6 Schools • 2 Online • 2 Mostly Online • 2 Hybrid
Six Michigan schools offer psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner preparation across five entry points: BSN-to-MSN, RN/ADN-to-MSN, BSN-to-DNP, RN-to-DNP, and post-graduate certificates. Delivery ranges from fully online to hybrid with recurring campus sessions. Published totals span roughly $15K to $100K depending on track and residency, with completion times from 18 months to nearly six years.
- Wayne State posts the state’s lowest published per-credit rate
- UM-Flint confers the MSN partway through its doctorate
- Saginaw Valley State builds addictions and rural practice into its certificate
- Spring Arbor is the only fully online route open to associate-degree nurses.
Compare each school’s online format, campus commitment, cost, and degree options below.
Compare Michigan PMHNP Programs
| School | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
| Davenport University | Online | None stated | $1,104 cpc | MSN, Certificate | Zero campus travel and a certificate that includes the APRN core |
| Michigan State University | Hybrid | 4–5 campus days per semester | $937.25 cpc | MSN, BSN-DNP, Certificate | All three pathways at one research university with placement coordination |
| Saginaw Valley State University | Online | None | $800 flat | Certificate | Certified APRNs targeting addictions care or rural Michigan practice |
| Spring Arbor University | Mostly Online | One four-day residency; none for certificate | $797 cpc | MSN, RN-to-MSN, Certificate | Associate-degree and diploma nurses who need a single continuous path to the MSN |
| University of Michigan-Flint | Mostly Online (degree tracks); Online (certificate) | 3 to 5 Flint visits yearly plus orientation; none for certificate | $895.50 cpc | BSN-DNP, RN-DNP, Certificate | Doctoral candidates who want to practice as an NP before the degree finishes |
| Wayne State University | Hybrid | Two in-person-only courses | $564 cpc | MSN, BSN-DNP, Certificate | Michigan-licensed nurses with psychiatric experience who want arranged placements at the state’s lowest rate |
What’s the Best PMHNP Program for You?
Best Overall Value
At $564 per credit for Michigan residents, Wayne State University pairs a 52-credit MSN and 620 clinical hours with school-arranged practicums for roughly $29,328 — the rare Michigan program that is both the cheapest and places its own students.
Best for ADN and Diploma Nurses
Spring Arbor University is the only Michigan program that carries associate-degree and diploma RNs through the BSN and into PMHNP coursework in one continuous 82-credit sequence.
Best for Addictions and Rural Practice
Saginaw Valley State University devotes a full 180-hour rotation to addictions in integrated settings and pairs it with Project ECHO telementoring plus traineeship stipends for rural Michigan students.
Best for Earning While You Finish
University of Michigan-Flint confers the MSN at 54 credits, letting graduates sit for boards and work at NP pay while completing the final 18 doctoral credits.
Best Multi-Pathway Program
Michigan State University runs master’s, doctoral, and certificate tracks on a shared curriculum with faculty placement coordination and a reported 100% first-time PMHNP certification pass rate in 2024.
Best Fully Online MSN
Davenport University publishes no campus requirement at all, running its 47-credit MSN and 540 clinical hours entirely through its Global Campus platform at an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Michigan DNP PMHNP Programs
Three schools offer doctoral PMHNP preparation, and price separates them sharply.
Michigan State runs a conventional 70-credit BSN-to-DNP; UM-Flint splits its 72 credits into an MSN conferred at 54 and doctoral completion afterward; Wayne State’s psychiatric track runs 74 to 78 credits at $564, roughly $24K below the next doctorate. Wayne State also admits master’s-prepared nurses without a clinical specialty through a gap-analysis pathway.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Michigan State University | BSN-DNP (70–75 credits) | $66K–$89K | 3–4 yrs full-time | 630 hrs (immersion hours not stated) |
| University of Michigan-Flint | BSN-to-DNP with MSN (72 credits) | $67K–$68K | 2.7 yrs FT – 3.7 yrs PT | 900 hr |
| University of Michigan-Flint | RN-to-DNP with MSN (72 credits + prereqs) | $68K (plus undergrad prereqs) | 3.5–5.7 yrs | 900 hr |
| Wayne State University | BSN-DNP, PMH track (74–78 credits) | $42K–$44K | Varies; 7-year limit | 820 hrs |
- Fastest route to NP income: UM-Flint — the MSN posts at 54 credits, roughly a year before the doctorate closes.
- Most supervised practice: UM-Flint — 900 hours, though only 540 are psychiatric; 240 sit in a general physical health management rotation.
