Georgia PMHNP Programs

Georgia offers 7 campus-based PMHNP programs across the state, with options available in Augusta, Gainesville, Atlanta, Milledgeville, Statesboro/Savannah, Macon, and Valdosta. Program costs range from approximately $5,000 to $166,564 depending on program type, degree level, and residency status.

Augusta University PMHNP Programs

Augusta | $441 cpc | Certificate / DNP

Augusta University’s PMHNP tracks are delivered in a hybrid model with interactive web-based classes and required campus activities, and students must live in Georgia or South Carolina for clinicals and site visits. The college reports a 100% PMHNP board pass rate over the last five years, and graduates are eligible for ANCC or AANP certification. The Post-BSN to DNP program spans ~3–4 years depending on pace, while the Post-Master’s Certificate typically finishes in about a year at a notably lower overall cost. ..read more.

Brenau University PMHNP Programs

Gainesville | $845 cpc | Certificate

Brenau University’s Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate is a 15-month, four-semester program designed for working nurses, delivered mostly online with monthly weekend intensives in North Atlanta. The 26-credit curriculum blends psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, diagnostic reasoning, and four clinical practicums across the lifespan; students may also dual-enroll in the DNP to fast-track a doctorate. Estimated tuition is about $26,338, with graduates prepared for evidence-based evaluation, prescribing, and treatment in both in-person and telehealth settings. ..read more.

Emory University PMHNP Programs

Atlanta | $1,936 cpc | Certificate / DNP

Emory’s PMHNP options include a 86-credit DNP track (with 1,080 direct clinical hours) and a 26-credit post-graduate certificate (720 clinical hours). Both use a flexible distance-friendly model—mixing live virtual sessions, asynchronous coursework, and scheduled intensives—so students can learn from their home region while completing local clinicals. Emory also offers the Blake Scholars Program, a fully funded post-graduate certificate focused on child and adolescent behavioral/mental health...read more.

Georgia College & State University PMHNP Program

Milledgeville | $400 t0 $600 cpc | Certificate / MSN

Georgia College & State University’s CCNE-accredited PMHNP pathway offers a 39-credit MSN and a 23–32-credit Post-Master’s Certificate delivered primarily online with weekly Thursday live sessions and brief on-campus immersion labs. Both tracks require 570 clinical hours in Georgia, with a dedicated Clinical Coordinator assisting with preceptor placement. The cohort admits each summer and can be finished in about 2–3 years (MSN) or 1–2 years (certificate), depending on course load and prior coursework...read more.

Georgia Southern PMHNP Programs

Statesboro, Savannah | $272 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / DNP

Georgia Southern offers two fully online PMHNP pathways—a Post-BSN to DNP (with an optional MSN exit) and a Post-Master’s Certificate—with mostly asynchronous coursework and some live sessions. Clinical practicums must be completed in Georgia or South Carolina with qualified preceptors. The DNP track is estimated at about $21k over three years, while the certificate pathway is about $14k over ~two years (or ~$7k if completed in one year). ..read more.

Georgia State University PMHNP Programs

Atlanta | $414 cpc | Certificate / MSN

Georgia State’s PMHNP options include an MSN and a Post-Master’s Certificate delivered in a web-enhanced distance format with mandatory on-campus sessions and regular live WebEx classes. The MSN costs about $23.2K in-state for 48 credits and can be finished in 5 full-time semesters (7 part-time), while the certificate ranges from $12.7K–$20.4K over ~3 semesters depending on transfer credit/gap analysis. Graduates are eligible for national PMHNP certification (ANCC or AANPCB). ..read more.

Mercer University PMHNP Programs

Macon | $1,285.50 cpc | BSN to DNP / MSN / DNP

Mercer’s Georgia Baptist College of Nursing offers three PMHNP pathways delivered in a blended format that pairs synchronous online coursework with on-site labs and supervised clinicals in Atlanta. Estimated annual costs range from about $41.4k for the DNP tracks to $47.9k for the MSN, with program lengths spanning ~17–28 months for the MSN, ~2.5–3 years for the BSN-to-DNP, and ~2 years for the Post-Master’s DNP. Experienced faculty provide personalized guidance and help align clinical placements with each student’s goals, and all tracks prepare graduates for ANCC or AANP PMHNP certification. ..read more.

South College PMHNP Programs

Atlanta, Marietta | $310 cpc | Certificate / MSN

Georgia nursing professionals can complete the PMHNP program fully online through South College, with hands-on practicum hours arranged at approved Georgia clinical locations. Both the MSN and Post-Graduate Certificate options focus on psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and lifespan psychiatric care. Graduates meet eligibility requirements to sit for the national PMHNP certification exam.

