Hofstra University PMHNP Programs

School of Nursing Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University offers 3 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Tracks:

  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – PMHNP
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – PMHNP
  • Advanced Certificate – PMHNP (post-graduate, for practicing APRNs)
A standout feature is the CASPer™ situational judgment requirement for all tracks, which assesses non-cognitive attributes like empathy, ethics, and adaptability as part of the holistic admissions process.

Program Tracks Overview

ProgramEst. TuitionEst. Duration
MSN PMHNP~$89,4743 years
DNP PMHNP~$125,9943 years
Advanced Certificate~$45,650~2 years

All three programs are offered through the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, combining Hofstra’s academic infrastructure with the clinical depth of Northwell Health.

Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP

The estimated cost for the MSN PMHNP program is approximately $89,474 (49 credits × $1,826/credit) and would take approximately 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.

MSN Curriculum

The 49-credit MSN program is delivered across three years and six semesters (including summers), progressing from advanced practice foundations in Year 1 to PMHNP clinical specialty courses in Years 2 and 3. Students also complete an evidence-based practice project in NUR 218 and a cumulative exam upon finishing NUR 284A.

NUR 201 – Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
Examines complex pathophysiologic processes across human body systems. Students integrate scientific understanding of disease mechanisms with clinical reasoning for managing diverse patients across the lifespan. Interactive strategies—such as case-based learning, simulation, and anatomical correlation—foster critical thinking and application of pathophysiology to advanced clinical practice.

NUR 203A – Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics I
Introduces pharmacologic principles including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and cellular response mechanisms. Emphasizes applied knowledge in immunology, cardiac, pulmonary, endocrine, gastrointestinal, renal, and antimicrobial drugs. Students develop evidence-based frameworks for safe, effective prescribing through cases and interprofessional discussions.

NUR 202 – Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
Expands foundational assessment skills through clinically integrated case-based learning. Students refine diagnostic reasoning and decision-making while managing complex cases that combine assessment and pharmacologic management. Course methods include simulation, OSCEs, and PEARLS case discussions within an interprofessional, evidence-based context.

NUR 203B – Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics II
Builds on prior pharmacology coursework to deepen understanding of drugs affecting cardiology, neurology, endocrinology, and infectious disease. Students integrate pharmacologic and pathophysiologic knowledge to optimize patient care, applying ethical and cultural considerations to therapeutic decisions through case-based clinical simulations.

NUR 242 – Psychopathology: Developmental, Neurobiological, and Environmental Basis
Explores the biological, psychological, and environmental foundations of major psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. Students analyze incidence, etiology, neurobiology, and DSM-5 classifications, integrating prevention and intervention strategies through case-based simulations.

NUR 273 – Advanced Psychiatric Assessment
Covers comprehensive psychiatric interviewing, diagnostic evaluation, and differential diagnosis formulation. Uses simulations, PEARLS cases, and standardized-patient assessments to integrate psychopharmacologic management with psychiatric evaluation in a patient-centered framework.

NUR 274 – Applied Psychopharmacology
Applies foundational pharmacologic principles to psychopharmacologic practice. Focuses on mechanisms of action, metabolism, and evidence-based use of psychiatric medications. Case-based learning emphasizes collaborative treatment planning, patient education, and ethical prescribing within an interprofessional care setting.

NUR 281A & 281B – PMHNP I: Care of the Adult Psychiatric Client – Group and Family Therapy and Care of the Older Adult
Introduces clinical practice in adult and geriatric psychiatry with emphasis on family and group therapy. Students engage in precepted rotations, telehealth experiences, and evidence-based treatment planning. Focus on integrating psychopharmacology with therapeutic modalities in diverse care settings.

NUR 308 – Health Literacy and Health Information Technology
Explores health literacy, cultural competence, and the use of health information technology to enhance care quality and communication. Students analyze ethical, legal, and social implications of HIT and apply research-based strategies to improve patient outcomes and organizational communication.

