Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Post-BSN to DNP – PMHNP | ≈ $42,312 | 3 years (FT) |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP | ≈ $9,702 | 1 year |
Post-BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-BSN to DNP – PMHNP program is approximately $42,312 for in-state students and would take 3 years for full-time students or 4 years for part-time students to complete.
Estimate based on 77 total credits at $441 per credit hour (1-11 hours rate) plus $5,289 flat rate for 12+ hours per semester.
BSN to DNP Curriculum
The Post-BSN to DNP – PMHNP curriculum includes 77 total credit hours with 55 hours of major courses and 22 hours of concentration courses:
Major Courses (55 Hours):
- STAT 6300 – Introduction to Epidemiology and Biostatistics (3)
- NURS 7150 – Evidence-Based Practice: Principles and Process (2)
- NURS 7425 – Advanced Pathophysiology (4)
- NURS 7257 – Health Care Management (3)
- NURS 7475 – Population Health and Emerging Disease (2)
- NURS 7550 – Leadership in Interprofessional Collaboration and Health Care (2)
- NURS 7470 – Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 7251 – Advanced Psychopharmacology (2)
- NURS 8250 – Health Care Policy: Implications for the Advanced Practice Nurse (2)
- MINF 6620 – Management of Information Technology (3)
- NURS 7450 – Advanced Practice Nursing Roles in Society (3)
- NURS 7430 – Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses (3)
- NURS 7460 – Diagnostic and Clinical Reasoning for Advanced Practice Nurses (3)
- NURS 8550 – Evidence-Based Practice: Translation and Application (3)
- NURS 9051 – DNP Project Inquiry and Change (8 total)
- NURS 9050 – Strategies for Effective Practice Change (2)
- NURS 8551 – Complex Issues in Health Care Delivery (2)
- NURS 9191 – APRN Practice Synthesis (1)
- NURS 9192 – Advanced Practice Nursing Program Practicum – for DNP Program (4)
Concentration Courses (22 Hours)
NURS 7465 – Advanced Studies in Lifespan Development (2)
Examines biological, cognitive, and socio-emotional development from birth through older adulthood, emphasizing how stages interact within families, groups, and society. Prepares APRNs to integrate developmental science into assessment and care planning.
NURS 8340 – Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice PMH Nursing Across the Lifespan (3)
Surveys the scientific and professional bases of PMHNP practice, linking evolving roles to today’s health system. Emphasizes evidence from genetics, epidemiology, neuroscience, and behavioral science to inform prevention and treatment across the lifespan.
NURS 8341 – Advanced PMH Nursing for Individuals Across the Lifespan (3)
Applies theory and evidence to individual psychotherapy for developmental, mental health, and substance use conditions. Focuses on selecting and delivering evidence-based, person-centered interventions across ages.
NURS 8342 – PMHNP Practice I (DNP) (4)
First supervised clinical applying assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based psychoeducation/psychotherapy for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Includes individual and peer supervision to build foundational PMHNP competencies.
NURS 8344 – Advanced PMH Nursing for Families and Groups Across the Lifespan (3)
Covers family and group therapy models with systems and contextual perspectives. Develops skills in leadership, group process, and culturally responsive strategies for diverse communities.
NURS 8345 – PMHNP Practice II (DNP) (3)
Clinical focus on delivering and evaluating family and group interventions for mental and substance use disorders across the lifespan. Students lead or co-lead child/adolescent and adult groups with ongoing faculty/preceptor supervision.
NURS 8348 – PMHNP Practice III (DNP) (4)
Advanced clinical immersion refining family and group therapy competencies and outcome evaluation. Students manage complex cases across ages, lead multiple group formats, and engage in structured individual and peer supervision.
More curriculum details are available here.
BSN to DNP Clinicals
Students complete 1,183 total clinical hours including 840 clinical hours, 135 lab hours, and 300 DNP residency hours.
Clinical experiences are distributed across multiple practicum courses:
- PMHNP Practice I (225 hours)
- PMHNP Practice II (300 hours)
- PMHNP Practice III (300 hours)
- APRN Practicum (300 hours)
Clinical hours are calculated at a 4:1 ratio and lab hours at a 3:1 ratio based on 15 weeks each semester.
BSN to DNP Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing from program accredited by CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA
- 3 credit hour undergraduate or graduate statistics or biostatistics course completed with grade of B or higher (prerequisite)
- Current unencumbered RN license
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Graduate application submission
- Must reside in Georgia or South Carolina due to clinical requirements and instructor site visit needs
- Application deadline varies; Fall 2026 admission applications open August 8, 2025
- Applications verified/completed after deadline considered on space-available basis only
Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP program is approximately $9,702 for in-state students based on 22 total credits at $441 per credit hour, and would take approximately 1 year to complete.
Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Master’s Certificate curriculum requires completion of 22 credit hours with specific prerequisites:
Prerequisites (must be completed prior to certificate start):
- NURS 7425 – Advanced Pathophysiology (4)
- NURS 7430 – Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses (3)
- NURS 7465 – Advanced Studies in Lifespan Development (2)
- NURS 7470 – Advanced Health Assessment (3)
Certificate Requirements (22 Hours):
- NURS 7251 – Advanced Psychopharmacology (2)
- NURS 7465 – Advanced Studies in Lifespan Development (2)
- NURS 8340 – Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Across the Lifespan (3)
- NURS 8341 – Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing for Individuals Across the Lifespan (3)
- NURS 8344 – Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing for Families and Groups Across the Lifespan (3)
- NURS 8350 – PMHNP Practice I: for Accelerated Post-Graduate Certificate (3)
- NURS 8351 – PMHNP Practice II: for Accelerated Post-Graduate Certificate (3)
- NURS 8352 – PMHNP Practice III: for Accelerated Post-Graduate Certificate (3)
The program is designed for certified nurse practitioners with a master’s or doctoral degree who wish to expand their scope of practice.
Certificate Clinicals
Certificate students complete 504 total clinical/lab hours distributed across three practicum courses. Due to the progressive nature of the specialty courses, the program is typically considered part-time (less than nine credit hours per semester).
Certificate Admissions Requirements
- Master’s or doctoral degree in nursing
- Current national advanced practice certification as a nurse practitioner
- Completion of prerequisite courses with required grades
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Graduate application submission
- Must reside in Georgia or South Carolina due to clinical requirements
- This is an embedded or standalone certificate program
Program Features
Key Highlights:
- Hybrid online and on-campus learning format
- Full-time and part-time attendance options available
- Interactive web-based classes with experienced online instructors
- Capstone/practice project completed in student’s area of expertise
- Study with faculty who are practice experts
- Cohort locations on Augusta and Athens campuses
- Greater than 50% of program taught online (approved by Georgia Board of Regents)
Program Outcomes:
- Scientific/Social/Psychological Foundation integration
- Safe quality care within healthcare systems
- Evidence-based practice/research application
- Healthcare technology/informatics proficiency
- Healthcare policy analysis
- Interprofessional collaboration/communication
- Population health evaluation
- Professional advanced practice expertise
Tuition
Post-BSN to DNP – PMHNP:
- In-state tuition: $441 per credit hour for 1-11 hours OR $5,289 flat rate for 12+ hours per semester
- Out-of-state tuition: $1,213 per credit hour for 1-11 hours OR $14,538 flat rate for 12+ hours per semester
- Out-of-country tuition: $1,247 per credit hour for 1-11 hours OR $14,960 flat rate for 12+ hours per semester
- Estimated total in-state cost (77 credits): approximately $42,312
Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP:
- In-state tuition: $441 per credit hour (typically part-time enrollment)
- Estimated total in-state cost (22 credits): approximately $9,702
Augusta University offers several scholarships to current graduate nursing students. Criteria for each fund is determined by donors and availability is variable. Students seeking financial assistance should complete an application at the Financial Aid Office and provide required information to the College of Nursing.
Accreditation
Augusta University College of Nursing DNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Certification Eligibility
Graduates of both PMHNP tracks are prepared to meet eligibility requirements for the certification examination offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Graduates are eligible for certification as an APRN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and licensure as an APRN. Augusta University PMHNP graduates have maintained a 100% board pass rate for the last 5 years.
Licensure Disclosure
The DNP Department has determined that required classes and educational activities satisfy requirements for all respective concentration certification examinations. The program meets initial licensure requirements in all states and territories except Idaho, Maryland, and Michigan. Students should check specific eligibility requirements at respective board of nursing websites for these states.
Career Outlook
The average salary for a PMHNP is $123,607. Georgia alone anticipates a 75% increase in demand for advanced practice nurses.
Other Nursing Programs
Augusta University College of Nursing offers additional graduate nursing programs:
Post-BSN DNP Tracks:
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Anesthesia
Post-MSN Programs:
- Post-Master’s Traditional (for nurses with MSN and national advanced practice certification)
- Post-Master’s Nurse Executive (DNP-NEP)
Post-Graduate Certificates:
- Available for nurses with master’s or doctoral degrees who are certified as Nurse Practitioners and desire additional certification in track areas
Other Programs:
- Master of Science in Nursing with a major in Clinical Nurse Leader
- Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Nursing
More PMHNP Programs in Georgia
View All PMHNP Programs in Georgia
- Brenau University - Gainesville
- Emory University - Atlanta
- Georgia College & State University - Milledgeville
- Georgia Southern University - Statesboro, Savannah
- Georgia State University - Atlanta
- Mercer University - Macon
- Valdosta State University - Valdosta