Program Tracks Overview
ISU provides clinical placement assistance for required clinical hours and accepts students from Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the DNP-PMHNP program is approximately $37,909 for residents and would take 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on 85 credits at full-time tuition rates of $4,464 per semester over 6 semesters.
DNP Curriculum
The BSN to DNP-PMHNP program totals 85 credits (or 80 credits in some curricula) over 3 years including 50 core credits required for all DNP options and 30-35 PMHNP specialty credits. The program prepares clinical leaders to evaluate clinical outcomes, identify and manage mental health care needs, use technology to transform health care systems, and participate in interprofessional collaboration.
Core Courses (50 credits required for all DNP options):
- NURS 5580 Genetics for Health Care Professionals (2 credits)
- NURS 6600 Theoretical Foundations for Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- NURS 6610 Advanced Evidence Application (3 credits)
- NURS 6611 Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
- NURS 6611L Advanced Health Assessment Lab (3 credits, 144 clinical hours)
- NURS 6620 Advanced Human Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- PHAR 6645 Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits)
- NURS 6655 Advanced Leadership (3 credits)
- NURS 7720 Professional Issues of the DNP (3 credits)
- NURS 7723 Health Promotion for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits)
- NURS 7725 Informational Technology in Health Care (2 credits)
- NURS 7735 Statistical Analysis in Evidence Based Practice (3 credits)
- NURS 7760 Professional Issues of the DNP II (3 credits)
- NURS 8809 Research and Practice in Rural and Global Communities (2 credits)
- NURS 8826 Approaches to Scholarly Writing (2 credits)
- NURS 8840 Health Policy in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- NURS 7790 DNP Project (minimum 6 credits over four semesters, may be repeated)
PMHNP Specialty Courses (30-35 credits):
NURS 6630 Neurobiology of Mental Disorders 2
This course will build upon the nurses’ fundamental knowledge of physiology and pathophysiology to detail the neurobiology of mental health disorders.
NURS 6650 Psychopharmacology 3
Explore advanced psychopharmacology concepts, theories, and issues of general pharmacology with an emphasis on the neurophysiological basis of psychiatric/mental health problems. Emphasis is on the application of neuroscientific, neurobiological and genetic knowledge to psychopharmacological treatment strategies and their modifications to improve client care.
NURS 7745 Mental Health Across the Lifespan 4
This course examines the major psychopathologies throughout the life span including epidemiology, cultural and spiritual beliefs, specific assessment issues, formulation of differential diagnosis, and disease management. This course will also address health care promotion as well as legal/ethical aspects of population specific care.
NURS 7745L Mental Health Across the Lifespan PMHNP Clinical I: Adult and Geriatric 3-5
This course provides clinical training in the full role of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner related to adult and geriatric clients. Clinical experiences, case discussions, and clinical-related projects allow students the opportunity to develop competencies in the ethical, safe, collaborative, and evidence-based provision of mental health care to adults and older adults in the context of a changing health care system.
NURS 7755L Mental Health Across the Lifespan PMHNP Clinical II: Family and Pediatric 2-5
This course provides clinical training in the full role of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner related to family and pediatric treatment Emphasis is placed the knowledge and skills for PMHNP practice and the specific mental health needs of pediatric clients as well as the family system. Clinical experiences, case discussions, and clinical-related projects allow students the opportunity to develop competencies in the ethical, safe, collaborative, and evidence-based provision of mental health care to pediatric clients and families.
NURS 7795 Psychotherapy for the PMHNP 3
This course examines models of individual, group, and family interventions in psychiatric mental health nursing from a holistic perspective and incorporates theory and research from nursing and related sciences to develop a framework for guiding advanced nursing practice. Individual, group, and family management skills are explored within the context of a PMHNP role and case management.