Valdosta State University PMHNP Programs

Valdosta | $329 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / DNP

Valdosta State University offers two Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner tracks through its College of Nursing and Health Sciences: a 57-credit MSN program and a 44-credit Post-Master's Certificate program. Both programs are delivered in a hybrid format combining online coursework with weekend campus meetings and require 675 clinical hours in diverse psychiatric settings. The programs are accredited by CCNE and approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing, preparing graduates to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health issues across the lifespan...read more.

Walden University PMHNP Programs

Fully Online | Certificate / MSN / DNP

Walden University’s 100% online PMHNP programs provide Georgia nurses with accessible pathways—BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, MSN-PMHNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate—to address the state’s urgent mental health care shortages from Atlanta to rural South Georgia. Featuring the Practicum Pledge, Walden partners with students to secure clinical placements throughout the Peach State, backed by a virtual skills lab and expert faculty guidance. With affordable tuition after the Believe & Achieve Scholarship and no entrance exams required, Georgia nurses can seamlessly advance to doctoral or master’s-level psychiatric practice and improve mental health outcomes statewide.

Chamberlain MSN PMHNP Program

online | $735 cpc | Certificate / MSN

Chamberlain University offers two CCNE-accredited PMHNP options—an MSN (~2.5 years) and a Graduate Certificate (~1.5 years)—delivered 100% online with 650 supervised practicum hours and dedicated preceptor support via the Practicum Commitment. Georgia nurses can complete coursework anywhere while leveraging Chamberlain’s Atlanta (1100 Altmore Avenue, Sandy Springs) and Stockbridge (100 Southcrest Drive) campuses for student services, skills support, and local connections; both locations offer an Evening/Weekend option for added flexibility. The curriculum spans advanced pathophysiology, psychopharmacology, psychiatric assessment, differential diagnosis, and psychotherapy, plus two required in-person immersions to sharpen hands-on competencies. Together, the flexible schedule, campus resources, and coordinated clinical placement help working RNs progress efficiently toward PMHNP readiness in Georgia.

Nightingale College PMHNP Program

online | $550 cpc | MSN

The CCNE-accredited MSN-PMHNP program at Nightingale College is a 55-credit hour program designed for completion in just 24 months and is delivered primarily through online instruction. The curriculum is comprehensive, requiring 810 clinical contact hours, and is specifically structured to prepare graduates to sit for the ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam. Critically, Nightingale College's MSN-PMHNP program is fully authorized to enroll students who are residents of Georgia.

Post University PMHNP Programs

online | $604 cpc | MSN

The program has an estimated cost of approximately $30,198 to $30,795 and typically takes about 34 months to complete on a full-time basis, utilizing a focused, one-course-at-a-time schedule. Admission is limited to RNs with an unencumbered license, a BSN with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and one year of recent full-time clinical work experience. Notably, a prerequisite for advanced clinical courses is successfully passing the APEA 3P Exam, demonstrating mastery of the core Advanced Practice Nursing concepts.

Purdue Global PMHNP Programs

online | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP

Purdue Global's PMHNP programs are authorized in Georgia, offering three online tracks with tuition of $420 per quarter credit hour for master's-level coursework: a Postgraduate Certificate, MSN with PMHNP focus, and MSN-DNP pathway. Georgia nurses complete clinical experiences with qualified preceptors in local communities, gaining hands-on training in diagnosis, treatment planning, psychotherapy, and prescribing psychotropic medications across the lifespan. All programs are CCNE-accredited and prepare Georgia graduates for national certification exams through ANCC or AANP, leading to APRN licensure eligibility in the state.

WGU PMHNP Programs

online | flat rate cpc | Certificate / MSN

The PMHNP MSN and certificate at WGU use mastery-based progress instead of credit counts. Clinicals require 650 local hours, increasing to 750 for Kansas starts after March 1, 2025. Program Mentor guidance and flat-rate terms yield minimum lengths of 2.5 years (MSN) and 1.5 years (certificate).

How to Choose the Best PMHNP Program for You in Georgia

TLDR: Quick Program Recommendations

Choose Augusta University if you want the most affordable certificate option ($9,702) or a cost-effective BSN-to-DNP pathway ($42,312) at a public institution with 100% board pass rates.

Choose Georgia Southern if you want the most affordable BSN-to-DNP program ($21,006 for 77 credits) with flexible MSN exit options.

Choose Georgia State if you want the most affordable MSN program ($23,172 for 48 credits) with strong clinical placement support in metro Atlanta.

Choose Brenau University if you want a private university certificate (15 months, $26,338) with dual DNP enrollment options and narrative medicine focus.

