Arkansas has one in-state PMHNP program: Arkansas State University. A-State offers two entry pathways — an MSN for BSN-prepared nurses and a post-master’s certificate for nurses who already hold an MSN. Both are delivered 100% online with a flat tuition rate available to all U.S. residents,.
There is no in-state BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, or RN-to-MSN PMHNP option. That makes accredited national online PMHNP programs a practical part of any Arkansas search.
This guide compares A-State’s programs directly and shows where the online options fit.
Arkansas PMHNP Programs at a Glance
| School | Est. Cost (Rounded) | High-Level Program Snapshot |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University | MSN: ~$24K Certificate: ~$14K | – 100% online coursework — no campus visits stated – Six practicum courses totaling 14.5 clinical credits – Clinicals arranged in the student’s area, – ACEN-accredited; same flat tuition for all U.S. residents |
Only one PMHNP program in Arkansas?
UAMS is currently the state’s only in-state PMHNP option. If its tuition, format, admission requirements, or available pathways don’t align with your goals, accredited online PMHNP programs can substantially expand your choices.
How to Choose the Best PMHNP Program in Arkansas
Best Overall In-State: Arkansas State — the only in-state option, but a genuinely strong one: fully online, ACEN-accredited, and priced below every national online program in this guide.
Lowest Tuition: Arkansas State. The ~$24K MSN undercuts comparable online MSNs, which run roughly $30K–$45K.
Best Certificate: Arkansas State. At ~$14K, the certificate costs $6K–$21K less than the online certificates covered here.
Best BSN-to-DNP: Walden University. No Arkansas school offers a BSN-to-DNP PMHNP track; Walden’s runs ~$74K after its Believe & Achieve Scholarship.
Best for Working Nurses: Post University. Students take one 8-week course at a time, and Arkansas is on Post’s authorized state list.
Best for Self-Paced Learners: WGU. Flat-rate tuition of $6,955 per six-month term rewards students who move quickly through competency-based courses.
MSN PMHNP Programs in Arkansas
Arkansas State offers the state’s only MSN-PMHNP. The 47.5-credit program runs about 26 months full time at $500 per credit, with all fees included in the ~$24K total.
| School | Program | Credits / Length | Estimated Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University | MSN-PMHNP (online) | 47.5 credits / ~26 months | ~$24K ($500/credit, fees included) |
Online MSN options open to Arkansas residents:
- Post University — 51–54 credits, ~$30K, one 8-week course at a time; Arkansas is an authorized state.
- Purdue Global — 78 quarter credits, ~$33K; 93.7% average NP certification pass rate for 2024 graduates.
- WGU — 51 competency units, ~$36K over a minimum 2.5 years; Arkansas is an approved state.
- Walden University — 63 quarter credits, ~$45K after scholarship; includes the Practicum Pledge placement support.
Key Differences
- A-State is the cheapest MSN in this comparison by at least $6K, but requires a 3.25 GPA and 1,500 documented RN hours — the steepest admission bar listed.
- Purdue Global admits students with a 2.5 GPA and Post requires 3.0, giving nurses below A-State’s cutoff realistic alternatives.
- Walden and WGU offer structured clinical placement support; A-State students complete clinicals in states where the university holds operating authority.
- WGU’s flat-rate term pricing means final cost depends on pace; the ~$36K estimate assumes 2.5 years.
Graduate Certificate PMHNP Programs in Arkansas
Arkansas State’s post-master’s certificate lets MSN-prepared nurses add the PMHNP specialty in about 18 months. Nurses missing ANCC eligibility coursework may add 0–9 gap credits.
| School | Program | Credits / Length | Estimated Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University | Post-Master’s Certificate (online) | 27.5 credits / ~18 months | ~$14K ($510/credit) |
Online certificate options open to Arkansas residents:
- Purdue Global — 48 quarter credits, ~$20K, ~1.5 years full time.
- WGU — 33 competency units, ~$21K over a minimum 1.5 years; prior NP core courses can transfer and shorten the program.
- Walden University — 43 quarter credits, ~$35K including program and clinical fees; 640 practicum hours.
