Hawaii offers 2 PMHNP programs with tuition ranging from $820 to $1,117 per credit hour,
Program completion times span 18 months to 3 years depending on program track and enrollment status.
High Level Program Comparison (In State Only)
| School | Est. Cost | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Hawai‘i Pacific University | MSN: $54K Certificate: $31K | – CCNE-accredited tracks with online study and part-time pacing. – MSN track uses 48 credits and about 630 clinical hours – 3 practicum courses – certificate track uses 27 credits with the same 630 clinical hours. – placement support helps students secure sites |
| University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa | DNP: $61,500 | – 75-credit full-time DNP cohort completed in about three years. – 810 supervised clinical hours & fieldwork to exceed 1,000 total DNP hours – covers psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, crisis work, and policy – CCNE-accredited with placements across Hawai‘i |
All PMHNP Program Options for Hawaii Nurses
Hawaii Pacific University PMHNP Programs
Honolulu | $1,117 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Hawai‘i Pacific University’s PMHNP tracks are 100% online and mobile-friendly with personalized clinical placement support in students’ local communities. The MSN (48 credits) blends advanced theory, psychopharmacology, and three practicum experiences for 630 clinical hours; the post-master’s certificate (27 credits) focuses solely on PMHNP specialty coursework with the same clinical hour total. Both programs emphasize trauma-informed, culturally responsive care across the lifespan and prepare graduates for ANCC PMHNP board eligibility...read more.
University of Hawaii PMHNP Programs
Manoa | $820 cpc | DNP
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers a hybrid DNP-PMHNP that blends online study with on-campus learning and coordinated clinicals across Hawaiʻi, including rural and neighbor islands. The full-time, cohort program spans eight semesters (about 3 years), totals 75 credits, and costs about $61,500 for residents at $820 per credit. The curriculum covers psychopharmacology, individual/family/group psychotherapy, crisis care, and care coordination, with strong attention to cultural care for diverse communities. Students complete 810 supervised clinical hours plus 270 fieldwork hours (1,000+ DNP hours total) and graduate eligible for ANCC or AANPCB PMHNP certification...read more.
Post University PMHNP Programs
online | $604 cpc | MSN
Post University's American Sentinel College of Nursing offers this PMHNP specialization to residents of 43 approved states/territories, providing a path to national certification eligibility for Master's-prepared nurses or those seeking their first MSN. The curriculum structure ensures intensive focus, with the 33 specialization credits covering psychiatric care for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults across five supervised preceptorship courses. This program is not offered on a part-time or accelerated schedule, maintaining a steady, structured pace to graduation.
WGU PMHNP Programs
online | flat rate cpc | Certificate / MSN
WGU’s PMHNP pathways are online and competency-driven. Learners complete 650 local clinical hours, or 750 for Kansas entrants beginning after March 1, 2025. Dedicated mentoring and per-term tuition set minimum durations of 2.5 years for the MSN and 1.5 years for the certificate.
Wilkes University PMHNP Programs
online | $751 cpc | Certificate / MSN / RN to MSN
The online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs offered by Wilkes University are authorized for enrollment by students in Hawaii. The university has confirmed the program meets the necessary educational requirements for advanced practice licensure in the state. Students on the islands can take advantage of the program's flexible online format and guaranteed clinical placement support.
Hawaii Pacific vs University of Hawaii for PMHNP
TLDR: Quick Program Selection Guide
Choose University of Hawaii at Manoa if you want the lowest tuition ($820/credit for residents, $61,500 total DNP), DNP-exclusive program with 810 supervised clinical hours plus 270 fieldwork hours, all clinical placements coordinated by the School of Nursing, and emphasis on serving vulnerable/underserved populations across urban and rural Hawaii with culturally responsive, trauma-informed care.
Choose Hawaii Pacific University if you want flexible MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate options, asynchronous part-time model balancing work and clinical obligations, personalized clinical placement support in your local community, transfer up to 12 eligible credits, and CCNE-accredited programs with recovery-oriented, trauma-informed care emphasis.
