Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Esti. Cost* | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN to DNP PMHNP | $69,225 | 3 years (full time) |
| BSN to DNP PMHNP | $74,405 | 3.25 years (full time) |
| MSN – PMHNP | $44,705 | 2.5 years (full time) |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP | $35,225 | Varies; 43 quarter credits |
*Costs shown reflect estimates after the Believe & Achieve Scholarship, based on current data.
A major highlight is the Walden Practicum Pledge, where the university’s Field Placement Team commits to partnering with students to find preceptor sites if the student cannot secure one independently.
The program also utilizes a virtual skills lab to provide interactive assessments and faculty guidance for practicum preparation, ensuring graduates are ready to help patients manage and improve their mental health wellness across the life span.
Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP (MSN to DNP Track)
The estimated cost for the MSN to DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program is $69,225 (after the Believe & Achieve Scholarship) and would take 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN to DNP Curriculum
This track requires 85 quarter credits and builds upon the student’s existing MSN knowledge base.
Coursework is heavily focused on translating research into evidence-based practice and augmenting healthcare delivery, which is essential for doctoral-level nursing. Key course content covers advanced core sciences and specialized psychiatric mental health care.
Coursework includes:
DNRS 6501 – Advanced Pathophysiology (5 credits)
This course examines advanced physiology and pathophysiology across the lifespan, emphasizing how disease disrupts normal organ system function. Students analyze bio-physiological mechanisms and clinical manifestations to understand organ system imbalances and support return to homeostasis. Content prepares learners to apply pathophysiologic concepts when planning treatment for diverse patient populations.
DNRS 6521 – Advanced Pharmacology (5 credits)
This course explores advanced pharmacologic principles, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics across major drug classes. Students consider safety, effectiveness, cost, patient factors, and complementary therapies when selecting and managing drug regimens for acute and chronic conditions. The course also introduces key regulations and legislation that guide advanced practice prescribing.
DNRS 6512 – Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (5 credits)
This course develops advanced health assessment and diagnostic reasoning skills for patients across the lifespan. Students refine comprehensive and focused assessment techniques, integrate psychosocial and physical findings, and identify changing health patterns in both wellness and illness. Learning includes risk assessment, preventive care, and interpretation of advanced skills such as suturing, 12-lead EKGs, and X-rays.
DNRS 6630 – Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of Psychopathology (5 credits)
This course focuses on medication management for major psychiatric disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and psychotic conditions. Students build on prior pharmacology knowledge to select, monitor, and adjust psychotropic regimens based on response and side-effect profiles. Emphasis is on safe prescribing, long-term management, and integration of psychopharmacology into comprehensive mental health care.
DRNP 6635 – Psychopathology and Diagnostic Reasoning (3 credits)
This course introduces advanced concepts in psychopathology and diagnostic reasoning for psychiatric and substance use disorders across the lifespan. Students learn to conduct comprehensive mental health evaluations, apply diagnostic criteria, and develop differential diagnoses that support accurate clinical decision-making. The focus is on safe, thorough assessment as the foundation for treatment planning.
PRCM 6635 – Psychopathology and Diagnostic Reasoning Practicum (2 credits)
In this practicum, students apply psychiatric interviewing, history taking, and mental status examination skills in real clinical settings. They use knowledge of psychopathology and diagnostic reasoning to gather data, form differential diagnoses, and document findings for patients with psychiatric and substance use disorders. The course strengthens advanced communication and clinical documentation skills.
DRNP 6645 – Psychotherapy With Multiple Modalities (3 credits)
This course surveys evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches for individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan. Students examine how to select and apply specific modalities to address a range of psychiatric concerns. Emphasis is on purposeful, structured use of therapy techniques rather than informal advice-giving.
DRNP 6665 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan I (3 credits)
This course links psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning using a lifespan perspective. Students learn to apply diagnostic criteria, choose appropriate labs and tests, and combine psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacologic strategies for common mental health conditions. Legal and ethical issues are highlighted as learners begin to transition from the registered nurse role to advanced practice.
PRCM 6665 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan I Practicum (2 credits)
In this practicum, students care for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults with diverse mental health needs. They apply assessment, diagnostic, and treatment skills in clinical settings, integrating psychotherapy and medication management under supervision. The focus is on building confidence and competence in advanced psychiatric nursing practice.
DRNP 6675 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan II (3 credits)
This capstone didactic course advances clinical decision-making for complex psychiatric cases across the lifespan. Students refine differential diagnosis, testing choices, and combined therapy–medication plans while addressing system-level and cost issues in mental health care. Case discussions emphasize collaboration with patients, families, and interprofessional teams to deliver safe, high-quality, and efficient care.