NUR 282A & 282B – PMHNP II: Care of the Child, Adolescent, and Family Across the Lifespan
Focuses on psychiatric diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of children and adolescents. Combines didactic instruction and clinical rotations to develop evidence-based psychotherapeutic and pharmacologic management skills. Emphasizes interprofessional collaboration and holistic care for youth and families.

NUR 306 – Health Finance, Policy, and Economic Leadership in Complex Systems
Analyzes the intersection of economics, policy, and leadership in healthcare. Students apply financial and economic principles to evaluate health systems, advocate for reform, and support ethical resource allocation using evidence-based evaluation methods.

NUR 304 – Population Health, Epidemiology, and Statistical Methods
Introduces epidemiologic principles, population health frameworks, and the use of statistical tools to address health disparities. Emphasizes evidence-based evaluation of public health interventions and their legal, ethical, and social implications.

NUR 205 – Scientific Foundations, Theories, and Organizational Leadership
Develops understanding of nursing theories, research methodologies, and concept development. Students strengthen their ability to critique research, synthesize evidence, and translate findings into practice for improved patient and organizational outcomes.

NUR 218 – Applied Evidence-Based Practice and Principles of Translational Research
Prepares students to apply evidence to clinical practice through the design and implementation of translational research. Emphasizes leadership, critical analysis, and inquiry to enhance care quality and health outcomes.

NUR 283A & 283B – PMHNP III: Substance Use Disorders and Adult Complex Mental Health Care
Covers the theoretical and clinical management of substance use and complex psychiatric conditions. Students engage in precepted clinical experiences, simulations, and interprofessional learning focused on integrated behavioral health, telehealth models, and evidence-based treatment.

NUR 284A & 284B – PMHNP IV: Care of the Psychiatric Client Across the Lifespan
Capstone course integrating advanced psychiatric clinical practice. Students manage diverse patient populations through precepted rotations, simulations, and telehealth experiences. Focus areas include cognitive and evidence-based therapies, neurobiological models, diagnostic mastery, and holistic, patient-centered mental healthcare.

See the course catalog page for curriculum details.

MSN Clinicals

The MSN PMHNP track requires 720 direct care clinical hours, embedded within the four clinical PMHNP courses (NUR 281B, 282B, 283B, 284B), with each student placed alongside an appropriate preceptor. Clinical hours are credit-bearing and satisfy both regulatory and educational standards.

  • NUR 281B – PMHNP I: Adult Psychiatric Client, Group and Family Therapy, Older Adult
  • NUR 282B – PMHNP II: Child, Adolescent, and Family Across the Lifespan
  • NUR 283B – PMHNP III: Substance Use Disorders and Complex Mental Health
  • NUR 284B – PMHNP IV: Psychiatric Client Across the Lifespan

MSN Admissions

  • BSN from an accredited institution; GPA of 3.0+ on a 4.0 scale
  • Unencumbered New York State RN license
  • Minimum 2 years of current clinical nursing experience (required before Year 2 clinical coursework)
  • Verification of basic health assessment course
  • Verification of statistics course (completed within last 5 years)
  • Current AHA BLS certification
  • Resume with employment history, community service, leadership, and professional organization membership
  • Three letters of recommendation (faculty/director, current manager, colleague with higher degree)
  • Pre-admission interview
  • CASPer™ online situational judgment test (valid for one admissions cycle only)
  • One personal essay
  • Comprehensive background check
  • Student health requirements: physical exam (within 1 year), NP liability insurance, health insurance, and current immunizations
  • Admission is fall semester only; applications after March 1 reviewed on space-available basis

Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP

The estimated cost for the DNP PMHNP program is approximately $125,994 (69 credits × $1,826/credit) and would take approximately 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.

DNP Curriculum

The 69-credit DNP builds on the same PMHNP clinical specialty sequence as the MSN but adds doctoral-level coursework in ethics, genetics, quality improvement, and a four-course scholarly Doctoral Project sequence. Students also complete a Clinical Independent Residency in the final winter term.

