Arizona State University PMHNP Program

Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation Phoenix, AZ

Arizona State University provides two distinct PMHNP educational pathways:

  • Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP Concentration (85 credit hours)
  • Graduate Certificate – PMHNP (28 credit hours)

ASU maintains membership in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, enabling distance education delivery across participating states.

Program Tracks Overview

ProgramEst. CostDuration (Full-Time)
DNP – PMHNP$51,4503–4 years
Graduate Certificate – PMHNP$16,9401–1.5 years

The programs utilize hybrid learning formats requiring students to travel to ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus for orientation and immersions 2-3 times per semester. Students complete 585-1,125 clinical hours depending on their chosen track, with specialized focus on multicultural experiences in both urban underserved and rural health profession shortage areas throughout Arizona.

Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP Concentration

The estimated cost for the DNP-PMHNP program is approximately $51,450 for Arizona residents and would take 3-4 years to complete on a full-time basis.

Curriculum

The comprehensive 85-credit curriculum includes the following courses:

DNP 704 – Principles of Evidence-Based Care in Advanced Practice
Introduces the evidence-based process and principles that guide clinical decision-making for advanced practice nurses and healthcare professionals. Focuses on integrating best evidence into patient care.

DNP 705 – Health Care Outcomes Management
Covers methodologies for implementing evidence-based practice and measuring outcomes at both the patient and healthcare system level to evaluate the impact of best practices.

DNP 708 – Systems Thinking in a Complex Healthcare Environment
Explores basic and advanced systems principles with an emphasis on innovation and their application within the U.S. healthcare system.

DNP 709 – Individual and Innovation Leadership in Healthcare Practice
Examines the role of the innovator in healthcare, highlighting risk-taking, workload management, and overcoming challenges to drive innovation.

DNP 660 – Advanced Neuropsychopathology Lifespan
Analyzes altered neurophysiology and psychopathology across the lifespan. Uses evidence-based perspectives to connect psychiatric disorders to underlying neurological changes.

DNP 671 – Advanced Mental Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
Focuses on comprehensive assessment of psychiatric disorders in children, adolescents, and families, integrating evidence-based techniques.

DNP 672 – Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan
Covers the evidence-based use of medications to manage mental health disorders for patients of all ages.

DNP 673 – Mental Health Promotion Across the Lifespan
Examines evidence-based strategies to promote mental health and prevent illness across diverse populations.

DNP 674 – Mental Health Promotion Across the Lifespan Practicum
Provides clinical experience in assessing and delivering evidence-based interventions for mental health promotion across the lifespan.

DNP 675 – Management of Common Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan
Teaches assessment and evidence-based management approaches for frequently encountered mental health disorders.

DNP 676 – Management of Common Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan Practicum
Offers clinical practice in assessing and managing common mental health disorders using evidence-based approaches.

DNP 677 – Management of Complex and Chronic Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan
Focuses on advanced assessment and management strategies for complex and chronic psychiatric conditions.

DNP 678 – Management of Complex and Chronic MH Disorders Across the Lifespan Practicum
Provides supervised clinical experience in treating complex and chronic mental health disorders with evidence-based interventions.

DNP 601 – Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing
Explores philosophical foundations of advanced practice nursing, linking theory, philosophy, research, and practice.

DNP 602 – Evaluating Research for Practice
Builds skills for critically analyzing scientific literature and applying research findings to clinical practice.

DNP 604 – Advanced Human Pathophysiology Across Lifespan
Examines human pathophysiology and genetics concepts essential for advanced nursing practice across the lifespan.

DNP 605 – Advanced Health Assessment Across Lifespan
Develops advanced history-taking, physical exam, and psychosocial assessment skills for all age groups.

DNP 608 – Applied Pharmacotherapeutics Across Lifespan
Expands pharmacologic knowledge for safe and effective prescribing in advanced practice across all age groups.

DNP 609 – Advanced Practice Nursing Role
Analyzes the development and implementation of the APN role, addressing social, political, and educational influences, as well as challenges in practice.

DNP 679 – Biostatistics: Principles of Statistical Inference
Covers statistical inference principles and their application to healthcare, nursing, and epidemiologic data analysis.

DNP 703 – Innovation in Communication: Scholarly and Professional Writing
Strengthens scholarly writing skills, addressing plagiarism prevention and APA formatting.

DNP 711 – Healthcare Policy and Innovation
Explores political, organizational, and economic aspects of healthcare policy, with strategies for advancing innovative policy and practice.

DNP 712 – Clinical Residency and Management
Integrates DNP competencies through clinical experiences, portfolio development, and completion of the DNP Evidence-Based Clinical Applied Project.

DNP 715 – Dynamics and Principles of Information in Health Care
Examines the use of research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement data to guide healthcare leadership and decision-making.

DNP 707 – Disseminating Evidence to Advance Best Practice in Health Care and Health Policy
Covers methods for sharing evidence to improve practice and influence health policy at local, regional, and national levels.

The program exceeds American Nurses Credentialing Center recommendations by requiring 1,125 practicum hours across clinical rotations. Students engage in evidence-based doctoral applied projects within partner organizations to improve patient, provider, or healthcare system outcomes.

Up to 30 credit hours from previously awarded master’s degrees may be applied toward degree requirements with supervisory committee approval.

Graduate Certificate – PMHNP

The estimated cost for the Graduate Certificate program is approximately $16,940 for Arizona residents and would take 1-1.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.

Curriculum

The 28-credit certificate curriculum requires completion of prerequisite courses in:

  • advanced pathophysiology
  • health assessment
  • pharmacotherapeutics
  • advanced practice nursing role within the past five years

Students receive individualized transcript reviews and customized study plans designed to meet certification requirements.

The program emphasizes assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based management of mental health disorders across the lifespan through valid screening tools and early intervention strategies.

Certificate students complete 585 clinical hours focusing on psychopharmacologic management and therapeutic skills including:

  • motivational interviewing
  • mindfulness
  • cognitive behavioral therapy
  • dialectical behavior therapy

Individual, group, and family therapy techniques are integrated throughout clinical rotations in diverse healthcare settings.

Prerequisites & Admissions

DNP Program:

  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing from regionally accredited institution
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA in last 60 hours of bachelor’s program or applicable master’s program
  • Current unencumbered RN license in clinical practicum state
  • Unencumbered Arizona RN license or compact state license
  • Three professional letters of recommendation
  • Resume, goal statement, and admission essay
  • Interview with program faculty
  • Background clearance and substance screen
  • Proof of English proficiency for non-native speakers
  • One year clinical experience preferred

Certificate Program:

  • Bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing from regionally accredited institution
  • Board certification in different APRN specialty area
  • Same licensing, documentation, and interview requirements as DNP
  • Gap analysis completion for prerequisite courses within past five years

Tuition

Graduate tuition costs $605 per credit hour for Arizona residents with additional program fees of $504 per semester and student support fees totaling $165 per semester.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Accreditation

Arizona State University’s nursing programs are accredited through the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation. The university maintains multiple national rankings and accreditations ensuring graduates meet professional standards for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certification and licensure.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Clinical Placement and Geographic Considerations

Students residing in Maricopa County benefit from arranged clinical experiences, while those outside this area must identify their own clinical sites and preceptors, with all placements requiring college approval before beginning clinical rotations, ensuring comprehensive preparation for psychiatric mental health practice across diverse settings and populations.

Other Programs in Arizona

View All PMHNP Programs in Arizona