Program Track Overview
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is approximately $34,750 (based on 55 credit hours at $550 per credit hour plus $750 resource fee per semester for 6 semesters) and takes 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The MSN-PMHNP requires 55 total semester credits consisting of core, integrative core, specialty, and clinical courses delivered over six academic semesters. The curriculum totals 547.5 didactic hours, 22.5 applied field experience hours, and 810 integrative clinical contact hours (1,380 total hours).
Thirty-seven credit hours dedicate to didactic theory learning and eighteen credit hours dedicate to clinical learning experiences.
Coursework includes the following:
Semester 1 (11 credits)
MSN 580 — Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
Explores how APNs lead change and drive quality and safety using theory, philosophy, research, and systems thinking. Learners analyze evolving APN roles, legal/ethical parameters, and innovation strategies to improve outcomes, culminating in purposeful role assimilation.
MSN 582 — Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan
Builds prescriptive competence across age groups, emphasizing pharmacokinetics/dynamics, safe/legally sound prescribing, and management for special populations. Integrates evidence to select, monitor, and adjust therapies while promoting optimal, safe outcomes.
MSN 584 — Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
Deepens understanding of disease mechanisms from cellular to systems levels to link signs/symptoms with accurate diagnosis and treatment. Case-based learning strengthens clinical reasoning across the lifespan.
Semester 2 (9 credits)
MSN 586 — Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Across the Lifespan
Covers program planning for prevention, screening, and anticipatory guidance at individual, family, and community levels. Learners apply population-focused assessment methods to tailor equitable, lifespan health strategies.
MSN 588 — Advanced Assessment Across the Lifespan
Hones advanced physical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual assessment with emphasis on differentiating normal vs. abnormal findings and addressing prevention needs. Includes an in-person, three-day applied experience in Salt Lake City for competency validation and service-learning.
MSN 590 — Health Policy, Legislation, Economics and Ethics
Examines how policy, finance, law, ethics, research, and advocacy shape health systems and outcomes locally to globally. Prepares nurse leaders to analyze policy processes and ethically influence reforms that advance public health and the profession.
Semester 3 (10 credits)
MSN 592 — Evidence-Based Practice
Covers research designs, implementation, and translation frameworks alongside EBP and quality-improvement models. Learners appraise levels of evidence and apply findings to practice, education, and specialty care.
MSN 597 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan I
Introduces the PMHNP role in assessing, diagnosing, and managing common to complex psychiatric disorders with integrated psychopharmacology and psychotherapy. Simulations and case studies develop differential diagnosis, culturally responsive care, and interprofessional collaboration.
MSN 631 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 1*
A 1-credit (≈45 hours) supervised practicum initiating PMHNP clinical skills across child, perinatal, adult, and geriatric populations. Emphasizes foundational assessment, diagnosis, and treatment within APRN core competency domains toward the program’s 810 total hours.
MSN 632 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 2*
Continues supervised practice (1 credit, ≈45 hours), expanding focused interviews, differential diagnosis, and initial management plans. Learners strengthen documentation, safety, and quality within interprofessional settings.
MSN 633 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 3*
Builds clinical depth (1 credit, ≈45 hours) with increasing independence in assessment, medication selection, and psychotherapy initiation. Attention is given to ethics, technology use, and outcome tracking.
MSN 634 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 4*
Advances competency (1 credit, ≈45 hours) in managing evolving treatment plans and coordinating care across levels of service. Learners integrate leadership and policy awareness into daily clinical decisions.
Semester 4 (10 credits)
MSN 598 — Health Informatics for the Advanced Practice Nurse
Introduces informatics theories and health IT planning, implementation, and evaluation to improve safety, quality, and efficiency. Emphasizes clinical decision support, data stewardship, telehealth/mHealth, and regulatory/ethical best practices for APNs.
MSN 630 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan II
Elevates knowledge in neuroanatomy, psychopharmacology, and complex psychopathology, including co-occurring and treatment-resistant conditions. Learners synthesize advanced diagnostics, evidence-based therapies, cultural competence, and leadership to manage intricate cases.
MSN 635 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 5*
A 1-credit (≈45 hours) rotation focusing on complex assessments and iterative treatment planning across diverse settings. Reinforces inquiry, quality, and health-system navigation.
MSN 636 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 6*
Sustains supervised clinical growth (1 credit, ≈45 hours) with emphasis on medication management, psychotherapy progression, and patient education. Integrates informatics and safety monitoring.
MSN 637 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 7*
Enhances breadth (1 credit, ≈45 hours) across populations, addressing social determinants and access barriers. Focus includes interprofessional communication and coordinated transitions of care.
MSN 638 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 8*
Strengthens independent practice behaviors (1 credit, ≈45 hours) in diagnostic refinement and outcome-based adjustments. Emphasizes ethical decision-making and policy-aligned practice.
Semester 5 (7 credits)
MSN 650 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan III
Focuses on chronic, refractory, and comorbid psychiatric conditions using advanced psychopharmacology (including polypharmacy and off-label use) and integrated psychotherapies. Highlights leadership, advocacy, and culturally responsive strategies for vulnerable populations.
MSN 639 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 9*
A 1-credit (≈45 hours) immersion applying complex care plans and measuring outcomes. Learners refine consultation, referral, and escalation pathways.
