Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost* | Duration | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSN to DNP | ~$39,000 | 3 years | 79 |
| Post-Graduate APRN Certificate | ~$11,800–$12,000 | 1 year | 18 |
Both programs are delivered 100% online through NMSU Global Campus with on-campus orientation, clinical immersion experiences, and supervised clinical practica conducted in students’ hometowns.
BSN to DNP PMHNP
The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP PMHNP program is approximately $38,979 and takes 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on 79 credits at $493.40 per credit: $444.40 base + $49 nursing differential.
The DNP is a terminal practice-focused doctoral degree preparing leaders for the highest level of nursing practice with over 1,000 contact hours of supervised clinical experiences.
BSN-DNP Admissions Requirements
Academic Credentials:
- Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from nationally accredited nursing program
- Minimum nursing GPA of 3.0 or better
- Successful admission to NMSU Graduate School required
- Admission is competitive process based on application components and interview
Prerequisite Coursework:
- Undergraduate or graduate level statistics course completion
Licensure:
- Current unencumbered RN license from one of the 50 U.S. States or Territories (at time of application)
Application Materials:
- Complete DNP Program application through NMSU Graduate School (select ‘NMSU Global Campus’ to find DNP-PMHNP program)
- Current CV/resume
- RN license documentation
- Unofficial transcripts from nursing programs/degrees (official transcripts required before end of first semester)
- Letter of intent specifying career goals and clear statement of how DNP will advance applicant’s career
- Two to four (2-4) page paper (double-spaced, 12 pt font) describing example of common problem in clinical practice that could improve patient outcomes, population health, and/or healthcare delivery in specialty area (potential DNP Project basis; APA format with cited references)
- Names and contact information for three (3) references from colleagues in clinical practice
- Personal interview with faculty (on campus or via videoconferencing) for selected applicants
BSN-DNP Curriculum
The 79-credit BSN to DNP PMHNP program integrates DNP core courses for population health leadership with NP core courses and PMHNP specialty courses, requiring DNP project completion demonstrating advanced coursework in leadership, research translation, and clinical knowledge.
Full-Time Three-Year Plan:
Year 1 – Fall (12 credits):
- NURS 6112 Population Health Leadership & Epidemiologic Decision Making (3)
- NURS 6115 Advanced Nursing Knowledge & the DNP Role (3)
- NURS 6120 Quality Improvement in Healthcare (3)
- NURS 6210 Professional Roles for Advanced Practice Clinical Nursing (3)
Year 1 – Spring (9 credits):
- NURS 6125 Evidence Based Practice in Healthcare (3)
- NURS 6135 Interdisciplinary Leadership and Role Development for Practice Excellence (3)
- NURS 6220 Advanced Pathophysiology for Clinical Nursing (3)
Year 1 – Summer (6 credits):
- NURS 6230 Advanced Clinical Pharmacology (3)
- NURS 6270 Clinical Data Analysis (2)
- NURS 6305 Introduction to the DNP Project (1)
Year 2 – Fall (9 credits):
- NURS 5120 Nursing Informatics (3)
- NURS 6224 Diagnostic Reasoning and Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 6226 Advanced Health Assessment Practicum (1)
- NURS 6991 DNP Project Development (2)
Year 2 – Spring (11 credits):
- NURS 6250 Healthcare Policy and Ethics (3)
- NURS 6260 Population Health and the Environment (3)
- NURS 6266 Strategic & Financial Decision-Making in HC Systems (3)
- NURS 6991 DNP Project Development (2)
Year 2 – Summer (9 credits):
- NURS 6404 Neurobiology of Mental Disorders (2)
- NURS 6408 PMHNP Role in Diagnostics & Screening (3)
- NURS 6411 PMHNP Across the Lifespan Practicum 1 (2)
- NP Clinical Immersion (included)
- NURS 6991 DNP Project Development (2)
Year 3 – Fall (9 credits):
- NURS 6410 PMHNP Across the Lifespan I (3)
- NURS 6411 PMHNP Across the Lifespan I Practicum (3)
- NURS 6405 Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice (3)
Year 3 – Spring (9 credits):
- NURS 6420 PMHNP Across the Lifespan II (3)
- NURS 6421 PMHNP Across the Lifespan II Practicum (4)
- NURS 6352 Integrated Care for Diverse Populations (2)
Year 3 – Summer (5 credits):
- NURS 6430 PMHNP Across the Lifespan III (1)
- NURS 6431 PMHNP Across the Lifespan III Practicum (2)
- NURS 6432 PMHNP Across the Lifespan Residency (2)
More curriculum details are available here.
Program Features:
- Flexible, mostly asynchronous online format for didactic courses
- On-campus orientation at program start
- 1-week on-campus intensive prior to third year
- Clinical practicum conducted in student’s hometown
- DNP Project must be completed by Fall Year 2; otherwise continue enrolling in NURS 6991 until project defended and final manuscript submitted
BSN-DNP Clinicals
The BSN to DNP PMHNP program requires over 1,000 contact hours of supervised clinical experiences, with the majority completed in the final year.