NURS 7795L Psychotherapy for the PMHNP Lab 2
This course focuses on the use of interventions across the life cycle with different populations in altering human responses associated with mental and emotional problems. Clinical training in multiple psychotherapeutic treatment modalities will be performed. COREQ: NURS 7795
NURS 7798L PMHNP Advanced Practicum 4-6
This course is a comprehensive clinical residency designed to advance the student’s clinical practice with clients in a variety of psychiatric mental health settings. Practitioners utilize independent clinical decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration, evaluate quality of care, and develop organizational and role competencies in a variety of settings.
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
The DNP-PMHNP program requires a total of 1,008 clinical hours including:
- Advanced Health Assessment Lab (144 hours)
- PMHNP Clinical I focusing on adult and geriatric populations (240 hours)
- PMHNP Clinical II focusing on family and pediatric populations (240 hours)
- Psychotherapy Lab (96 hours)
- PMHNP Advanced Practicum providing integrated care experience (288 hours)
ISU assists with clinical placements for required clinical hours. Students must conduct clinical hours in Idaho or another approved state.
DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN or BS in Nursing) from CCNE-accredited program or nationally recognized accrediting body
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (calculated on previous 60 credits of undergraduate coursework)
- Valid and current unencumbered Registered Nursing license
- Two years of documented previous healthcare or nursing experience preferred but not required
- Three professional references attesting to capacity for doctoral study
- Professional vitae or resume
- 3-4 page professional essay responding to specific prompts about DNP pursuit, patient population focus, and problem-solving approach
- Completed application preferably before December 1st (rolling admission until class filled)
- Preadmission interview via Zoom with School of Nursing DNP Admissions Committee
- Mandatory attendance at orientation on ISU Pocatello campus in August
- GRE not required for admission
- English proficiency exams required for non-native English speakers who haven’t graduated from accredited U.S. institution
- State residency restrictions apply (currently accepting students from Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin)
Post-Master’s DNP Program
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s DNP program is approximately $12,951 for residents and would take approximately 2-2.5 years to complete.
Estimate based on 29 credits at $447 per credit for part-time enrollment.
Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum
The Post-Master’s DNP program is designed for certified FNPs or PMHNPs seeking doctoral-level preparation. The program totals 29 credits focusing on leadership, policy, evidence-based practice, and scholarly project development.
Required Courses:
- NURS 7720 Professional Issues of the DNP (3 credits)
- NURS 7735 Statistical Analysis in Evidence Based Practice (3 credits)
- NURS 8826 Approaches to Scholarly Writing (2 credits)
- NURS 7760 Professional Issues of the DNP II (3 credits)
- NURS 7790 DNP Project (minimum 6 credits, may be repeated)
- NURS 8840 Health Policy in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- NURS 5580 Genetics for Health Care Professionals (2 credits)
- NURS 6655 Advanced Leadership (3 credits)
- NURS 7725 Informational Technology in Health Care (2 credits)
- NURS 8809 Research and Practice in Rural and Global Communities (2 credits)
Post-Master’s DNP Clinicals
Post-Master’s DNP students must contract with the School of Nursing to complete additional clinical hours as determined necessary to meet national requirements for the DNP degree. Clinical hour requirements are individualized based on previous Master’s program clinical experience.
Post-Master’s DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- National certification as FNP or PMHNP (entry specific to certification held at application)
- Minimum Master’s degree in Nursing
- Official documentation of total clinical hours completed in previous Master’s advanced practice program
- All standard DNP admission requirements apply
- GPA of 3.0 or higher from previous FNP/PMHNP program
- Proof of certification in option (FNP or PMHNP) for which applying
- Post-Master’s applications reviewed independently from BSN-DNP applications
FNP to PMHNP Certificate Program
The estimated cost for the FNP to PMHNP Certificate program is approximately $10,728 for residents and would take approximately 1.5-2 years to complete.
Estimate based on 24 credits at $447 per credit for part-time enrollment.
Certificate Curriculum
The FNP to PMHNP Certificate program extends the licensure and expertise of licensed FNPs, preparing them to take the PMHNP board certification exam. The online certificate program totals 24 credits integrating psychiatric and mental health evidence-based care into existing FNP practice.
