Program Tracks Overview
| Program Track | Total Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN: PMHNP | $44,550 | 2 years |
| Post-Graduate Certificate: PMHNP | $24,750 | 1-1.5 years |
The curriculum aligns with American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials of Master’s Education and features doctoral-level faculty experts across advanced nursing specialties.
Master of Science in Nursing: PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN PMHNP program is $44,550 and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN PMHNP program totals 54 credit hours combining advanced research theory with experiential learning methodologies. The program prepares graduates to provide treatment and relief for individuals with mental or neurological disorders.
Students complete coursework in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, and psychiatric mental health nursing practice across the lifespan.
Required Courses:
- Nursing Research
- Statistics
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Advanced Physical Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing courses across the lifespan
- Clinical practicum experiences
- Evidence-based practice courses
- Healthcare systems and policy courses
Concentration Courses
NR533 – Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (3 cr.)
Introduces the foundations, tools, and metrics of healthcare quality, emphasizing just culture, high-reliability principles, and safety science. Learners apply improvement methods to build environments that support safe, high-quality care.
NR592 – Advanced Pharmacology: PMHNP Population Focus (2 cr.)
Covers psychotropic drug classes across the lifespan with emphasis on evidence-based prescribing, safety, and monitoring. Students link neurobiology and pathophysiology to medication selection, dosing, and interactions.
NR631 – Psychiatric & Mental Health I (2 cr.)
Builds DSM-5–guided assessment and diagnostic skills across the lifespan, including history taking, mental status exams, and differential diagnosis. Focuses on documenting and evaluating initial treatment plans.
NR632 – Psychiatric & Mental Health Clinical I (2 cr., 165 hrs)
Foundational practicum developing assessment, diagnosis, and plan-of-care skills for adult and family psychiatric care under PMHNP and psychiatrist preceptors.
NR633 – Psychiatric & Mental Health II (2 cr.)
Expands into individual, family, and group psychotherapy theories with continued DSM-5 application. Emphasizes culturally responsive assessment, treatment selection, documentation, and legal/ethical considerations.
NR634 – Psychiatric & Mental Health Clinical II (2 cr., 165 hrs)
Intermediate practicum focused on adult psychiatric care, applying evidence-based interventions and refining diagnostic reasoning and treatment planning with interdisciplinary preceptors.
NR635 – Psychiatric & Mental Health III (2 cr.)
Centers on child and adolescent psychiatry, integrating developmentally appropriate assessment, differential diagnosis, and family-focused psychotherapy models.
NR636 – Psychiatric & Mental Health Clinical III (2 cr., 165 hrs)
Pediatric/adolescent practicum building expertise in evaluation and management, family engagement, and age-specific treatment planning across care settings.
NR637 – Psychiatric & Mental Health IV (2 cr.)
Culminating didactic course addressing psychiatric care for older adults and families, with advanced DSM-5 differentiation, comorbidity considerations, and psychotherapy integration.
NR638 – Psychiatric & Mental Health Clinical IV (2 cr., 165 hrs)
Capstone practicum emphasizing comprehensive assessment and management for older adults and family systems, consolidating PMHNP competencies under expert preceptorship.
More curriculum details are available here
MSN Clinicals
The program requires clinical practicum hours completed in the student’s state of practice. Clinical experiences focus on assessment, diagnosis, healthcare management, prescribing medicines, and evaluation of care for persons with mental illness and co-occurring disorders. Students must maintain active, unencumbered RN licensure throughout clinical rotations.
MSN Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from NLNAC, ACEN, or CCNE accredited institution
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale (or 3.0 for last 60 undergraduate hours if overall GPA below 3.0)
- Conditional admission possible for students currently enrolled in BSN program with registrar’s letter indicating anticipated conferral date
- Completed undergraduate courses in Nursing Research and Statistics with grade B or higher
- Active, unencumbered RN license valid in state of expected clinical study and state of practice
- License must remain unencumbered throughout program
- Professional resume including nursing experience and current role
- Letter of intent formally written covering experience, prior learning, and educational/career goals
- Must reference program and track being applied for
- Letter of recommendation from direct supervisor (waived for Norwich graduates)
- State residency eligibility (restricted states: Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, New York, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Washington)
- English language proficiency if English not first language (TOEFL 550 paper/80 internet or IELTS 6.5 composite)
- No GRE/GMAT required
- Up to 15 semester credits may transfer
Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing: PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP program is approximately $24,750 and would take 1 to 1.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Graduate Certificate requires approximately 30 credit hours for nurses already holding MSN degrees. The evidence-based curriculum blends research, proven methodologies, and hands-on applications to prepare professionals for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certification.
Graduates are prepared to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center PMHNP board certification exam.
Required Courses:
- NR548 (prerequisite within past 5 years)
- NR552 (prerequisite within past 5 years)
- NR553 (prerequisite within past 5 years)
- Advanced psychiatric mental health nursing courses
- Clinical practicum experiences
- Specialty-specific PMHNP coursework
More curriculum details are available here
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical practicum hours must be completed in the student’s state of practice. Students gain hands-on experience in psychiatric mental health settings providing comprehensive care across the lifespan. Clinical placements prepare graduates for PMHNP certification examinations.
Certificate Admissions Requirements
- Master of Science in Nursing degree from CCNE or ACEN nationally accredited program
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Current, unencumbered RN license valid in state of expected clinical study and state of practice
- License must remain unencumbered throughout program (encumbered license results in dismissal)
- If practicing/active NP, copy of current APRN certification required
- Prerequisite graduate-level coursework with grade B or higher:
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Advanced Physical Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning
- Prerequisite courses must have been completed within last 7 years for transfer credit consideration
- Courses must meet transfer credit requirements and completed within last 7 years as part of educational program leading to nurse practitioner licensure
- Syllabus required for each prerequisite course with course description, objectives, and date matching transcript
- Professional resume including nursing experience and current role
- Letter of intent outlining experience, prior learning, and educational/career goals
- Must reference program and track being applied for
- Letter of recommendation from direct supervisor (waived for Norwich graduates)
- State residency eligibility (restricted states: Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, New York, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Washington)
- English language proficiency if English not first language (TOEFL 550 paper/80 internet or IELTS 6.5 composite)
- No GRE/GMAT required
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition: $825 per credit hour
Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing: $825 per credit hour
Norwich alumni eligible for $2,500 scholarship and additional benefits.
See the official tuition page for more details
Accreditation
The master’s degree program in nursing at Norwich University holds accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The post-graduate APRN certificate program also maintains CCNE accreditation. Norwich University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Other Nursing Programs
- Master of Science in Nursing: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing: Nurse Educator
- Master of Science in Nursing: Healthcare Systems Leadership
- Post-Graduate Certificate: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Graduate Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing