Maryland PMHNP programs span an estimated $32,640 to $156,332 in tuition for in-state students, depending on whether you choose an MSN, DNP, or post-master’s/postdoctoral option.
Frostburg offers one of the lower-cost MSN pathways, while Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland provide higher-priced DNP and postdoctoral routes with intensive clinical and leadership training.
Local Program Comparison Table
| School | Est. Cost Range (MD Residents) | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Frostburg State University | MSN: ≈ $33K | – BSN-to-MSN PMHNP track with about 2.3 years of full-time study – 765 supervised clinical hours in regional settings – supported by a Clinical Placement Coordinator |
| Johns Hopkins University | DNP: ≈ $157K Certificate: ≈ $34K | – high-intensity DNP-only PMHNP preparation – at least 1,040 NP clinical hours plus 160 project practicum hours – delivered in a hybrid model with online coursework – certificate provides a 500-hour route certification |
| University of Maryland | DNP: ≈ $94K Postdoctoral Cert: ≈ $40K | – long-standing psychiatric nursing leader with over 70 years of experience – reported 100% PMHNP board pass rate in 2024 – students complete 1,035–990 clinical hours at sites across MD and DC |
All PMHNP School Options for MD Nurses
Frostburg State University PMHNP Programs
Frostburg | $544 cpc | MSN
Frostburg State University’s MSN–PMHNP is a mostly online track (90–95%) with limited on-campus immersions and a required pre-program orientation. The lock-step plan starts each fall and finishes in about 2.3 years (7 consecutive semesters). Students complete 765 supervised clinical hours at local sites arranged with support from a Clinical Placement Coordinator, with a stated focus on rural mental health. Estimated in-state tuition is about $32,640 (60 credits × $544/credit), with additional fees possible...read more.
Johns Hopkins University PMHNP Programs
Baltimore | < $2,000 cpc | Certificate / DNP
Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing offers two PMHNP options: a 3-year DNP (76 credits) with 1,040+ clinical hours and a 1-year Post-Master’s Certificate (17 credits) with 500 clinical hours. Courses run online; the DNP includes required onsite immersions, and both tracks use local preceptors with structured placement support and high-touch advising. Estimated tuition is $156,332 for the DNP and $33,915 for the certificate (fees and living expenses not included). Clinical activities are not authorized in Louisiana or New York...read more.
University of Maryland PMHNP Programs
Baltimore | $926 cpc | Certificate / DNP
The University of Maryland School of Nursing offers two PMHNP tracks in a blended format with online core courses and in-person specialty work. Students can choose 3-, 4-, or 5-year DNP plans and complete clinicals at partner sites across Maryland and Washington, D.C. The program notes a long history in psychiatric nursing and reports a 100% PMHNP board pass rate for 2024...read more.
Walden University PMHNP Programs
Fully Online | $775 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Maryland nurses have access to Walden University’s fully online, CCNE-accredited PMHNP programs—including BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, standalone MSN, and Post-Master’s Certificate options—designed for working professionals across the state. Walden’s Practicum Pledge provides personalized assistance in securing clinical placements throughout Maryland, from Baltimore to the Eastern Shore, ensuring all practicum requirements are met locally. Graduates emerge ready to provide evidence-based psychiatric-mental health care in Maryland’s diverse communities, hospitals, and telehealth settings.
Post University PMHNP Programs
online | $604 cpc | MSN
From policy and leadership to psychopharmacology and psychotherapy across the lifespan, the MSN–PMHNP delivers a full scope of PMHNP preparation online. Five progressive preceptorships (including pediatrics, adults/older adults, and SUD care) ensure you meet 630 clinical hours while building certification-ready competence. Plan on approximately 34 months to completion and a rounded program cost near $31k.
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
online | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Purdue Global's PMHNP programs are authorized in Maryland, offering three degree options ranging from a 48-credit Postgraduate Certificate to comprehensive MSN and MSN-DNP pathways, all featuring innovative virtual reality technology for enhanced clinical learning. Maryland nurses complete faculty- and preceptor-supported clinical experiences in local healthcare organizations, with programs emphasizing diagnosis, treatment planning, psychotherapy, and psychotropic medication management. Graduates achieve a 93.7% average certification pass rate and are academically eligible for Maryland APRN licensure after earning national PMHNP certification.
WGU PMHNP Programs
online | flat rate cpc | Certificate / MSN
WGU's PMHNP programs, offered entirely online through the Leavitt School of Health, utilize a flexible competency-based model for students to accelerate by proving mastery of skills. The BSN-to-MSN track takes a minimum of 2.5 years and is priced at approximately $36,000, while the Post-Master's Certificate is around $22,000 for a 1.5-year minimum duration. Both CCNE-accredited pathways require students to complete 650 hands-on clinical hours in their local community to qualify for APRN licensure.