MSN 641 — PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 10*
Progresses toward higher autonomy (1 credit, ≈45 hours) in longitudinal management and relapse prevention. Prioritizes team leadership and quality improvement in practice settings.
MSN 642 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 11*
Expands therapeutic repertoire (1 credit, ≈45 hours) with group/family modalities and nuanced medication strategies. Reinforces technology and information literacy for monitoring outcomes.
MSN 643 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 12*
Consolidates advanced assessment and treatment (1 credit, ≈45 hours) across care continua, including crisis and step-down settings. Emphasizes ethics, equity, and patient advocacy.
Semester 6 (8 credits)
MSN 690 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan IV
Capstone didactic synthesizing complex diagnostics, treatment algorithms, and systems-level leadership for high-acuity and specialty populations. Prepares learners for comprehensive practice integration and certification readiness.
MSN 644 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 13*
A 1-credit (≈45 hours) practicum emphasizing sustained outcomes management and interprofessional coordination. Learners refine documentation, quality metrics, and safety protocols.
MSN 646 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 14*
Advances caseload complexity (1 credit, ≈45 hours) with attention to legal/regulatory nuances and community resources. Focus on recovery-oriented, culturally attuned care.
MSN 647 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 15*
Deepens expertise (1 credit, ≈45 hours) in managing side effects, adherence barriers, and social needs. Strengthens leadership within interdisciplinary teams.
MSN 648 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 16*
Emphasizes evaluation of treatment response, measurement-based care, and stepwise therapy modifications (1 credit, ≈45 hours). Integrates policy and health-delivery insights.
MSN 649 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 17*
Pre-capstone clinical (1 credit, ≈45 hours) refining independent decision-making, complex coordination, and outcomes dissemination. Reinforces ethical frameworks and equity.
MSN 651 — Advanced PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan Practicum 18*
Final practicum (1 credit, ≈45 hours) demonstrating mastery in comprehensive PMHNP care across the lifespan. Learners synthesize scientific foundations, leadership, quality, and independent practice to complete the program’s 810 clinical hours.
More curriculum details available here.
Clinicals
- Total Clinical Hours: 832.5 hours (810 clinical contact hours + 22.5 applied field experience hours).
- Practicum Structure: 18 blended courses (MSN 631-651), each providing 45 clinical hours.
- Delivery: Fully online instruction (didactic and clinical), with one mandatory in-person seminar.
- Curriculum Focus: Advanced Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (health promotion, pharmacology, ethics, policy, leadership, etc.).
- Outcome: Prepares you for prescriptive authority (where applicable) and meets eligibility requirements for the ANCC PMHNP certification exam.
Prerequisites & Admissions
MSN-PMHNP Requirements:
- Pay $80 non-refundable application fee (waived for Nightingale College prelicensure programs alumni, applicants from institutions with valid articulation agreement, active duty servicemembers, and veterans of U.S. Armed Forces)
- Complete Application for Admissions (application and paid fee valid for one year)
- Submit official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended (institutions must send transcripts directly to Nightingale College)
- Hold Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from institution of higher learning accredited by agency recognized by U.S. Department of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) with minimum 3.0 GPA on 4.0 scale
- Applicants with undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.7 to 2.99 may be considered for admission on probation but must achieve B (3.0) or better in first eleven credits to be removed from probation
- Submit proof of current active unencumbered registered nurse (RN) licensure from any U.S. jurisdiction (learners expected to maintain active and unencumbered RN license throughout program)
- Applicants educated within United States who hold U.S. RN License: submit copy of active and unencumbered U.S. RN license
- Applicants educated outside United States who hold U.S. RN license: submit copy of active and unencumbered U.S. RN license plus Academic Report from NACES member organization, organization recognized by U.S. Department of Education, or CGFNS certificate stating learner’s nursing education comparable to U.S. BSN program with minimum GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale
- Submit resume or curriculum vitae
- One year of experience working as Registered Nurse required
- Must have actively worked as RN within last two years
- Submit Personal Statement of Interest
- Submit two letters of recommendation from most recent employer (supervisor) and from professor who can address applicant’s clinical expertise and academic preparation for program
- Participate in PMHNP Program interview
- Meet with Financial Aid Advisor to initiate Financial Aid process
- Must reside in one of 21 authorized states: Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
- Application deadline: July 17, 2026
- Next start: August 31, 2026
Academic Standards:
Students must complete prescribed MSN-PMHNP Program curriculum with minimum 3.0 GPA and fulfill other graduation requirements to earn MSN-PMHNP degree. Students must maintain minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and course completion rate of 67% throughout program per Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. Students may repeat course only one time with violations of academic integrity policy at any point in admissions process resulting in automatic denial of admission.
State Authorization
The CCNE-accredited program is available only in 21 states: Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Tuition
MSN-PMHNP program costs $550 per semester credit.
Resource fee of $750 per semester applies for six semesters. Nightingale College Alumni Tuition Reduction of $50 per semester credit will be applied to accounts of College’s baccalaureate degree graduates at time tuition charged (not applicable to repeat coursework).
Estimated total program cost is $34,750 (tuition plus resource fees). Tuition does not include non-refundable application fee or any course resources fees. College reserves right to change tuition and fees at any time with 30-day notice.
Accreditation
The master’s degree program in nursing at Nightingale College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).