Hofstra University PMHNP Programs

School of Nursing • Hempstead, NY • Campus • $1,826/Credit

Hofstra University offers 3 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Tracks:

  • MSN
  • BSN-DNP
  • Advanced Certificate

Program Tracks Overview

ProgramEst. TuitionEst. DurationCredit Hours
MSN~$89,4743 years49
DNP~$125,9943 years69
Advanced Certificate~$45,650~2 years25

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.

Core Advanced Practice Courses

NUR 201 – Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan: Examines complex body system disease mechanisms. Uses case studies and simulation to apply pathophysiologic concepts to clinical reasoning.

NUR 203A – Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics I: Introduces foundational pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, focusing on major drug classes (cardiac, pulmonary, endocrine, antimicrobial) for safe prescribing.

NUR 202 – Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan: Refines advanced diagnostic reasoning and clinical assessment. Uses simulations and case discussions to integrate assessment with pharmacologic management.

NUR 203B – Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics II: Deepens pharmacological knowledge in cardiology, neurology, endocrinology, and infectious disease, emphasizing ethical and cultural considerations via clinical simulations.

Psychiatric Specialty & Clinical Courses

NUR 242 – Psychopathology: Developmental, Neurobiological, and Environmental Basis: Explores the roots and DSM-5 classifications of major psychiatric disorders across the lifespan using case-based simulations.

NUR 273 – Advanced Psychiatric Assessment: Covers psychiatric interviewing, diagnostic evaluation, and differential diagnosis, integrating psychopharmacology within patient-centered simulations.

NUR 274 – Applied Psychopharmacology: Focuses on the mechanisms, metabolism, and evidence-based clinical use of psychiatric medications, emphasizing collaborative treatment planning and ethical prescribing.

NUR 281A & 281B – PMHNP I: Adult Psychiatric Client, Group/Family Therapy & Older Adult: Clinical practice in adult and geriatric psychiatry. Combines group/family therapy modalities with precepted rotations and telehealth experiences.

NUR 282A & 282B – PMHNP II: Care of the Child, Adolescent, and Family: Focuses on the psychiatric diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of youth and families through didactic instruction and clinical rotations.

NUR 283A & 283B – PMHNP III: Substance Use Disorders & Complex Mental Health Care: Covers clinical management of substance use and complex psychiatric conditions through precepted clinical experiences, simulations, and integrated behavioral health models.

NUR 284A & 284B – PMHNP IV: Care of the Psychiatric Client Across the Lifespan: Capstone course integrating advanced clinical practice across diverse populations through precepted rotations, simulations, and holistic care delivery.

Systems, Policy, and Research Courses

NUR 308 – Health Literacy and Health Information Technology: Examines health literacy, cultural competence, and health information technology (HIT) to improve communication and organizational outcomes.

NUR 306 – Health Finance, Policy, and Economic Leadership: Applies economic and financial principles to healthcare systems, focusing on policy advocacy and ethical resource allocation.

NUR 304 – Population Health, Epidemiology, and Statistical Methods: Introduces epidemiological principles and statistical tools to address health disparities and evaluate public health interventions.

NUR 205 – Scientific Foundations, Theories, and Organizational Leadership: Explores nursing theories and research methodologies to help students critique, synthesize, and translate evidence into clinical practice.

NUR 218 – Applied Evidence-Based Practice and Translational Research: Prepares students to design and implement translational research projects to enhance care quality and clinical outcomes.

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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