3 Schools • 1 Online • 2 Mostly Online
Delaware has three PMHNP programs offering MSN, BSN-to-DNP, post-graduate certificate, and combined certificate-DNP pathways. All are delivered in online or mostly online formats, with estimated tuition ranging from about $17,000 to $83,000 depending on pathway and residency. Most MSN and DNP pathways take 2 to 3.5 years to complete.
Delaware State University offers the lowest tuition — a regional rate covering five neighboring states — Wilmington University runs the lowest-cost DNP, and the University of Delaware is the only school whose placement team helps secure preceptors. Compare each school’s online format, campus commitment, cost, and degree options below.
Compare Delaware PMHNP Programs
| School | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
| Delaware State University | Online | None stated — one course references a short residency | $455 | MSN | Lowest tuition |
| University of Delaware | Mostly Online | Occasional intensives; DNP may require 2–8 campus days per semester | $886 (MSN/Certificate); $1,116 (DNP) | MSN • BSN-DNP • Certificate | Preceptor placement support |
| Wilmington University | Mostly Online | None stated — program described as 100% online | $551 | BSN-DNP • Certificate • Certificate+DNP | Lowest-cost DNP |
PMHNPOnline.com Online Format Classification
- Online: No routine campus visits required.
- Mostly Online: Coursework is online with one or more required campus intensives.
- Hybrid: Regular online and on-campus instruction.
- Campus: Most coursework takes place in person.
These classifications are based on each program’s actual campus attendance requirements rather than the school’s marketing terminology.
Choosing the Best PMHNP Program for You in Delaware
Which Program Fits Your Goals?
Best Overall Value
Delaware State — $455 per credit and a 2-year MSN for residents of Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, and DC.
Best Clinical Support
The University of Delaware’s placement team partners with students to locate and secure qualified preceptors rather than leaving it to them.
Lowest-Cost DNP
Wilmington’s BSN-to-DNP runs ~$43.5K — roughly half of UD’s — and its combined pathway gets master’s nurses the certificate and doctorate together from ~$33.1K.
Strongest DNP Clinical Training
UD requires 1,008 hours across direct and indirect care, with 700+ hours spanning three psychotherapy modalities.
Most Accessible Admissions
Delaware State accepts a 2.5 undergraduate GPA and requires just one reference letter.
Best Certificate Access
Wilmington’s certificate is open to any MSN- or DNP-prepared nurse — no NP certification required, unlike UD’s.
Delaware DNP PMHNP Programs
Two schools offer doctoral pathways, three tracks in total. Wilmington competes on price and pathway design — including the state’s only route for master’s-prepared nurses to earn the PMHNP certificate and DNP simultaneously — while UD competes on clinical depth and placement support.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| University of Delaware | BSN-to-DNP | ~$77K–$82.6K | 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time | 1,008 (672 direct + 336 indirect) |
| Wilmington University | BSN-to-DNP | ~$43.5K | ~3.5 years | 750 + DNP experiential hours |
| Wilmington University | Combined Certificate + DNP | ~$33.1K–$39.7K | ~2.5–3 years | 750 + DNP experiential hours |
- Lowest doctoral cost: Wilmington — its BSN-to-DNP saves roughly $35K versus UD, and the combined pathway is cheaper still for master’s-prepared nurses.
- Only MSN-entry doctorate: Wilmington’s combined track — though it requires two separate applications, and acceptance to one program doesn’t guarantee the other.
- Deepest clinical training: UD — 1,008 hours versus Wilmington’s 750 plus unspecified DNP experiential hours.
- Campus expectation: UD DNP students may be required in Newark 2–8 days per semester; Wilmington states no campus requirement.
Delaware MSN PMHNP Programs
Two of the three schools offer an MSN — Wilmington has no standalone master’s track. The choice hinges on geography and pacing: Delaware State’s regional rate makes it the budget pick for Mid-Atlantic nurses, while UD’s part-time-only cohort model trades speed for structure and placement help.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Delaware State University | BSN-MSN | ~$27.8K regional; ~$57.9K out-of-state | 2 years | 765 |
| University of Delaware | BSN-MSN | ~$39.9K | 3 years (part-time only) | Not clearly stated |
- Fastest MSN: Delaware State — 2 years full-time; UD admits students only into 3-year part-time cohort plans.
