Program Tracks Overview
Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP (Post-BSN)
The estimated cost for the BSN-to-DNP PMHNP program is approximately $48,614-$99,268 for in-state/out-of-state students (based on 79 credits at $615.50-$1,251.90 per credit hour including course fees, plus required campus fees) and takes 4 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The DNP-PMHNP requires 79 total credit hours distributed across four years. Advanced practice core courses in assessment, pathophysiology and pharmacology serve as foundation for psychiatric/mental health courses focusing on neurobiological theories of psychiatric disorders, physical illness masking as psychiatric conditions, psychopharmacology, short-term psychotherapy, and rehabilitation.
Year 1 – 2025-26 (20 credit hours):
- BIOS 704 Principles of Statistics in Public Health or equivalent (prerequisite) (3)
- NRSG 935 Professionalism & Scholarship Workshop (2)
- NRSG 748 Theories for Practice & Research (3)
- NRSG 812 Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- NRSG 801 Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning (3)
- NRSG 813 Advanced Pharmacology (3)
- NRSG 844 Advanced Psychiatric Assessment (3)
- NRSG 850 Mental Health Assessment of Infants, Children, and Adolescents (3)
Year 2 – 2026-27 (22 credit hours):
- NRSG 755 Professionalism in Advanced Practice Nursing (3)
- NRSG 809 Health Promotion (2)
- NRSG 929 Psychotherapeutic Interventions I: P/MH-NP (3)
- NRSG 851 Psychopharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
- HEIF 850 Introduction to Health Informatics (2)
- NRSG 930 Psychotherapeutic Interventions II: P/MH-NP (3)
- NRSG 754 Healthcare Research (3)
- NRSG 811 Principles of Clinical Epidemiology (3)
Year 3 – 2027-28 (19 credit hours):
- NRSG 954 DNP Synthesis Workshop (1)
- NRSG 948 Methods for Assessing Org. and Clinical Practice Outcomes (2)
- NRSG 931 Psychotherapeutics Practicum I: P/MH-NP (2)
- NRSG 804 Interpreting Research for Applied Science (3)
- NRSG 911 Tools for Practice Doctorate Scholarship (3)
- NRSG 932 Psychotherapeutics Practicum II: P/MH-NP (4)
- NRSG 981 DNP Project Proposal Development (2)
- NRSG 808 Social Context for Health Care Policy (2)
Year 4 – 2028-29 (18 credit hours):
- NRSG 933 Psychotherapeutics Practicum III: P/MH-NP (3)
- NRSG 982 DNP Project Implementation Practicum (3)
- NRSG 983 DNP Project Evaluation and Dissemination (1)
- NRSG XXX Specialty Elective Course (2)
- NRSG 941 Preparing for Doctoral Leadership (2)
- NRSG XXX Specialty Elective Course (3)
- NRSG 964 Advanced Clinical Residency (4)
The curriculum prepares clinical scholars and transformational leaders at the highest level of nursing practice who integrate science-based theories with clinical expertise and organizational management to provide leadership in healthcare systems and health policy development. Graduate programs are undergoing curricular transformation to reflect 2021 AACN Essentials, and the plan of study is subject to change as program-based curricular development occurs.
Clinicals
Clinical experiences include obtaining beginning-level competence in completing psychiatric assessment and comprehensive evaluations, documentation according to federal and state requirements, strategies for implementing individual/family/group therapy, and medication initiation and management.
The AACN Essentials for DNP Education notes a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours, and the number of NRSG 964 Advanced Clinical Residency credits may vary depending on student background.
Clinical practice sites are generally located in Kansas City metropolitan area but may extend across Kansas and other communities where students are located.
Students complete three sequential Psychotherapeutics Practicum courses (NRSG 931, 932, 933) totaling 9 credit hours plus DNP Project Implementation Practicum (NRSG 982, 3 credits) and Advanced Clinical Residency (NRSG 964, variable credits).
Full-time study may not be possible and is not recommended if students also work full-time.
