Online Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate Programs

A post-master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certificate lets a nurse who already holds an MSN or DNP qualify for PMHNP board certification without earning a second graduate degree. It is the standard route from MSN to PMHNP, and it is the most common way family and adult-gerontology nurse practitioners add psychiatric care to their practice.

We compared 195 post-master’s PMHNP certificate programs across 49 states. The table below lists estimated tuition, cost per credit, credits, clinical hours, length and delivery format for each program, drawn from our individual school profiles. Most programs are online or mostly online, and most finish in 12 to 24 months.

PMHNP Certificate Programs at a Glance

• Typical cost: about $14,500 to $30,000 in estimated tuition, with a median near $21,500.
• Per-credit rates: most programs charge $585 to $995 per credit.
• Credits: usually 22 to 31, with a median of 26 before any gap-analysis credit.
• Clinical hours: 500 to 960 supervised hours, with a median of about 640.
• Length: 12 to 24 months for most programs; a few full-time options take 8 to 12 months.
• Format: about 4 in 10 programs are fully online and 8 in 10 are online or mostly online.

Compare Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate Programs

Filter by state or delivery format, and select a column heading to sort. Select a school name for its full profile, including admission requirements and course lists.

Tuition estimates come from each school's published rates as summarized in our program profiles, using resident rates where they differ. Fees, books and travel are not included. ⚠️ marks programs with admission limits.

Most Affordable PMHNP Certificate Programs

These programs have the lowest estimated tuition among certificates with published cost figures. Resident rates are shown where in-state and out-of-state tuition differ.

• UNC Greensboro (NC): $6,868–$26,440 estimated tuition, 23 credits, Online
• Purdue University (IN): $7,000–$10,000 estimated tuition, 17 credits, Hybrid
• University of Nevada Reno (NV): $8,131–$13,433 estimated tuition, 23–38 credits, Online
• Florida Atlantic University (FL): $9,295 estimated tuition, 28 credits, Online
• Southeastern Louisiana University (LA): $9,500 estimated tuition, 18–20 credits, Online
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette (LA): $9,600 estimated tuition, 20 credits, Online
• Augusta University (GA): $9,702 estimated tuition, 22 credits, Hybrid
• UNLV (NV): $9,898 estimated tuition, 28 credits, Mostly Online
• University of Texas at Arlington (TX): $10,000–$25,000 estimated tuition, credits not stated credits, Online
• CSU Pueblo (CO): $10,014–$20,028 estimated tuition, 16–32 credits, Hybrid

Shortest PMHNP Certificate Programs

These programs list the shortest completion times. Actual length depends on your gap analysis and on whether you study full time.

• Purdue University (IN): ~8–12 months, $7,000–$10,000, Hybrid
• Augusta University (GA): ~1 year, $9,702, Hybrid
• Western Kentucky University (KY): ~1 year, $10,926, Hybrid
• CSU Fresno (Fresno State) (CA): 1 year (3 semesters from January to December), $12,600, format not stated
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (WI): 1 year, $13,659, Hybrid
• Georgia State University (GA): ~12 mo (3 sem), $14,044–$21,932, Mostly Online
• York College (PA): 12 months (full-time), $17,955, Online
• UCLA (CA): 1 year; full-time only, 4 consecutive quarters, $21,115–$36,297, Online
• University of St Francis (IL): ~12 mos, $25,110–$34,830, Online
• Johns Hopkins University (MD): 1 year (3 semesters) full-time, $33,915, Online

Fully Online PMHNP Certificates Under $15,000

These programs deliver all coursework online and list estimated tuition below $15,000. Clinical hours are still completed in person at approved sites.

