Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN | $51,300 (tuition + fees) | ~2 years |
| Post-Graduate Certificate | $40,740 (tuition + fees) | ~12–18 months |
The programs feature 100% online coursework plus campus immersion with one day onsite meeting for each nurse practitioner practicum course.
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP Lifespan program is approximately $51,300 and takes approximately 2 years to complete on a full-time basis, though degree can be completed in 12-18 months depending on course load.
Estimate is based on 87 quarter units at $450 per credit/unit plus $695 course material fee per course, plus $11,325 additional program fees for PMHNP specialization.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN-PMHNP requires 87 total quarter units of graduate credit (approximately 58 semester credits) with maximum 13.5 quarter units of graduate credit transferable to meet program requirements.
Core Requirements:
- NSG 600 Advanced Practice Nursing (4.5)
- NSG 620 Theory in Advanced Practice (4.5)
- NSG 623 Biomedical Statistics (4.5)
- NSG 606 Health Policy & Finance (4.5)
- NSG 607 EBP for Advanced NSG Practice (4.5)
- NSG 622 QI & Project Management (4.5)
Preparation Courses for PMHNP Specialization
Students have option of taking preparation for PMHNP specialization concurrently with six MSN core courses. Students must pass all MSN core courses before beginning any preparation for PMHNP specialization courses.
- NSG 641 Advanced Pharmacology I (4.5)
- NSG 681 Advanced Physical Assessment (6.0)
- NSG 682 Advanced Pathophysiology (4.5)
Specialization Requirements
All preparation courses for PMHNP specialization must be completed with passing grade before beginning any specialization courses.
*NSG 641 Advanced Pharmacology I
Builds advanced, practice-ready pharmacology by linking pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics to safe prescribing across settings and the lifespan. Emphasizes evidence-based drug selection, monitoring, and risk mitigation for complex patients.
*NSG 681 Advanced Physical Assessment
Expands comprehensive history-taking and physical/mental status examination skills across the lifespan. Learners interpret findings and diagnostic results to form accurate, clinically useful assessments.
*NSG 682 Advanced Pathophysiology
Examines disordered physiology underlying common diseases to support differential diagnosis and therapeutic decisions. Uses case analysis to connect biophysical mechanisms with clinical signs and symptoms.
NSG 680 Diversity Issues in APN
Prepares advanced practice nurses to deliver culturally competent, patient-centered care within diverse global health systems. Applies models and theories of cultural humility to analyze and improve practice.
MNP 643 Psychopharmacology in MH Care
Covers advanced psychopharmacology—including pharmacogenomics—for targeted symptom management across psychiatric disorders and populations. Focuses on safe prescribing with comorbidities and strategies to promote adherence and reduce risk.
MNP 694 MH Care: Adults/Aging Adults
Applies evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, and management for adult and geriatric psychiatric conditions. Integrates neurophysiology, policy, and scope-of-practice issues shaping PMHNP care for aging populations.
MNP 694C Adults/Aging Adults Practicum
Provides 240 supervised hours managing psychiatric care for adults and older adults. Students assess, plan, intervene, and evaluate outcomes while functioning in PMHNP roles of clinician, educator, consultant, and leader. (S/U grading.)
MNP 687 MH Care: Children/Adolescents
Addresses biopsychosocial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and developmental disorders in youth. Highlights professional, policy, and practice considerations unique to pediatric behavioral health.
MNP 687C Children/Adoles Practicum
Offers 180 supervised hours delivering PMHNP care to children and adolescents across settings. Emphasizes accurate assessment, family engagement, and coordinated, developmentally appropriate interventions. (S/U grading.)
MNP 688A Introduction to Psychotherapy
Surveys principles and modalities of individual, group, and family psychotherapy in primary mental health care. Builds therapeutic relationships and communication skills across the lifespan.
MNP 688C Intro Psychotherapy Practicum
Translates psychotherapy theory into practice through 120 supervised hours. Students assess readiness, apply evidence-based approaches, and use the therapeutic relationship to reduce distress and foster change. (S/U grading.)
MNP 697 PMHNP Capstone
Synthesizes core and clinical learning in a scholarly project and comprehensive exam aligned with national PMHNP certification. Demonstrates readiness for advanced, evidence-based psychiatric mental health practice.
MSN Clinicals
- Minimum of 510 practicum hours at a faculty-approved site with a designated, approved preceptor.
- FNP and PMHNP practicums are immersion, in-person experiences in faculty-approved, preceptored clinical settings.
- Students complete 3–4 one-day OSCEs, held virtually or at a National University campus.
- Each NP practicum course includes one required on-site meeting.
