Program Tracks Overview
| Program Track | Duration | Est. Tuition | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN – PMHNP | ~2 years | $65,082 | online + multi-day learning intensives |
| Post-BSN to DNP – PMHNP | ~3 years | $158,935 | online + campus intensives |
| Post-Graduate Certificate | ~1.5 years | $84,206 | campus intensives during clinicals |
Clinical experiences span diverse settings including:
- EMDR therapy
- telehealth platforms
- school-based mental health programs
- trauma recovery centers
- substance use treatment facilities, and specialized population services
Master of Science in Nursing PMHNP Track
The estimated cost for the MSN PMHNP track is $65,082 for in-state students and $81,412 for out-of-state students and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
This comprehensive online track serves registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees seeking advanced practice specialization in psychiatric-mental health care with integrated behavioral health assessment and management capabilities.
Curriculum
The MSN/DNP dual-degree program awards both degrees upon completion, preparing students for advanced clinical roles as APRNs.
Coursework includes:
NRDNP 838 – Advanced Pathophysiology
This course examines pathophysiological mechanisms related to disrupted homeostasis using an organ-systems framework. Students analyze case studies to understand how environmental, genetic, and social factors influence normal and altered physiology. Topics include diagnostic reasoning, preventive health, and evidence-based management of complex health conditions. The course prepares students for advanced assessment, pharmacology, and clinical decision-making across the lifespan.
NRDNP 850 – Organ Theory & Health Care Management
Students explore healthcare finance, economic principles, and strategies for resource allocation. The course covers balancing cost and quality, maximizing outcomes, and analyzing the impact of healthcare policy on access, equity, and patient choice. Practical exercises and case studies develop skills in addressing financial and policy challenges to improve population health.
NRDNP 860 – Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics
This course introduces epidemiological and statistical methods for evaluating health outcomes. Students study research designs, measures of association, and screening effectiveness. Practical applications include data collection, analysis, and presentation to guide evidence-based practice changes. Emphasis is placed on identifying disparities and trends at individual, population, and systems levels.
NRDNP 856 – Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning
Students refine skills in advanced physical, psychosocial, behavioral, and genetic assessments across the lifespan. The course emphasizes distinguishing normal from abnormal findings, developmental screening, and anticipatory guidance. Training includes history-taking, documentation, and diagnostic reasoning with inclusive, patient-centered approaches.
NRDNP 842 – Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics
Using a system-based approach, students learn to design individualized drug therapy plans. Topics include pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics, and safe prescribing practices. Special emphasis is placed on controlled substances, pain management, and substance use disorder treatments. Cultural, social, and regulatory factors are integrated into therapeutic decision-making.
NRDNP 870 – Scientific Underpinnings I
This course explores nursing and social science theories, quality improvement models, and evidence-based guidelines. The focus is on applying theory and change concepts to improve patient and system-level health outcomes.
NRDNP 864 – Advanced Care Management I
Students develop competencies in assessing, diagnosing, and managing common conditions within a cultural and social context. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based decision-making, symptom management, and preventive strategies. The practicum offers population-focused clinical experiences to apply theory in practice.
NRDNP 871 – Scientific Underpinnings II
Building on the first course, students identify healthcare problems and strategies for improvement at patient and system levels. The course examines methods for aligning stakeholders and facilitating change.
NRDNP 836 – Informatics in Health Care Delivery
Students learn to apply health informatics principles to improve patient care, safety, and outcomes. The course covers data management, clinical decision support, and the integration of technology into practice.
NRDNP 865 – Advanced Care Management II
This course builds early-stage competence in managing common medical and psychosocial conditions. Students develop evidence-based care plans incorporating social, cultural, and ethical considerations. The practicum offers supervised experiences to strengthen diagnostic and treatment skills.
NRDNP 872 – Scientific Underpinnings III
Students focus on root cause analysis, intervention strategies, and translating evidence into practice. The course develops skills in identifying solutions and aligning stakeholders for healthcare improvements.
NRDNP 846 – Frameworks for Leadership
The course examines leadership theories and management strategies in healthcare. Students learn to promote teamwork, patient safety, and quality care through conflict resolution, ethical decision-making, and interprofessional collaboration.
NRDNP 858 – Evidence-Based Practice, Quality & Safety
Students gain skills to evaluate evidence, address healthcare challenges, and lead quality improvement initiatives. The course covers literature appraisal, translation science, and strategies to reduce disparities and promote equitable care.
NRDNP 866 – Advanced Care Management III
This advanced practicum deepens expertise in managing acute and chronic conditions. Students create comprehensive, evidence-based care plans with attention to ethics, disparities, and patient empowerment.
NRDNP 848B – Role Practicum
Students integrate knowledge from prior courses to refine their nurse practitioner role. Clinical experiences emphasize leadership, collaboration, and designing holistic, patient-centered care plans.
NRDNP 862 – Practice Inquiry & IRB
This course guides students in planning their DNP project, from framework selection to implementation design. Focus areas include change theory, quality improvement, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability strategies.