PRCM 6675 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan II Practicum (2 credits)
This final practicum focuses on managing complex and persistent mental health conditions in diverse populations. Students integrate psychopathology, psychopharmacology, and psychotherapy skills to diagnose, treat, and follow patients across care settings. The experience is designed to solidify readiness for independent practice as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN to DNP Clinicals
The DNP program mandates a minimum of 1,000 post-Baccalaureate practicum hours, including at least 400 hours at the DNP level, which is standard for doctoral NP preparation.
Students who enter with fewer than 600 documented practicum hours may be required to take up to 8 credits of DNP Field Experience to meet this minimum. The specialization requires four Practicum courses (PRCM), running concurrently with the final didactic courses to ensure integrated clinical judgment development.
MSN to DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- License: Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or equivalent from an accredited school.
- Requirements: Completed online application and official transcripts.
- The admissions process is streamlined with no application fee, essay, or standardized test scores (SAT/ACT/GRE) required.
Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP (BSN to DNP Track)
The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program is $74,405 (after the Believe & Achieve Scholarship) and would take 3.25 years to complete on a full-time basis.
BSN to DNP Curriculum
This 95-quarter credit track provides the necessary foundation for BSN-prepared nurses to directly enter doctoral study. It incorporates 10 essential credits covering fundamental advanced practice concepts, plus all core DNP and specialized PMHNP courses, preparing the student to lead change and apply advanced evidence-based practice.
The curriculum covers everything from advanced pathophysiology to psychopharmacologic treatment.
- Includes 10 Essential Courses (DNRS 6052, DNRS 6211) and the full 85 credits of the MSN to DNP curriculum.
More curriculum details are available here.
BSN to DNP Clinicals
Similar to the MSN to DNP track, students must complete a minimum of 1,000 post-Baccalaureate practicum hours, with 400 hours at the DNP level, ensuring comprehensive clinical immersion.
The program integrates the four required clinical practicum courses alongside the advanced didactic specialization training.
BSN to DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- License: Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or equivalent from an accredited school.
- Requirements: Completed online application and official transcripts.
- The admissions process offers easy credit transfer and requires no application fee or standardized testing.
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program is $44,705 (after the Believe & Achieve Scholarship) and would take approximately 2.5 years to complete on a full-time basis (63 quarter credits).
MSN Curriculum
This 63-quarter credit track, which has a BSN entry point, provides a solid understanding of various mental health disorders and treatments. The curriculum combines core master’s-level coursework focused on leadership and change with specialized PMHNP content, providing a holistic education.
Featured MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Courses include:
- Professional Nurses as Change Agents
- Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice
- Population Health Nursing
- Psychopathology and Diagnostic Reasoning
- Psychotherapy With Multiple Modalities
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan I & II
More curriculum details available here.
MSN Clinicals
The MSN track requires 640 practicum hours within the specialization. The program integrates four clinical courses (PRAC) that include these required practicum hours, which run concurrently with the advanced didactic specialization training.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- License: Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or equivalent from an accredited school (for the BSN to MSN path).
- Requirements: Completed online application and official transcripts.
- The admissions process is streamlined with no application fee, essay, or standardized test scores (SAT/ACT/GRE) required.
Post-Master’s Certificate in PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is $35,225 (Tuition, Program Fee, and Clinical Course Fee) and requires 43 quarter credits.
Certificate Curriculum
This 43-quarter credit certificate is designed for APRNs or MSN-holders seeking to add the PMHNP specialty to their certification. The curriculum is focused on the PMHNP specialization courses, allowing the student to rapidly gain the knowledge necessary for psychiatric diagnosis, treatment, and psychotherapeutic approaches.
- DRNP 6635: Psychopathology and Diagnostic Reasoning (3 cr.)
- PRCM 6635: Psychopathology and Diagnostic Reasoning Practicum (2 cr.)
- DRNP 6645: Psychotherapy With Multiple Modalities (3 cr.)
- PRCM 6645: Psychotherapy With Multiple Modalities Practicum (2 cr.)
- DRNP 6665: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan I (3 cr.)
- PRCM 6665: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan I Practicum (2 cr.)
- DRNP 6675: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan II (3 cr.)
- PRCM 6675: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan II Practicum (2 cr.)
Certificate Clinicals
The certificate program includes 4 specialization practicum courses (PRAC) that incorporate the required clinical hours for certification. The total clinical hours required for the certificate is 640 practicum hours within the specialization.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- License: Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or equivalent from an accredited school.
- Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts.
- Admission is streamlined with no application fee, essay, or standardized test scores (GRE) required.
More curriculum details available here.
Tuition
The base graduate tuition cost per credit varies: NP Specialization coursework is $775 per quarter credit. Doctoral coursework is $925 per quarter hour.
A special Clinical Course Fee of $160 per course applies to the 4 practicum courses, and a flat Program Fee of $180 per quarter is charged for all tracks. See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, including the nurse practitioner specializations, and the Post-Master’s APRN certificate program at Walden University are all accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Other Nursing Programs
Walden University also offers DNP specializations and Post-Master’s Certificates in other advanced practice areas:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master’s Certificate in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care