BSN-to-DNP PMHNP Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from nationally accredited program (NLNAC or CCNE)
- Current registered nurse licensure in at least one state in the United States
- Minimum one year clinical work experience as registered nurse recommended
- Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale (preference given to applicants with 3.5 GPA in BSN program)
- Potential for leadership and application of scholarship in nursing
- Potential to provide expert advanced clinical care or expert service in functional area
- Graduate-level statistics course (may be completed prior to admission or during first semester)
- Satisfactory criminal background check (completed once admission offer extended)
- $75 nonrefundable application fee
- Official transcript(s) of all college-level coursework sent directly to University of Kansas School of Nursing
- Written statement of career goals and practice interests
- Three references from advanced practice nurses, nursing faculty, or physicians who can attest to applicant’s potential ability for advanced practice and engagement in scholarly activity and leadership roles
- Application vitae as outlined in Application Vitae for DNP Applicants
- Evidence of current registered nurse licensure in at least one US state (upon admission, students must meet additional licensure and participation requirements)
- Informational on-campus or telephone interview with School of Nursing representative (schedule by calling 913-588-1619)
- Application deadlines: February 1 for Summer semester, May 1 for Fall semester, October 1 for Spring semester
- $400 non-refundable enrollment deposit to verify admission acceptance and secure enrollment (applied to first semester tuition)
- Mandatory attendance at NRSG 935 Professionalism and Scholarship Workshop on KU Medical Center campus June 2-6, 2025
English Language Requirements (for non-native English speakers): TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or academic format IELTS (International English Language Testing System) taken within two years of first semester enrollment. Submit only original scores sent directly from testing agency (ETS school code 6895). Contact Office of International Programs for more information.
Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate PMHNP program is approximately $14,772-$30,048 for in-state/out-of-state students (based on 24 credits at $615.50-$1,251.90 per credit hour including course fees, plus required campus fees) and takes approximately 1.5-2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The Post-Master’s Certificate requires 24 credit hours preparing nurses who completed APRN graduate education from nationally accredited schools for additional advanced practice specialty certification. Students learn to diagnose and treat common mental health conditions in general medical settings and deliver more effective psychiatric care in mental health settings.
Graduates apply knowledge and skills in interpersonal, psychotherapeutic, and psychopharmacologic interventions for individuals, groups, and families with psychiatric disorders.
Applicants must have completed advanced practice prerequisite courses either as part of previous graduate degree or as post-graduate study through accredited university, including:
- advanced health assessment
- advanced pathophysiology
- advanced pharmacology
- health promotion
Clinicals
The certificate includes clinical practicum experiences embedded within the curriculum where students develop competencies in psychiatric assessment, psychotherapy, and psychopharmacology across diverse settings.
Clinical experiences prepare nurses for advanced practice roles in psychiatric and mental health nursing, enabling diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions in both general medical and specialized psychiatric settings. Specific clinical hour requirements and placement details are provided upon admission.
Post-Master’s Certificate Requirements
- Graduate degree in Nursing from accredited college or university (APRN educational program from nationally accredited school)
- Current registered nurse licensure in at least one US state
- Completed advanced practice prerequisite courses (advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, health promotion) either as part of previous graduate degree or as post-graduate study through accredited university
- $75 nonrefundable application fee
- Official transcript(s) of all college coursework
- Personal statement clearly stating detailed personal objectives and specific career goals
- Three references from professional colleagues or faculty who can attest to applicant’s potential ability for scholarly activity and leadership roles
- Resume/curriculum vitae describing educational and experiential background (include education, certification/licensure, work experience, clinical leadership, community/organizational involvement, scholarship/research, honors/awards)
- Evidence of current registered nurse licensure in at least one US state
- Application deadline: November 1, 2025 for Spring 2026 start
- Upon admission, students must meet additional licensure and participation requirements
Tuition Details
BSN-to-DNP PMHNP Program:
- In-state tuition: $471.40 per credit hour
- Out-of-state tuition: $1,107.80 per credit hour
- Online tuition: $471.40 per credit hour
- Course fees: $144.10 per credit hour
- Required campus fees (Fall and Spring): $425.40
- Required campus fees (Summer only, assessed on initial Summer semester): $63.00
- e-Learning fee: $100.00 per credit hour (online courses only)
Post-Master’s Certificate PMHNP Program:
- In-state tuition: $471.40 per credit hour
- Out-of-state tuition: $1,107.80 per credit hour
- Online tuition: $471.40 per credit hour
- Course fees: $144.10 per credit hour
- Required campus fees (Fall and Spring): $425.40
- Required campus fees (Summer only, assessed on initial Summer semester): $63.00
- Online required campus fees (Fall and Spring): $207.12
- e-Learning fee: $100.00 per credit hour (online courses only)
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The University of Kansas Medical Center School of Nursing BSN program is accredited by nationally recognized accrediting bodies including NLNAC (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission) and CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education). Programs maintain accreditation status meeting Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requirements.
Other Nursing Programs
The University of Kansas Medical Center School of Nursing offers comprehensive graduate nursing education:
Post-Bachelor’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-to-DNP) Specialty Tracks:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse-Midwife
- Organizational Leadership
- Public Health Nursing
Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP):
- Post-master’s DNP (minimum 32 credit hours)
Advanced Practice Clinical Certificates:
- Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
- Nurse-Midwifery Certificate
More Programs in Kansas
View All PMHNP Programs in Kansas
- University of Saint Mary - Leavonworth
- Washburn University - Topeka
- Wichita State - Wichita