- Lowest doctoral cost: Wayne State — $42K–$44K at $564 per credit, though its own materials also cite an 81-credit total ⚠️.
- Placement coordination included: Michigan State — assists with DNP placements across 630-plus hours, though the immersion course’s hour count is unpublished.
Michigan MSN PMHNP Programs
Four schools award the master’s. Credit loads run from 47 at Davenport to 82 on Spring Arbor’s RN entry route, and clinical requirements run from 500 to 630 hours.
Wayne State attaches an experience gate no other Michigan program imposes: one full-time year of psychiatric RN work before clinical courses begin.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Davenport University | MSN (47 credits) | $52K | Under 2 yrs full-time | 540 hrs |
| Michigan State University | MSN (54–56 credits) | $51K–$66K | 2.5 yrs FT; 3.5 yrs PT | 630 hrs |
| Spring Arbor University | BSN-to-MSN (50 credits) | $40K | ~2 yrs 5 mos | 500 hrs |
| Spring Arbor University | RN-to-MSN (82 credits) | $43K–$65K | ~4 yrs | 500 hrs |
| Wayne State University | MSN (52 credits) | $29K | 2–3 yrs | 620 hrs |
- Lowest total cost: Wayne State — $29K across 52 credits with school-arranged placements
- Only associate-degree entry: Spring Arbor — the RN-to-MSN awards the BSN en route, with two bridge courses counting toward both degrees.
- Heaviest master’s clinical load: Michigan State — 630 hours, 585 of them psychiatric, spread across four paired didactic and clinical courses.
- Shortest full-time timeline: Davenport — under two years, fully online, with clinical staff supporting placements in the student’s own area.
Michigan Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP Programs
All six schools run a post-graduate certificate, and eligibility varies sharply.
Wayne State, Michigan State, and Saginaw Valley State accept APRNs certified in any specialty; UM-Flint requires an active NP license outside psychiatry; Davenport and Spring Arbor admit master’s-prepared nurses who are not NPs at all. Davenport builds the APRN core into its 38 credits, which explains its outlier price.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Davenport University | Post-Graduate Certificate (38 credits) | $42K | Flexible | 540 hrs |
| Michigan State University | Post-Graduate Certificate (27 credits) | $25K–$32K | ~18 mos | 585 hrs |
| Saginaw Valley State University | Post-Graduate Certificate (24 credits) | $19K | 2 yrs | 540 hrs |
| Spring Arbor University | Post-Master’s Certificate (credits by gap analysis) | $15K–$32K | 18–24 mos | 250–625 hrs |
| University of Michigan-Flint | Post-Graduate Certificate (17–20 credits) | $15K–$18K | 4 semesters | 540 hrs |
| Wayne State University | Post-Graduate Certificate (29 credits) | $16K | Up to 3 yrs | 620 hrs |
- Lowest in-state certificate: UM-Flint — $15K–$18K for 17–20 credits, delivered fully online with a Zoom orientation.
- Most specialized: Saginaw Valley State — 180 of its 540 hours are addictions and integrated care, at a flat $800 per credit for residents and nonresidents alike.
- Narrowest eligibility: UM-Flint — applicants must already hold an active NP license in a specialty other than psychiatry.
- Most individualized plan: Spring Arbor — 250–625 hours set at admission by NP status and track, with up to 125 transferable and no federal aid available.
Additional Online PMHNP Options
Post University PMHNP Programs
National | $604 cpc | BSN-MSN | Online
The MSN-PMHNP program at Post University delivers psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner education through 18-21 core credits and 33 specialization credits distributed across approximately 3 years at around $30,000-$31,000 total cost. Clinical training totals 630 hours completed through five preceptorship experience courses (135 hours each for four courses, 90 hours for specialty), translating classroom learning to real-world mental health settings with individualized precepted experiences. Graduates prepare to sit for the ANCC PMHNP certification examination upon completion of the practice-focused curriculum covering assessment, diagnosis, psychopharmacology, and interventions across the lifespan.
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
National | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN / DNP | Online
Purdue Global's PMHNP programs are authorized in Michigan, offering three online pathways: a Postgraduate Certificate (1.5 years, $20,160), MSN with PMHNP Population Focus Area (2 years, $32,760), and MSN-DNP bridge program for doctoral advancement. Michigan nurses complete immersive clinical experiences with qualified preceptors in local settings, with all programs featuring virtual reality assignments for telehealth and group therapy training accredited by CCNE. Graduates are prepared to deliver comprehensive psychiatric mental health care across Michigan's diverse healthcare landscape, from urban hospitals to rural community mental health centers.
