New Jersey offers 5 PMHNP programs with on-campus components, and multiple national online programs. Total program costs range from approximately $21,465 to $108,264 depending on degree level, institution, and residency status. These programs share a 750+ hour clinical focus but differ in delivery format, admissions thresholds, and funding or scholarship options.
| School | Est. Cost Range | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | MSN: $55K Certificate : $33K | – flexible fall and spring starts – 2.8 GPA admissions minimum – 750 clinical hours with weekly synchronous sessions |
| Felician University | MSN: $31K Certificate: $17K | – 39-credit MSN and 21-credit certificate – 20% EdAssist tuition discount for eligible employees – accepts students from a defined multi-state region |
| Rowan University | MSN: $35K CAGS: $27K | – 750 clinical hours split across three 250-hour practica – HRSA-funded DREAM scholarship support – priority for those serving underserved or rural communities |
| Rutgers University | DNP: $73K (NJ residents) | – Post-bacc DNP with 78 credits and 752+ clinical hours – plus DNP project time, often exceeding 1,000 total hours – deep training in implementation science, health data analysis |
| Seton Hall University | MSN: $77K Certificate: $38-61K | – 49-credit MSN with 600 clinical hours – three required in-person immersions using standardized patients – focused telehealth training, motivational interviewing content |
| Thomas Edison State University | MSN: $33K Certificate: varies | – online MSN and certificate built around 46 NP credits – multiple 16-week entry points each year – up to 50% of clinical hours via telehealth |
NJ PMHNP Program Summaries
Fairleigh Dickinson PMHNP Program
Teaneck | $1,284 cpc | MSN
Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PMHNP programs are fully online and designed for working nurses, with flexible starts in the fall, spring, or summer and a typical pace of ~2 courses per term. The 43-credit MSN and the 25-credit post-graduate certificate both include 750 supervised clinical hours, weekly synchronous sessions for support, and strong preparation in psychopharmacology, assessment, and therapy across the lifespan. Admission is accessible with a 2.8 minimum GPA, and post-graduate applicants receive a personalized gap analysis to determine exact course needs. FDU’s nursing programs are accredited (ACEN/CCNE) and the College of Nursing & Allied Health is ranked among the nation’s best...read more.
Felician University PMHNP Program
Rutherford | $793 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Felician University’s PMHNP offerings include an MSN (39 credits) and a 21-credit Post-Master’s Certificate designed for working nurses. Both pathways deliver primarily online coursework with virtual/on-campus skill intensives and include 750 supervised clinical hours completed in your local area with placement support. Tuition is $793 per credit, and qualifying EdAssist learners receive a 20% tuition reduction; typical completion is ~2 years for the MSN and ~1.5–2 years for the certificate. Felician’s nursing programs are CCNE-accredited and have been recognized for Best Online MSN by U.S. News & World Report...read more.
Rowan University PMHNP Program
Glassboro | $869 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Rowan University’s PMHNP pathways—an MSN track (~40 credits) and a 31-credit Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study—blend 100% online coursework with face-to-face classes and supervised clinicals for working RNs. Both options include 750 clinical hours distributed across adult/older-adult and child/adolescent practicums, building comprehensive lifespan competency. Flexible starts and a hybrid format support part-time or accelerated pacing, while the HRSA-backed DREAM scholarship can offset costs for eligible students committed to underserved communities...read more.
Rutgers PMHNP Program
Trenton | $1,125 cpc | DNP
Rutgers School of Nursing's Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is a comprehensive 78-credit Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree designed for bachelor's-prepared registered nurses, representing one of the few programs in New Jersey training students in this specialty for patients across the entire lifespan. The program combines rigorous academic preparation with 752 minimum clinical hours through a hybrid learning model that features primarily virtual classes with essential in-person components on the Newark campus, emphasizing evidence-based practice grounded in nursing, neurobiological, social, and behavioral sciences. Graduates are eligible for national board certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and prepared to work in diverse psychiatric settings including community agencies, state and county psychiatric hospitals, forensic facilities, and long-term care settings...read more.
