Old Dominion University PMHNP Programs

Ellmer School of Nursing Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University offers 3 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner tracks:

  • MSN – PMHNP
  • Post-Master’s DNP – PMHNP concentration
  • Post-Professional PMHNP Certificate

You can study online in a hybrid format with limited on-site learning.

Highlights include faculty-coordinated clinical placements, 504 PMHNP clinical hours at the MSN level, and clear bridges into the DNP.

Program Tracks Overview

ProgramEst. Duration (FT)Est. Tuition
MSN – PMHNP~2 years$19,440 (40 × $486)
DNP – Post-Master’s PMHNP~7 semesters$26,730 (55 × $486)
Post-Professional PMHNP Certificate~12 months$8,748 (18 × $486)

Doctor of Nursing Practice – Post-Master’s PMHNP Concentration

The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s DNP–PMHNP program at ODU is $26,730–$35,695 in tuition and would take ~7 semesters (~28 months) to complete on a full-time basis.

Estimate based on 55 credits × $486 VA resident or $649 non-resident.

DNP Curriculum

NURS 723 – Psychotherapeutic Approaches & Treatment Modalities (3 cr.)
Survey of major psychotherapy models and diagnosis methods. Applies techniques across the lifespan, including care for adults, children, adolescents, older adults, and special populations.

NURS 725 – Psychopharmacology and Neurobiology (3 cr.)
Covers neurobiology and the pharmacology of mental health medications. Examines factors that influence drug selection, response, safety, and monitoring.

NURS 726 – Managing Psychiatric Disorders Across the Lifespan (3 cr.)
Focuses on assessment and management of common psychiatric conditions from childhood through older adulthood. Emphasizes culturally centered, collaborative, preventive care.

NURS 727 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum I (4 cr.)
Entry-level clinical experience in diverse psychiatric settings. Students begin diagnosing and formulating treatment plans, including medication and therapy, under mentor supervision.

NURS 728 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum II (5 cr.)
Advanced clinical immersion (typically ~280 hours). Builds skill in differential diagnosis and multimodal treatment for individuals, families, and groups across age ranges.

NURS 800 – Integrative Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice Roles (3 cr.)
Explores leadership, advocacy, practice, and translational research. Highlights epidemiology and strategies to reduce disparities for vulnerable populations.

NURS 801 – Roles and Responsibilities for Transforming Practice (3 cr.)
Clarifies advanced practice role expectations and leadership models. Guides personal strategic planning to address inequities in care.

NURS 802 – The Business of Advanced Nursing Practice (3 cr.)
Introduces legal, quality, and financial dimensions of practice. Students perform SWOT analyses and draft business plans and community assessments.

NURS 803 – Leadership and Interprofessional Practice in Healthcare (3 cr.)
Examines teamwork, ethics, and organizational structures that shape care. Prepares clinicians to lead within interprofessional teams serving underserved groups.

NURS 805 – Application of Practice-Based Research Methods (2 cr.)
Covers design and evaluation of practice-based projects. Emphasizes methods that link evidence to measurable outcome improvement.

NURS 806 – Proposal Development and Database Management (4 cr.)
Guides IRB/ethics, methodology, analytics, and data management for practice studies. Produces a complete, ready-to-implement project proposal.

NURS 807 – Informatics and Healthcare Technology (3 cr.)
Applies data and health IT tools to enhance care delivery and evaluation. Addresses interoperability, quality metrics, and decision support.

NURS 809 – Advocacy for Healthcare Public Policy for Advanced Practice (3 cr.)
Builds policy literacy and advocacy skills for system-level change. Focuses on access, quality, and equity for vulnerable populations.

NURS 865 – DNP Clinical Practicum I (1–2 cr.)
Initial advanced clinical experience emphasizing enhanced assessment and application of evidence in direct care.

NURS 866 – DNP Clinical Practicum II (1–2 cr.)
Expands team-based practice, diagnostics, and evidence integration. Strengthens clinical decision-making in complex settings.

NURS 867 – DNP Clinical Practicum III (1–3 cr.)
Advances expertise in program evaluation and leadership at the point of care. Integrates health technologies into practice improvement.

NURS 868 – DNP Clinical Practicum IV (1–3 cr.)
Culminating practicum on change leadership and translation of evidence. Prepares students for dissemination of outcomes. Corequisite with capstone.