- All practicum work occurs in faculty-approved clinical settings.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
MSN-PMHNP Requirements:
- Hold BSN degree from nursing program meeting one of these criteria: 1) State Board of Nursing approved, 2) Nationally accredited nursing program, 3) From regionally accredited university/school meeting National University requirements for graduate study
- Currently enrolled in final course of RN-BSN program at National University or recently graduated from National University with BSN (candidates in RN-BSN Completion Program eligible to take MSN courses in last month of program) and meet University requirements for graduate study including admission in term prior to bachelor’s degree completion
- Provide proof of current, active, and unencumbered RN license in state of employment and/or residence
- Have cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on 4.0 scale (candidates with GPA of 2.5 to 2.99 will be considered by MSN Admission Committee on case-by-case basis)
- Complete National University graduate admission application
- Submit MSN application packet
- Candidates who graduated from BSN program other than National University must provide official transcript from each college or university attended to registrar’s office and provide two professional recommendations on approved forms, preferably from individuals who hold graduate or doctoral degrees
Prior to Starting Specialization Courses, All Candidates Must:
- Provide evidence of current, active professional liability and malpractice insurance coverage throughout program
- Provide evidence of specified immunizations, recent physical examination report, clear drug screen and background check, and current BLS certification
Academic Standards: Students must maintain cumulative GPA of 3.0 and must maintain B (84%) in all core and specialization courses. Students applying for PMHNP area of specialization must be accepted to MSN program.
Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate program is approximately $40,740 and takes approximately 12-18 months to complete.
Estimate based on 60 quarter units at $450 per credit/unit plus $1,145 course material fee per course, plus $10,125 additional program fees.
Curriculum
The Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate requires 60 total quarter units (approximately 40 semester credits) including preparation for certifications courses and requirements for certifications courses.
This non-degree, graduate-level program results in PMHNP Certificate of Completion upon program completion.
Preparation for Certifications (9 courses)
Experienced, practicing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) can waive NSG 641, NSG 681, and NSG 682 if taken previously.
All others can waive NSG 641 and NSG 681 if taken less than five years prior to application to Certificate Program, and NSG 682 if taken less than seven years prior to application.
Doctoral level courses may be used to waive these courses.
- NSG 600 Advanced Practice Nursing
- NSG 641 Advanced Pharmacology I
- NSG 680 Diversity Issues in APN
- NSG 681 Advanced Physical Assessment
- NSG 682 Advanced Pathophysiology
Requirements for the Certifications (courses listed):
- MNP 643 Psychopharmacology in MH Care
- MNP 694 MH Care: Adults/Aging Adults
- MNP 694C Adults/Aging Adults Practicum
- MNP 687 MH Care: Children/Adolescents
- MNP 687C Children/Adoles Practicum
- MNP 688A Introduction to Psychotherapy
- MNP 688C Intro Psychotherapy Practicum
Certificate Clinicals
The Post-Graduate Certificate requires minimum 540 hours (some sources indicate 555 hours) at approved practicum site with designated approved preceptor during practicum courses.
Students required to attend once every three months onsite Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in Costa Mesa.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate Requirements:
- Meet University requirements for graduate study listed in General Catalog under admission requirements
- Hold master’s or doctoral degree in nursing meeting these criteria: 1) State Board of Nursing approved, 2) Nationally accredited School of Nursing, 3) Regionally accredited University
- Provide proof of current, active, and unencumbered RN license in state of residence
- Have cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on 4.0 scale (applicants with GPA of 2.5-2.99 will be considered by MSN Admissions Committee on case-by-case basis)
- Have 1-year recent clinical practice as professional nurse
- Complete University Application for Graduate Admissions including application fee ($0 application fee, no essays/exams required)
- Complete post-graduate certificate application packet
- Provide one official transcript from each college or university attended to Office of Registrar
- Have three professional recommendation forms, preferably from individuals who hold graduate or doctoral degrees
- Mandatory Pre-MSN & Post Graduate Certificate Forum: view Pre-MSN & Post Graduate Certificate Program Information Forum describing process for applying to and acceptance into Nursing Program (prospective students must have viewed forum before submitting application packet)
Additional Prerequisite Requirements:
- Students should be proficient in operating personal computer including demonstrated competency in standard computer operating systems and electronic filing systems, basic keyboarding skills, organizing and sorting electronic documents, demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Word/Excel and other standard computer applications, familiarity with using internet browsers and standard email systems
- Hybrid program includes online, onsite, and clinical preceptored learning activities offered at accelerated pace of full-time study using executive weekend format once per month (Thursday-Saturday)
- All accepted applicants must attend all orientation activities including virtual online meetings and one-day mandatory campus orientation
- Students in PMHNP specialization required to attend once every three months onsite Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
Academic Standards: Students must maintain cumulative GPA of 3.0 and must maintain B average (84%) in all courses.
Tuition
Master of Science in Nursing costs $450 per credit/unit with course material fee of $695 per course.
FNP and PMHNP Area of Specializations carry additional program fees of $11,325 for MSN programs.
Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate costs $450 per credit/unit with course material fee of $1,145 per course plus additional program fees of $10,125.
National University offers $0 application fee with no essays/exams required. Nightingale College Alumni Tuition Reduction available with $50 per semester credit applied to accounts of College’s baccalaureate degree graduates.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
National University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
The MSN program and Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certificate program at National University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The Post-Graduate PMHNP certificate program at National University is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). National University also holds Silver Designated Person-Centered School status.
Review Additional California PMNHP Programs
- Azusa Pacific University - Azusa
- Charles R Drew - Los Angeles
- CSU Fresno (Fresno State) - Fresno
- San Diego University - San Diego
- Touro University - Vallejo
- UC Davis - Sacramento
- UCLA - Los Angeles
- University of California San Francisco - San Francisco
- University of San Francisco - San Francisco
- Vanguard University - Costa Mesa
- Western University - Pomona