Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Duration | Est. Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – PMHNP | 2–3 years | $15K–$22K* |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP | 1–2 years | $5K–$7K |
* MSN total estimated from ~$7,578/year in online grad nursing tuition & fees × 2–3 years (excludes living costs). Georgia residents may pay less in traditional (non-online) modalities.
Georgia College & State University’s PMHNP program requires 570 clinical hours in Georgia, supported by a dedicated Clinical Coordinator for preceptor placement.
- Operates on a cohort model with one annual summer admission
- Offers full-time (6 semesters) and part-time (9 semesters) study options
- Minimal on-campus attendance: 1–3 days per semester
- Weekly synchronous Thursday classes via WebEx plus asynchronous online modules
- Includes mandatory immersion weeks:
- Summer orientation
- Fall Advanced Assessment Lab with 45 hours of hands-on clinical instruction
MSN PMHNP Program
The estimated cost for the MSN PMHNP program is approximately $7,578 annually and takes 2-3 years to complete depending on full-time or part-time enrollment.
Curriculum
The curriculum includes foundational courses in advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, and nursing assessment, followed by specialized PMHNP courses covering psychopharmacology, neurobiology, and psychiatric nursing foundations.
NRSG 5800 Applied Pharmacology This foundational course equips advanced practice healthcare professionals with comprehensive knowledge in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics for treating patients across all age groups, including adults, adolescents, and children.
NRSG 5500 Perspectives of Advanced Nursing Practice Students examine the evolving landscape of healthcare and society, focusing on critical issues affecting advanced nursing roles including role development, ethical and legal considerations, political influences, and contemporary practice and educational challenges in advanced practice nursing.
NRSG 6300 Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology This course explores the intricate relationship between normal human physiological processes and their pathological alterations during disease states, examining both cellular mechanisms and organ system dysfunction.
NRSG 5810 Advanced Psychopharmacology and Neurobiology Building on applied pharmacology knowledge, this specialized course delves into advanced psychopharmacological interventions for psychiatric conditions, emphasizing neurobiological foundations, medication selection strategies, response monitoring, side effect management, and considerations for comorbidities, cultural factors, age-related issues, and previous treatment responses.
NRSG 5480 Advanced Nursing Assessment/Lab Students develop advanced clinical assessment skills and expertise in evaluating health and illness states through comprehensive examination techniques and diagnostic approaches.
NRSG 7100 & NRSG 7100L Foundations for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing This course introduces fundamental biopsychosocial theories and evidence-based frameworks for assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health conditions across the lifespan, utilizing case studies, role-playing exercises, and diagnostic interview simulations to develop differential diagnosis skills and treatment planning capabilities.
NRSG 5600 Healthcare Research & Statistical Analysis Students explore research methodologies, develop critical analysis skills for evaluating studies, and examine the interconnections between nursing theory, research evidence, and clinical practice.
NRSG 6110 Ensuring Healthcare Safety and Quality This course examines healthcare economics, managed care environments, systems thinking, and the essential intellectual and technical competencies required for effective clinical outcome management.
NRSG 7110 & NRSG 7110L Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing I/Lab Students engage in comprehensive exploration and practical application of theoretical and evidence-based approaches for managing short-term mental health issues and common psychiatric disorders, focusing on psychotherapeutic interventions, health promotion strategies, and risk prevention across diverse clinical settings with direct patient care experiences.
NRSG 6410 Nursing Theory: Principles & Applications This course provides critical examination and practical application of nursing theoretical frameworks to enhance professional nursing practice and clinical decision-making.
NRSG 7120 & NRSG 7120L Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing II/Lab Building on foundational skills, students explore advanced theoretical and research-based approaches for managing chronic and complex psychiatric disorders, developing sophisticated differential diagnostic abilities and intervention strategies while emphasizing rehabilitation, recovery, and psychoeducational approaches through direct clinical practice experiences.
NRSG 7200 & NRSG 7200L Practicum in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing/Lab This capstone clinical experience provides intensive hands-on practice in psychiatric mental health nursing, allowing students to integrate and apply all previously learned skills in real-world clinical settings under supervised practice conditions.
Curriculum details available here:
- https://www.gcsu.edu/sites/default/files/documents/2025-02/PMHNP%20POS.pdf
- https://gcsu.smartcatalogiq.com/2024-2025/graduate-catalog/college-of-health-sciences/nursing-msn/nursing-msn-with-a-concentration-in-psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-practitioner-online/
MSN Program Requirements:
- BSN from ACEN or CCNE accredited program
- Minimum 2.75 GPA for last 60 undergraduate hours in nursing major
- Current unencumbered Georgia RN license or Compact RN license
- Minimum one year clinical practice experience (additional experience preferred)
- Three professional reference letters using SON form
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Statement of Professional Goals
- Interview participation
- Application fee: $35 online, $40 paper
- Background check, drug screen, and health requirements per clinical agencies
Post-Master’s Certificate Program
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate ranges from $4,394-$6,102 and takes 1-2 years to complete depending on prior coursework.
Curriculum
- Supporting Core Courses (9 credit hours for non-APRNs):
- Advanced Nursing Assessment (with clinical lab)
- Applied Pharmacology
- Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology
- Clinical Courses (23 credit hours):
- Advanced Psychopharmacology Neurobiology
- Foundations for Psychiatric Nursing (with lab)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing I & II (with labs)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practicum (with lab)
- Clinical Requirements: Same 570 hours as MSN program, individualized program of study based on gap analysis for board-certified APRNs (minimum 11 credit hours required)
Post-Master’s Certificate Requirements:
- MSN, DNP, or PhD in Nursing
- Gap analysis by program coordinator
- Individualized program of study based on previous coursework
- All course syllabi submitted for review
- Same clinical and background requirements as MSN program
Tuition
Online graduate nursing programs cost approximately $7,578 annually for tuition and fees, with estimated total yearly costs of $27,403 including living expenses. Georgia residents pay significantly less than out-of-state students for traditional programs.
Accreditation
Georgia College’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The BSN, MSN, and DNP programs maintain full accreditation status.
Other Nursing Programs
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
- Nurse Educator (NE)
- Nurse Midwifery
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Post-Baccalaureate BSN to DNP and Post-Master’s MSN to DNP pathways
- Post-Master’s certificates available for all MSN concentrations
- BSN program with undergraduate preparation
Transfer Credits
- Transfer Credits: Students may transfer up to 9 semester hours of graduate nursing coursework from other accredited institutions.
- Program Timeline: All MSN requirements must be completed within seven years from the start of graduate coursework.
- GPA Requirement: Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Grading Policy: A minimum grade of B is required in all clinical courses, and a minimum of C is required in non-clinical courses.
- Final Requirements: Successful completion of an electronic portfolio and a comprehensive practice exam is required to demonstrate program synthesis.
Campus Requirements
While primarily online, the program requires mandatory on-campus experiences including an initial summer immersion week for orientation and training, plus Lab Immersion Week in fall for Advanced Assessment skills. Students may have approximately five additional required campus visits throughout the program for guest lectures and skills labs, with all dates announced well in advance.
Classes are held on Thursdays using various formats including synchronous WebEx sessions and asynchronous online modules for flexible learning.
More PMHNP Programs in Georgia
View All PMHNP Programs in Georgia
- Augusta University - Augusta
- Brenau University - Gainesville
- Emory University - Atlanta
- Georgia Southern University - Statesboro, Savannah
- Georgia State University - Atlanta
- Mercer University - Macon
- Valdosta State University - Valdosta