- Residency matters at DSU: the $455 rate applies to Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, and DC — everyone else pays $948 per credit, which makes UD the cheaper option.
- Placement: UD’s team secures preceptors with students; DSU students arrange their own local placements.
- Clinical transparency: DSU publishes a 765-hour total; UD’s MSN clinical hours are not clearly stated.
Delaware Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP Programs
Two schools offer certificates with fundamentally different entry rules: Wilmington accepts any master’s-prepared nurse, while UD requires existing NP or CNS certification. Both use gap analysis, but only Wilmington publishes a fixed credit count.
| School | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| University of Delaware | ~$21.3K–$35.4K | 1–2 years (part-time) | 750 minimum |
| Wilmington University | ~$17.1K | ~1.5–2 years (part-time) | 750 |
- Widest access: Wilmington — any MSN or DNP with a 3.0 (2.75 may be considered); UD demands a 3.5, NP or CNS certification, and a compact license.
- Lowest certificate cost: Wilmington at ~$17.1K flat; UD starts higher and climbs to ~$35.4K depending on gap analysis.
- Prerequisite catch at Wilmington: nurses missing APRN-level “three P’s” coursework add up to 15 prerequisite credits before the 31-credit certificate.
- Interview intensity: Wilmington’s two-stage admissions includes a 2–3 hour Zoom interview — plan accordingly.
Delaware PMHNP Program Summaries
Delaware State University PMHNP Programs
Dover | $455 cpc | BSN-MSN / MSN | Mostly Online
DSU runs a single, focused product: a 48-credit online MSN that finishes in two years and costs Mid-Atlantic nurses less than any competitor in the region. The curriculum threads health equity, social determinants of health, and Healthy People 2030 goals through every course — a genuine editorial identity, not boilerplate. Students arrange their own clinical placements with local preceptors, which keeps the program accessible nationally but puts the preceptor hunt on the student. One inconsistency to verify: the program is described as 100% online, yet the advanced assessment course references a short residency. ACEN accredited with a 2.5 GPA floor. Best for budget-focused nurses in Delaware and its five rate-eligible neighbors who are comfortable self-arranging clinicals...read more.
University of Delaware PMHNP Programs
Newark | $896 - $1,116 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Mostly Online
UD is the full-service option, and its defining feature is rare in PMHNP education: a placement team that actively partners with students to secure preceptors instead of wishing them luck. The curriculum leans into neuroscience and holistic modalities, with simulations staged alongside healthcare theatre students. All three pathways — a part-time-only MSN, a BSN-to-DNP, and a gap-analysis certificate — run mostly online with occasional Newark intensives, and a Dean's Scholarship cuts MSN and certificate tuition to $886 per credit with no added fees. The structure is deliberate: cohort progression, four application deadlines, and up to nine transfer credits. Best for nurses who value placement support and clinical depth over speed and price. ..read more.
Wilmington University PMHNP Programs
Wilmington | $551 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN | Mostly Online
Wilmington is Delaware's pathway innovator and its doctoral value play. Its BSN-to-DNP costs roughly half of UD's, and the combined Certificate + DNP is the state's only route for master's-prepared nurses to add PMHNP scope and a doctorate in one 2.5–3 year run — with the certificate alone open to any MSN or DNP nurse, no NP credential required. Every track shares the same 750-hour practicum sequence, scheduled with advance notice across several semesters. Admissions are thorough (two-stage process with a 2–3 hour Zoom interview), and active-duty service members pay a $300 rate. Confirm whether any campus component exists. CCNE accredited, with ANCC and AANPCB exam eligibility. Best for master's-prepared nurses and budget-conscious doctoral students. ..read more.
National Online PMHNP Options
Delaware nurses can also consider national online programs such as Walden University and Purdue Global, which accept Delaware students and fill the state’s remaining gaps: RN-to-MSN entry and full-time MSN pacing faster than UD’s part-time cohorts. Delaware State’s regional rate works in reverse for neighbors — nurses in Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, and DC can treat DSU as a de facto in-state option.