DNP-PMHNP Programs Comparison
University of Hawaii at Manoa is the only school in Hawaii offering a DNP-PMHNP program, providing the lowest resident tuition ($820/credit, $61,500 total) with comprehensive clinical training (810 supervised hours + 270 fieldwork hours + 1000+ DNP Essentials hours) and all placements coordinated by the School of Nursing.
MSN-PMHNP Programs Comparison
Hawaii Pacific University is the only school in Hawaii offering MSN-PMHNP programs, providing flexible asynchronous part-time delivery at $1,117/credit with personalized clinical placement support and ability to transfer up to 12 credits.
Post-Graduate Certificate Programs Comparison
Hawaii Pacific University is the only school in Hawaii offering Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate, designed for master’s-prepared APRNs seeking psychiatric mental health specialization with 27 credits and 630 clinical hours.
Specialty Curriculum Focus
Specialty Curriculum Focus
Hawaii Pacific University emphasizes recovery-oriented, trauma-informed psychiatric care through a 48-credit MSN featuring:
- Holistic Pathophysiology (NUR 6010): Integrates biologic, psychosocial, and spiritual factors in disease understanding
- Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan (NUR 6026): Links neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and psychopathology to prescribing while addressing adherence, ethics, cultural/genetic factors, and complementary/alternative agents
- Three Sequential Advanced Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Courses:
- Course I: Adult/geriatric recovery-focused care with 210-hour practicum
- Course II: Complex chronic conditions with forensic, social, and cultural determinants (210 hours)
- Course III: Pediatric, adolescent, and family care (210 hours)
- Practicum Emphasis: Therapeutic communication, group modalities, and coordinated comorbidity management across all three clinical courses
- Project Proposal Paper (NUR 7000): Capstone synthesizing theory, clinical experience, and research
University of Hawaii at Manoa delivers a 75-credit DNP with cultural competence for vulnerable populations featuring:
- Psychobiology of Mental Health Disorders (NURS 683): Examines psychological/biological drivers across the lifespan with biopsychosocial research application
- Advanced Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan (NURS 631): Uses legal, ethical, and therapeutic standards with biopsychosocial considerations
- Psychotherapy Training:
- Individual Psychotherapy (NURS 685): Psychodynamic, CBT, solution-focused, and multicultural approaches
- Family and Group Psychotherapy (NURS 687): Major therapy models across lifespan and settings
- Three Progressive Theory + Clinical Course Pairs (135 clinical hours each):
- Level I (NURS 684/684L): Entry-level assessment and management
- Level II (NURS 686/686L): Moderate-complex cases
- Level III (NURS 688/688L): Complex/special populations synthesis
- DNP Scholarly Project Sequence: Proposal → Implementation → Evaluation & Dissemination
- Focus: Preparing graduates for advanced clinical judgment serving urban and rural Hawaii
Admissions Requirements Comparison
| School | Minimum GPA | Application Deadline | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Pacific | 3.0 (preferred) | MSN: Dec 5, 2025 Certificate: May 1, 2026 | – Active unencumbered U.S. RN license; – $55 application + $200 deposit fee; – 2 references; transfer up to 12 credits; – statistics/Research completion (certificate) |
| UH Manoa | Not specified | Sept 1, 2025 – Mar 1, 2026 (11:59pm EST) | – 3-year full-time cohort commitment required; – dual application – rolling admissions; August 2026 start; – free online info sessions available |
All programs require:
- BSN from accredited institution (MSN for Hawaii Pacific certificate)
- Current, unencumbered RN license
- Official transcripts
- Resume/CV
- Statement of purpose/personal statement
- Professional references
Special Notes:
- Hawaii Pacific offers both MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate with flexible asynchronous part-time model; requires gap analysis for certificate students; MSN core courses must be within 5 years if not currently practicing APRN
- UH Manoa requires commitment to 3-year full-time cohort model; all clinical placements coordinated by School of Nursing (no student burden); emphasis on serving vulnerable/underserved populations across urban and rural Hawaii; resident tuition significantly lower ($820/credit vs $1,458/credit non-resident)