Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| PMHNP Postgraduate Certificate | $20,160 | ~1.5 years (full-time) |
| MSN with PMHNP Population Focus | $32,760 | ~2 years (full-time) |
| MSN to DNP (MSN-DNP) with PMHNP Focus | $32,760 (MSN portion only) | ~2 years for MSN, then transition to DNP |
Note: Programs run online and hold CCNE accreditation. DNP core courses bill at $700 per quarter credit (not included above).
Programs prepare graduates to assess, diagnose, treat, and manage psychiatric mental health disorders across the lifespan in acute care, primary care, community mental health centers, prisons, and private practice settings.
PMHNP Postgraduate Certificate
The estimated cost for the PMHNP Postgraduate Certificate is $20,160 and would take 1.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The 48-quarter-credit program builds on existing master’s-level nursing knowledge with specialized psychiatric mental health coursework:
NU551 – Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
Studies normal and abnormal body functions from cell to system. Connects genetics, environment, and culture to disease patterns across ages.
NU552 – Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
Builds advanced history-taking and exam skills. Synthesizes findings to form prioritized differentials and clear clinical notes.
NU553 – Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics
Covers drug classes, mechanisms, and safety across populations. Applies PK/PD and genomics to evidence-based prescribing.
NU670 – PMHNP Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology
Explains brain circuitry and neurotransmission relevant to mental illness. Links mechanisms to psychotropic selection, dosing, and monitoring.
NU671 – PMHNP Psychopathological Disorders and Psychotherapy
Uses DSM frameworks to assess and diagnose common psychiatric disorders. Introduces core psychotherapy models for individuals, groups, and families.
NU672 – PMHNP Psychotherapy for Individuals, Groups, and Families — Clinical
Practices therapeutic interviewing and session planning. Delivers brief, goal-focused interventions with attention to culture and safety.
NU673 – PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan I
Covers assessment and initial management of prevalent psychiatric conditions. Integrates psychotherapy and first-line psychopharmacology.
NU674 – PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan I — Clinical
Applies diagnostic reasoning in supervised settings. Documents care plans, provides therapy, and initiates medications.
NU675 – PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan II
Advances care for complex and co-occurring disorders, including substance use. Adds focused strategies for child and adolescent patients.
NU676 – PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan II — Clinical
Expands clinical practice across pediatric, adult, and geriatric care. Refines therapy integration, medication adjustments, and outcome tracking.
NU677 – PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan III
Prepares for autonomous practice and interprofessional leadership. Emphasizes quality, safety, and comprehensive treatment planning.
NU678 – PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan III — Clinical
Completes immersive clinical experience. Demonstrates readiness for entry-level PMHNP practice with full-cycle patient management.
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
Students complete clinical practice experiences with designated, qualified preceptors in local healthcare facilities or clinical sites. Required immersive learning experiences are embedded in specific courses. Clinical hours are completed across three clinical courses (NU672, NU674, NU676, NU678) totaling 6 clinical credits.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master’s degree with upper-level major in nursing
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 from accredited institution
- Approved criminal background check (must not prohibit APRN licensure or prescriptive authority)
- Current, unencumbered U.S. RN license
- If master’s degree is in APRN role (nurse midwife, CRNA, CNS, or NP), must submit evidence of national certification and/or advanced practice licensure
- International students are not eligible
MSN with PMHNP Population Focus Area
The estimated cost for the MSN with PMHNP focus is $32,760 and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The 78-quarter-credit program includes 30 core credits plus 48 PMHNP-specific credits:
Core Requirements (30 credits):
- NU501: Advanced Nursing Roles (5 credits)
- NU502: Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing (5 credits)
- NU504: Scientific and Analytic Approaches to Advanced Evidence-Based Practice (5 credits)
- NU505: Clinical Epidemiology and Population Health Promotion (5 credits)
- NU506: Health Policy, Ethical, and Legal Perspectives of the Health Care System (5 credits)
- NU507: Promoting Optimal Models and Systems for Health Care Delivery (5 credits)
PMHNP Population Focus Area (48 credits):
- NU551: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (5 credits)
- NU552: Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (5 credits)
- NU553: Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics (5 credits)
- NU670: PMHNP Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology (5 credits)
- NU671: PMHNP Psychopathological Disorders and Psychotherapy (5 credits)
- NU672: PMHNP Psychotherapy for Individuals, Groups, and Families Clinical (2 credits)
- NU673: PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan I (5 credits)
- NU674: PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan Clinical I (2 credits)
- NU675: PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan II (5 credits)
- NU676: PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan Clinical II (2 credits)
- NU677: PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan III (5 credits)
- NU678: PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan Clinical III (2 credits)
More curriculum details are available here: https://catalog.purdueglobal.edu/graduate/nursing/nursing-ms/#degreeplantext-otp1
MSN Clinicals
Students complete faculty- and preceptor-supported clinical practice experiences in local communities. Clinical experiences can be completed at convenient locations or even at the student’s place of work. All clinical practice experience hours completed in the master’s program apply toward the DNP if students continue their education.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree with upper-level major in nursing
- Minimum cumulative GPA typically required (specific GPA not stated)
- Approved criminal background check
- Current, unencumbered U.S. RN license
- Official transcripts from accredited institution
- International students: some pathways not available
MSN to DNP with PMHNP Population Focus Area
The estimated cost for the MSN-DNP with PMHNP focus is $32,760 for the MSN portion and would take 2 years to complete the master’s degree on a full-time basis before seamlessly transitioning to the DNP.
