Program Track Overview
This UC-wide collaborative initiative was developed with UC Irvine, UCSF, and UCLA to address California’s critical mental health provider shortage.
Postgraduate Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the UC PMHNP Certificate Program is $45,925 and takes 12 months (4 quarters) to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The 48-unit curriculum prepares licensed APRNs to become board-certified PMHNPs through case-based learning, technology integration, and systems thinking approaches.
SUMMER
NRS 415Y – PMHNP Clinical Residency (4 units)
This clinical residency builds diagnostic reasoning and direct patient care skills for individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan. Students connect science, practice, and research while using consultation and leadership skills. The course includes clinical hours plus weekly synchronous learning.
NRS 322AV – Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan: Foundations (3 units)
This course introduces core psychotropic medication classes and common neuromodulation options. Students learn safe prescribing basics for mental health care across age groups. The course runs in an asynchronous format.
NRS 321AY – PMHNP Role Development & Clinical Decision Making (2 units)
This course introduces PMHNP role skills, reflective practice, and early psychotherapy principles. Students practice therapeutic communication and alliance-building through simulations. The course includes a weekend immersion.
NRS 320V – Clinical Reasoning and Psychopathology (3 units)
This course reviews the causes, patterns, and development of mental disorders across the lifespan. Students link assessment to social determinants of health and clinical context. The course is asynchronous.
FALL
NRS 415Y – PMHNP Clinical Residency (5 units)
This residency expands clinical decision-making and psychiatric care delivery across the lifespan. Students apply research and consultation methods while developing leadership in clinical settings. The course includes clinical practice plus weekly synchronous content.
NRS 323AV – Psychotherapeutic Interventions Across the Lifespan I (3 units)
This course teaches theory and use of psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups. It covers CBT, interpersonal therapy, motivational approaches, DBT concepts, and psychodynamic methods. The course is asynchronous.
NRS 322BV – Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan: Application (3 units)
This course applies evidence-based medication plans to patients and special populations. Students examine stigma and cultural factors that affect access and engagement in care. The course is asynchronous and includes content tied to DATA 2000 waiver eligibility.
NRS 321BY – PMHNP Role Development & Clinical Decision Making (1 unit)
This course continues PMHNP role development through reflective practice and psychotherapy skill-building. Students strengthen therapeutic alliance skills using simulations. The course includes a weekend immersion.
WINTER
NRS 415Y – PMHNP Clinical Residency (6 units)
This residency deepens clinical management skills and psychiatric care delivery in real settings. Students sharpen diagnostic thinking and expand leadership and consultation practice. The course includes clinical hours plus weekly synchronous learning.
NRS 323BV – Psychotherapeutic Interventions Across the Lifespan II (3 units)
This course focuses on family systems, attachment, development, and group therapy methods. Students use clinical cases to guide assessment, engagement, and outcome review. The course is asynchronous.
NRS 321CY – PMHNP Role Development & Clinical Decision Making (3 units)
This course emphasizes assessment and treatment planning for complex cases with comorbid conditions. Students address substance use, trauma, and system barriers that affect care. The course supports transition-to-practice readiness.
SPRING
NRS 415Y – PMHNP Clinical Residency (6 units)
This final residency supports advanced clinical judgment and direct psychiatric care across the lifespan. Students refine diagnosis, treatment planning, and professional role functions in practice settings. The course includes clinical practice plus weekly synchronous content.
NRS 323CV – Psychotherapeutic Interventions Across the Lifespan III (3 units)
This course teaches harm reduction and skill-based psychotherapy strategies for PMHNP practice. Students practice interviewing, engagement, treatment planning, referral, and intervention decisions. The course is asynchronous.
NRS 322CV – Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan: Complex Cases (3 units)
This course focuses on medication planning for complex presentations and special populations. Students evaluate evidence-based options while addressing stigma and structural barriers to care. The course is asynchronous.
More curriculum details are available here.
Clinicals
Students complete a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours over 11 months, requiring 16-24 hours per week of clinical practice.
Faculty coordinate and assign clinical placements throughout California based on student location preferences, though assignments are subject to availability.
Students attend weekly virtual clinical case conferences and participate in clinical rotations even after completing minimum hours to ensure competency development throughout the entire program.
Custom preceptor applications are accepted if students have relationships with qualifying MD or PMHNP preceptors, though approval is not guaranteed.
Prerequisites & Admissions
Prerequisites (Graduate-Level Coursework):
- Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology (comprehensive, across lifespan)
- Advanced Physical/Health Assessment (all human systems)
- Advanced Pharmacology (pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacotherapeutics)
- Health Promotion and/or Disease Prevention content
- Differential Diagnosis and Disease Management content
Admissions Requirements:
- MSN degree or higher with APRN training (NP, CNS, CNM, or CRNA)
- Active APRN licensure in California (required at time of application)
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative bachelor’s degree GPA
- Three letters of recommendation from professional references
- Statement of purpose and personal history/diversity statement (4,000 characters each maximum)
- Current unencumbered RN license
- Resume or CV
- Official transcripts from all institutions
- TOEFL or IELTS scores (international graduates only)
- Must meet UC Davis graduate admissions requirements and ANCC national certification guidelines
Tuition
The program fee is approximately $11,481.25 per quarter for the 12-month program.
An Access to Student Services – Tier II fee provides partial access and representation, including library access, primary health care (with copay), and student mental health services.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Application Timeline
Applications for Summer 2026 enrollment open August 7, 2025 through NursingCAS, with a priority deadline of November 1, 2025 and extended priority deadline of December 14, 2025. Space-available applications are accepted November 2, 2025 through May 15, 2026.
Accreditation
The UC PMHNP Certificate Program is housed at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis and prepares graduates to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Board Certification examination.
Related PMNHP Programs
View all PMHNP programs in California
- Azusa Pacific University - Azusa
- Charles R Drew - Los Angeles
- CSU Fresno (Fresno State) - Fresno
- National University - San Diego
- San Diego University - San Diego
- Touro University - Vallejo
- UCLA - Los Angeles
- University of California San Francisco - San Francisco
- University of San Francisco - San Francisco
- Vanguard University - Costa Mesa
- Western University - Pomona