Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN PMHNP | $110,250 | ~3.5 to 4 years |
| Certificate PMHNP | $58,500 | Varies by student pace |
Duke’s PMHNP program is ranked #1 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report (2025) and includes over 2,000 clinical partnerships worldwide to help students secure local placements. Graduates of the MSN track also earn a tele-psychiatry certification and have the option to pursue an additional certificate in veterans’ health care.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is approximately $110,250, and is designed to be completed in 4 years) with a fall entry or ~3.5 years with a spring entry.
Estimate based on 49 credit hours at $2,250/credit (2025–2026 rate), plus applicable fees; the program
Visit the official program page for more information.
MSN Curriculum
The 49-credit curriculum is divided into three components: MSN Core courses (required of all APRN majors), Four Ps clinical foundation courses (required of all APRN majors), and PMHNP-specific specialty courses.
MSN Core – Required for All APRN Majors (12 credits)
- N580 – Nurse as Scholar I: Science Development, Study Design & Statistics (3 cr)
- N581 – Nurse as Scholar II: Evidence-Based Practice (3 cr)
- N582 – Population Health in a Global Society (3 cr)
- N583 – Professional Transitions: Advanced Nursing Practice (3 cr)
MSN Four Ps – Required for All APRN Majors (11 credits)
- N589 – Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (4 cr)
- N595 – Physical Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning in Advanced Practice Nursing (4 cr)
- N596 – Clinical Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 cr)
PMHNP Specialty Courses (26 credits)
Nursing 759 – Introduction to Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
This course introduces the core concepts of advanced practice psychiatric–mental health nursing across the lifespan and across care settings. Students study theory, diagnostic classification, evidence-based assessment, and treatment approaches for mental health conditions. Simulation activities help students practice foundational psychiatric skills. Prerequisite: Nursing 595.
Nursing 762 – Neurophysiology
This course examines the physiologic processes that influence mental disorders and human behavior. Topics include neuroscience, brain modulators, genetic factors, and stress response models. Students learn how neurobiology shapes mental health and psychiatric illness. Prerequisite: Nursing 589. Instructor consent required.
Nursing 763 – Psychopharmacology for the Advanced Practice Nurse
This course reviews medication therapies used to treat psychiatric illnesses and mental health disorders. Students apply psychopharmacology principles to both acute and chronic conditions across the lifespan. The course emphasizes critical thinking, medication selection, and clinical decision making. Prerequisites: Nursing 596 and Nursing 762.
Nursing 764 – Diagnosis and Evidence-Based Treatment of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan
This course prepares students to diagnose and manage psychiatric conditions using DSM diagnostic criteria. Students study differential diagnosis, treatment planning, and key psychotherapy approaches. The course emphasizes evidence-based care for mental health disorders across the lifespan. Prerequisites: Nursing 761 and 762. Corequisites: Nursing 763 and 765.
Nursing 765 – Diagnosis and Evidence-Based Treatment of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan: Clinical
This clinical course develops practical skills in psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning. Students apply DSM criteria to evaluate patients and create comprehensive care plans. Clinical work includes therapy selection, medication planning, follow-up scheduling, and referral coordination. Prerequisites: Nursing 761 and 762. Corequisites: Nursing 763 and 764.
Nursing 766 – Assessment and Management of Addictive Disorders for the APRN
This course focuses on the assessment and treatment of substance use and addiction disorders. Students integrate science, diagnostic methods, and treatment strategies to develop evidence-based care plans. The course also examines co-occurring disorders and addiction across the lifespan. Prerequisites: Nursing 596 and 762.
Nursing 769 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Synthesis Lifespan and Continuum of Care: Clinical I
This clinical practicum allows students to apply advanced psychiatric nursing strategies in real clinical settings. Students integrate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment skills while caring for patients across the lifespan. The experience focuses on evidence-based psychiatric practice across different levels of care. Prerequisite: Nursing 765.
Nursing 770 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Synthesis Lifespan and Continuum of Care: Clinical II
This course expands clinical practice through continued patient care and advanced skill development. Students refine diagnostic reasoning and treatment planning in psychiatric settings. The practicum strengthens competence in evidence-based mental health care across the lifespan. Prerequisite: Nursing 769.
Nursing 772 – Delivering Evidence-Based Mental Health Care to Historically Marginalized and Underrepresented Populations
This course examines psychiatric care strategies for underserved and marginalized populations in the United States. Students analyze social drivers of health, historical inequities, and barriers to mental health services. The course builds culturally informed and equity-focused approaches to psychiatric care. Recommended for graduate health students and final-year prelicensure nursing students.
Nurse Practitioner Intensive (NPI) Courses – Required for All APRN Majors (0 credits)
- N617 – NPI I: Collaboration, Care Management and Identity Formation
- N618 – NPI II: Care Management, Information Management, Collaboration and Contextual Relevance
- N619 – NPI III: Collaboration, Leadership, and Scholarship
See the course catalog for more curriculum details.