Seton Hall University PMHNP Program
South Orange | $1,570 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Seton Hall’s PMHNP programs (MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate) are CCNE-accredited and delivered in a hybrid format with three required on-campus immersions and the remainder online. The curriculum spans advanced assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, non-pharmacologic interventions, and age-spanning psychiatric care, with 600 supervised clinical hours. The MSN totals 49 credits (about 2–3 years), while the certificate is 24–39 credits (about 1.5–2 years) depending on gap analysis. Ranked No. 1 in New Jersey and among the top 75 nationally, the program also includes telehealth instruction and motivational interviewing training to prepare graduates for contemporary PMHNP practice...read more.
Thomas Edison PMHNP Program
Trenton | $695 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Thomas Edison State University’s PMHNP pathways pair the flexibility of online coursework with one-on-one, in-person preceptorships. With multiple 16-week start dates (January, March, July, September) and full- or part-time pacing, the 46-credit MSN typically takes 2–3 years, while the post-master’s certificate (credits determined by gap analysis) finishes in about 1–2 years. Students may complete up to 50% of clinical hours via telehealth and progress from managing 2–3 patients per day at midterm to 3–5 by program end, mirroring the scope of their preceptor. TESU nursing programs hold CCNE accreditation, and the post-graduate APRN certificate is pursuing initial CCNE accreditation...read more.
Walden University PMHNP Programs
Fully Online | $775 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
New Jersey nurses can advance to Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through Walden University’s 100% online, CCNE-accredited pathways (BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, MSN-PMHNP, or Post-Master’s Certificate) without interrupting their careers in the Garden State. Thanks to the Practicum Pledge, Walden’s Field Placement Team actively assists in securing preceptors and clinical sites across all 21 New Jersey counties, ensuring seamless completion of required hours. Graduates are ready to provide evidence-based mental health services in New Jersey’s urban centers, suburban communities, and underserved areas with high psychiatric need.
Chamberlain MSN PMHNP Program
online | $735 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Chamberlain's PMHNP specialization, which offers MSN (2.5 years, 45 credits) and Graduate Certificate (1.5 years, 35 credits) tracks, utilizes a fully online curriculum focused on psychopharmacology and psychiatric diagnosis. Both CCNE-accredited programs culminate in 650 practicum hours (supported by Chamberlain's Practicum Commitment) and require a mandatory two-day in-person skills immersion event, which students can fulfill at the North Brunswick, New Jersey campus. This blending of online instruction with an on-site lab experience prepares graduates for national certification in the field of mental health care across the lifespan.
Post University PMHNP Programs
online | $604 cpc | MSN
The Master of Science in Nursing—PMHNP Specialization from Post University's American Sentinel College is a CCNE-accredited program spanning 51-54 total credits, delivered entirely through online 8-week courses. The curriculum, priced at approximately $30,198 to $30,795, is taken one course at a time over a minimum of 34 months, allowing students to balance work with study. A key feature is the requirement to pass the APEA 3P Exam before advancing to the five required clinical preceptorships, which total 630 hours of direct patient care.
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
Wilkes University offers New Jersey RNs flexible online PMHNP education through MSN, post-graduate certificate, or DNP tracks with three start dates annually. New Jersey students complete 500-1,000 clinical hours depending on program track, with complimentary placement support to secure sites and preceptors across the state's diverse healthcare settings. All programs feature 12-week asynchronous online courses allowing New Jersey nurses to advance their careers while maintaining current employment and family obligations.
Choosing the Best New Jersey PMHNP Program for You
TLDR: Quick Program Match
Choose Felician University if you want the lowest-cost MSN option ($30,927) with dedicated clinical placement assistance and a 20% EdAssist tuition discount for eligible employees.
Choose Thomas Edison State University if you want maximum flexibility with four start dates per year (every 16 weeks), up to 50% telemedicine clinical hours, and affordable tuition at $719/credit.
Choose Rowan University if you want access to the DREAM scholarship (HRSA-funded tuition support) and commitment to serving underserved or rural communities.
Choose Fairleigh Dickinson University if you want the lowest admission barrier (2.8 minimum GPA) and flexible fall/spring start options with synchronous weekly sessions.
Choose Seton Hall University if you want three mandatory hands-on immersions with standardized patients, specialized motivational interviewing training, and telehealth instruction specific to psychiatric practice.
Choose Rutgers University if you want a terminal DNP degree with BSN-to-DNP pathway and CCNE-accredited education from New Jersey’s flagship public research university.
PMHNP MSN Program Cost Comparison for New Jersey
New Jersey offers six PMHNP master’s programs with costs ranging from $30,927 to $76,930—a dramatic $45,000+ difference.
Felician University delivers the lowest total cost at $30,927 ($793/credit for 39 credits), and eligible employees at EdAssist partner organizations receive an additional 20% tuition discount.
Thomas Edison State University follows closely at $33,074 with the added benefit of four flexible start dates annually and the ability to complete up to 50% of clinical hours via telemedicine—ideal for working professionals in remote areas.
At the premium end, Seton Hall’s $76,930 program justifies its cost through three intensive on-campus immersions featuring hands-on training with standardized patients and specialized instruction in motivational interviewing and psychiatric telehealth.
| School | Total Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Felician University | $30,927 | 2 years full-time |
| Thomas Edison State University | $33,074 | 2-3 years |
| Rowan University | $34,760 | 3-5 years |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | $55,212 | 2.5 years full-time |
| Seton Hall University | $76,930 | 2-3 years |
*Plus additional fees (general service, student life, wellness) totaling approximately $1,086/credit
PMHNP DNP Program Comparison for New Jersey
Only Rutgers University currently offers a BSN-to-DNP PMHNP pathway in New Jersey, making it the sole option for nurses seeking a terminal doctoral degree without first completing a master’s program. Rutgers’ 78-credit DNP costs approximately $72,228 for New Jersey residents ($926/credit) and takes 4-5 years full-time—significantly less expensive than out-of-state tuition at $108,264 ($1,388/credit).
Key Program Features:
- Core nursing foundation (9 credits): Advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment
- DNP core curriculum (37 credits): Leadership, epidemiology, evidence-based practice, health economics, implementation science, DNP project development
- PMHNP specialty courses (32 credits): Psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, differential diagnosis, four sequential practica
- International students are ineligible for this program
- Minimum 3.2 GPA required; GRE not required
- Program fully accredited by CCNE
NJ PMHNP Post-Master’s Certificate Comparison
All six New Jersey schools offer post-master’s certificates for nurses who already hold an MSN, with final costs heavily dependent on gap analysis results.
Thomas Edison State University provides competitive certificate pricing though exact costs vary by individual prerequisite needs.
The most significant cost factor is whether you’ve completed the “3 Ps” (Advanced Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Assessment) within the required timeframe—most programs require pharmacology within the past 5 years.
Rowan University distinguishes itself with the HRSA-funded DREAM scholarship providing partial tuition support specifically for PMHNP certificate students committed to underserved/rural populations, potentially making it the most affordable option for eligible applicants.
Cost and Duration:
| School | Cost Range | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Edison State University | Varies by gap analysis | 1-2 years |
| Felician University | $16,653 | 1.5-2 years |
| Rowan University | $26,939 | 2.5 years |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | $32,100 | 1.5-2 years |
| Seton Hall University | $37,680–$61,230 | 1.5-2 years |
Clinical Hours: All certificates require 750 clinical hours across specialty practicum courses.
Format Differences:
- Most Flexible: Thomas Edison (four start dates annually: January, March, July, September; up to 50% telemedicine clinical hours)
- HRSA Scholarship Available: Rowan (DREAM program for those serving underserved/rural communities)
- Hands-On Immersions: Seton Hall (three mandatory on-campus sessions with standardized patients)
- EdAssist Discount: Felician (20% tuition reduction for partner organization employees)
Specialty Curriculum Focus
All six programs cover comprehensive PMHNP content including psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, psychopharmacology, and psychotherapy across the lifespan.
No programs offer subspecializations within PMHNP, though some provide unique curricular emphases.
