Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN PMHNP | $119,340 | 2 years |
| BSN-to-DNP PMHNP | $170,170 | 3 years full-time |
| Post-Master’s to DNP | $75,140 | 2 years full-time |
Both tracks prepare graduates to provide psychiatric mental health care across the lifespan and are eligible for national ANCC certification as Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs).
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN PMHNP program is approximately $119,340 (54 units × $2,210 per unit) and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN PMHNP curriculum consists of 54 total units divided across MSN Core (12 units), APRN Core (10 units), and PMHNP Component (32 units). The program builds on an advanced practice nursing core curriculum of pathophysiology, physical assessment and diagnosis, and pharmacology, with additional coursework in psychopharmacology and common psychotherapeutic modalities.
MSN Core (12 units):
- MSNC 611: Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing (3 units)
- MSNC 612: Population Health (3 units)
- MSNC 640: Healthcare Information and Communication Management (3 units)
- DNPC 661: Leadership, Advocacy, and Quality Improvement I (1 unit)
- DNPC 662: Leadership, Advocacy, and Quality Improvement II (2 units)
APRN Core (10 units):
- APNC 620: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 units)
- APNC 621: Advanced Health Assessment (4 units)
- APNC 623: Pharmacology in Health Management (3 units)
PMHNP Component (32 units):
NPTC 630: Role of the Nurse Practitioner
This course reviews the nurse practitioner role, history, and professional identity. Students build clinical reasoning, leadership, and advocacy skills for advanced practice nursing.
NPTC 640: Psychiatric Assessment for the Advanced Practice Nurse
This course teaches psychiatric assessment, case formulation, and diagnosis for mental health and substance use conditions. Students practice interviewing, differential diagnosis, and oral and written case presentation using evidence-based decision making.
NPTC 641: Psychopharmacology and Clinical Management of Psychiatric Disorders
This course applies neuroscience and pharmacotherapy to medication decisions for psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. Students learn to start, monitor, and adjust medication plans while integrating ethics, communication, and social factors that affect mental health.
NPTC 641P: Psychopharmacology and Clinical Management of Psychiatric Disorders Practicum
This practicum provides supervised clinical experience in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning for mental health and substance use conditions. Students deliver pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic care, complete progress notes, and reflect on clinical judgment in real cases.
NPTC 642: Diagnostics and Management of Mental Health Conditions Across the Lifespan I
This course builds treatment skills for substance use, personality, and psychotic disorders. Students use advanced medication strategies and evidence-based psychotherapy methods to create patient-centered plans.
NPTC 642P: Diagnostics and Management of Mental Health Conditions Across the Lifespan I Practicum
This practicum strengthens skills in assessment, diagnosis, and intervention across the lifespan. Students apply medication and therapy approaches, document care in progress notes, and use clinical judgment informed by social determinants.
NPTC 643: Diagnostics and Management of Mental Health Conditions Across the Lifespan II
This course focuses on mood, anxiety, trauma, neurodevelopmental, neurocognitive, and behavioral disorders. Students refine advanced medication management and psychotherapy selection to support individualized care.
NPTC 643P: Diagnostics and Management of Mental Health Conditions Across the Lifespan II Practicum
This practicum expands direct care experience with complex psychiatric and substance use presentations. Students apply treatment plans, strengthen documentation, and develop higher-level clinical decision skills through supervised practice.
NPTC 644: Diagnostics and Management of Mental Health Conditions Across the Lifespan III
This course addresses care for eating disorders, somatic symptom disorders, and psychiatric symptoms linked to medical comorbidity. Students integrate pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy approaches for complex client and family system needs.
NPTC 644P: Diagnostics and Management of Mental Health Conditions Across the Lifespan III Practicum
This final practicum provides advanced clinical immersion in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for diverse psychiatric conditions. Students deliver integrated care, produce complete clinical documentation, and demonstrate strong clinical judgment grounded in social context.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
The MSN PMHNP program requires 768 total clinical hours distributed across four practicum courses. Clinical placements are determined jointly by the clinical placement coordinator and program faculty based on clinical course objectives, with students encouraged to identify preferred clinical preceptors. The School of Nursing admits only California in-state students and works closely with each student to secure geographically accessible clinical rotations.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
Education Requirements:
- BSN degree from an approved, accredited college or university
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Completion of a basic statistics course (recommended)
Experience & Licensure Requirements:
- Active, unencumbered California RN license (domestic applicants licensed in another state must obtain California license upon enrollment; international applicants must have California license at time of application)
- Minimum of one year of RN work experience required
Application Materials:
- Online application with $55 application fee
- Personal statement (500 words)
- Resume or CV
- Two letters of recommendation (preferably from nurses with doctorate degrees)
- Official transcripts (course-by-course evaluation required for degrees earned outside United States)
- Interview for qualified applicants
Application Deadlines:
- Fall 2026 Start: International applicants May 1, 2026; Domestic applicants June 30, 2026
Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP (BSN to DNP)
The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP PMHNP program is approximately $170,170 (77 units × $2,210 per unit) and would take 3 years to complete on a full-time basis (4 years part-time).