Clinical training conducted in students’ hometowns with nurse practitioners and physicians at local healthcare centers.
Clinical Hour Requirements:
- Advanced Health Assessment Practicum: 64 hours
- PMHNP Clinical Practicum Hours: 832 hours
- NURS 6411 PMHNP Across the Lifespan I Practicum
- NURS 6421 PMHNP Across the Lifespan II Practicum
- NURS 6431 PMHNP Across the Lifespan III Practicum
- NURS 6432 PMHNP Across the Lifespan Residency
- DNP Project Leadership Hours: 192 hours
- Total Grand Total Practicum Hours: 1,088 hours
Clinical Coordination:
- Clinical training completed with nurse practitioners and physicians at local healthcare centers in student’s hometown
- Distance education format allows nurses to earn DNP in their hometown
- Students work with experienced preceptors in diverse settings
Program Immersion Experiences:
- On-campus orientation (2 days) at program start
- 1-week on-campus clinical seminar/intensive in summer of second year
- NP Clinical Immersion included in Year 2 Summer
Certification Eligibility: Graduates prepared to sit for American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam.
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the PMHNP Post-Graduate Certificate is approximately $11,842 and takes 1 year to complete.
Estimate based on 18 credits at $493.40 per credit: $444.40 base + $49 nursing differential, with optional additional 3-credit course.
The certificate is named among the Most Affordable Online Post-Master’s NP Certificate Programs by NPSchools.com.
Certificate Admissions Requirements
Academic Credentials:
- Master’s degree in nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with minimum GPA of 3.0
- Currently certified as master’s or doctorally-prepared nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, or certified registered nurse anesthetist
Licensure:
- Active and current APRN license and certification as nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or clinical nurse specialist
Prerequisite Coursework:
- Advanced Health Assessment (completed)
- Advanced Pathophysiology (completed)
- Advanced Pharmacology (completed)
- Prerequisites must be satisfied before certificate enrollment
Application Materials:
- Complete application through NMSU Graduate School (select “Graduate Certificate” in application system)
- Resume/CV
- Unofficial transcripts (official transcripts required before end of first semester)
- Letter of intent describing career goals and how certificate fits professional objectives
- Contact information for three references from colleagues familiar with clinical expertise
Certificate Curriculum
The 18-credit certificate focuses exclusively on PMHNP specialty coursework building upon four core PMHNP competencies with minimum 500 required clinical hours that cannot be waived or negotiated.
Required Courses (18 Credits):
- NURS 6410 PMHNP Across the Lifespan I
- NURS 6411 PMHNP Across the Lifespan I Practicum
- NURS 6420 PMHNP Across the Lifespan II
- NURS 6421 PMHNP Across the Lifespan II Practicum
- NURS 6352 Integrated Care for Diverse Populations
- NURS 6430 PMHNP Across the Lifespan III
- NURS 6431 PMHNP Across the Lifespan III Practicum
Optional Elective:
- NURS 6405 Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice (3 credits)
More curriculum details are available here.
One-Year Full-Time Plan:
Fall Semester (6 credits):
- NURS 6410 PMHNP Across the Lifespan I (3)
- NURS 6411 PMHNP Across the Lifespan I Practicum (3)
- Optional: NURS 6405 Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice (3)
Spring Semester (8 credits):
- NURS 6420 PMHNP Across the Lifespan II (3)
- NURS 6421 PMHNP Across the Lifespan II Practicum (3)
- NURS 6352 Integrated Care for Diverse Populations (2)
Summer Semester (4 credits):
- NURS 6430 PMHNP Across the Lifespan III
- NURS 6431 PMHNP Across the Lifespan III Practicum
Certificate Clinicals
The Post-Graduate APRN Certificate requires minimum 500 clinical hours (576 hours based on credit calculation) of supervised clinical practicum that cannot be waived or negotiated. These are required for national certification.
Clinical Hour Requirements:
- Certificate students must complete 576 hours of supervised clinical practicum
- Calculation: 1 credit in clinical course = 64 hours of clinical practicum
- Total: 576 clinical hours minimum (9 practicum credits × 64 hours/credit)
Clinical Training:
- Completed in student’s hometown/local area
- Work alongside professional nurses and physicians
- Hands-on experience honing specialized PMHNP skills
- Distance education format accommodates working professionals
Tuition
All Graduate Nursing Programs (Except Nurse Anesthesiology):
- Base Tuition (per credit): $444.40
- Nursing Tuition Differential (per credit): $49.00
- Total Per Credit: $493.40
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificates at New Mexico State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring quality education meeting national standards for advanced practice nursing.
New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, ensuring credits are transferable and education meets high-quality standards.
Additional PMHNP Programs
- University of New Mexico - Albuquerque