Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – PMHNP | $56,715 | 2+ years |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP | $33,830 | 1.5–2 years |
The MSN-PMHNP program requires 57 credit hours with comprehensive clinical training, and graduates have the option of seamlessly transitioning into the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program within two years without losing credits or duplicating coursework.
Quinnipiac’s School of Nursing is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best graduate online nursing programs and maintains a 100% success rate with 2024 nursing graduates either employed or enrolled in graduate programs within six months, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to career preparation and student success.
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is approximately $56,715 based on $995 per credit hour and takes 2+ years to complete with flexible scheduling options.
Curriculum
The 57-credit program combines core advanced practice nursing courses with specialized PMHNP content delivered in flexible seven-week formats.
Coursework include:
NUR 501 Nursing Scholarship and Evidence-Based Practice (3)
This course explains how theory, research, and quality improvement inform evidence-based practice. Students examine ethics, culture, research methods, and barriers to implementation.
NUR 522 Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
This course reviews core disease mechanisms and their effects on homeostasis and defense. Students link disorders to clinical signs, symptoms, and exam findings.
NUR 530 Advanced Pharmacology (3)
This course covers pharmacokinetics and drug therapy across the lifespan. Students study major drug classes, controlled substances, and rules for prescriptive authority.
NUR 520 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3)
This course teaches comprehensive history-taking, physical exam, and clinical documentation. Students practice diagnostic reasoning and perform holistic assessments across ages.
NUR 520L Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan Lab (2)
This lab, taken with NUR 520, provides hands-on assessment practice. An on-ground clinical residency is required.
NUR 502 Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (3)
This course introduces methods to study population health and outcomes. Students apply descriptive and inferential statistics to evaluate evidence.
NUR 700 Advanced Specialty Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan (3)
This course builds advanced psychiatric assessment and diagnostic reasoning skills. Students use communication strategies and evidence to form clinical decisions, including an on-ground immersion.
NUR 702 Psychopharmacology Foundations Across the Lifespan for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (2)
This course prepares students to prescribe psychotropic medications. Topics include major drug classes, targeted disorders, and core neurobiology.
NUR 704 Psychotherapy Foundations Across the Lifespan (3)
This course surveys individual and group therapy theories and methods. Students match evidence-based interventions to client needs with attention to ethics and trauma-informed care.
NUR 705 Clinical Practicum and Seminar I for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (3)
This practicum provides 150 supervised clinical hours across the lifespan. Students apply assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and evidence translation while defining the NP role.
NUR 706 Psychotherapeutic Interventions Across the Lifespan I (3)
This course integrates psychotherapy and psychopharmacology for common disorders. Students use the DSM-5-TR and a biopsychosocial approach to guide treatment choices.
NUR 503 Advanced Practice Nursing Leadership (3)
This course examines leadership for advanced practice nurses. Students address policy, ethics, interprofessional teamwork, and systems-based practice.
NUR 707 Clinical Practicum and Seminar II for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (3)
This practicum provides 240 supervised clinical hours. Students focus on ethical and legal issues while delivering safe, evidence-based care for common conditions.
NUR 708 Psychotherapeutic Interventions Across the Lifespan II (3)
This course advances therapy and medication management for complex cases. Students examine family and individual modalities and strategies for treatment-resistant conditions.
NUR 504 Healthcare Technology and Innovation (3)
This course shows how nurses use technology to improve care and workflow. Students evaluate tools that support communication and patient engagement.
NUR 709 Clinical Practicum and Seminar III for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (4)
This practicum provides 150 supervised clinical hours. Students strengthen clinical and leadership skills for team-based care of complex patients with comorbidities.
NUR 710 Psychotherapeutic Interventions Across the Lifespan III (3)
This course explores advanced and emerging treatments, including pharmacogenomics and neuromodulation. Students refine diagnostic reasoning, treatment planning, and outcome monitoring.
NUR 669 Transition to Practice for the APRN (1)
This course prepares students for the NP role and scope of practice. Topics include professional skills, interprofessional partnerships, informatics, and self-care.
NUR 711 Clinical Practicum and Seminar IV for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (3)
This practicum provides 240 supervised clinical hours. Students manage complex cases while addressing health system factors.