DNP Curriculum
The BSN to DNP PMHNP curriculum consists of 77 total units including MSN Core (12 units), APRN Core (10 units), PMHNP Component (32 units), DNP Component (23 units), and Electives (6 units). The program prepares leaders for the nursing profession with expertise in advanced nursing practice focused on psychiatric mental health conditions across pediatrics, adolescents, adults, older adults, and their families.
MSN Core (12 units): Same courses as MSN program listed above
APRN Core (10 units): Same courses as MSN program listed above
PMHNP Component (32 units): Same courses as MSN program listed above
DNP Component (23 units):
- DNPC 600: Orientation to the DNP Scholarly Project Series (1 unit)
- DNPC 601: DNP Scholarly Project: Planning and Development (1 unit)
- DNPC 602: DNP Scholarly Project: Conceptualization and Planning Proposal (1 unit)
- DNPC 603: DNP Scholarly Project: Implementation (1 unit)
- DNPC 604: DNP Scholarly Project: Evaluation (2 units)
- DNPC 605: DNP Scholarly Project: Dissemination (1 unit)
- DNPC 613: Advanced Applications of Evidence-Based Practice (3 units)
- DNPC 631: Role of the Nurse with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (2 units)
- DNPC 650: Data Analysis and Evaluation (3 units)
- DNPC 651: Health Policy and Advocacy in Nursing Practice (2 units)
Electives (6 units)
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
The BSN to DNP PMHNP program requires 1,000 total clinical hours including 750 hours of direct patient clinical hours and 250 hours related to the DNP translational science project. Students identify a clinical problem or professional practice issue, develop and implement an innovative, culturally competent, sustainable, evidence-based solution using principles of translational science, and implement and evaluate outcomes. The program is campus-based with students coming to campus a minimum of two days per week for class, with additional days required for clinical or practicum.
DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
Education Requirements:
- BSN or MSN degree from an approved, accredited college or university
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Completion of a basic statistics course (recommended)
Experience & Licensure Requirements:
- Active, unencumbered California RN license (applicants from outside California must have license endorsement in progress at time of admission)
- Minimum of one year of RN work experience required for Nurse Practitioner tracks
Application Materials:
- Online application with $55 application fee
- Personal statement (500 words) detailing motivation for pursuing DNP, career goals, academic and professional background, and commitment to nursing
- Resume or CV
- Two letters of recommendation (preferably from nurses with doctorate degrees)
- Official transcripts (course-by-course evaluation by WES required for degrees earned outside United States)
- Interview for qualified applicants
- Post-admission: Evidence of immunizations/screening tests, physical examination, American BLS certification
Application Deadlines:
- Fall 2026 Start: International applicants May 1, 2026; Domestic applicants June 30, 2026
Post-Master’s to DNP
The Post-Master’s to DNP program is offered in an asynchronous, hybrid format for master’s-prepared nurses who wish to pursue a terminal doctoral degree without seeking Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist certification.
The program is 34 units and may be completed full-time (2 years) or part-time (3 years), focusing on clinical and translational sciences, philosophical foundations of advanced nursing practice, and socioeconomic factors influencing healthcare transformation.
This program is not eligible for F-1 or J-1 visas; international applicants residing in the United States under employment-based visas (such as H-1B) may be eligible to enroll.
Tuition
Graduate tuition is $2,210 per credit unit for 2024-2025. Course auditing is available at $160 per credit unit. Graduate fees include a $55 application fee and additional program-specific fees for health insurance, immunizations, and BLS certification.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing is accredited for both MSN and DNP programs, with graduates eligible for certification as Nurse Practitioners in the state of California and national certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Related PMNHP Programs
Compare all PMHNP programs in California
- Azusa Pacific University - Azusa
- Charles R Drew - Los Angeles
- CSU Fresno (Fresno State) - Fresno
- National University - San Diego
- Touro University - Vallejo
- UC Davis - Sacramento
- UCLA - Los Angeles
- University of California San Francisco - San Francisco
- University of San Francisco - San Francisco
- Vanguard University - Costa Mesa
- Western University - Pomona