Wilkes University PMHNP Programs
online | $751 cpc | Certificate / MSN / RN to MSN
Wilkes University’s PMHNP options give Maryland nurses flexible, distance-based MSN, certificate, and DNP pathways that fit around variable shift work and family commitments. Complimentary clinical placement services help Maryland students secure appropriate psychiatric-mental health rotations, ensuring they meet clinical hour requirements while staying near their communities. The integrated curriculum blends advanced pathophysiology, psychopharmacology, diagnostic reasoning, and clinical modalities so graduates can step into high-demand PMHNP roles throughout Maryland.
Comparing PMHNP Programs in Maryland
TLDR: Quick Program Match
Choose Frostburg State University if you want Maryland’s most affordable MSN option ($32,640 for 60 credits) with comprehensive clinical placement support from a dedicated Clinical Placement Coordinator and a structured 7-semester progression plan.
Choose Johns Hopkins University if you want prestigious Ivy League credentials with a BSN-to-DNP pathway ($156,332 for 76 credits), 1,040+ clinical hours, virtual immersions, and placement support from one of the world’s top-ranked nursing schools.
Choose University of Maryland if you want 70 years of psychiatric nursing education excellence, a 100% PMHNP board pass rate (2024), premium clinical placements across Maryland and Washington D.C., and faculty-arranged practicum sites so you never secure your own placements.
Maryland MSN PMHNP Program
Maryland offers only one traditional MSN PMHNP program at Frostburg State University, while both Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland have transitioned exclusively to doctoral-level entry (DNP).
Frostburg State delivers Maryland’s sole MSN option at $32,640 for Maryland residents ($544/credit for 60 credits over 7 consecutive semesters including summers), making it the most accessible pathway for nurses seeking master’s-level PMHNP credentials in the state.
The program includes 765 clinical hours across diverse local sites with dedicated Clinical Placement Coordinator support to verify preceptors and finalize affiliation agreements—significantly reducing student stress around clinical placement logistics.
Unique Curriculum Features:
- Neurobiology emphasis (NURS625) explaining biological bases of psychiatric disorders
- Physical health integration (NURS629) addressing medical comorbidities in behavioral health
- Population-specific coursework: Separate theory and practicum courses for adult/geriatric, child/adolescent, and vulnerable populations
- Brief therapy specialization: Dedicated courses in adult/geriatric brief therapy (NURS632/633) and child/adolescent brief therapy (NURS636/637)
- Quality improvement focus (NURS675) applying QI models with culturally responsive care
- Transitional role preparation (NURS701) covering DEA/NPI applications, credentialing, CE, advocacy
Maryland PMHNP DNP Program Comparison
Both Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland offer BSN-to-DNP PMHNP pathways, representing Maryland’s premium doctoral education options with dramatically different price points.
Johns Hopkins commands $156,332 for 76 credits ($2,057/credit)—among the nation’s most expensive nursing programs—but delivers Ivy League prestige, research opportunities at a world-renowned institution, and 1,200 total hours (1,040 NP clinical + 160 project practicum).
University of Maryland offers significantly better value at $93,565.50 for Maryland residents ($926/credit for 101 credits), featuring 70 years of psychiatric nursing education excellence, a 100% PMHNP board pass rate in 2024, and 1,080 total hours (1,035 clinical + 45 project hours).
Both programs provide faculty-coordinated clinical placements, though University of Maryland explicitly arranges all placements at premium partner sites while Johns Hopkins offers “placement support” with local preceptors.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details:
| School | Total Cost | Credits | Clinical Hours | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland | $94K | 101* | 1,035 clinical + 45 project | 3-4 years FT | Online with practicum |
| Johns Hopkins University | $156K | 76 | 1,040 NP clinical + 160 project | 3 years FT | Online + onsite immersions |
*Estimated based on curriculum description; exact credit total not explicitly stated
Maryland PMHNP Certificate Comparison
All three Maryland schools offer post-master’s or postdoctoral certificates, but requirements and target populations differ significantly.
Johns Hopkins targets active nurse practitioners with existing NP licensure/certification and ≥500 prior NP clinical hours, requiring one year of NP experience by program start—this is an advanced certificate for practicing NPs adding psychiatric specialty.
University of Maryland’s postdoctoral certificate requires both a graduate nursing degree AND a doctoral degree (DNP, PhD, EdD, etc.), targeting the most advanced-prepared nurses. Frostburg State does not currently offer a post-master’s PMHNP certificate based on provided materials, leaving MSN-prepared nurses with only the doctoral-level certificate options from the two university systems.