MSN DNP Curriculum
The MSN-DNP pathway allows students to earn both master’s and doctoral degrees seamlessly. The MSN portion includes 78-90 quarter credits depending on the specialty track:
Core Requirements (30 credits):
- NU501: Advanced Nursing Roles (5 credits)
- NU502: Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing (5 credits)
- NU504: Scientific and Analytic Approaches to Advanced Evidence-Based Practice (5 credits)
- NU505: Clinical Epidemiology and Population Health Promotion OR NU713: Epidemiology and Social Determinants of Population Health (5 credits)
- NU506: Health Policy, Ethical, and Legal Perspectives of the Health Care System OR NU733: Ethics, Policy, and Advocacy for Population Health (5 credits)
- NU507: Promoting Optimal Models and Systems for Health Care Delivery (5 credits)
PMHNP Population Focus Area (48 credits):
- NU551: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (5 credits)
- NU552: Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (5 credits)
- NU553: Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics (5 credits)
- NU670: PMHNP Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology (5 credits)
- NU671: PMHNP Psychopathological Disorders and Psychotherapy (5 credits)
- NU672: PMHNP Psychotherapy for Individuals, Groups, and Families Clinical (2 credits)
- NU673: PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan I (5 credits)
- NU674: PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan Clinical I (2 credits)
- NU675: PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan II (5 credits)
- NU676: PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan Clinical II (2 credits)
- NU677: PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan III (5 credits)
- NU678: PMHNP Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan Clinical III (2 credits)
The program includes an evidence-based project proposal completed during the MSN portion. Upon completing the master’s degree courses, students seamlessly transition to Purdue Global’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
More curriculum details are available here: https://catalog.purdueglobal.edu/graduate/nursing/nursing-ms/#degreeplantext-otp1
MSN DNP Clinicals
Students complete faculty- and preceptor-guided clinical practice experiences in local healthcare organizations. All clinical practice experience hours completed in the master’s program apply toward the doctorate. Students gain hands-on experience with mentors in local health care facilities, and clinical experiences can be completed where convenient or even at the student’s workplace.
MSN DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree with upper-level major in nursing
- Approved criminal background check
- Current, unencumbered U.S. RN license
- Official transcripts from accredited institution
- Completion of MSN-DNP program required to enter the Doctor of Nursing Practice
- International students: some pathways not available
Tuition
Graduate tuition is $420 per quarter credit hour for all master’s programs and graduate certificates. Doctoral programs charge $700 per quarter credit hour for DNP core courses.
Standard general fees apply in addition to tuition.
See the official tuition page for more details: https://www.purdueglobal.edu/tuition-financial-aid/undergraduate-graduate-tuition-and-fees/
Certification and Licensure
Graduates may be eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification (PMHNP-BC™) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners’ Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification. Both certifications address populations across the lifespan. After earning certification, graduates may be academically eligible for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse in any state where the program is available for enrollment.
Accreditation
All Purdue Global nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Purdue Global is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Program Outcomes
As of July 2025, 93.7% is the average pass rate for nurse practitioner students who graduated in 2024 and attempted certification exams through AANP, ANCC, or AACN. Graduates practice in acute care, primary care settings, hospitals, community mental health centers, residential settings, prisons, private practices, and collaborative practices, providing direct care management including diagnosis, treatment planning, therapy, prescribing psychotropic medications, and emergency psychiatric services.
Other Nursing Programs
Purdue Global offers additional nursing programs and specializations:
Master of Science in Nursing Population Focus Areas:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care
MSN Concentrations:
- Executive Leader
- Nurse Educator
MSN Dual Degree Options:
- MSN-MBA (Master of Business Administration)
- MSN-MPH (Master of Public Health)
- MSN-MHCA (Master of Health Care Administration)
Additional Programs:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Master of Science in Nursing—DNP Path
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Associate of Science in Nursing
Postgraduate Certificates:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care
- Executive Leader
- Nurse Educator
State Restrictions
The PMHNP programs are not available in all states.
The main program pages mention some enrollment restrictions, but these appear somewhat inconsistent with the comprehensive state licensure list:
PMHNP Certificate restrictions
- States that residents of the following may NOT enroll: District of Columbia, Hawaii, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Guam
- International students are not eligible
MSN Restrictions
- Tennessee residents may not enroll in the program
- Residents of Hawaii, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Guam, and Puerto Rico may not enroll in nurse practitioner population focus areas
- District of Columbia or Washington residents may not enroll in the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner focus area