Year 1 – Fall (7.5 credits):

  • NUR 201 – Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 cr)
  • NUR 203A – Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics (1.5 cr)
  • NUR 313 – Ethical Foundations & Professional Issues in Healthcare (3 cr)

Year 1 – Spring (6.5 credits):

  • NUR 202 – Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 cr)
  • NUR 203B – Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics (1.5 cr)
  • NUR 315 – Genetics, Genomics and Health Promotion (2 cr)

Year 1 – Summer (12 credits):

  • NUR 205 – Scientific Foundations, Theories and Organizational Leadership (3 cr)
  • NUR 242 – Psychopathology: Developmental, Neurobiological, and Environmental Basis (2 cr)
  • NUR 273 – Advanced Psychiatric Assessment (2 cr)
  • NUR 274 – Applied Psychopharmacology (2 cr)
  • NUR 304 – Population Health, Epidemiology & Statistical Methods (3 cr)

Year 2 – Fall (7 credits):

  • NUR 281A – PMHNP I: Care of the Adult Psychiatric Client (2 cr)
  • NUR 281B – PMHNP I: Care of the Adult Psychiatric Client (3 cr)
  • NUR 218 – Applied Evidence-Based Practice & Principles of Translational Research (2 cr)

Year 2 – Spring (9 credits):

  • NUR 282A – PMHNP II: Care of the Child, Adolescent, and Family (2 cr)
  • NUR 282B – PMHNP II: Care of the Child, Adolescent, and Family (3 cr)
  • NUR 308 – Health Literacy and Health Information Technology (3 cr)
  • NUR 410 – Doctoral Project: Developing Area of Focus (1 cr)

Year 2 – Summer (7 credits):

  • NUR 306 – Health Finance, Health Policy & Economic Leadership in Complex Health Systems (3 cr)
  • NUR 316 – Quality, Improvement Sciences and Innovative Design Thinking (3 cr)
  • NUR 411 – Doctoral Project: Translating Methods & Research for Project Implementation (1 cr)

Year 3 – Fall (8 credits):

  • NUR 283A – PMHNP III: Substance Abuse Disorders and Complex Mental Health (2 cr)
  • NUR 283B – PMHNP III: Substance Use Disorders and Complex Mental Health (3 cr)
  • NUR 314 – Innovative Interprofessional Teaching and Learning (2 cr)
  • NUR 412 – Doctoral Project: Scholarly Project Planning and Proposal (1 cr)

Year 3 – Spring (9 credits):

  • NUR 284A – PMHNP IV: Care of the Psychiatric Client Across the Lifespan (2 cr)
  • NUR 284B – PMHNP IV: Care of the Psychiatric Client Across the Lifespan (4 cr)
  • NUR 413 – Doctoral Project: Project Implementation and Defense (2 cr)
  • NUR 414 – Doctoral Project: Project Evaluation and Dissemination (1 cr)

Year 3 – Winter (3 credits):

  • NUR 400 – Clinical Independent Residency (3 cr)

See the official curriculum page for more details.

DNP Clinicals

The DNP includes the same 720-hour PMHNP clinical placement sequence as the MSN, plus a Clinical Independent Residency (NUR 400) completed in the winter of Year 3. Clinical hours are distributed across the four PMHNP specialty courses and the residency.

  • NUR 281B – PMHNP I: Adult Psychiatric Client, Group and Family Therapy, Older Adult
  • NUR 282B – PMHNP II: Child, Adolescent, and Family Across the Lifespan
  • NUR 283B – PMHNP III: Substance Use Disorders and Complex Mental Health
  • NUR 284B – PMHNP IV: Psychiatric Client Across the Lifespan
  • NUR 400 – Clinical Independent Residency (3 credits, Year 3 Winter)

DNP Admissions

The DNP shares most admission criteria with the MSN, with the following additions and distinctions:

  • BSN from an accredited institution; GPA of 3.0+ on a 4.0 scale
  • Unencumbered New York State RN license
  • Minimum 2 years of current clinical nursing experience (required before Year 2 clinical coursework)
  • Current AHA BLS and ACLS certification (ACLS required for DNP; BLS only for MSN)
  • Verification of statistics (within last 5 years) and basic health assessment
  • Resume, three letters of recommendation, essay, pre-admission interview, CASPer™ test, background check, and health requirements (same as MSN)
  • Certification in area of clinical practice preferred
  • Admission is fall semester only; March 1 application deadline

