Program Tracks Overview
| Track | Est. Cost | Duration (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – PMHNP | $23,360 | ~2 years (6 semesters) |
| Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate | $12,860 | ~1 year (3 semesters) |
| BSN-DNP with PMHNP Specialization | $43,260 | ~3 years |
| MSN-DNP with PMHNP Specialization | $23,688 | ~2 years (6 semesters) |
Notes: All tracks are CCNE-accredited and online with limited on-campus intensives. Programs require 750 PMHNP clinical hours (DNP totals shown where applicable). Flexible part-time pacing, 15-week courses, no GRE/GMAT, and up to 9 transfer credits available. A 15% scholarship applies to eligible programs.
Ohio University offers comprehensive online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner education through four distinct pathways, requiring 750 clinical hours and preparing graduates for ANCC certification. The university provides flexible part-time scheduling with 15-week classes and no GRE/GMAT requirements. Students can transfer up to nine eligible credits and benefit from a 15% scholarship for eligible programs.
MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the MSN PMHNP program is $23,360 for Ohio residents and would take approximately 3 years to complete part-time over 6 semesters or 2 years full-time.
Curriculum
The 40-credit program includes 11 courses covering mental health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, psychopharmacology, and advanced therapeutic modalities including individual, group, and family psychotherapy.
Core courses include:
NRSE 6846 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum I
This course introduces students to the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) role, focusing on care for individuals and families across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on advanced assessment, diagnosis, and clinical management within mental health settings. Students develop skills in differential diagnosis, evidence-based treatment planning, and interprofessional collaboration while addressing ethical and social issues in care delivery.
NRSE 6847 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum II
Building on Practicum I, this course deepens the PMHNP role within interdisciplinary teams. Students strengthen diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making for individuals, families, and groups. The course highlights psychotherapeutic and pharmacologic interventions, care planning, and principles of practice management across healthcare settings.
NRSE 6848 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum III
This final practicum prepares students to demonstrate PMHNP competencies in both inpatient and community settings. Emphasis is on leadership, independent decision-making, and ethical care. Students implement evidence-based strategies, apply health IT tools, and evaluate care models that support safety, diversity, and cost-efficiency.
NRSE 7001 – Professional Presence and Writing for the Advanced Nurse
Students explore concepts of professional identity, advanced communication, and scholarly writing. The course supports the development of professional presence through written work and knowledge dissemination. Inclusive language and writing standards are emphasized.
NRSE 7210 – Advanced Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing
This course examines pathophysiological processes and their clinical implications across the lifespan. Students analyze disease mechanisms, genetic and environmental risk factors, and health disparities. Emphasis is placed on correlating pathophysiology with physical assessment findings and evidence-based practice.
NRSE 7220 – Advanced Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing
Students gain expertise in pharmacotherapeutics, with a focus on clinical decision-making, drug safety, and prescriptive authority. Topics include drug interactions, polypharmacy, and prescribing for special populations. The course emphasizes legal, ethical, and evidence-based aspects of pharmacologic care.
NRSE 7230 – Advanced Health Assessment for Advanced Practice Nursing
This course trains students in advanced health assessment techniques using a body-systems approach. It includes comprehensive patient evaluations, differential diagnosis, and culturally competent care. Students integrate evidence-based strategies and document findings using clinical informatics.
NRSE 7810 – Foundations of Leadership and Organizations in Advanced Nursing Practice
Students examine leadership roles, ethics, and interprofessional collaboration in healthcare systems. The course addresses access to care, policy development, and organizational change. Students develop strategies to advocate for patient safety, quality care, and professional integrity.
NRSE 7811 – Foundations of Evidence-based Practice for Advanced Nursing Practice
This course focuses on critical appraisal and application of research for clinical decision-making. Students distinguish between research, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice. Emphasis is placed on translating evidence into safe and effective care interventions.
NRSE 7812 – Foundations of Quality and Safety in Population Health for Advanced Nursing Practice
Students explore frameworks for improving health outcomes across diverse populations. The course covers health equity, risk reduction, cost-effectiveness, and systems-based innovation. Students also address disaster preparedness and public health emergency response.
