Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Duration | Est. Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| MSN PMHNP | ~2.5 years | $33,075 |
| Graduate Certificate – PMHNP | ~1.5 years | $25,725 |
* Program estimates provided by Chamberlain; most students receive financial assistance.
† Derived from listed totals (NP courses billed at $735/credit). Non-NP courses are $720/credit, which may slightly lower the effective rate depending on your course mix.
The program serves over 90% of students who receive financial assistance and maintains CCNE accreditation across all nursing degree levels. Students complete 650 practicum hours with dedicated preceptor support through Chamberlain’s Practicum Commitment guarantee.
MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the MSN PMHNP program is approximately $33,075 and would take 2.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The curriculum encompasses specialized courses in advanced pathophysiology, psychopharmacology, psychiatric assessment, differential diagnosis, and management of psychiatric disorders across the lifespan.
Students complete advanced coursework in physical assessment, pharmacology fundamentals, and evidence-based practice while developing expertise in both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment modalities.
Coursework includes the following:
NR-586NP – Population Health and Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing Practice
Covers epidemiological and population health principles for advanced nursing practice. Students examine research and data to promote health, prevent illness and injury, and lead disaster response and recovery. Focus is on advancing health outcomes and equity for diverse populations locally, nationally, and globally.
NR-582NP – Leadership and Role Development for Advanced Nursing Practice
Explores leadership theory, roles, and skills essential for advanced nursing practice. Addresses policy and advocacy at multiple system levels, preparing students to serve as change agents in healthcare.
NR-507 – Advanced Pathophysiology
Presents advanced content in pathophysiology and human physiologic responses across the lifespan. Students analyze normal and abnormal responses to selected pathophysiologic mechanisms and conditions.
NR-565 – Advanced Pharmacology Fundamentals
Focuses on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenomics, and therapeutics. Reviews major drug categories for conditions treated by advanced practice nurses, emphasizing safe and effective prescribing for acute and chronic diseases.
NR-509 – Advanced Physical Assessment 1
Expands assessment principles for advanced practice nurses. Students develop history-taking and physical exam skills across the lifespan, including psychiatric assessment. Requires at least 25 hours of lab practice through virtual, on-ground, and immersion experiences. Includes remote check-offs and an 11-hour on-campus lab component.
NR-546 – Advanced Pharmacology: Psychopharmacology for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Builds on pharmacology knowledge to cover neuroscience and psychopharmacology principles for treating mental health disorders across the lifespan.
NR-547 – Differential Diagnosis in Psychiatric-Mental Health across the Lifespan Practicum
Introduces the DSM and foundational diagnostic skills for psychiatric practice. Emphasizes logical, progressive processing of client information to formulate differential diagnoses. Includes 125 supervised clinical hours.
NR-548 – Psychiatric Assessment for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Develops skills for conducting thorough psychiatric assessments, including psychiatric history, review of systems, and interview techniques. Aligns with the Standards of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice.
NR-605 – Diagnosis & Management in Psychiatric-Mental Health across the Lifespan I Practicum
Integrates psychosocial theories and psychotherapy modalities for non-pharmacological and adjunct treatment. Students practice diagnosis, health promotion, and management of mental health disorders through psychotherapy, prescribing, education, and referral in a supervised clinical setting.
NR-606 – Diagnosis & Management in Psychiatric-Mental Health II Practicum
Focuses on perinatal, child, and adolescent psychiatric care. Students refine diagnosis, prescribing, and psychotherapy skills while managing acute and chronic conditions in a precepted clinical environment.
NR-607 – Diagnosis & Management in Psychiatric-Mental Health III Practicum
Addresses complex diagnoses and psychiatric emergencies across the lifespan. Students advance skills in assessment, prescribing, psychotherapy, and patient education within a precepted setting.
NR-668 – Psychiatric-Mental Health Capstone Practicum & Intensive
Synthesizes clinical management skills and knowledge for final preparation as a PMHNP. Includes advanced case studies, chart reviews, and a capstone project. Students complete a precepted practicum and prepare for national certification.
More curriculum details available here:
Clinical requirements include 650 supervised practicum hours with experienced PMHNPs or psychiatrists. Students complete practicum rotations in precepted psychiatric mental health settings with focus on psychotherapy, psychopharmacological prescribing, patient education, and referral processes. The program requires two in-person visits for immersion and intensive experiences.
Graduate Certificate in PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Graduate Certificate program is approximately $25,725 and would take 1.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The 35-credit certificate targets nurses with existing master’s or doctoral degrees seeking PMHNP specialization.
Coursework mirrors the MSN track with advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, assessment, and diagnosis courses. Students complete the same practicum requirements and attend identical immersion and intensive sessions.
Clinical requirements match the MSN program with 650 practicum hours in psychiatric mental health settings under qualified preceptors.
Prerequisites & Admissions
Post Baccalaureate Certificate Requirements:
- BSN degree from CCNE or NLN CNEA accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on BSN degree
- Current unrestricted RN license from U.S. or NCSBN associate member jurisdiction
Graduate Certificate Requirements:
- Master’s degree in nursing from CCNE or NLN CNEA accredited institution
- Current unrestricted RN license from U.S. or NCSBN associate member jurisdiction
- Official transcripts from master’s degree institution
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA
Tuition
Graduate tuition costs $735 per credit hour for nurse practitioner courses and $720 per credit hour for non-NP courses.
Additional fees include $60 application fee, $150 background check, $200 student services charge per session, $75 course resource fee, and $450 APRN fee per NP course. Military personnel, veterans, and alumni receive reduced rates of $588 per credit hour for NP courses.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Chamberlain University holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and program-specific accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for all nursing degree programs including the MSN, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs.
Other Nursing Programs
- Family Nurse Practitioner (3 years)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (3 years)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (3 years)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education
- Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Policy
- Graduate Certificate in Nursing Informatics
- Graduate Certificate in Population Health
- Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Leadership Foundations
Other Illinois Programs
View All PMHNP Programs in Illinois
- Illinois State University - Normal
- Loyola University - Maywood
- North Central College - Naperville
- Rasmussen College -
- Rosalind Franklin University - Chicago
- Rush University - Chicago
- University of Illinois Chicago - Chicago