Advanced Standing (MS holders):

  • Must hold a master’s degree in nursing as AGACNP, FNP, or PMHNP from an accredited program
  • Must be NYS licensed and board eligible as AGACNP, FNP, or PMHNP
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 in master’s program
  • Gap analysis conducted by Chair of Nursing to determine course waivers and credit requirements

Advanced Certificate – PMHNP

The estimated cost for the Advanced Certificate PMHNP program is approximately $45,650 (25 credits × $1,826/credit) and would take approximately 2 years to complete.

Certificate Curriculum

The 25-credit post-graduate certificate is designed for licensed APRNs seeking to add a PMHNP specialization, starting in the summer session. Two courses (NUR 218 and NUR 206) may be eligible for transfer credit based on a transcript gap analysis with the program Chair.

Year 1 – Summer (6 credits):

  • NUR 242 – Psychopathology: Developmental, Neurobiological, and Environmental Basis (2 cr)
  • NUR 273 – Advanced Psychiatric Assessment (2 cr)
  • NUR 274 – Applied Psychopharmacology (2 cr)

Year 2 – Fall (7 credits):

  • NUR 281A – PMHNP I: Care of the Adult Psychiatric Client (2 cr)
  • NUR 281B – PMHNP I: Care of the Adult Psychiatric Client (3 cr)
  • NUR 218 – Applied Evidence-Based Practice & Principles of Translational Research* (2 cr)

Year 2 – Spring (5 credits):

  • NUR 282A – PMHNP II: Care of the Child, Adolescent, and Family Across the Lifespan (2 cr)
  • NUR 282B – PMHNP II: Care of the Child, Adolescent, and Family Across the Lifespan (3 cr)

Year 2 – Summer (7 credits):

  • NUR 283A – PMHNP III: Substance Abuse Disorders and Complex Mental Health (2 cr)
  • NUR 283B – PMHNP III: Substance Use Disorders and Complex Mental Health (3 cr)
  • NUR 206 – Health Policy* (2 cr)

*NUR 218 and NUR 206 may be transferred from a prior degree upon transcript review with the Chair.

See the official curriculum page for more details.

Certificate Clinicals

Clinical hours are embedded within the PMHNP specialty courses (NUR 281B, 282B, 283B); the exact total hour requirement was not specified in the program materials. Contact the program office to confirm required direct care hours for the certificate track.

  • NUR 281B – PMHNP I: Adult Psychiatric Client, Group and Family Therapy, Older Adult
  • NUR 282B – PMHNP II: Child, Adolescent, and Family Across the Lifespan
  • NUR 283B – PMHNP III: Substance Use Disorders and Complex Mental Health

Certificate Admissions

  • MS in Nursing from an accredited institution; GPA of 3.0+ on a 4.0 scale
  • Unencumbered current RN license and NYS NP license
  • Board certification eligible as: Adult NP, AGPCNP, AGACNP, FNP, or Gerontology NP
  • Gap analysis completed with Program Director prior to admission
  • Verification of APRN core: advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology
  • Verification of 3 graduate credits in research methods and design
  • Current AHA ACLS certification
  • Resume, letter of intent (personal reflection on current and future practice), and pre-admission interview with Program Director
  • Three letters of recommendation: clinical director + two professional colleagues
  • Comprehensive background check and health requirements (same as MSN/DNP)
  • Admission is summer session only

Tuition

Graduate tuition for all Hofstra Northwell nursing programs (200-level and above) is $1,826 per credit hour. No additional program-specific fees were listed on the tuition page; contact the Bursar’s office to confirm any semester fees that may apply.

More tuition details are available here.

Accreditation

Hofstra University’s nursing programs are offered through the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, which operates in partnership with Northwell Health. Certificate and MSN graduates are eligible to sit for the ANCC national board certification examination for PMHNP; accreditation body details should be confirmed directly with the school prior to enrollment.

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