Required Courses:
- NURS 6630 Neurobiology of Mental Disorders (2 credits)
- NURS 6650 Psychopharmacology (3 credits)
- NURS 7745 Mental Health Across the Lifespan (4 credits)
- NURS 7745L Mental Health Across the Lifespan PMHNP Clinical I: Adult and Geriatric (3-5 credits)
- NURS 7755L Mental Health Across the Lifespan PMHNP Clinical II: Family and Pediatric (2-5 credits)
- NURS 7795 Psychotherapy for the PMHNP (3 credits)
- NURS 7795L Psychotherapy for the PMHNP Lab (2 credits)
- NURS 7798L PMHNP Advanced Practicum (4-6 credits)
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical hours are integrated throughout the certificate program with practicum experiences focusing on adult/geriatric populations, family/pediatric populations, psychotherapy applications, and advanced integrated care. Specific clinical hour requirements vary by course but provide comprehensive preparation for PMHNP practice across the lifespan.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Current and unencumbered FNP license
- Current national FNP certification
- Two years experience as an FNP
- Minimum of Master’s degree in Nursing
- FNP program transcripts (Master’s or doctoral) reflecting GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Mandatory attendance at orientation on ISU Pocatello campus in August
- Application through ISU Graduate School with appropriate fees
- Official transcripts of all degrees including MSN from accredited nursing program
- Professional essay (see application for instructions)
- Three professional references attesting to FNP clinical competence
- Professional vitae or resume
- Proof of Family Nurse Practitioner Certification
- GRE not required
- Preadmission interview via Zoom may be required
- State residency restrictions may apply (outside Idaho and Utah)
- Preference given to applications submitted by December 1st (rolling admission until class filled)
Scholarships
The School of Nursing at ISU is unique in that it annually awards over $100,000 in specialized nursing scholarships through its own dedicated portal.
The ISU Scholarship Portal (BOSS)
All institutional scholarships at Idaho State are managed through the Bengal Online Scholarship System (BOSS).
- Portal URL: https://isu.academicworks.com/
- Access Date: The system opens on January 1, 2026, for the 2026-2027 academic year.
- Priority Deadline: Most nursing-specific scholarships close in April 2026 (specific dates vary by scholarship, but early April is the typical cutoff).
Action Plan for ISU Nursing Scholarships
- Get Admitted First: You must be fully admitted to the DNP or Certificate program before you can apply for scholarships in BOSS. Since the priority application deadline is December 1st, you should have your admission status by the time the portal opens in January.
- Complete your FAFSA: Many ISU nursing awards (like the Rose Ainsworth Pyrah Nursing Scholarship) require demonstrated financial need. Ensure your 2026-2027 FAFSA is on file by February.
- One Application, Many Opportunities: Once you log into BOSS, you will complete one “General Application.” The system will then automatically “force-match” you with nursing scholarships you qualify for based on your GPA and program level (DNP vs. Certificate).
Tuition
Graduate resident tuition for full-time enrollment (9+ credits) is $4,464 per semester ($3,583 tuition plus $881 graduate fee). Part-time enrollment (8 credits or less) is $447 per credit hour.
Non-resident full-time tuition is $11,852 per semester ($3,583 tuition plus $7,388 non-resident fees plus $881 graduate fee). Part-time non-resident enrollment is $687 per credit hour.
Professional fees are assessed for all School of Nursing students to support faculty salaries, instruction support services, equipment, supplies, and program travel. Online graduate programs qualify for resident tuition rates regardless of location.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Idaho State University School of Nursing programs are accredited by appropriate accrediting bodies. The Doctor of Nursing Practice program has been approved by the Colorado Department of Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission.
The DNP program prepares graduates to sit for certification examinations as Family Nurse Practitioners or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners.
Other Nursing Programs
Doctoral Programs:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master’s DNP for Certified FNPs and PMHNPs
Certificate Programs:
- FNP to PMHNP Certificate Program
Program Features:
- Both full-time and part-time enrollment options available
- Online delivery with limited on-campus requirements
- Clinical placement assistance provided
- Over $100,000 in annual School of Nursing scholarships available