NRSE 7818 – Advanced Diagnostics for Clinical Reasoning for Advanced Practice Nursing
This course supports development of differential diagnoses through clinical reasoning and evidence-based assessment. Students evaluate symptoms, order diagnostic tests, and apply national guidelines in formulating care plans. Focus areas include risk factor identification and use of classification systems like ICD-10 and DSM-5TR.
More curriculum info available here: https://catalogs.ohio.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=105&poid=34747&returnto=11158
Clinicals
Students must complete 750 hours of clinical practicum experiences in community-based mental health agencies and programs across three practicum courses (NRSE 6846, 6847, 6848), each worth 6 credits.
MSN PMHNP Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from regionally accredited institution
- Minimum 3.00 undergraduate GPA
- Three letters of recommendation (minimum two from master’s-prepared individuals, one from APRN/RN)
- Resume or CV
- Valid, unrestricted RN licensure in approved state
- Two years full-time RN experience within past five years
- Web-based admission interview with faculty
Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate is $12,860 for Ohio residents and would take approximately 1.5 years to complete part-time over 3 semesters or 1 year full-time.
Curriculum
The 20-credit certificate program requires completion of prerequisite courses in Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Health Assessment.
The PMHNP-specific curriculum includes three clinical courses totaling 750 hours (NRSE 6846, 6847, 6848) and Advanced Diagnostics for Clinical Reasoning (NRSE 7818). This program is designed for nurses who already hold an MSN degree and want to add PMHNP specialization.
Post-Graduate Certificate Requirements
- MSN degree from regionally accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Prerequisite courses in Advanced Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Health Assessment with minimum B grade
- Three letters of recommendation
- Valid RN licensure in approved state
- Two years working RN experience
- Professional goals statement and admission interview
BSN-DNP with PMHNP Specialization
The estimated cost for the MSN-DNP program is $23,688 for Ohio residents and would take approximately 3 years to complete part-time over 6 semesters or 2 years full-time.
Curriculum
The 70-credit BSN-DNP program combines doctoral-level nursing education with PMHNP specialization. Students complete advanced practice courses including pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, and three PMHNP clinical courses.
The curriculum also includes doctoral components such as health policy and advocacy, informatics, statistics application, and electives. Students complete 1,000 clinical/practicum hours total and earn both the DNP degree and PMHNP certificate upon graduation.
BSN-DNP Requirements
- BSN from regionally-accredited institution
- Minimum 3.20 cumulative GPA
- Three letters of recommendation from graduate-level individuals
- Professional goals statement (APA format, 1-2 pages)
- Valid RN licensure in approved state
- Two years professional RN experience within last five years
- Web-based admission interview
MSN-DNP with PMHNP Specialization
The estimated cost for the MSN-DNP program is $23,688 for Ohio residents and would take approximately 3 years to complete part-time over 6 semesters or 2 years full-time.
Curriculum
The 36-credit MSN-DNP program builds upon existing MSN education with doctoral-level coursework. Students may receive credit for previous graduate clinical hours.
The curriculum includes advanced courses in evidence-based practice, health policy, epidemiology, population health, and informatics. Students complete DNP practicum and immersion experiences totaling additional clinical hours beyond their MSN preparation.
Tuition
Graduate tuition rates vary by program:
- MSN PMHNP costs $584 per credit hour for Ohio residents
- Post-Graduate Certificate costs $643 per credit hour
- BSN-DNP costs $618 per credit hour
- MSN-DNP costs $658 per credit hour for Ohio residents
Additional fees include instructional fee ($505), general fee ($3), and program fee ($156).
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Ohio University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Other Nursing Programs
- MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)
- MSN Nurse Educator
- MSN Nurse Leader
- Post-Graduate AG-ACNP Certificate
- Post-Graduate FNP Certificate
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP tracks)
More PMNHP Programs
View All PMHNP Programs in Ohio
- Cleveland State University - Cleveland
- Kent State - Kent
- Mount Carmel - Columbus
- Ohio State - Columbus
- Ursuline College - Pepper Pike
- University of Toledo - Toledo
- Wright State University - Dayton