NURS 890 – DNP Nursing Capstone (3 cr.)
Synthesizes and translates practice-focused research into a real-world project. Emphasizes implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of results.

More curriculum details are available here.

DNP Clinicals

  • Multiple DNP practica culminating in an evidence-based DNP project that improves practice outcomes.
  • Online/hybrid delivery with planned on-site engagements as arranged by the program.
  • Faculty coordinate required affiliation agreements for clinical practice.

DNP Admissions

  • Active, unencumbered RN license.
  • MSN (APRN) or related master’s and a bachelor’s degree; GPA ≥ 3.0.
  • Prior “3 Ps”: Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Physical Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology (grade B or better, preferably within 5 years).
  • 3 recommendations (faculty/employers), 500–700 word concentration-focused essay, current résumé.
  • Annual application deadline typically September 1.

Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP

The estimated cost for the MSN–PMHNP program at ODU is $19,440–$25,960 in tuition and would take ~2 years (5 semesters) to complete on a full-time basis.

Estimate based on 40 credits × $486 VA resident or $649 non-resident.

MSN Curriculum

  • MSN Core (22 credits): Evidence-Based Research; Advanced Assessment; Advanced Pharmacology; Advanced Pathophysiology; Integrative Concepts; Business of Advanced Practice; Health Policy/Advocacy.
  • PMHNP Courses (18 credits):
    • Psychotherapeutic Approaches & Treatment Modalities
    • Psychopharmacology and Neurobiology
    • Managing Psychiatric Disorders Across the Lifespan
    • PMHNP Practicum I
    • PMHNP Practicum II
      More curriculum details are available here: <a href=”https://catalog.odu.edu/graduate/nursing/nursing-psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-practitioner-msn/#curriculumtext”>MSN PMHNP curriculum</a>.

MSN Clinicals

  • 504 clinical hours across lifespan settings (child/adolescent, adult, geriatric; inpatient and outpatient).
  • Faculty assist with site agreements; students begin identifying sites early.
  • Online program with limited on-site requirements (typically once per semester).

MSN Admissions

  • Active, unencumbered RN license.
  • BSN or related bachelor’s; GPA ≥ 3.0.
  • Undergraduate Health/Physical Assessment and Statistics/Research completed.
  • 3 letters of recommendation (faculty/employer), 500–700 word goal essay, current résumé.
  • Recent clinical RN experience preferred.

Post-Professional PMHNP Certificate (for APRN-MSN holders)

The estimated cost for the Post-Professional PMHNP Certificate at ODU is $8,748–$11,682 in tuition (18 credits × $486 VA resident or $649 non-resident) and would take ~12 months (3 semesters) to complete on a full-time basis.

Note: Admissions are on hold for program review as of Fall 2025.

Certificate Curriculum

  • 18 credits required for ANCC PMHNP eligibility:
    • Psychotherapeutic Approaches & Treatment Modalities
    • Psychopharmacology and Neurobiology
    • Managing Psychiatric Disorders Across the Lifespan
    • PMHNP Practicum I
    • PMHNP Practicum II

Certificate Clinicals

  • Two PMHNP practica spanning diverse settings and age groups.
  • Online/hybrid delivery with faculty-approved clinical sites.

Certificate Admissions

  • APRN-MSN with active, unencumbered RN license.
  • Prior 3 Ps (B or better, preferably within 5 years).
  • Completed certificate application and required documents.

Prerequisites & Admissions (Quick List)

  • Unencumbered RN license.
  • GPA ≥ 3.0 for graduate admission (MSN and DNP).
  • 3 letters of recommendation, professional résumé, and a 500–700 word goals essay.
  • Prior coursework: Advanced Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology (DNP/certificate) and undergraduate Assessment + Statistics/Research (MSN).
  • Ability to meet clinical onboarding requirements (background check, immunizations, BLS, drug screen).

Tuition

  • Graduate online per-credit tuition: $486 (Virginia residents); $649 (non-residents/online outside VA).
  • Mandatory online fees may apply (e.g., technology and other per-credit/term fees).

See the official tuition page for more details

Accreditation

  • The baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs at Old Dominion University are accredited by CCNE.

Other Nursing Programs at ODU (Selection)

  • Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
  • Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
  • Nurse Midwifery (MSN)
  • Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (MSN/DNP options)
  • Nurse Executive (DNP)
  • Nurse Anesthesia (DNP)
  • RN to MSN option
  • Post-Master’s NP and CNS certificates

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