| Program | Est. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – PMHNP | $43,365 | ~2.5–3 years (full-time) |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP | $32,745–$43,365 | ~1.5–2.5 years |
Program Tracks Overview
The programs emphasize patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and culturally-responsive mental healthcare for patients across the lifespan.
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is $43,365 and would take approximately 2.5-3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on 49 credits at $885/credit.
MSN Curriculum
The 49-credit curriculum prepares students to provide advanced psychiatric and mental health services including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, psychopharmacology, and therapeutic interventions:
NURS G769 Social Justice & Health (3 crs)
Studies health inequities and social determinants in U.S. healthcare. Students appraise evidence and design a targeted intervention.
NURS G805 Advanced Pathophysiology (3 crs)
Explores mechanisms of disease from cell injury to system dysfunction across the lifespan. Links genetic, immune, endocrine, and cardiovascular changes to common clinical conditions.
NURS G810 Advanced Health Assessment (3 crs)
Combines history, exam, and diagnostics to build a comprehensive assessment plan for patients across the lifespan.
NURS G820 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (3 crs)
Strengthens drug selection and monitoring skills using pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and clinical guidelines for primary care.
NURS G836 Informatics, Economics & Health Policy (3 crs)
Connects policy, finance, and health IT to care quality, cost, and access. Students use data to inform policy and operational decisions.
NURS G837 Leadership & Transition to Advanced Role (3 crs)
Prepares APRNs for entry to practice with leadership, advocacy, and professional communication. Reviews scope, standards, laws, and job-readiness strategies.
NURS G838 Population Health & Epidemiology (3 crs)
Applies epidemiologic methods to measure risk, track trends, and plan interventions that reduce disparities and improve community health.
NURS G839 Research for Evidence-Based Practice (3 crs)
Covers question formulation, study appraisal, and translation of findings into practice protocols.
NURS G856 PMHNP: Mental Health Management I Practicum (200 hrs, 1 cr)
Builds therapeutic communication, full histories, and initial diagnostic reasoning with supervised patient encounters.
NURS G857 PMHNP: Mental Health Management II Practicum (200 hrs, 1 cr)
Expands assessment and treatment planning, including screening, testing, and progress evaluation across diverse settings.
NURS G858 PMHNP: Mental Health Management III Practicum (200 hrs, 1 cr)
Manages more complex presentations, coordinates care, and refines psychotherapy and medication management skills.
NURS G859 PMHNP: Mental Health Management IV Practicum (200 hrs, 1 cr)
Transitions to advanced practice with increasing autonomy, caseload management, and readiness for certification.
NURS G865 Advanced Psychiatric Assessment (2 crs)
Teaches structured interviews, mental status exams, and differential diagnosis using DSM-based frameworks.
NURS G866 Advanced Psychiatric Assessment Practicum (60 hrs, 1 cr)
Applies advanced interviewing and assessment in supervised practice, documenting findings and diagnostic impressions.
NURS G867 PMHNP: Mental Health Foundations and Theory (3 crs)
Surveys core nursing and psychological theories, ties theory to research, and reviews system-level foundations and barriers to care.
NURS G868 PMHNP: Mental Health Lifespan—Disorders and Diagnosis (3 crs)
Focuses on adult disorders with integrated diagnosis, psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy, including complementary approaches.
NURS G869 PMHNP: Mental Health Lifespan—Special Populations (3 crs)
Addresses children, adolescents, geriatric, peripartum, and substance use populations with age- and context-specific treatments.
NURS G870 PMHNP: Mental Health Lifespan Advanced Practice (3 crs)
Covers role scope, standards, ethics, and interprofessional practice across settings, consolidating advanced PMHNP competencies.
NURS G871 Psychopharmacology I: General Neurobiology and Pharmacology (3 crs)
Reviews neurodevelopment, neuroanatomy, and neurochemistry, then links these to psychotropic classes, mechanisms, and pharmacogenomics.
NURS G872 Psychopharmacology II: Clinical Practice Guidelines and Treatment Approaches (3 crs)
Applies guidelines to build medication plans, monitor outcomes, manage side effects, and adjust therapy for special populations.
More curriculum information available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete a minimum of 860 supervised clinical hours in direct patient care. Practicum experiences include an initial 60-hour Advanced Psychiatric Assessment Practicum followed by four Mental Health Management practicums of 200 hours each.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Current, unencumbered RN licensure (Louisiana or multistate license required by second semester)
- Minimum one year full-time work experience as an RN
- Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions
- Letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable about aptitude for graduate study
- Application submitted via NursingCAS
Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate in PMHNP ranges from $32,745 to $43,365 and would take approximately 1.5-2.5 years to complete, beginning Fall 2025.
Estimate based on 37-49 credits at $885/credit.
Certificate Curriculum
The individualized curriculum requires 37-49 credits depending on previously completed coursework, with a minimum of 37 credits at Loyola. Each applicant receives a gap analysis to develop a customized plan of study.
The curriculum includes the same core PMHNP courses as the MSN program, with some courses potentially transferable based on prior master’s work (marked with asterisks in the program materials).
Certificate Clinicals
Students must complete a minimum of 800-860 supervised clinical hours in direct patient care. Practicum experiences are completed with preceptors in practice settings located in the student’s geographic area.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from accredited schools of nursing
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Current, unencumbered RN licensure (Louisiana or multistate license required by second semester)
- Minimum one year full-time work experience
- Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions
- Letters of recommendation
- Application submitted via NursingCAS
- Individual gap analysis with program director
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition is $885 per credit hour ($2,655 per 3-credit course).
University fees are $965 per semester for full-time enrollment (6+ credits) or $485 per semester for part-time enrollment (1-5 credits).
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
All graduate nursing programs at Loyola University New Orleans are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. Graduates are eligible to take the national PMHNP certification examination administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB).
Other Nursing Programs
Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing offers additional graduate programs including:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) specializations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Nurse Anesthesia, Family NP, Executive Leader, and Dual Degree options
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse-Midwifery
- Post-Master’s Certificates: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Family NP, and Nurse-Midwifery
Related PMHNP Programs
- LSU Health - New Orleans
- Southeastern Louisiana University - Hammond
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette - Lafayette