Walden University PMHNP Programs
National | $775 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP / MSN-DNP / DNP | Online
Walden University offers Michigan nurses a suite of online PMHNP pathways—MSN, DNP, and post-master’s certificate—accredited by CCNE and designed for maximum flexibility. Walden supports Michigan students with practicum placement assistance and virtual skills training to ensure clinical preparedness across diverse settings, from Detroit to rural communities. Graduates are well-positioned to obtain national certification and take on advanced psychiatric care roles across the state.
WGU PMHNP Programs
National | flat rate cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN | Online
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner tracks at WGU blend advanced online coursework with dedicated mentorship for personalized academic support from a Program Mentor and specialized Course Instructors. Students choose between the full MSN or the Certificate, which targets those with a prior master's degree in nursing, to specialize in mental health care across the lifespan. The university's flat-rate tuition, about $7,000 per six-month term, incentivizes faster progress through its competency units to lower the total program cost.
Wilkes University PMHNP Programs
National | $751 cpc | Certificate / RN-MSN / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Online
Michigan nurses can advance into psychiatric-mental health roles through Wilkes University’s online MSN, PMHNP certificate, and DNP tracks without leaving their local communities. The university’s clinical placement team helps Michigan students find nearby preceptors and sites, reducing the burden of arranging psychiatric rotations independently. Focused training in diagnostic reasoning, psychopharmacology, and therapeutic modalities supports graduates in serving diverse urban and rural populations throughout Michigan.
FAQ
How many PMHNP programs does Michigan have?
Six schools are profiled here: Davenport University, Michigan State University, Saginaw Valley State University, Spring Arbor University, University of Michigan-Flint, and Wayne State University. Together they publish 14 distinct tracks across master’s, doctoral, and certificate levels.
Are any Michigan PMHNP programs fully online?
Yes. Davenport and Saginaw Valley State both run fully online, and UM-Flint’s certificate is entirely online with a Zoom orientation. Spring Arbor requires one four-day residency, UM-Flint’s degree tracks require three to five Flint visits per year, Michigan State is hybrid, and Wayne State’s flex option lets students attend live remotely except for two courses offered only in person.
Which Michigan PMHNP program has the lowest tuition?
Wayne State’s $564 per credit is the lowest published rate, producing a $29,328 MSN and a $16,356 certificate. UM-Flint’s certificate starts lower in absolute terms at $15,224 in-state for 17 credits. Saginaw Valley State’s flat $800 rate is the best value for nonresidents, since it does not apply an out-of-state premium.
Which Michigan schools offer a PMHNP DNP?
Michigan State, UM-Flint, and Wayne State. Michigan State’s BSN-to-DNP runs 70 credits and Wayne State’s psychiatric track 74 to 78, with a separate post-master’s route for nurses without a clinical specialty. UM-Flint’s 72-credit track awards the MSN partway through and also accepts associate-degree nurses through an 11 to 20 credit undergraduate bridge. Wayne State is the least expensive of the three at roughly $42K–$44K.
Do Michigan PMHNP programs require campus visits?
It depends on the track. UM-Flint’s degree tracks require the most travel at three to five visits annually plus mandatory in-person orientation. Spring Arbor requires one four-day residency for its degree tracks, though most certificate students are exempt. Wayne State’s synchronous flex students attend live from anywhere but must come to Detroit for two in-person-only courses, one of which the certificate also includes. Michigan State requires four to five campus days per semester, but only for courses carrying a clinical component; its core coursework is online. Davenport, Saginaw Valley State, and UM-Flint’s certificate require no visits.
Can I complete clinical hours near home?
Every Michigan program offers at least some support. Saginaw Valley State places students within their own communities through a clinical coordinator, and Wayne State arranges practicums directly, though it does not state a geographic range. Davenport, Michigan State, and UM-Flint assist with the search, and Spring Arbor arranges placements collaboratively. Saginaw Valley State cannot support clinical activity in Louisiana, Minnesota, New York, or Oregon.
Can associate-degree nurses enter a Michigan PMHNP program?
Two schools accommodate ADN and diploma nurses. Spring Arbor’s RN-to-MSN runs 82 credits over about four years and awards the BSN along the way. UM-Flint’s RN-to-DNP requires 11 to 20 undergraduate prerequisite credits completed at UM-Flint within two years of admission, awards no BSN, and asks for a 3.5 GPA — higher than its BSN-entry threshold of 3.2.