Cost and Duration:
| School | Program Type | Cost | Credits | Clinical Hours | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | Post-Master’s (for active NPs) | $34K | 17 | 500 (two 250-hour practica) | 1 year (3 semesters) FT |
| University of Maryland | Postdoctoral (requires doctoral degree) | $40K | ~43 | 990 | ~2 years FT |
Specialty Curriculum Focus
Frostburg State University (MSN):
- Population-stratified coursework: Separate theory and practicum pairs for adult/geriatric (NURS630/631), child/adolescent (NURS634/635), and vulnerable populations (NURS638/639)
- Brief therapy specialization: Dedicated courses in adult/geriatric brief individual/group therapy (NURS632/633) and child/adolescent brief individual/family therapy (NURS636/637)
- Physical health integration: NURS629 addresses common medical comorbidities in behavioral health and primary care coordination
- Quality improvement emphasis: NURS675 applies QI models with culturally responsive care and systems-level measurement
- Informatics foundation: NURS504 builds EHR skills with privacy, security, and clinical decision support
- Professional transition: NURS701 covers DEA/NPI applications, credentialing, CE requirements, advocacy, portfolio development
Johns Hopkins University (DNP):
- DEI principles integration: Health policy, advocacy, and population health courses center human rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Social determinants emphasis: Repeated focus on SDoH across health promotion, policy, assessment, and leadership courses
- Four-part diagnostic reasoning sequence: Progressive development across adult/gero (I), children/families (II), wellness/gender/reproductive (III), and complex/chronic/multi-system conditions (IV)
- Virtual immersions: Clinical Management I-III include virtual components; only Clinical Management IV requires in-person immersion
- Extensive project practicum: 160 hours across discovery (40), translation (40), policy/advocacy (40), and CQSI (40) domains
- Finance and data analytics: Dedicated courses in healthcare finance (NR.400.732) and advanced clinical data management (two courses)
- Systems and IT emphasis: Advanced applications of IT, organizational systems leadership, and data-driven quality improvement
University of Maryland (DNP):
- 70 years of psychiatric nursing education expertise
- Six-course Diagnosis & Management progression: Sequential development from differential diagnosis (135 hrs) → therapeutic interventions (180 hrs) → family systems (90 hrs) → psychopharmacology (didactic) → professional practice immersion (180 hrs) → integration of practice & leadership (225 hrs)
- Macrosystem focus: Final D&M VI course emphasizes advanced CRNP practice at macrosystem level with leadership, policy analysis, and system redesign
- Family systems integration: D&M III dedicated to family systems theory applied to acute and chronic psychiatric conditions
- Neurophysiology depth: NPHY862 links neurobiological mechanisms to psychiatric symptoms across neurotransmitter systems
- Sub-specialty clinical exposure: SPMI (serious persistent mental illness), substance use disorders, pediatric mental health
- Premium partner sites: Faculty-arranged placements at established Maryland and D.C. partner institutions
Clinical Hour Requirements:
- Frostburg State MSN: 765 hours
- Johns Hopkins DNP: 1,040 NP clinical + 160 project practicum = 1,200 total
- Johns Hopkins Certificate: 500 hours (two 250-hour practica)
- University of Maryland DNP: 1,035 clinical + 45 project = 1,080 total
- University of Maryland Postdoctoral Certificate: 990 hours
2026 Admissions Requirements
| School | Program | Minimum GPA | RN/Specialty Experience | Application Deadlines | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frostburg State | MSN | 3.0 (last 60 credits) | Not specified | Fall cohort only | Interview, background check, child abuse clearance |
| Johns Hopkins | DNP | 3.0 | 1 year RN preferred | Not specified | Interview if selected |
| Johns Hopkins | Post-Master’s Cert | Not specified | 1 year NP; ≥500 prior NP clinical hours | Not specified | Must hold current NP licensure/certification |
| University of Maryland | DNP | 3.0 | 2 years FT psych/mental health experience by application | Priority: early Nov; Final: early July | Interview by invitation |
| University of Maryland | Postdoctoral Cert | Not specified | Not specified | Fall and spring intakes | Requires doctoral degree + pre-application gap analysis |
Clinical Placement Support
Comprehensive Faculty-Coordinated Placement:
University of Maryland:
- Faculty arrange ALL placements at premium partner sites
- Students do NOT need to secure own sites
- Premium partner sites across Maryland and Washington, D.C.
- Sub-specialty exposure built into placements: SPMI, substance use, pediatric mental health
- Practicum schedules vary by site; may include some after-hours time
- Serves children through geriatric populations
Johns Hopkins University:
- Placement support with local preceptors
- Collaborative placement process
- Online didactic delivery with virtual immersions (Clinical Management I-III)
- One in-person immersion (Clinical Management IV)
- State restrictions: Clinical activities NOT permitted in Louisiana or New York
Frostburg State University:
- Clinical Placement Coordinator verifies preceptors and finalizes affiliation agreements
- 765 clinical hours across diverse local sites
- Maximum 225 hours per semester (full-time) or 180 hours (part-time)
- Blended courses may include campus labs and simulation sessions
Total Clinical Hours Required:
- Frostburg State MSN: 765 hours
- Johns Hopkins DNP: 1,040 NP clinical + 160 project = 1,200 total
- Johns Hopkins Certificate: 500 hours
- University of Maryland DNP: 1,035 clinical + 45 project = 1,080 total
- University of Maryland Certificate: 990 hours