Post University PMHNP Programs
National | $604 cpc | BSN-MSN | Online
Post University's MSN-PMHNP Specialization is a 51-54 credit, CCNE-accredited program delivered 100% online with flexible 8-week courses and monthly start dates. The curriculum requires 36 didactic credits, covering advanced practice core courses and specialty topics like psychotropic psychopharmacology and diagnostic reasoning. Students must complete 630 total clinical hours across five dedicated preceptorship courses, integrating real-world practice for all age groups.
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
National | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN / DNP | Online
Purdue Global's PMHNP programs are authorized in Delaware, offering flexible online education through three tracks ranging from $20,160 to $32,760 with completion times of 1.5 to 2 years for full-time students. Delaware nurses can complete clinical practice experiences at convenient local locations or even at their current workplace, with all programs featuring immersive virtual reality assignments and CCNE accreditation. After graduation, Delaware residents may sit for national PMHNP certification exams and pursue advanced practice registered nurse licensure in the state.
Walden University PMHNP Programs
National | $775 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP / MSN-DNP / DNP | Online
Nurses throughout Delaware can pursue Walden University’s flexible, fully online PMHNP programs—ranging from the MSN-PMHNP to the BSN-to-DNP and Post-Master’s Certificate—to meet the First State’s increasing need for psychiatric-mental health providers. Walden’s unique Practicum Pledge and Field Placement Team take the stress out of finding clinical sites, helping Delaware students secure placements in Wilmington, Dover, or Sussex County’s growing communities. With no GRE required and the Believe & Achieve Scholarship reducing costs, Delaware nurses can efficiently transition into advanced practice roles focused on lifespan mental wellness.
WGU PMHNP Programs
National | flat rate cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN | Online
The WGU PMHNP programs are online and advance by demonstrated mastery. Clinical experience totals 650 hours locally, or 750 for Kansas after March 1, 2025. A Program Mentor and flat-rate tuition align with minimum timelines of 2.5 years for the MSN and 1.5 years for the certificate.
Wilkes University PMHNP Programs
National | $751 cpc | Certificate / RN-MSN / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Online
Students located in Delaware are authorized to enroll in Wilkes University's online MSN and Post-Graduate PMHNP certificate programs. The university has evaluated the program and determined that it meets the educational requirements for advanced practice licensure in the state. Delaware residents will benefit from a flexible online education that includes dedicated clinical placement assistance.
FAQ
How many PMHNP programs are available in Delaware?
Three: Delaware State University in Dover, the University of Delaware in Newark, and Wilmington University in Wilmington. Together they cover MSN, BSN-to-DNP, certificate, and combined certificate-DNP pathways.
Are there fully online PMHNP programs in Delaware?
Delaware State describes its MSN as 100% online, though one course references a short residency. Wilmington’s programs are also described as 100% online, though its format is listed as mostly online — confirm with both schools. UD is mostly online with occasional intensives.
Which Delaware PMHNP program has the lowest tuition?
By pathway: Delaware State’s regional MSN (~$27.8K), Wilmington’s certificate (~$17.1K), and Wilmington’s DNP tracks (from ~$33.1K). Out-of-state MSN students pay less at UD than at DSU’s $948 rate.
Which Delaware schools offer DNP pathways?
The University of Delaware (BSN-to-DNP, 1,008 clinical hours) and Wilmington University (BSN-to-DNP plus a combined Certificate + DNP for master’s-prepared nurses).
Which programs require campus visits?
The University of Delaware uses occasional intensives, and its DNP students may be required in Newark 2–8 days per semester. Delaware State and Wilmington state no campus requirements, pending the format questions flagged above.
Can clinicals be completed near where I live?
UD’s placement team secures preceptors with you. DSU students find their own local sites and must hold an RN license in the clinical state. Wilmington’s placement process is not clearly stated, though practicums are scheduled with advance notice.
Can I earn a PMHNP certificate without being a nurse practitioner?
Yes — Wilmington’s certificate accepts any MSN- or DNP-prepared nurse. UD’s certificate requires existing NP or CNS certification.