Choose Georgia College & State University if you prefer a cohort model with one annual admission, minimal campus attendance (1-3 days/semester), and dedicated clinical coordinator support.

Choose Emory University if you want a premium DNP education ($166,564) with 1,080 clinical hours, neurobiologically-informed curriculum, and the prestigious Blake Scholars Program with full tuition coverage.

Choose Mercer University if you want flexible BSN-to-DNP or Post-Master’s DNP pathways with multiple entry points and extensive clinical immersion (780-1,020 hours).

Choose Valdosta State if you want an affordable Family PMHNP specialization ($18,753 MSN) with primary care integration and diverse clinical settings including correctional facilities and VA hospitals.

Choose Chamberlain University if you want a national online program with the Practicum Commitment guarantee, 650 clinical hours, and 90%+ financial aid availability.

Choose Walden University if you want flexible online DNP or MSN options with the Practicum Pledge and virtual skills lab, accepting Georgia residents.

Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

Post-master’s PMHNP certificates allow already-licensed nurse practitioners or MSN-prepared nurses to add psychiatric-mental health specialization.

Cost & Duration

Most Affordable: Augusta University – $9,702 (22 credits, ~1 year)

Other Options:

Quickest Program: Augusta University and Emory University both offer ~1 year completion for full-time students.

Program Details

Augusta University requires prerequisite completion (Advanced Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Lifespan Development, Advanced Health Assessment) before starting the 22-credit certificate. Designed for certified NPs with master’s or doctoral degrees. Includes 504 clinical hours. Maintains 100% board pass rate over the last 5 years.

Georgia Southern offers an individualized program (19 credits) based on gap analysis. Requires 630 clinical hours. Students must complete practicums within 250 miles of Statesboro campus in Georgia or South Carolina.

Brenau University provides 26 credits over 4 semesters with narrative medicine, trauma-informed care, and mindfulness practice emphasis. Most courses are online with monthly in-person weekend intensives in North Atlanta. Offers dual enrollment option with DNP program.

Emory University delivers 26 credits with 720 clinical hours plus 45 simulation hours. Requires APRN license and current NP board certification. Not available for federal student loans as a non-degree program. Over 92% of students receive financial aid.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs

MSN-PMHNP programs provide entry-level preparation for BSN-prepared nurses seeking PMHNP certification.

Cost & Duration

Most Affordable: Georgia State – $23,172 (48 credits, 5 semesters FT / 7 semesters PT)

Other In-State Options:

Private/National Options:

Quickest Program: Mercer University (17 months full-time) and Georgia State (20 months full-time for 5 semesters).

Program Details

Georgia Schools with Local Presence:

Georgia State University offers 48 credits with 590 clinical hours across 4 practicum courses. Faculty assist with clinical placement through contacts with major agencies. In-state tuition is $414/credit. Admits fall semester only with May 15 application deadline. Requires 1-2 years clinical RN experience (preferred) plus 250-500 psychiatric volunteer hours.

Georgia College & State University operates on a cohort model with one annual summer admission. Features dedicated Clinical Coordinator for preceptor placement. Requires 570 clinical hours in Georgia with minimal on-campus attendance (1-3 days/semester). Weekly Thursday WebEx classes plus asynchronous modules. Includes mandatory immersion weeks for orientation and Advanced Assessment Lab.

Valdosta State provides Family PMHNP track integrating primary care and psychiatric training. Requires 57 credits with 675 clinical hours. More than 95% online with clinical experiences in diverse settings including prisons, VA facilities, domestic violence shelters, and substance abuse facilities. In-state tuition $329/credit plus $442 online fee.

Mercer University delivers 780 clinical hours over 17-28 months. Tuition is $1,159/credit or $10,430 flat rate for 9+ credits/semester. Comprehensive curriculum includes evidence-based practice, population health, and interprofessional leadership. Requires minimum 1 year RN work experience.

National Online Programs Accepting Georgia Residents:

Chamberlain University offers 100% online MSN with 650 practicum hours. Features Practicum Commitment guarantee where the university partners with students to secure preceptors. Over 90% of students receive financial aid. Requires two in-person visits for immersion experiences. Tuition: $735/credit for NP courses, $720/credit for non-NP courses.

Walden University provides 63 quarter credits (640 practicum hours) with Practicum Pledge and virtual skills lab. Estimated cost $44,705 after Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Takes ~2.5 years full-time. Features four practicum courses concurrent with advanced didactic training.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs

DNP-PMHNP programs offer doctoral-level preparation with enhanced leadership, systems thinking, and evidence-based practice focus.

