Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Estimated Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – PMHNP | $50,613 – $63,788 | 2–3 years (full-time) |
| DNP – PMHNP (Post-BSN) | $65,575 – $82,688 | 3–4 years (full-time) |
| Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP | $25,306 – $31,894 | ~18 months |
The programs achieved 100% first-time pass rates for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification in 2024, matching the college’s exceptional outcomes across all nurse practitioner concentrations (FNP and AGPCNP also achieved 100%).
Students experience a unique balance of neuroscience, advanced psychopharmacology, psychological theory and application, and evidence-based practice while MSU assists with clinical placements.
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is approximately $50,613-$63,788 (based on 54 credits at $937.25-$1,181.25 per credit hour for in-state/out-of-state students) and takes 2-3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The MSN-PMHNP requires 54 total credits divided between 24 core credits and 30 concentration credits under Plan B (without thesis). Core Courses (24 credits):
- NUR 902 Scientific Foundations for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3)
- NUR 903 Healthcare Informatics (3)
- NUR 904 Health Policy and Advocacy (3)
- NUR 905 Patient Safety, Quality Improvement and Quality Management in Healthcare (3)
- NUR 906 Leadership in Complex Health Systems (3)
- NUR 907 Advanced Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3)
- NUR 908 Advanced Physical Assessment for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3)
- NUR 909 Advanced Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3)
PMHNP Concentration Courses (30 credits):
- EPI 840 Clinical Epidemiology for Healthcare Practice (3)
- NUR 952 Psychopharmacology and Neuropathological Basis of Mental Illness (3)
- NUR 953 Clinical Diagnosis and Management I – Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis (6)
- NUR 954 Clinical Diagnosis and Management II – Evidence Based Therapeutic Interventions (6)
- NUR 955 Clinical Diagnosis and Management III – Special Populations and Group (6)
- NUR 956 Clinical Diagnosis and Management IV – Complex and Collaborative Mental Health Care (6)
The curriculum prepares nurses to function interdependently with healthcare providers, assessing physical, socio-emotional, and developmental states of individual clients and families while applying clinical judgment to improve healthcare delivery quality and effectiveness. Graduates are eligible for PMHNP certification through national certifying bodies.
Clinicals
The MSN-PMHNP includes 24 clinical credits embedded within the four Clinical Diagnosis and Management courses (NUR 953, 954, 955, 956), each containing 6 credits that combine didactic and clinical components.
Students complete clinical practica in psychiatric mental health settings across the lifespan under supervision of qualified preceptors. MSU assists students with clinical placement coordination.
MSN-PMHNP Requirements
- Bachelor of Nursing degree from accredited college or university
- Current unrestricted RN license without probationary status (Michigan license required for Michigan practitioners; provisional admission available for out-of-state/country license holders until US/Michigan license obtained prior to clinical progression)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) for total credits completed during second half of four-year baccalaureate nursing program
- 3-credit undergraduate statistics course with 2.0 grade or better within last five years, OR 3-credit graduate statistics course with 3.0 grade or better within last five years
- University application and curriculum vita submission
- Written essay addressing career goals and motivations for graduate study in psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner specialty
- Three letters of recommendation from sources with direct knowledge of applicant’s work and educational experience specifying ability to do graduate work
- Admission interview with College of Nursing faculty
- TOEFL for non-native English speakers: minimum 550 average (no subscore below 52) on paper-based test OR minimum 80 average on internet-based test (no subscore below 19 for reading, listening, speaking; no writing subscore below 22)
Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP (Post-BSN)
The estimated cost for the DNP-PMHNP Post-BSN program is approximately $65,575-$82,688 (based on 70 credits at $937.25-$1,181.25 per credit hour for in-state/out-of-state students) and takes 3-4 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The DNP-PMHNP Post-BSN requires 70 total credits divided between 28 core DNP credits and 42 concentration credits. DNP Core Courses (28 credits):
- NUR 902 Scientific Foundations for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3)
- NUR 903 Healthcare Informatics (3)
- EPI 840 Clinical Epidemiology for Healthcare Practice (3)
- NUR 904 Health Policy and Advocacy (3)
- NUR 905 Patient Safety, Quality Improvement and Quality Management in Healthcare (3)
- NUR 906 Leadership in Complex Health Systems (3)
- NUR 995 Doctor of Nursing Practice Project I (4)
- NUR 996 Doctor of Nursing Practice Project II (3)
- NUR 997 Doctor of Nursing Practice Project III (3)
PMHNP Concentration Courses (42 credits):
- NUR 907 Advanced Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3)
- NUR 908 Advanced Physical Assessment for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3)
- NUR 909 Advanced Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3)
- NUR 952 Psychopharmacology and Neuropathological Basis of Mental Illness (3)
- NUR 953 Clinical Diagnosis and Management I – Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis (6)
- NUR 954 Clinical Diagnosis and Management II – Evidence Based Therapeutic Interventions (6)
- NUR 955 Clinical Diagnosis and Management III – Special Populations and Group (6)
- NUR 956 Clinical Diagnosis and Management IV – Complex and Collaborative Mental Health Care (6)
- NUR 957 Clinical Diagnosis and Management V – Clinical Immersion – Psychiatric Mental Health (6)
The DNP curriculum prepares advanced practice registered nurses to provide clinical, organizational, and systems leadership at the highest level while designing, implementing, and evaluating high-quality, cost-effective healthcare services for diverse populations. Students complete DNP projects addressing healthcare outcomes through evidence-based data and technology. Adult-Gerontology CNS and Nurse Practitioner students enrolled in BSN-DNP programs may be granted the MSN after completing master-level requirements before continuing to DNP completion.
