Program Tracks Overview
| Track | Est. Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| MSN PMHNP | ~2 years | $42,535 |
| Post-Master’s Certificate in PMHNP | ~1–1.5 years | $17,695 |
Notes: Bellarmine lists graduate nursing tuition at $820/credit plus a $85/credit PMHNP specialty surcharge (~$905/credit for specialty courses). Totals above reflect the school’s stated estimates and may vary with fees and transfer credits.
MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the MSN PMHNP program is approximately $42,535 and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The 47-credit program divides into two distinct years:
- Year One Core MSN Courses:
- Advanced physical assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology
- Psychopharmacology and effective client interviewing techniques
- Quality and safety, informatics, clinical prevention, and health policy
- Year Two Psychiatric Specialization:
- Psychiatric disease management and advanced psychotherapy techniques
- Extensive practicum experiences in diverse mental health settings
- Remote asynchronous learning with in-person intensive
- Simulations and hands-on physical assessment experiences
Courses are as follows:
NURS 604: Transition to Advanced Practice
Study the history, theory, and leadership of advanced practice roles. Build skills in organizational analysis, interprofessional teamwork, scholarly writing, and presenting change plans for better patient outcomes.
NURS 624: Introduction to Knowledge Translation: Evidence to Practice
Formulate answerable clinical questions, search for best evidence, and appraise rigor and applicability. Translate research into practical interventions that expand nursing’s evidence base.
NURS 620: Quality and Safety 2
Learn core patient safety concepts and quality improvement methods. Evaluate measures and apply improvement tools across varied care settings.
NURS 611: Advanced Physical Assessment
Strengthen interview and examination skills for adults and children through lecture, lab, and demonstration. Link system-focused exams to advanced anatomy and physiology with supervised practice.
NURS 629: Pathophysiologic Concepts
Apply pathophysiology to promote health, prevent disease, and guide management. Use mechanisms of illness to improve clinical reasoning and decisions.
NURS 621: Informatics and Clinical Decision Making 3
Use health informatics to acquire, organize, analyze, and interpret clinical data. Evaluate emerging technologies and integrate them safely to support decisions and care improvement.
NURS 605: Clinical Prevention and Population Health
Design and assess evidence-based prevention and health promotion for diverse groups. Synthesize social and global determinants with epidemiologic data to create culturally appropriate interventions.
NURS 650: Pharm for Advanced Providers
Master pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and major drug classes for primary care. Select, titrate, and monitor therapies with attention to indications, adverse effects, and maintenance.
NURS 667: Psychopharmacology and Effective Client Interviewing
Integrate psychopharmacology with advanced interviewing grounded in PMHNP competencies. Align ethical practice with evidence-based medication use and therapeutic engagement.
NURS 679: Psych Mental Health I 6.5 225
Combine didactic study and practicum to assess, diagnose, and plan treatment across the lifespan. Integrate pathophysiology, pharmacology, and therapies while addressing culture, ethics, and law.
NURS 680: Psych Mental Health II
Advance skills from PMH I with deeper assessment, differentials, and intervention planning. Apply evidence-based care and clinical mastery across diverse populations and settings.
NURS 600: Health Policy
Analyze how legislative, regulatory, and delivery issues shape the health system. Develop strategies to address disparities and influence policy as a healthcare professional.
NURS 683: Psychiatric Mental Health Comprehensive Practicum 4
Complete an immersive clinical that unifies prior learning into full-scope PMHNP practice. Perform comprehensive assessments, manage medications and therapies, and refine decision-making within interprofessional teams.
PHIL 543: Bioethics 3
Apply ethical theories to real healthcare dilemmas through interprofessional dialogue. Critically examine values, goals, and practices to guide responsible clinical decisions.
Students complete core nursing courses alongside specialized psychiatric content, preparing them for comprehensive mental health practice across diverse populations and settings.
More curriculum information can be found here:
Clinical Requirements
Clinical requirements include 810 supervised practicum hours in diverse mental health settings. Kentucky and southern Indiana residents receive preceptor and clinical site assistance from the clinical coordinator, while out-of-state students secure their own sites with coordinator support.
MSN Program Requirements
- BSN from CCNE or ACEN accredited nursing program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- Official transcripts from all institutions
- Two professional references from supervisory personnel
- Goal statement and professional resume
- Active unrestricted Kentucky or compact state nursing license
- Application through NursingCAS with $80 fee
- GRE scores if requested
- Vaccination requirements per CDC guidelines
Post-Master’s Certificate in PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate program is approximately $17,695 and would take 1-1.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The 20-credit certificate targets nurses with existing master’s degrees:
- Psychopharmacology and effective client interviewing techniques
- Two sequential psychiatric mental health specialty courses
- Comprehensive practicum with supervised clinical experiences
- Mirrors MSN specialty track without foundational graduate courses
Clinicals
Clinical requirements include supervised practicum hours with post-master’s students required to attend an on-campus intensive during Summer 1 of the program.
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition costs $820 per credit hour plus $85 per credit hour for PMHNP specialty courses. Alumni receive reduced rates of $765 per credit hour for non-anesthesia DNP programs.
Additional fees and prerequisites charged separately.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Bellarmine University’s baccalaureate, master’s, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs maintain accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring quality standards and credential recognition.
Other Nursing Programs
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN Education and Administration Tracks
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
More Programs in Kentucky
View All PMHNP Programs in Kentucky
- Frontier Nursing University - Versailles
- Northern Kentucky University - Highland Heights
- University of Louisville - Louisville
- Western Kentucky University - Bowling Green