Both programs prepare graduates to sit for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Estimated Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MS in Nursing – PMHNP | $44,505 | ~2–3 years |
| Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies | $46,704 | ~1–2 years |
Master of Science Nursing – PMHNP (Online)
The estimated cost for the MS PMHNP Online program is approximately $44,505 and takes 2-3 years to complete on a full-time or part-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The program requires 43 total semester hours, including 16 core credit hours and 27 concentration-specific credit hours.
Core courses include:
NRSG 5118 – Healthcare System and Professional Role Development (3 cr.)
Maps the advanced practice nurse’s role within today’s health system, emphasizing collaboration, leadership, equity, ethics, and accountability. Students analyze how policy, economics, law, and research shape APRN practice and quality of care.
NRSG 5121 – Epidemiology and Population Health (3 cr.)
Builds fluency with measures, study designs, and applications of epidemiology to monitor and improve population health. Learners evaluate disparities, policy levers, and current issues to design data-driven prevention strategies.
NRSG 5117 – Advanced Pharmacology (2 cr.)
Covers core pharmacologic principles and major drug classes across the lifespan, linking mechanisms to clinical use. Emphasizes dosing, safety, interactions, and therapeutic decision-making in advanced practice.
NRSG 5126 – Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (3 cr.)
Explores disease mechanisms from cell to system with a systems-based approach to diagnosis and management. Integrates physiology and immunology across cardiovascular, endocrine, GI, heme/immune, neuro, pulmonary, and renal disorders.
NRSG 7105 – Translating Research Evidence into Practice (3 cr.)
Develops skills to find, appraise, and implement evidence using QI methods, guidelines, and health informatics. Includes program evaluation and biostat concepts while strengthening leadership presence for evidence-based change.
NRSG 7110 – Evidence-Based Practice Research Application (2 cr.)
Pairs students with active research teams to contribute to real-world studies aligned with clinical interests. Focuses on hands-on inquiry, collaboration, and reflection to build research competence and professional socialization.
NRSG 6281 – Dimensions of Clinical Psychiatric Practice
Learn to conduct focused psychiatric interviews, complete mental status exams, and build clear case formulations. Create measurable care plans that include prevention, treatment goals, and follow-up across the lifespan.
NRSG 6282 – Clinical Psychopharmacology
Study major psychotropic drug classes and the conditions they treat. Select, dose, and monitor medications safely while coordinating therapy and other supports.
NRSG 6283 – Psychobiological Bases of Mental Health
Examine how brain structure, neurotransmitters, genes, and hormones shape behavior and symptoms. Connect medical comorbidities to psychiatric presentations for better clinical reasoning.
NRSG 6286 – Contemporary Psychotherapies: Theory and Practice
Compare leading psychotherapy models for individuals, families, and groups. Practice session planning, therapeutic communication, and outcome review.
NRSG 6287 – Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology
Apply medication principles to pediatric patients with attention to growth, development, and safety. Address family, school, and cultural factors that influence treatment.
NRSG 6115 – Health Assessment
Build advanced history-taking and physical exam skills. Use findings to form differentials and document clear, concise notes.
NRSG 6480 – Psychiatric Practicum Across the Life Span I
Begin supervised clinical care across age groups. Perform assessments, create diagnoses, and start treatment plans under close preceptor guidance.
NRSG 6481 – Psychiatric Practicum Across the Life Span II
Increase autonomy in psychotherapy and medication management. Coordinate interprofessional care and track outcomes for patients of all ages.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete clinical practica throughout the program with hands-on mental health care experience. The program includes two practicum courses (NRSG 6480 and NRSG 6481) totaling 10 credit hours.
Students are responsible for identifying and proposing clinical preceptors within 100 miles of their home for review and approval. The university requires 6 months to expedite clinical contracts.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from CCNE or ACEN-accredited USA program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA with grades of ‘B’ or better in all undergraduate clinical nursing courses
- Current US RN licensure
- At least 1 year of active full-time nursing experience with direct patient care
- Statistics course including probability theory and hypothesis testing (within 5 years)
- Three letters of recommendation (academic and professional)
- Personal statement
- Resumé
- Official transcripts from all institutions
- Application and application fee
- TOEFL or IELTS for international students whose native language is not English
- Residency in an accepted state (Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia)
- Application deadline: Spring term November 1, Fall term July 1
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies – PMHNP (Boston)
The estimated cost for the CAGS PMHNP program is $46,704 and takes 1-2 years to complete on a full-time or part-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate program requires 24 total semester hours. All courses require a grade of B or higher. Required courses include:
- NRSG 6281 Dimensions of Clinical Psychiatric Practice
- NRSG 6282 Clinical Psychopharmacology
- NRSG 6283 Psychobiological Bases of Mental Health
- NRSG 6286 Contemporary Psychotherapies—Theory and Practice
- NRSG 6287 Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology
- NRSG 6480 Psychiatric Practicum across the Life Span 1
- NRSG 6481 Psychiatric Practicum across the Life Span 2
Certificate Clinicals
The program includes two practicum courses totaling 10 credit hours across the lifespan. Clinical practica are available across various healthcare sectors including private, public, hospital-based, and community-based settings, as well as outpatient clinics and residential schools. Students participate in two 2-3 day clinical intensives over weekends on campus.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Current US Nursing license required for admission
- Minimum 3.0 GPA with grades of ‘B’ or better in all nursing courses
- Statistics course including probability theory and hypothesis testing (within 5 years of program entry)
- Two letters of recommendation (academic and professional)
- Curriculum vitae
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from accredited program
- Current RN licensure
- At least 1 year of active full-time psychiatric nursing experience for MS (CAGS requires applicants to be practicing NPs)
- Letter of intent to study (minimum 500 words)
- Official transcripts from baccalaureate program and all college coursework
- GRE scores not required
- Application deadline: Fall August 1, Spring November 1
Tuition
Graduate tuition for the MS Nursing (Online) program is $1,035 per credit hour.
The CAGS program tuition follows the standard graduate rate of $1,946 per credit hour for most Bouvé College programs. Additional expenses include application fees, travel costs for on-campus clinical intensives, and potential membership fees.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The master’s degree program in nursing and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Northeastern University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. The prelicensure programs at Northeastern University School of Nursing Boston campus are approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Other Nursing Programs
Northeastern University School of Nursing offers multiple graduate programs:
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care (MS/CAGS)
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care (MS/CAGS)
- Family Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care (MS/Graduate Certificate)
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (MS/CAGS)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care (MS/CAGS/Graduate Certificate)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Acute and Primary Care (MS/CAGS)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care (MS/CAGS)
- Nursing—Direct Entry (MS)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice—Post-Masters (DNP)
- Nursing Leadership (MS)
- Patient Safety (Graduate Certificate)
- PhD in Nursing