Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – PMHNP | $23,172 | 20 months (5 semesters FT) |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP | $12,744 – $20,442 | 12 months (~3 semesters) |
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN – PMHNP program is approximately $23,172 based on 48 total credits at $414 per credit hour plus mandatory fees for in-state students, and would take 5 semesters for full-time students or 7 semesters for part-time students to complete.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN – PMHNP curriculum includes 48 total credit hours combining core nursing courses with specialty psychiatric mental health courses:
Required Core Courses:
- NURS 7315 – Advanced Pathophysiological Concepts Across the Lifespan (3)
- NURS 7500 – Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 7550 – Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3)
- NURS 7600 – The Culture of Healthcare (3)
- NURS 7940 – Advanced Professional Nurse Practice Issues (2)
- NURS 7950 – Theoretical Foundations and Research Methods for Advanced Practice Nursing (3)
- CNHP 7800 – Interprofessional Collaboration for Advanced Practice (3)
Required Specialty Courses:
NURS 7120 – Theories of Advanced Psychiatric Nursing (3 cr.)
For admitted PMHNP students, this course surveys psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, and related frameworks to inform advanced practice. Students critique classic psychiatric theory against current research and sociocultural trends to ground compassionate, person-centered care.
NURS 7171 – Advanced Psych Across the Adult Lifespan (6 cr.)
Covers assessment and treatment of adult psychiatric conditions, including group modalities. Learners practice psychosocial and nursing diagnostic decisions in simulated and clinical scenarios while analyzing national priorities and the mental-health delivery system.
NURS 7172 – Advanced Medical & Psychiatric Care for Children (6 cr.)
Focuses on integrated physical–mental health assessment and management for infants through adolescents within the family context. Emphasizes growth and development, common ambulatory problems, anticipatory guidance, and collaborative, evidence-based interventions across pediatric settings.
NURS 7170 – Advanced Psychopharmacology (2 cr.)
Prepares advanced providers to select, prescribe, and monitor psychotropics for adults by applying pharmacokinetics/dynamics to CNS and behavioral disorders. Highlights protocol-driven, safe prescribing and prevention/treatment of psychopathology.
NURS 7173 – Integrative Management of Complicated Psychiatric Cases (4 cr.)
Addresses co-occurring psychiatric and complex medical conditions while refining PMHNP roles in consultation, liaison, education, administration, and independent practice. Students appraise evidence, design interventions, and collaborate interprofessionally to improve outcomes.
NURS 7340 – Common Health Problems of Adults (5 cr.)
Develops NP competencies for promoting health and managing prevalent adult conditions in ambulatory care. Includes diagnostic selection/interpretation, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management, referral, and professional role socialization.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete a minimum of 590 clinical hours distributed across four clinical courses:
- Adult Medical (135 hours)
- Adult Psych (225 hours)
- Child Medical and Psych (140 hours)
- Integrative Management (90 hours)
Faculty assist with clinical paperwork and have contacts with major agencies for student placement. Students are encouraged to assist in finding appropriate preceptors through networking in the PMHNP community, talking with colleagues, and working with the clinical placement coordinator. Students cannot pay preceptors or use fee-based placement services.
MSN Admissions Requirements
- Online application for graduate study
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing from program accredited by ACEN, NLNAC, CNEA, or CCNE
- Official transcripts from all higher education institutions
- Cumulative GPA of 2.75 on 4.0 scale based on all undergraduate college-level coursework
- Current RN registration in Georgia or another U.S. state and evidence of application to Georgia Board of Nursing
- Minimum 1-2 years clinical practice experience preferred
- Minimum one year of recent general psychiatric clinical experience in hospital or community setting OR 250-500 volunteer hours in specific psychiatric site
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of professional and academic abilities (one from former professor if undergraduate nursing degree completed within past five years)
- Current vitae or resume including education, work experience, professional development, community activities, research and publications
- Written statement identifying educational/professional goals and purpose for applying
- Two-page position paper on current social or health issue (APA style)
- Certificate of immunization
- English proficiency exam (TOEFL or IELTS) for non-native English speakers
- Admissions interview
- $50 application fee
- Drug screening/criminal background check ($85)
- Various one-time expenses including Typhon tracking system ($80), ACE mapping ($85), NURS 7500 supplies ($400-$800), GSU name tag ($8)
- Application deadline: May 15 for fall semester admission
- Program admits in fall semester only
Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP program ranges from approximately $12,744 to $20,442 depending on gap analysis.
If all core courses are waived, the program requires 26 specialty credits at $414 per credit hour plus fees ($12,744).
If all core courses are required, the program totals 43 credits ($20,442).
The program typically takes 3 semesters (Fall/Spring/Fall) or 12 months to complete based on individual gap analysis.
Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Master’s Certificate curriculum includes core courses (which may be exempted if previous coursework is deemed equivalent) and required specialty courses:
Required Core Courses (may be exempted if previous coursework equivalent):
- NURS 7310 – Advanced Pathophysiological Concepts in Nursing, Part 1 (3)
- NURS 7320 – Advanced Pathophysiological Concepts in Nursing, Part 2 (3)
- NURS 7500 – Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 7550 – Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3)
- NURS 7940 – Advanced Professional Nurse Practice Issues (2)
- CNHP 7800 – Interprofessional Collaboration for Advanced Practice (3)
Required Specialty Courses:
- NURS 7120 – Theories of Advanced Psychiatric Nursing (3) – Fall only
- NURS 7170 – Advanced Psychopharmacology (2) – Spring only
- NURS 7340 – Common Adult Health Problems (135 clinical hours) (5) – Fall
- NURS 7171 – Advanced Psychiatric Care for Adults and Older Adults (180 clinical hours) (6) – Spring only
- NURS 7172 – Advanced Medical and Psychiatric Care for Children (140 clinical hours) (6) – Fall only
- NURS 7173 – Integrative Management of Complicated Psychiatric Cases (45 clinical hours) (4) – Fall only
Past education and experience are evaluated to determine which required core courses may be waived. FNP or Adult NP graduates can work with advisors to potentially waive the Adult Medical Course.
Certificate Clinicals
Certificate students complete a minimum of 500 clinical hours distributed across four clinical courses: Adult Medical (135 hours), Adult Psych (180 hours), Child Medical and Psych (140 hours), and Integrative Management (45 hours). Clinical placement assistance follows the same model as the MSN program.
Certificate Admissions Requirements
Certificate applicants must meet the same requirements as master’s degree applicants, with additional requirements:
- Master’s degree in nursing from another specialty area
- Application to University of Utah as non-degree seeking student
- Certificate application to College of Nursing
- Statement of interest
- Resume/CV
- Educational transcripts
- Copy of APRN certificate
- Letters of recommendation
- Minimum one year of recent general psychiatric clinical experience in hospital or community setting OR 250-500 volunteer hours in specific psychiatric site
- Applications reviewed January/February using holistic review process including GPA, GRE or MAT (if applicable), experience, references, personal statement, goals, and interview
- Application deadline: May 15 for fall semester admission (spring admission for initial application)
- Post-master’s certificate students may not be eligible for financial aid since they are not degree-seeking
Program Notes
Advanced Assessment (NURS 7500) requires students to be on campus for lab several days. Students are required to have a working computer with high-speed internet service. On-site and synchronous class days are mandatory. Most students continue working during the program, with many changing to weekend or per diem options to facilitate class time and clinical hours. Full-time employment is not encouraged while in the full-time program.
Tuition
Graduate nursing (MS/PhD) students pay $414 per credit hour for in-state tuition.
Mandatory student fees are charged each semester and vary based on credit hours enrolled (ranging from approximately $110 for 1 credit to $660 for 12+ credits in fall/spring semesters).
MSN Program Estimated Costs:
- Total program tuition (48 credits): $19,872
- Estimated mandatory fees (5 semesters full-time): $3,300
- Total estimated tuition and fees: $23,172
Post-Master’s Certificate Estimated Costs:
- Minimum (26 specialty credits only): $12,744 including fees
- Maximum (43 credits if all core courses required): $20,442 including fees
Additional expenses per semester include books ($50-$1,500), clinical agency badges and parking ($1-$50), and immunizations/medical tests (varies). Annual expenses include liability insurance ($35), CPR certification ($35-$100 every other year), and Georgia nursing license ($65 every other year). One-time expenses include drug screening/criminal background checks ($85), Typhon tracking system ($80), ACE mapping ($85), NURS 7500 supplies ($400-$800), and GSU student name tag ($8).
These costs are for in-state students. Out-of-state tuition rates are higher and subject to change.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The nursing programs are part of the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions, which follows accreditation standards for graduate nursing education.
Certification Eligibility
Graduates of both PMHNP tracks are prepared to sit for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification examination offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Admission Status
Students may be admitted to full graduate status (meeting all admission criteria) or provisional graduate status (not meeting all criteria but showing potential). Provisional students are limited to nine semester hours including NURS 7310, NURS 7320, and either NURS 7550 or NURS 7950. A grade of B must be achieved in each course; no course may be repeated. Students achieving 3.0 GPA with at least B in each course may be admitted to full graduate status.
Other Nursing Programs
Georgia State University Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions offers additional graduate nursing programs:
MSN Concentrations:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master’s Certificates:
- Available in all clinical nursing areas
Doctoral Programs:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) – focus on Health Promotion, Protection, and Restoration in Vulnerable Populations
Other College Programs:
- Graduate Certificate in Clinical Health Informatics
- Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership
- Master of Science in Health Sciences (concentrations in Health Informatics, Nutrition, Respiratory Therapy)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (concentrations in Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Translational Rehabilitation Sciences, Cardiopulmonary Care)
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
More PMHNP Programs in Georgia
View All PMHNP Programs in Georgia
- Augusta University - Augusta
- Brenau University - Gainesville
- Emory University - Atlanta
- Georgia College & State University - Milledgeville
- Georgia Southern University - Statesboro, Savannah
- Mercer University - Macon
- Valdosta State University - Valdosta