Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Estimated Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – PMHNP | $24,225 | ~26 months |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP | $14,025 | ~18 months |
A-State’s PMHNP programs prepare graduates to treat diverse and underserved populations across the full range of age groups, from young children to older adults, with thorough preparation for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing certification exam administered by ANCC.
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is $24,225 and would take 2.17 years (26 months) to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The 47.5-credit-hour program includes four core courses (11 credits), three support courses (9 credits), and 14 advanced practice courses (27.5 credits):
Core Courses (11 credits)
NURS 6103 – Research Design and Methodology (3 cr.)
Critically reviews nursing research methods and evidence. Students draft a focused research proposal.
NURS 6203 – Theory Development in Nursing (3 cr.)
Explores how nursing theories form and evolve. Analyzes models and applies them to advanced practice; take before clinicals.
NURS 6303 – Health Care Issues and Policy (3 cr.)
Examines current health policy and system-level issues. Evaluates their impact on advanced nursing practice.
NURS 6402 – Professional Role Development in Advanced Nursing (2 cr.)
Covers role identity, communication, and implementation strategies. Take before or with the first clinical course.
Support Courses (9 credits)
NURS 6003 – Advanced Clinical Physiology (3 cr.)
Studies complex adult physiology in health and disease. Required before clinical courses.
NURS 6013 – Advanced Clinical Pharmacology (3 cr.)
Applies pharmacology to common primary care problems. Builds decision-making for safe, effective medication use.
NURS 6023 – Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation (3 cr.)
Develops comprehensive assessment and diagnostic reasoning for all ages. Emphasizes risk screening, testing, and interpretation.
Advanced Practice Courses (27.5 credits):
NURS 6063 – Psychotherapy for Clinical Practice (3 cr.)
Surveys major psychotherapy approaches with evidence focus. Builds interviewing skills through practice simulations. Prereq: NURS 6003, 6013, 6023.
NURS 6073 – Advanced Psychopharmacology (3 cr.)
Covers medication selection and monitoring for psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. Uses guidelines and evidence to support prescribing. Prereq: NURS 6003, 6013, 6023.
NURS 631V – PMHNP Seminar I (1.5 cr.)
Focuses on child development and early mental health needs. Applies assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment planning. Prereq: NURS 6003, 6013, 6023; Pre/Coreq: NURS 6063, 6073.
NURS 632V – PMHNP Seminar II (1.5 cr.)
Addresses adolescent development and psychiatric care. Practices assessment, diagnosis, and interventions for teens. Prereq: NURS 6003, 6013, 6023; Pre/Coreq: NURS 6063, 6073.
NURS 633V – PMHNP Seminar III (1.5 cr.)
Covers adult development and common adult mental health needs. Integrates diagnostic reasoning and treatment strategies. Prereq: NURS 6003, 6013, 6023; Pre/Coreq: NURS 6063, 6073.
NURS 634V – PMHNP Seminar IV (1.5 cr.)
Examines mental health in older adults with emphasis on neurocognitive disorders. Refines assessment and care planning. Prereq: NURS 6003, 6013, 6023; Pre/Coreq: NURS 6063, 6073.
NURS 635V – PMHNP Seminar V (1.5 cr.)
Explores stress and trauma across the lifespan and prevention strategies. Reviews related health policies. Prereq: NURS 6003, 6013, 6023; Pre/Coreq: NURS 6063, 6073.
NURS 636V – PMHNP Seminar VI (1.5 cr.)
Covers assessment and treatment of substance use disorders. Reviews evidence-based interventions and prevention policy. Prereq: NURS 6003, 6013, 6023; Pre/Coreq: NURS 6063, 6073.
NURS 6112 – PMHNP Practicum I (2 cr.)
Delivers care to young children and families with mental health needs. Uses scales and therapeutic interventions in supervised settings. Prereq: NURS 6003, 6013, 6023, 6063, 6073; Pre/Coreq: NURS 631V–635V.
NURS 6122 – PMHNP Practicum II (2 cr.)
Provides crisis-focused care for adolescents and families. Applies validated tools and targeted interventions. Prereq: NURS 6003, 6013, 6023, 6063, 6073; Pre/Coreq: NURS 631V–636V.
NURS 6132 – PMHNP Practicum III (2 cr.)
Manages adult psychiatric conditions, including perinatal populations. Integrates diagnostics, therapy, and medication management. Prereq: NURS 6112, 6122.
NURS 6142 – PMHNP Practicum IV (2 cr.)
Treats older adults with focus on neurocognitive disorders. Uses standardized tools to guide care plans. Prereq: NURS 6112, 6122.
NURS 6152 – PMHNP Practicum V (2 cr.)
Cares for individuals and groups with trauma histories across the lifespan. Executes therapeutic and technological interventions. Prereq: NURS 6132, 6142.
NURS 601V – PMHNP Practicum VI (2.5 cr.)