Clinicals
The DNP-PMHNP includes 30 clinical credits embedded within five Clinical Diagnosis and Management courses (NUR 953, 954, 955, 956, 957), with NUR 957 providing intensive 6-credit Clinical Immersion experience.
Students complete supervised clinical practica in psychiatric mental health settings providing assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for patients with mental health needs across acute and primary care settings. MSU provides clinical placement assistance.
DNP-PMHNP Post-BSN Requirements
- Bachelor of Nursing degree from accredited college or university
- Current unrestricted RN license (same licensure provisions as MSN program)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) for total credits completed during second half of four-year baccalaureate nursing program
- Same statistics, essay, recommendation, interview, and TOEFL requirements as MSN program
- University application and curriculum vita submission
Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP program is approximately $25,306-$31,894 (based on 27 credits at $937.25-$1,181.25 per credit hour for in-state/out-of-state students) and takes approximately 1.5 years (18 months) to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The Post-Graduate Certificate requires 27 credits designed for certified Advanced Practice Registered Nurses extending their scope of practice. Gap analysis is conducted to assess competency and prior coursework in three core APRN clinical courses (Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Physical Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology).
Faculty assess compatibility of previous courses and may require one or all before certificate enrollment. Students must demonstrate pharmacology coursework (credit and/or continuing education credit) within the past five years.
Required Certificate Courses (27 credits):
- NUR 952 Psychopharmacology and Neuropathological Basis of Mental Illness (3)
- NUR 953 Clinical Diagnosis and Management I – Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis (6)
- NUR 954 Clinical Diagnosis and Management II – Evidence-Based Therapeutic Interventions (6)
- NUR 955 Clinical Diagnosis and Management III – Special Populations and Group (6)
- NUR 956 Clinical Diagnosis and Management IV – Complex and Collaborative Mental Health Care (6)
The hybrid program includes online, on-campus, and clinical components preparing professionals to work as PMHNPs with patients across the lifespan in both acute and primary care settings. Certificate completers are eligible to sit for PMHNP certification.
Clinicals
The certificate includes 24 clinical credits embedded within four Clinical Diagnosis and Management courses providing supervised psychiatric mental health clinical experiences.
Students work with patients across the lifespan in acute and primary care settings, gaining expertise in:
- mental health promotion
- mental illness and substance use disorder prevention
- assessment
- diagnosis
- treatment
- recovery
- patient education
The hybrid delivery combines online instruction with on-campus sessions and clinical practica coordinated with MSU assistance.
Post-Graduate Certificate Requirements
- Graduate degree in Nursing from accredited college or university
- Current unrestricted RN license (same licensure provisions as MSN program)
- Current certification from U.S. National Certifying Board as NP, CNS, CRNA, or CNM
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) for total credits completed during graduate nursing program
- University application and curriculum vita or resume submission
- Written essay addressing career goals and motivations for additional graduate study in psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner specialty
- Three letters of recommendation from sources with direct knowledge of applicant’s work and educational experience
- Admission interview with College of Nursing faculty
- TOEFL requirements same as MSN program for non-native English speakers
- Gap analysis conducted for three core APRN clinical courses (3Ps); faculty may require refresher courses before certificate enrollment
- Pharmacology coursework (credit/continuing education credit) within past five years required
Tuition
In-state tuition costs $937.25 per credit hour. Out-of-state tuition costs $1,181.25 per credit hour.
The university reserves the right to make changes in types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition with advance notice when possible.
Additional expenses beyond tuition and fees are associated with Cost of Attendance.
Accreditation
Michigan State University’s College of Nursing programs hold accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Master of Science in Nursing degree has been fully accredited by CCNE. MSU holds institutional accreditation as one of the top research universities in the world, ranked 63rd among Best Public Universities in America by U.S. News & World Report (2025).
Other Nursing Programs
Michigan State University College of Nursing offers comprehensive graduate nursing education:
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Concentrations:
- Nurse Practitioner – Family
- Nurse Practitioner – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Concentrations:
- Nurse Practitioner – Family (Post-BSN entry)
- Nurse Practitioner – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (Post-BSN entry)
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (Post-BSN entry)
- Nurse Anesthesia (Post-BSN entry)
- Post-Master’s DNP
Graduate Certificates:
- Nurse Practitioner – Family
- Nurse Practitioner – Adult-Gerontological Primary Care
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Teaching in Nursing (online)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD):
- PhD in Nursing (clinical nurse scientist preparation for academic and research settings)
More Programs in Michigan
View All PMHNP Programs in Michigan
- Davenport University - Grand Rapids
- Saginaw Valley State - Saginaw
- Spring Arbor University - Spring Arbor
- Wayne State - Detroit