Core Content Areas (All Programs):
- Advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment
- Psychopathology and psychiatric diagnosis (DSM-5)
- Psychopharmacology and neuroscience foundations
- Individual, family, and group psychotherapy modalities
- Lifespan psychiatric care (pediatric, adult, geriatric populations)
- Evidence-based practice and differential diagnosis
Unique Curriculum Features:
Seton Hall University: Three mandatory in-person immersions at Interprofessional Health Sciences campus with standardized patient training; specialized instruction in motivational interviewing and psychiatric telehealth; addresses national shortage of 6,100+ mental health practitioners.
Rowan University: Structured lifespan progression with 250 clinical hours each in adult/older adult care (Practicum I and II) and 250 hours in child/adolescent care (Practicum III); weekly 1:1 clinical supervision throughout all practica.
Thomas Edison State University: Explicit focus on neuroscience foundations and pharmacogenetics; part A/B course structure for each population (child/adolescent, adult, geriatric) allowing deeper immersion; Controlled Substances Act legal/ethical review integrated into psychopharmacology.
Fairleigh Dickinson University: Synchronous weekly sessions for optimal engagement; advanced health assessment must be within 3.5 years or requires refresher course; gap analysis provided for all post-graduate applicants.
Felician University: Dedicated virtual intensive experience prior to clinical hours; emphasis on business planning and leadership for healthcare systems; policy advocacy course with human rights and social justice lens.
Rutgers University (DNP): Only New Jersey DNP option; scholarly research project required with evidence-based intervention addressing ongoing mental health care delivery issue; implementation science and evidence translation coursework; health economics and business practices specific to APRN roles.
2026 Admissions Requirements for NJ PMHNP Programs
| School | Minimum GPA | Application Deadlines | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | 2.8 | Fall and Spring (rolling) | – low GPA requirement – virtual interview may be requested |
| Felician University | 3.0 | Rolling | – state authorization limited to 17 states |
| Thomas Edison State University | 3.0 | January, March, July, September | – four start dates annually; – personal interview required |
| Rowan University | 2.8 | Rolling | – professional interview required – CPR certification needed |
| Seton Hall University | 3.0 | Rolling | – recent BSN grads must pass NCLEX by August 15 – one year full-time patient care required before practica |
| Rutgers University (DNP) | 3.2 | Rolling | NJ or Compact State RN license required after acceptance |
Additional Admission Factors:
- All programs require current, unencumbered RN license
- Most programs require professional reference letters (typically 1-3 letters from master’s or doctorally-prepared nurses)
- Seton Hall requires one year full-time direct patient care employment before beginning practicum courses
- Felician students accepted from only 17 states (CT, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MA, MT, NJ, NM, NY, TX, VT, VA, WV)
- Thomas Edison emphasizes personal interview with admissions committee
- International students need TOEFL scores (requirements vary by institution)
Clinical Placement Support for NJ PMHNP Programs
Student-Arranged Clinicals (with faculty approval):
- Felician University: Provides dedicated placement assistance and hands-on campus visits; students complete clinicals in local areas
- Seton Hall University: Students arrange own placements; three mandatory immersions at Interprofessional Health Sciences campus with standardized patients
- Thomas Edison State University: Students secure preceptors; up to 50% of clinical hours may be completed via telemedicine/telehealth
- Rowan University: Students secure placements with approved preceptors; valid CPR certification and professional malpractice insurance required
- Fairleigh Dickinson University: Students arrange clinical sites; New York applicants need New Jersey RN license for clinical placements
- Rutgers University: Precepted practicum experiences; background checks required; additional screening may be needed depending on clinical site
Total Clinical Hours Required: All programs require 750 clinical hours except Rutgers DNP (752+ hours, often exceeding 1,000 with project requirements).
Program Delivery Formats
| School | Online/Hybrid | Campus Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Felician University | Online with campus visits | Hands-on campus visits for practical skills; virtual intensive prior to clinical hours |
| Thomas Edison State University | Online | None required (clinical sites in student’s local area) |
| Rowan University | Online | None specified (clinical sites in student’s local area) |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | Online with synchronous sessions | Synchronous weekly sessions required; on-campus intensive once per semester during clinical courses (2-3 days) |
| Seton Hall University | Online with immersions | Three mandatory in-person immersions at Interprofessional Health Sciences campus |
| Rutgers University | Hybrid | Primarily virtual classes; some specialties may require campus-based components |