Cost & Duration

Most Affordable BSN-to-DNP: Georgia Southern – $21,006 (77 credits, 3 years)

Most Affordable Post-Master’s DNP: Augusta University – $42,312 (77 credits, 3 years) includes MSN exit option

Other Options:

National Online Options:

Quickest Program: Emory University (2.5 years for BSN-to-DNP full-time, 7 semesters).

Program Details

Georgia Schools with Local Presence:

Georgia Southern offers the most affordable BSN-to-DNP at $21,006 for 77 credits over 3 years. More than 95% online with 720 total clinical hours (630 specialty hours plus 90 capstone hours). Features MSN exit option after 43 credits. Students must reside in Georgia or South Carolina. In-state tuition ~$6,802/year plus $200 fees.

Augusta University provides 77-credit BSN-to-DNP with 1,183 total hours (840 clinical, 135 lab, 300 DNP residency). Hybrid online/on-campus format with cohorts on Augusta and Athens campuses. In-state tuition $441/credit (1-11 hours) or $5,289 flat rate for 12+ hours/semester. Must reside in Georgia or South Carolina. Maintains 100% board pass rate for 5 years.

Emory University delivers premium 86-credit BSN-to-DNP over 7 semesters with 1,080 clinical hours plus 90 simulation hours and 120 DNP practicum hours. Tuition $23,229/semester for 12+ credits ($166,564 total). Neurobiologically-informed curriculum emphasizing nurse-client relationship. Requires minimum 1 year psychiatric/mental health RN experience. Over 92% receive financial aid. Features Blake Scholars Program with full tuition coverage and CHOA fellowship.

Mercer University offers both BSN-to-DNP (77 credits, 8 semesters) and Post-Master’s DNP (58 credits, 6 semesters). BSN track requires 1,020 post-baccalaureate hours (780 practicum + 240 immersion). Post-Master’s requires 960 hours (780 practicum + 180 immersion). Tuition $1,285.50/credit. Competitive admissions with GPA requirements (3.2 for BSN-to-DNP, 3.0+ for Post-Master’s).

Valdosta State provides BSN-to-DNP (81 credits, 10 semesters) and Post-Master’s DNP (38 credits, 5 semesters online) with Family PMHNP specialization. In-state tuition $329/credit plus $442 online fee. Approved by Georgia Board of Nursing and CCNE-accredited.

National Online Programs Accepting Georgia Residents:

Walden University accepts Georgia residents for both BSN-to-DNP ($74,405, 95 quarter credits) and MSN-to-DNP ($69,225, 85 quarter credits). Requires minimum 1,000 post-BSN practicum hours with 400+ at DNP level. Features Practicum Pledge, virtual skills lab, and CCNE accreditation. Costs reflect Believe & Achieve Scholarship. NP specialization courses $775/quarter credit; doctoral courses $925/quarter credit.

Georgia-Based vs. National Online Programs

Georgia Schools with Local Presence (7 programs):

Advantages of Georgia-Based Programs:

  • Significantly lower in-state tuition ($329-$1,285/credit vs. $550-$925/credit)
  • Established clinical networks within Georgia
  • In-person immersion opportunities for hands-on skills
  • Regional reputation and alumni connections
  • Dedicated clinical coordinators familiar with Georgia facilities
  • Georgia/South Carolina residency requirements ensure local clinical placements

National Online Programs Accepting Georgia Residents:

Advantages of National Online Programs:

  • 100% online convenience (except required clinicals)
  • Flexible start dates (monthly for some programs)
  • Practicum placement support guarantees
  • Established preceptor networks across multiple states
  • One-course-at-a-time format available
  • Virtual skills labs and simulation technology
  • No geographic relocation required

Key Selection Factors

Budget-Conscious Students: Public Georgia universities offer the most affordable options, especially Georgia Southern ($21,006 BSN-to-DNP) and Georgia State ($23,172 MSN).

Speed Priority: Mercer University MSN (17 months), Augusta University Certificate (1 year), or Emory DNP (2.5 years).

Prestige & Resources: Emory University offers elite education with extensive clinical hours and the Blake Scholars Program.

Clinical Support: Georgia College & State University and Chamberlain provide dedicated placement coordinators and practicum guarantees.

Flexibility: National programs like Chamberlain and Walden accommodate working professionals with fully asynchronous options.

Primary Care Integration: Valdosta State uniquely offers Family PMHNP with combined psychiatric and primary care training.

Dual Credentials: Brenau University allows dual enrollment in certificate and DNP programs simultaneously.

All Georgia PMHNP programs prepare graduates for ANCC or AANP certification and maintain CCNE accreditation, ensuring quality education regardless of institution choice.