• UNC Greensboro (NC): $6,868–$26,440, 23 credits
• University of Nevada Reno (NV): $8,131–$13,433, 23–38 credits
• Florida Atlantic University (FL): $9,295, 28 credits
• Southeastern Louisiana University (LA): $9,500, 18–20 credits
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette (LA): $9,600, 20 credits
• University of Texas at Arlington (TX): $10,000–$25,000, credits not stated credits
• Stony Brook University (NY): $10,368, 22 credits
• Florida State University (FL): $10,662, 24 credits
• Texas State University (TX): $10,980, 20 credits
• East Carolina University (NC): $11,286–$17,220, 23–35 credits
• Texas Woman’s University (TX): $11,313, 27 credits
• South Dakota State University (SD): $11,520, 18–19 credits
• Montana State University (MT): $11,989, 36 credits
• Indiana State (IN): $12,474, 27 credits
• University of Southern Indiana (IN): $12,920, 26 credits
• Arkansas State University (AR): $14,025, 28–36 credits
• Texas A&M (TX): $14,500, 26 credits
• Washburn University (KS): $14,540–$27,626, 20–38 credits
• University of North Florida (FL): $14,806, 30 credits

Who a PMHNP Certificate Is For

• Nurse practitioners adding psychiatry: FNPs, AGPCNPs and other APRNs who want to treat mental health conditions independently. Prior NP coursework often shortens the program.
• MSN nurses without NP certification: nurse educators, leaders and CNSs can enter some certificates, but they usually complete more courses, including advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology and health assessment.
• Nurses with a DNP: doctorally prepared nurses can use a certificate to add PMHNP preparation. A few programs are open only to nurses with a doctorate.

Admission rules vary. Some certificates admit only certified APRNs, and a few admit only certified FNPs. Check each school’s profile before applying.

Certificate vs. MSN vs. DNP

• Post-master’s certificate: for nurses who already hold a graduate nursing degree. Shortest and least expensive route to PMHNP certification.
• BSN-to-MSN PMHNP: for BSN-prepared nurses. Usually 46 to 51 credits over 2 to 2.5 years.
• BSN-to-DNP PMHNP: for BSN nurses who want the doctorate in one program. Usually 71 to 80 credits over 3 to 4 years.
• MSN-to-DNP PMHNP: for MSN nurses who want PMHNP preparation and a DNP together.

How the Gap Analysis Works

Before you enroll, the school compares your transcript and prior clinical hours with PMHNP certification requirements. Courses you already completed at the graduate level, such as advanced pharmacology or health assessment, may be waived. The result sets your personal plan of study, which is why many programs list a range of credits and costs rather than a single figure.

Certification After Graduation

Graduates of accredited PMHNP certificate programs are eligible to sit for the ANCC PMHNP-BC board certification exam. After passing, you apply to your state board of nursing for authority to practice as a PMHNP. Requirements for prescribing and physician collaboration vary by state, so review the rules where you plan to work. For the full path from RN to PMHNP, see How to Become a PMHNP.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a post-master’s PMHNP certificate take?

Most programs on this page take 12 to 24 months. The median program lists about 18 months at its shortest pace, and a few full-time options finish in 8 to 12 months. Length depends on how many credits your gap analysis waives.

How much does a post-master’s PMHNP certificate cost?

The median estimated tuition is about $21,500. The middle half of programs falls between about $14,500 and $30,000, with per-credit rates usually between $585 and $995. Public universities charging resident tuition are generally the least expensive.

Can I complete a PMHNP certificate online?

Yes. About 4 in 10 programs deliver coursework fully online, and about 8 in 10 are fully or mostly online. Clinical hours are always completed in person, usually at approved sites near where you live.

Do I need to be a nurse practitioner to enroll?

It depends on the program. Many certificates are designed for nurses who already hold APRN certification, such as FNPs adding psychiatric care. Others admit any nurse with an MSN, which usually means more required courses. A few admit only certified FNPs or only nurses with a doctorate.

What is a gap analysis?

A gap analysis is the school’s review of your prior graduate coursework and clinical hours. It decides which courses and hours you still need to meet PMHNP certification requirements, so two students in the same certificate can take a different number of credits.

How many clinical hours does a PMHNP certificate require?

Programs on this page list 500 to 960 supervised clinical hours, with a median of about 640. Some schools credit clinical hours from a prior NP program, which can reduce what you complete.

What certification exam do graduates take?

Graduates are eligible for the ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) board certification exam, PMHNP-BC, which is the national certification for PMHNPs.

More PMHNP Program Guides

• Online PMHNP programs by state
• BSN-to-MSN PMHNP programs
• BSN-to-DNP PMHNP programs
• MSN-to-DNP PMHNP programs
• Future Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Scholarship