Program Track Overview
Applications are accepted twice yearly with October 1 deadline for January start and March 1 deadline for August start, with the Fall 2025 deadline extended to July 15. Faculty expertise encompasses medical-surgical nursing, acute care, mental health, emergency nursing, and patient outcomes and safety. The program addresses the critical shortage as significant numbers of psychiatrists retire without adequate replacement.
Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate program is approximately $12,474 and would take 1-2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
Core classes include the following:
APN 600 – Graduate Writing for Healthcare Professionals
This course builds graduate-level scholarly writing and research skills for healthcare students. You practice clear argumentation, source use, and formatting for common graduate assignments.
APN 610 – Psychopharmacology I
This course introduces psychopharmacology across the lifespan with a focus on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, current research, and practice guidelines. It prepares you to apply medication principles to clinical decision-making.
APN 611 – Psychopharmacology II
This course advances medication management for acute and chronic mental health conditions. You select and interpret labs and monitor physiological, psychiatric, and behavioral responses to treatment (prereq: APN 610).
APN 612 – Psychiatric Mental Health Assessment & Diagnosis
This course develops comprehensive assessment and diagnostic skills using DSM criteria, neuroscience, and cultural and genetic factors. It includes 100 clinical hours to apply screening, documentation, and differential diagnosis.
APN 613 – Theoretical Frameworks for Advanced Psychiatric Nursing Practice
This course surveys theories of personality, behavior, psychopathology, and psychotherapy change. You apply these frameworks to guide advanced psychiatric nursing practice (co-req: APN 614).
APN 614 – Psychiatric Mental Health Diagnosis and Management I
This course builds diagnostic reasoning and management of mental health disorders across the lifespan using DSM and neuroscientific principles. A 150-hour practicum introduces PMHNP scope and care in varied settings (prereqs: APN 610, APN 611; co-req: APN 613).
APN 615 – Psychiatric Mental Health Diagnosis and Management II
This course extends diagnosis, treatment planning, and medication management in diverse clinical settings. You complete 100 clinical hours serving patients with varied comorbidities and socioeconomic backgrounds (prereq: APN 614).
APN 616 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Preceptorship
This capstone clinical course integrates skills for comprehensive management of psychiatric and behavioral health conditions across the lifespan. It includes 150 clinical hours under preceptor guidance.
APN 675 – Role of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
This seminar examines APRN roles, functions, and professional identity. You refine a personal clinical style while aligning with advanced practice expectations (co-req: APN 670 or APN 616).
More curriculum information can be found here:
Clinical Requirements
Clinical experiences occur in diverse mental health settings including private and community mental health agencies, hospitals, psychiatric offices, short and long-term care facilities, and substance abuse treatment centers.
Students complete supervised clinical practicum hours as specified in their program track requirements.
Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master of Science in Nursing degree from accredited institution
- Graduate GPA of at least 3.0 on 4.0 scale (MSN students may apply in final semester)
- Current, unencumbered RN licensure verification from State Board or nursys.com
- Advanced Pharmacology course (minimum “B” grade, completed within 5 years, 3 credit hours)
- Advanced Pathophysiology course (minimum “B” grade, 3 credit hours)
- Advanced Assessment course (minimum “B” grade, syllabus required for review)
- Statement of Purpose (500 words maximum in APA format)
- Government-issued ID color copy
- Background check via CastleBranch using Indiana State code
- Current Healthcare Provider-Level CPR certification
- School of Nursing Immunization Form (signed by healthcare provider)
- Post-Baccalaureate Clinical Hour Verification form
- School of Nursing Honor Code agreement
- $100 non-refundable seat fee upon acceptance
- TOEFL scores for ESL students (550 PBT, 79-80 IBT, or 213 CBT)
- 4-6 weeks processing time after deadline
- Possible video or in-person interview requirement
Tuition
Graduate tuition is $462.00 per credit hour for Indiana residents. See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The Graduate Nursing Program has maintained continuous accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN) since 1989.
Other Nursing Programs
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post-Master’s)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Accelerated Second-Degree BSN
- LPN-to-BSN Track
- Traditional BSN programs
Other Indiana Programs
View All PMHNP Programs in Indiana
- Indiana University - Bloomington
- Indiana Wesleyan - Marion
- Purdue University - Indianapolis
- University of Southern Indiana - Evansville