MSN Clinicals
The MSN-PMHNP program requires a minimum of 560 clinical hours (per program page) with 616 clinical hours cited in the bulletin. Clinical placements are facilitated through Duke’s network of more than 2,000 clinical partners worldwide, with the goal of placing students close to home.
- 112 hours – N765 (Diagnosis & Evidence-Based Treatment: Clinical)
- 224 hours – N769 (PMHNP Synthesis Clinical I)
- 224 hours – N770 (PMHNP Synthesis Clinical II)
- Placements supported through a 2,000+ site national and international clinical network
- On-campus intensives supplement distance-based clinical learning
- Graduates also earn a tele-psychiatry certification upon program completion
MSN Admissions & Prerequisites
- BSN from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program, or an associate degree in nursing from an accredited school plus a bachelor’s degree in any field
- GPA of 3.0 or higher (4.0 scale) preferred
- Prerequisite: General or Introductory Statistics (3 credits, grade of C or better; AP Statistics score of 3+ accepted)
- At least 1 year of nursing experience recommended prior to enrollment
- Current RN licensure in the state where you plan to practice
- Three professional recommendation letters (at least one from a medical provider: MD, DO, NP, or PA)
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- Three written personal statement essays (2,000-character limit each)
- Current resume or CV
- ANCC PMH Nurse Generalist Certification recommended (not required) prior to applying
- GRE not required
- Rolling admissions — apply early for priority consideration
Post-Graduate Certificate (PGC) – PMHNP
The Post-Graduate Certificate is designed for nurses who already hold a master’s degree and wish to specialize in psychiatric mental health care.
Credit requirements for the PGC consist of the 26 PMHNP specialty courses (MSN Core and Four Ps are waived for students who completed them in a prior degree), giving an estimated cost of approximately $58,500
This estimate is based on 26 credits at $2,250/credit (2025–2026 rate); program duration varies by student pace.
PGC Curriculum
PGC students complete the same 26-credit PMHNP specialty course sequence as MSN students. MSN Core and Four Ps foundation courses are waived for students who completed equivalent coursework in a prior accredited nursing master’s program.
- N759 – Introduction to Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (3 cr)
- N762 – Neurophysiology (2 cr)
- N763 – Psychopharmacology for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 cr)
- N764 – Diagnosis & Evidence-Based Treatment of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan (2 cr)
- N765 – Diagnosis & Evidence-Based Treatment of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan: Clinical (2 cr | 112 clinical hours)
- N766 – Assessment and Management of Addictive Disorders for the APRN (3 cr)
- N769 – PMHNP Synthesis Lifespan and Continuum of Care: Clinical I (4 cr | 224 clinical hours)
- N770 – PMHNP Synthesis Lifespan and Continuum of Care: Clinical II (4 cr | 224 clinical hours)
- N772 – Delivering Evidence-Based Mental Health Care to Historically Marginalized and Underrepresented Populations (3 cr)
See the official curriculum page for more details.
PGC Clinicals
PGC students complete the same clinical sequence as MSN students, totaling a minimum of 560–616 clinical hours through Duke’s national clinical placement network.
- 112 hours – N765 (Diagnosis & Evidence-Based Treatment: Clinical)
- 224 hours – N769 (PMHNP Synthesis Clinical I)
- 224 hours – N770 (PMHNP Synthesis Clinical II)
- Clinical placements supported through a 2,000+ site network
PGC Admissions & Prerequisites
- Master’s degree from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing school, or a master’s in another discipline acceptable to specialty faculty
- Active RN licensure in North Carolina (or compact state as primary state of residence), or eligibility for NC licensure
- ANCC PMH Nurse Generalist Certification recommended prior to applying
- Prerequisite: General or Introductory Statistics (3 credits, grade of C or better)
- Minimum 1 year of nursing experience recommended before matriculation
- Three professional letters of reference (academic and/or professional)
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions
- Current resume or CV
- Personal interview (virtual arrangements available for distance students)
- Board-certified NPs practicing outside their area of certification may qualify for the Certification Alignment Postgraduate Certificate — contact SONAdmission@dm.duke.edu to confirm eligibility
Tuition
MSN and PGC tuition is $2,250 per credit hour for the 2025–2026 academic year (up from $2,166 in 2024–2025).
Average fully enrolled cost is approximately $15,750 per semester.
Additional per-semester fees include a $200 technology fee, $503.50 health fee (fall/spring), $19 graduate student activity fee, and $12.50 graduate student services fee. One-time fees include a $500 matriculation fee (new students), $120 transcript fee (first semester), and $125 clinical lab fee (N595). Drug screening costs typically run $100–$200 per year depending on clinical site requirements.
More tuition details are available here.
Accreditation
Duke University School of Nursing maintains national accreditation, and the MSN-PMHNP curriculum meets educational requirements for professional licensure or certification as a nurse practitioner in all U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia. Prospective distance-based clinical MSN students should review Duke’s Accreditation and State Authorization page for state-specific requirements.
More PMHNP Programs in North Carolina
- East Carolina University - Greenville
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University - Greensboro
- UNC Greensboro - Greensboro
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill
- University of North Carolina Wilmington - Wilmington