NRDNP 830 – Applied Health Care Economics & Finance
Students study healthcare finance, business strategy, and economic principles. The course develops the ability to assess financial and policy issues with the goal of improving equity and outcomes.
NRPHD 708 – Advanced Health Policy & Advocacy
Students learn to evaluate and influence health policy to improve public health. The course covers policy processes, disparities, and evidence-based advocacy at national and global levels.
NRDNP 890 – Residency
This multi-semester residency allows students to implement and evaluate a quality improvement project. Clinical hours, scholarly dissemination, and interprofessional collaboration develop advanced APRN competencies in practice and leadership.
More curriculum information available here:
The post-graduate certificate requires 23 credit hours over approximately 15 months, including neuroscience coursework and three sequential advanced care management courses. Clinical progression is evaluated through on-campus Learning Intensives, and DNP-level coursework may transfer with approval.
Clinicals
Clinical requirements include comprehensive psychiatric mental health practicum experiences across pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. Students gain hands-on experience in telehealth delivery, school-based mental health services, trauma recovery programs, and substance use treatment settings.
Multi-day campus learning intensives complement online coursework, ensuring practical skill development in psychiatric assessment and intervention techniques.
MSN Track Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from nationally accredited program
- Unencumbered active RN license in practicum state
- Preferred 3.0 nursing and cumulative GPA
- Undergraduate statistics course completion
- Official transcripts, resume/CV, essay, and three professional references
- NursingCAS application plus MUSC supplemental application
Post-BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice PMHNP Track
The estimated cost for the Post-BSN DNP PMHNP program is $158,935 for in-state students and $195,739 for out-of-state students and would take 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
This terminal degree pathway serves registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees seeking doctoral-level preparation in psychiatric-mental health nursing practice with advanced leadership capabilities.
Curriculum
The comprehensive curriculum combines psychiatric mental health specialty preparation with doctoral-level competencies in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, healthcare policy, and systems leadership. Students develop expertise in neuroscience applications, psychotherapeutic interventions, psychopharmacology, and advanced care management across diverse populations.
The program emphasizes scholarly project development, clinical scholarship, and healthcare transformation through evidence-based practice implementation.
Clinicals
Clinical requirements include extensive psychiatric mental health practicum experiences plus doctoral-level clinical scholarship components. Students complete advanced care management rotations, specialized population training, and systems-level intervention development.
The program integrates psychotherapy training opportunities, trauma-focused interventions, and interprofessional collaboration experiences across multiple healthcare delivery systems.
Post-BSN DNP Requirements
- Same requirements as MSN track
- Additional doctoral-level academic preparation expectations
- Extended program timeline with advanced scholarship components
Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP Track
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP program is $84,206 for in-state students and $90,046 for out-of-state students and would take 1.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
This specialized pathway targets advanced practice registered nurses with existing certification in acute or primary care seeking psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner specialization as an additional credential.
Curriculum
The streamlined 23-credit curriculum focuses exclusively on psychiatric-mental health specialty coursework including:
- NRDNP 861 Neuroscience of Psychotherapeutic Interventions & Psychopharmacology
- NRDNP 868 Neuroscience for Advanced APRNs
- NRDNP 864 Advanced Care Management I
- NRDNP 865 Advanced Care Management II
- NRDNP 866 Advanced Care Management III
Students must have completed pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment for the lifespan in previous education. The program includes on-campus learning intensives during clinical courses to ensure competency development.
More curriculum details are available here:
Clinicals
Clinical requirements include comprehensive psychiatric mental health practicum experiences across the lifespan with emphasis on specialized population care. Students gain experience in psychotherapy delivery under PMHNP, psychologist, or licensed counselor supervision.
Clinical placements encompass diverse settings including telehealth platforms, school-based programs, trauma recovery centers, and substance use treatment facilities.
Post-Graduate Certificate Requirements
- Unencumbered active APRN license in practicum state
- National certification as acute/primary care nurse practitioner or psychiatric-mental health CNS
- Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in nursing from accredited programs
- Preferred 3.0 GPA in undergraduate and graduate coursework
- Completion of pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment courses
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition varies by program level with MSN programs costing approximately $24,348 in-state and $32,574 out-of-state annually, plus fees of $4,180 per year.
The Post-Graduate Certificate costs $10,020 in-state and $13,440 out-of-state annually, plus fees of $3,632 per year. Additional costs include health insurance and program-specific expenses.
TUITION LINK: See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Medical University of South Carolina’s baccalaureate, master’s, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP program is currently under review for initial accreditation. Graduates meet educational requirements for national psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner certification examinations.
Other Nursing Programs
MUSC College of Nursing offers additional programs including:
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Various post-graduate certificate programs
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science
- Certified Nurse Educator qualification courses (9 additional credits)
More PMNHP Programs
- Anderson University - Anderson
- University of South Carolina - Columbia