Maine offers 4 PMHNP programs with campus presence in the state, plus access to national online programs.
Total program costs range from $21,500 to $45,494 depending on degree level and institution.
Maine PMHNP Programs: The Basics
| School | Est. Cost Range | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Husson University | MSN: $35K Certificate: $35K | – 95% national certification exam pass rate – free 24/7 tutoring + mental health support – accelerated 24-month MSN track option |
| UMFK | MSN: $22K Certificate: $15K–$22K | – fastest format ~15 months (full-time MSN) – no extra fees beyond per-credit tuition – flexible 7-week online course blocks |
| University of New England | MSN: $46K Certificate: $28K | – 780 clinical hours with preceptor support – 2-day campus immersion for skills check – scholarships for students serving Maine |
| University of Southern Maine | MSN: $41K (in-state est.) | – CCNE-accredited with part-time option – 600 clinical hours across three semesters – NEBHE Tuition Break for New England residents |
Maine PMHNP Programs Consideration Set
Husson University PMHNP Programs
Bangor | $682 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Husson University offers two CCNE-accredited Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner tracks delivered 100% online with virtual clinical orientation and both synchronous and asynchronous learning formats. Both the MSN and Post-Master's Certificate programs require 51 credits and 600 clinical hours across three Family Psychiatric Nursing courses, preparing graduates to deliver mental health care across the lifespan with a biopsychosocial orientation. Husson's graduate nursing students achieve a 95% passage rate on national certification exams and receive free 24/7 tutoring and mental health support, with graduates eligible to sit for the ANCC Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination...read more.
UMFK PMHNP Programs
Fort Kent | $500 cpc | Certificate / MSN
UMFK’s CCNE-accredited PMHNP options feature $500/credit tuition with no extra fees and flexible pacing. The 43-credit MSN prepares nurses for lifespan psychiatric care through theory, psychotherapy, and three practicum courses; accelerated students can finish in about 15 months. The Post-Master’s Certificate offers the same PMHNP clinical core with possible course waivers for practicing NPs, allowing a shorter path to certification...read more.
University of New England PMHNP Programs
Portland | $989 cpc | Certificate / MSN
UNE’s PMHNP programs blend neuroscience-informed coursework with psychopharmacology, diagnostic reasoning, and therapeutic modalities across the lifespan. Students complete 780 supervised clinical hours with placement support and a focused, two-day simulation immersion for skills validation. The online format (with fall or spring starts) features small classes, dedicated mentoring, and optional scholarships for nurses who plan to practice in Maine...read more.
University of Southern Maine PMHNP Programs
Portland | $574 cpc | MSN
The University of Southern Maine offers a CCNE-accredited Master of Science in Nursing with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (across the lifespan) specialization delivered in-person on the Portland campus with state-of-the-art simulation labs and engaged faculty who are active in state and national research and policy. The 50-credit program requires 600 clinical hours across three clinical semesters (distributed as 150, 75, 200, and 175 hours) in diverse specialty areas including family practice, cardiology, women's health, and pediatrics, preparing graduates with skills in therapeutic interventions and medication management across the lifespan. Graduates routinely pass national certification exams above the national average and are eligible to sit for AANP and/or ANCC certification, with over 150 graduate assistantships available along with scholarships, fellowships, and the NEBHE Tuition Break Program for New England residents...read more.
Walden University PMHNP Programs
Fully Online | $775 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Maine nurses can pursue Walden University’s entirely online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs (MSN, DNP, or Post-Master’s Certificate tracks) while maintaining their practice in one of the nation’s most rural states. Through the Practicum Pledge and a robust virtual skills lab, Walden guarantees placement support for the required clinical hours at sites throughout Maine, from Portland to Aroostook County. These programs prepare graduates to deliver much-needed psychiatric care to Maine’s aging population and veterans, helping to close the mental health provider gap in the Pine Tree State.
Post University PMHNP Programs
online | $604 cpc | MSN
Post University’s American Sentinel College offers a practice-focused MSN–PMHNP that blends 36 didactic credits with 15 clinical credits for 630 hours of direct care. Courses run in 8-week blocks with monthly intakes, so you keep momentum without overload. The specialization spans 51–54 credits and typically completes in 34 months, with total tuition just over $30k (rounding up to ~$31,000).
WGU PMHNP Programs
online | flat rate cpc | Certificate / MSN
WGU offers two 100% online PMHNP tracks that use competency-based progress, not credit hours. Students complete 650 local clinical hours, and work one-to-one with a Program Mentor. Flat-rate tuition per six-month term lets faster progress lower total cost; the MSN requires at least 2.5 years, and the certificate at least 1.5 years. ..read more.