Final immersion that synthesizes prior learning. Builds a professional portfolio and contributes to a research project on substance use disorders. Prereq: NURS 6152.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete six practicum courses totaling 14.5 clinical credits. Practicum/clinical hours must be completed in a state where Arkansas State has State Operating Authority. Clinical experiences progress across the lifespan, beginning with young children (Practicum I), then adolescents (Practicum II), adults (Practicum III), older adults (Practicum IV), trauma-focused care (Practicum V), and substance use disorders (Practicum VI).
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program
- Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.25 (4.0 scale)
- Current unencumbered RN license (active in state where clinical practice is scheduled or compact state)
- Documentation of 1,500 RN practice hours prior to admission
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Background check completed within the last 12 months
- Before registering for clinical courses: CPR certification, TB test/chest x-ray, Hepatitis B immunization documentation, Influenza vaccination, professional liability insurance (minimum 1,000,000/3,000,000), verified credentials
- Students admitted pending NCLEX-RN results must withdraw at end of first semester if exam is not passed
- All MSN students required to earn minimum grade of “B” in all courses for progression
- Comprehensive exam required during final semester
Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate is $14,025 and would take 1.5 years (18 months) to complete on a full-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The 27.5-credit-hour program includes 14 advanced practice courses. Students who need gap courses may complete 0-9 additional credits:
Gap Courses (if required, 0-9 credits):
- NURS 6003: Advanced Clinical Physiology (3 credits)
- NURS 6013: Advanced Clinical Pharmacology (3 credits)
- NURS 6023: Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation (3 credits)
Advanced Practice Courses (27.5 credits):
- NURS 6063: Psychotherapy for Clinical Practice (3 credits)
- NURS 6073: Advanced Psychopharmacology (3 credits)
- NURS 631V: PMHNP Seminar I (1.5 credits)
- NURS 632V: PMHNP Seminar II (1.5 credits)
- NURS 633V: PMHNP Seminar III (1.5 credits)
- NURS 634V: PMHNP Seminar IV (1.5 credits)
- NURS 635V: PMHNP Seminar V (1.5 credits)
- NURS 636V: PMHNP Seminar VI (1.5 credits)
- NURS 6112: PMHNP Practicum I (2 credits)
- NURS 6122: PMHNP Practicum II (2 credits)
- NURS 6132: PMHNP Practicum III (2 credits)
- NURS 6142: PMHNP Practicum IV (2 credits)
- NURS 6152: PMHNP Practicum V (2 credits)
- NURS 601V: PMHNP Practicum VI (2.5 credits)
Certificate Clinicals
Students complete six practicum courses totaling 14.5 clinical credits. Clinical experiences must be completed in a state where Arkansas State has State Operating Authority. Practicum courses focus on mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment across the lifespan including children, adolescents, adults, older adults, trauma-focused populations, and individuals with substance use disorders.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program from regionally accredited institution
- Minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA in MSN coursework
- Current unencumbered RN license
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Satisfactory background check completed through Verified Credentials
- Graduates of MSN programs without required ANCC certification eligibility requirements (Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology, Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology, minimum 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours) eligible with curriculum Gap Analysis
- Certificate programs are not financial aid eligible
- Meeting admissions requirements does not guarantee admission; students admitted based on space availability
Tuition
MSN-PMHNP: $500 per credit hour; total program cost $24,225 for 47.5 credits
Post-Master’s Certificate: $510 per credit hour; total program cost $14,025 for 27.5 credits (certificate programs not financial aid eligible)
All fees included. Tuition subject to yearly changes. Same affordable tuition available to all U.S. residents.
Accreditation
The associate, baccalaureate, master’s/post-master’s certificate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice nursing programs at Arkansas State University are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). A-State is ranked among the “Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas” by U.S. News & World Report (2024) and recognized among “Top Public Schools, National Universities” (2024).
Career Outcomes
Graduates are prepared for mental health nurse practitioner roles across diverse settings including outpatient clinics, substance use disorder treatment clinics, correctional facilities, schools, mental health facilities, and hospitals. The program prepares graduates to synthesize advanced knowledge in nursing and leadership skills, develop age-appropriate mental healthcare plans, apply recovery-oriented and trauma-focused care principles, utilize evidence-based therapeutic strategies, and treat acute and chronic psychiatric disorders across the lifespan.
Other Nursing Programs
Arkansas State University offers additional nursing programs:
Graduate Programs:
- Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Educator
- Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Administration
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Post-Master’s Certificates:
- Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate
- Nurse Educator Graduate Certificate
- Nurse Administration Graduate Certificate
Additional Programs:
- Associate and Baccalaureate nursing programs
Program Delivery
Programs delivered in accelerated format with multiple start dates each year. Courses offered in 7-week sessions. Students may not exceed 15 credits per semester. Arkansas law requires applicants for advanced practice licensure to submit to criminal background checks; students should submit applications 4-6 months before graduation.