Key Differences
- A-State’s ~$14K certificate is the lowest-cost route in this guide, but its ineligibility for financial aid means students pay out of pocket or through employer support.
- Walden and WGU state their clinical hour totals (640 and 650); A-State lists 14.5 clinical credits without clock hours.
- A-State requires a 3.25 MSN GPA; Purdue Global’s 2.5 minimum is the most lenient listed.
- A-State admits certificate students on space availability — meeting requirements does not guarantee a seat.
DNP PMHNP Programs in Arkansas
No Arkansas school offers a PMHNP-focused DNP. Nurses seeking a doctorate should consider Walden’s BSN-to-DNP (~$74K) or MSN-to-DNP (~$69K) tracks, or Purdue Global’s MSN-to-DNP pathway, where all master’s-level clinical hours apply toward the doctorate.
Admissions Requirements Comparison
| School / Program | GPA | Important Admission Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State — MSN | 3.25 (undergraduate cumulative) | BSN from ACEN/CCNE program; 1,500 documented RN hours; unencumbered RN license; background check within 12 months; minimum “B” in all courses to progress; comprehensive exam in final semester |
| Arkansas State — Certificate | 3.25 (MSN coursework) | MSN from ACEN/CCNE program; gap analysis for nurses missing ANCC eligibility coursework; admission based on space availability; not financial aid eligible |
Admissions Tip: A-State’s 3.25 GPA floor and 1,500-hour RN experience requirement are stricter than most online alternatives — Post requires a 3.0 and one year of recent nursing experience, and Purdue Global accepts a 2.5 for its certificate. No application deadlines are published for A-State ⚠️, so contact admissions early. Before enrolling anywhere, confirm the school can place clinicals in Arkansas: A-State restricts practicum to states where it holds operating authority, and Post, Purdue Global, and WGU all list Arkansas as an approved state.
Arkansas PMHNP Program Summaries
Arkansas State University PMHNP Programs
Jonesboro | $500 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN | Online
Arkansas State University offers two online PMHNP pathways—a 47.5-credit MSN and a 27.5-credit Post-Master’s Certificate—with local clinical placements. Tuition is competitive and flat for U.S. residents, with the MSN estimated at $24K over ~26 months and the certificate at $14K over ~18 months. Both options are ACEN-accredited and train nurses to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions across the lifespan. ..read more.
Post University PMHNP Programs
National | $604 cpc | BSN-MSN | Online
Through American Sentinel College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Post University's MSN-PMHNP program offers working nurses a flexible online education with predictable 8-week terms and monthly start dates. The comprehensive curriculum includes advanced pathophysiology, psychopharmacology, and specialized psychiatric nursing courses supported by 630 clinical hours in real-world settings. Students invest about $31,000 over 34 months to develop expertise in psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment across the lifespan.
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
National | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN / DNP | Online
Purdue Global offers three online PMHNP routes—Certificate, MSN focus, and MSN-to-DNP—with CCNE accreditation and VR-supported learning. Plan on ~$20,160 for the certificate (~1.5 years) and ~$32,760 for the MSN (~2 years), then a DNP phase for the MSN-to-DNP. The program is authorized for Arkansas residents.
Walden University PMHNP Programs
National | $775 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP / MSN-DNP / DNP | Online
Walden University’s PMHNP degree and certificate options are open to Arkansas RNs and APRNs, providing a streamlined online learning experience tailored for busy professionals. The university’s Practicum Pledge and substantial practicum support help Arkansas students meet required clinical hours for licensure, wherever they reside in the state. Faculty mentoring and a robust virtual skills lab ensure Arkansas graduates develop the advanced competencies needed for psychiatric care across rural and urban communities.
WGU PMHNP Programs
National | flat rate cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN | Online
WGU’s PMHNP options use a competency model so students move forward by mastery. Required clinicals are 650 hours in local sites, or 750 for Kansas starts after March 1, 2025. Mentored support and flat-rate terms set a minimum timeline of 2.5 years for the MSN and 1.5 years for the certificate.