NUR 712 Psychotherapeutic Interventions Across the Lifespan IV (3)
This capstone course integrates psychotherapy, pharmacology, and population-focused care. Students emphasize quality, collaboration, innovation, and advocacy using DSM-5-TR standards.
More curriculum details available in the course catalog.
Clinicals
Students complete clinical practicum experiences across four progressive semesters integrated with psychotherapeutic intervention courses. Clinical rotations occur in diverse mental health settings including:
- schools
- community health clinics
- hospitals
- private practices
- criminal justice facilities
- home care settings
Students work under preceptor supervision developing assessment, diagnostic, pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and therapeutic intervention skills. The program incorporates innovative simulation lab experiences during three mandatory one-week on-campus immersions that enhance clinical competency development.
At this time, the School of Nursing only makes clinical placements for students in Connecticut, requiring out-of-state students to identify their own clinical sites and preceptors with school guidance and recommendations.
Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with minimum 3.0 GPA
- Unencumbered and unrestricted RN license
- Minimum one year full-time experience as registered nurse (approximately 2,000 hours)
- Passed undergraduate statistics with grade of C or better (conditional acceptance available with plan to complete Quinnipiac statistics course)
- Competitive admission process where meeting minimum standards does not guarantee acceptance
- Rolling admissions with final deadlines two weeks prior to class start: Spring (January 1), Fall (August 1)
- Currently accepting applications only from residents of: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Pennsylvania
- New York students cannot complete clinical requirements in New York and must plan for Connecticut or New Jersey clinicals
- Complete application form with $45 nonrefundable fee
- Current resume
- Copy of RN license
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Minimum one professional reference from supervisor or faculty
- Personal statement (maximum 300 words per question addressing specialty interest, professional preparation, career goals, and graduate program readiness)
- Background check and drug screen required after acceptance
Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate is approximately $33,830 and takes 1.5-2 years to complete.
Curriculum
The 34-credit certificate program serves working nurse practitioners seeking to expand into psychiatric mental health settings. The curriculum appears to include the specialized PMHNP courses from the MSN program, focusing on psychopharmacology, psychotherapy foundations, psychotherapeutic interventions across the lifespan, and clinical practicum experiences specific to psychiatric mental health nursing practice.
Clinicals
Certificate students complete clinical rotations in diverse mental health care settings identical to MSN students, gaining hands-on experience with patients across the lifespan presenting with various mental health needs.
Clinical experiences occur through combination of online coursework, clinical rotations, and two one-week on-campus immersions, building upon existing nursing practitioner experience while developing specialized psychiatric mental health competencies.
Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master’s degree in nursing with current nurse practitioner credentials
- Unencumbered and unrestricted RN license
- Professional experience as nurse practitioner
- Current resume demonstrating advanced practice nursing background
- Official transcripts from all institutions
- Professional references
- Personal statement addressing career goals and program fit
- Rolling admissions process
- State residency restrictions apply (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Pennsylvania)
- Background check and drug screen required after acceptance
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition is $995 per credit hour for the 2024-25 academic year.
The 57-credit MSN program totals approximately $56,715, while the 34-credit certificate totals approximately $33,830. Tuition and fees are subject to annual updates.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, Master of Science in Nursing program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Quinnipiac University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Graduates are prepared to take national PMHNP certification examinations. The BSN programs are also endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation, making Quinnipiac the only bachelor’s degree program in New England and one of only 17 nursing schools nationally with this endorsement.
Other Nursing Programs
Quinnipiac University’s School of Nursing offers comprehensive nursing education pathways:
- Master of Science in Nursing Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, other advanced practice specializations
- Post-Master’s Certificates: Various nurse practitioner specializations for working NPs seeking additional credentials
- Doctoral Programs: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with seamless transition option for MSN graduates within two years
- Undergraduate Programs: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Accelerated BSN
- New Programs: Nursing education programs launching Fall 2025 to address critical national nursing shortage
Other PMHNP Programs in CT
View All PMHNP Programs in Connecticut
- Fairfield University - Fairfield
- Goodwin University - East Hartford
- Sacred Heart - Fairfield
- University of Saint Joseph - West Hartford
- Western Connecticut State - Danbury
- Yale - New Haven