Wilkes University PMHNP Programs
online | $751 cpc | Certificate / MSN / RN to MSN
In Maine, Wilkes University’s fully online PMHNP tracks allow RNs and APRNs to progress from MSN through certificate or DNP training using 12‑week courses and multiple start dates each year. Maine students benefit from structured clinical placement support that assists with locating mental health sites and preceptors, even in more rural regions. The programs’ focus on culturally diverse, rural, and underserved groups aligns well with mental health needs across Maine’s communities.
Choosing the Best PMHNP Program for You in Maine
TLDR: Quick Program Selection Guide
Choose University of Maine Fort Kent if you want the most affordable tuition ($500/credit, $21,500 total) and fastest completion time (as few as 15 months).
Choose Husson University if you want accelerated options (24-month track), strong NCLEX pass rates (95%), and free 24/7 tutoring plus mental health support.
Choose University of New England if you want the most clinical hours (780 vs. 600), neuroscience-focused curriculum, and scholarship opportunities for Maine-based practice ($5,000-$15,000).
Choose University of Southern Maine if you’re a Maine resident seeking in-state tuition ($574/credit vs. $907-$1,534), part-time options, and New England regional tuition breaks.
MSN-PMHNP Programs Comparison for Maine
University of Maine Fort Kent offers the lowest cost ($21,500) and fastest completion (15 months), making it ideal for budget-conscious students who can handle accelerated coursework. University of New England provides the most extensive clinical training (780 hours vs. 600) but at a higher cost.
| School | Total Cost | Credits | Cost/Credit | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMFK | $21,500 | 43 | $500 | 15 months (accelerated) / 1.25 years FT | 9 credits practicum |
| Husson | $34,782 | 51 | $682 | 24 months (accelerated) / 2.5 years FT | 600 hours |
| UNE | $45,494 | 46 | $989 | 2 years FT | 780 hours |
| USM | $40,800 (in-state) | 50 | $574 (in-state) | 3 years FT / 4 years PT | 600 hours |
Key Differentiators:
- UMFK: No additional fees beyond tuition; 7-week course format allows 15-month completion
- Husson: 95% national certification pass rate; includes capstone project
- UNE: 780 clinical hours (highest in state); mandatory 2-day campus immersion; Maine practice scholarships
- USM: Part-time option available; NEBHE tuition break for New England residents; quality improvement course included
Post-Master’s Certificate Programs Comparison
UMFK offers the most flexible and affordable certificate ($15,000-$21,500) with the option to waive core courses for practicing NPs. University of Southern Maine does not currently offer a Post-Master’s PMHNP certificate.
| School | Total Cost | Credits | Cost/Credit | Duration | Core Course Waivers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMFK | $15,000-$21,500 | 18-31 | $500 | 1-1.5 years | Yes (for practicing NPs) |
| Husson | $34,782 | 51 | $682 | 2-2.5 years | Up to 9 transfer credits |
| UNE | $27,692 | 28 | $989 | 2 years | Yes (“3-P’s” may be waived) |
Notable Distinctions:
- UMFK: Practicing NPs can waive 13 core credits (Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, Health Assessment, APRN Role)
- Husson: Same 51-credit curriculum as MSN track; up to 9 transfer credits accepted
- UNE: Can waive “3-P’s” courses if previously completed; same 780 clinical hours as MSN students
Specialty Curriculum Focus
UMFK structures PMHNP coursework in 7-week accelerated blocks covering psychotherapy foundations, DSM-5 psychopathology, crisis management, and complementary/alternative therapies with trauma-focused and recovery approaches.
Husson emphasizes biopsychosocial orientation with dedicated courses in addiction perception and population health (NU 708), strategy and organizational analysis (NU 821), and healthcare informatics (NU 836), plus a required scholarly capstone project.
UNE delivers neuroscience-focused training with dedicated psychopathology/neurobiology coursework (PMH 500), simulation/virtual reality pre-clinical immersion, and therapeutic modalities spanning individual, group, family, and forensic contexts.
USM integrates quality improvement methodology (MPH 670) and relational supervision (NUR 660) with family-centered child/adolescent psychiatric care, psychotherapy supervision, and vulnerable populations focus across three clinical semesters.
Admissions Requirements Comparison
| School | Minimum GPA | Application Deadline | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMFK | 3.0 | Rolling | 1 year acute care experience; statistics course (C or higher) |
| Husson | Not specified | Term 1: Oct 27, 2025 Term 2: Jan 20, 2026 | Up to 9 transfer credits accepted |
| UNE | 2.65 (recommended) | Fall or Spring intake | Psychiatric nursing background; no application fee; goal statement required |
| USM | Not specified | Fall: April 1 Spring: October 1 | No GRE required; early consideration for current USM students (Oct 1) |
All programs require:
- BSN from accredited institution (MSN for certificate programs)
- Current, unencumbered RN license
- Official transcripts
- Resume/CV