Program Tracks
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN | $58K | 3 years (9 semesters) |
| Second MSN PMHNP | $37K–$41K | 2 years (6 semesters) |
Rather than relying solely on remote instruction, the program combines asynchronous coursework with five campus immersions, faculty site visits during clinical rotations, and dedicated clinical placement support. That hands-on approach makes Gonzaga stand out among online PMHNP programs, although enrollment is currently limited to residents of ten western states.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Types | MSN PMHNP, Second MSN PMHNP |
| Format | Online |
| Campus Visits | Five two-day immersions |
| Clinical Hours | 660 |
| Clinical Placement | Clinical Placement Team assists |
| Population | Across lifespan |
| Certification | ANCC PMHNP |
| Tuition | $1,225/credit |
| Accreditation | CCNE |
MSN PMHNP
The estimated tuition for the MSN PMHNP at Gonzaga University is approximately $57,600 (47 credits at $1,225/credit), and full-time students can generally complete the program in about 3 years (9 semesters).
MSN Curriculum
The 47-credit curriculum combines an MSN core (informatics, evidence-based practice, healthcare policy and ethics, clinical prevention) with the APRN three P’s and a psychiatric specialty sequence built around three progressive concepts courses. The psychiatric sequence emphasizes DSM-5 diagnosis, differential diagnosis, risk assessment, trauma-informed care, and individual and group psychotherapy across the lifespan — Concepts III specifically addresses vulnerable populations and co-occurring disorders. Core courses run 8 weeks; specialty courses run 12–16 weeks.
- NURS 561 – Information Technology & Data Management
- NURS 563 – Evidence-Based Practice for Quality and Safety
- NURS 564 – Contemporary Healthcare Environment
- NURS 565 – Clinical Prevention for Diverse Populations
- NURS 523 – Advanced Pathophysiology
- NURS 524 – Advanced Pharmacology
- NURS 600/601 – Advanced Health Assessment + Practicum
- NURS 670 – Psychopharmacology for PMHNP
- NURS 652M/653M/654M – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Concepts I–III
- NURS 661M/662M/663M – Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum I–III
MSN Clinical Requirements
Students complete 660 total clinical hours: 60 hours of precepted advanced health assessment in a primary care setting, then 600 hours across three psychiatric practicum courses. The practicum sequence progresses deliberately — assessment and diagnosis first, then medication management and psychotherapy with adults, then child/adolescent and geriatric clients with acute, chronic, and co-occurring disorders.
- 660 total clinical hours (60 assessment + 600 psychiatric practicum)
- Individual and group psychotherapy experiences built into Practicum II and III
- Lifespan coverage: adult, child/adolescent, and elderly populations
- Five two-day campus immersions featuring faculty-guided OSCEs (standardized patient evaluations)
- At least one faculty site visit during each of the three specialty practicum courses
- Placements secured through a shared process; the Clinical Placement Team helps students find sites and preceptors and handles contract paperwork
- Practicum hours at your employer allowed with faculty approval, but not on your own unit, not with your supervisor as preceptor, and not during paid work hours
MSN Admissions
Detailed admissions requirements for the BSN-entry MSN track are not clearly stated in the available material, beyond these points:
- A bachelor’s degree in nursing is preferred but not required; non-nursing bachelor’s holders may need foundational nursing courses first
- Must reside in one of ten western states: AK, AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, or WY
- Up to 9 graduate transfer credits may be accepted at faculty discretion
Second MSN PMHNP
The estimated tuition for the Second MSN PMHNP at Gonzaga University is approximately $37,000–$41,000 (32–35 credits at $1,170/credit), and full-time students can generally complete the program in about 2 years (6 semesters).
This track adds the psychiatric specialty for nurses who already hold an MSN. It strips out most of the MSN core and moves directly into the APRN three P’s and the same psychiatric sequence, practicum structure, and 5-immersion requirement as the full MSN.
Students can petition to transfer or waive 6–9 credits from their first MSN, though ANCC certification rules mean prior pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment courses must meet LACE-model content requirements — if syllabi can’t verify this, those courses must be retaken at Gonzaga, potentially adding 9–10 credits and up to two semesters.
Second MSN Curriculum
Credits total 32–35 depending on waived coursework. The sequence covers advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, psychopharmacology, the three psychiatric concepts courses, and 10 practicum credits.
More curriculum details are available here.
Second MSN Clinical Requirements
Clinical requirements mirror the MSN track: 660 total hours (60 assessment + 600 psychiatric practicum), five two-day campus immersions with OSCEs, faculty site visits each practicum course, and Clinical Placement Team support.
Second MSN Admissions
Admission requires an MSN from a regionally accredited program plus a complete application file.
- Master’s degree with a nursing major from a regionally accredited program
- Current RN license from a CCNE-, NLNAC-, ACEN-, or CNEA-accredited program
- Official transcripts from every college attended; GPA explanation statement required if cumulative GPA falls below 3.0
- Two recommendations — one must be your immediate supervisor; family and friends not accepted
- Statement of purpose (500–1,000 words)
- Current resume or CV
- Syllabi for prior pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment courses strongly encouraged for ANCC eligibility review
- Residency limited to WA, ID, OR, MT, CA, NV, UT, AK, WY, and AZ
- Applications with AI-generated documents may be denied
Tuition
Gonzaga lists $1,225 per credit for the MSN PMHNP (47 credits) and cites $1,170 per credit for FNP and PMHNP courses on its Second MSN pages — rates are subject to change, so verify which figure applies to your entry point.
Program fees apply on top of tuition, and the university estimates average graduate tuition and fees at roughly $22,250 per academic year. Students are also responsible for transportation costs to clinical sites and Spokane immersions. Federal student aid, payment plans, and semester-based School of Health Sciences scholarships are available.
See the official tuition page for additional details.
Why Choose This PMHNP Program?
Gonzaga’s strongest selling point is hands-on clinical oversight in an online format. Faculty visit students in their practicum settings every semester of the specialty sequence, five campus immersions run faculty-guided OSCEs with standardized patients, and a dedicated Clinical Placement Team shares the work of securing sites and preceptors — a meaningful difference from programs that leave placement entirely to students.
The three-course psychiatric concepts sequence gives sustained attention to individual and group psychotherapy, not just medication management, and the practicum progression deliberately covers adults, children/adolescents, and older adults.
The trade-offs are real: enrollment is limited to ten western states, five trips to Spokane are mandatory, and the program can’t be accelerated. But for a working nurse in the West who wants close faculty mentorship and placement help rather than the cheapest or fastest option, Gonzaga is a strong fit — with a clean path into its Post-Master’s DNP afterward.
Accreditation
Gonzaga’s master’s degree program in nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the university is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Graduates are prepared to sit for the ANCC PMHNP certification exam, and the program’s required coursework follows the LACE model to preserve ANCC exam eligibility.
Review More PMHNP Programs in Washington
- Pacific Lutheran University - Tacoma
- Seattle University - Seattle
- University of Washington - Seattle
- Washington State University - Spokane Falls