records, criminal background check, urine drug screen, and CPR certification (AHA only)
- Non-NPs begin in Fall (August); NPs begin in Summer (May)
- Priority deadline: February 15; Final deadline: April 15
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition is $1,020 per credit hour for both full-time (9-18 credits) and part-time (1-8.5 credits) enrollment.
Mandatory fees include a $200 Student Services Fee per term (fall and spring only), Technology Fee of $210 for full-time or $125 for part-time enrollment per term, and a $655 Nursing Fee per term.
Shenandoah University nursing alumni receive a $410 per credit tuition discount on graduate nursing courses.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Shenandoah University’s master’s degree in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-graduate APRN certificates are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates are eligible to take either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner examination or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) examination.
Other Nursing Programs
Shenandoah University Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing offers additional programs including:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – Traditional 4-Year, Transfer, and Accelerated tracks
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Family Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Nurse-Midwifery
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Post-Graduate Certificates: Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse-Midwifery
- Nurse-Midwifery Initiative (collaborative program)