The program addresses the critical shortage of mental health providers by preparing graduates to assess, diagnose, plan, intervene, and treat clients with mental illnesses across the lifespan.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Esti. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP | ~$50,640 | ~2 years (full-time) |
| Post-BSN to DNP with PMHNP Specialization | ~$78,070–$83,352 | ~4–5 years (full-time) |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP | ~$37,980 | Varies (36 credits) |
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MS PMHNP program is approximately $50,640 (48 credits × $1,055/credit) and takes 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The MS PMHNP curriculum spans 6 semesters (48 credit hours) and integrates core nursing courses with psychiatric specialization:
NR 630F – Advanced Health Assessment of the Family (FNP) (4 cr.)
Builds advanced history-taking and head-to-toe exam skills for family care, integrating cultural, occupational, and environmental factors; includes simulated labs to refine differential diagnosis.
NR 651 – Professional Integration (3 cr.)
Synthesizes core NP concepts—ethics, leadership, collaboration, and quality—to strengthen readiness for safe, independent practice.
NR 670 – Advanced Psychopharmacology (3 cr.)
Deep dive into psychotropic agents across the lifespan, emphasizing indications, dosing, monitoring, safety, interactions, and prescribing regulations—including care for substance use disorders.
NR 671 – Psychiatric Assessment / Psychopathology (5 cr.)
Covers advanced interviewing, mental status exams, and DSM-5 differential diagnosis with attention to culture and therapeutic alliance; includes simulation to translate theory to practice.
NR 672 – Psychiatric Advanced Practice I (5 cr.; 105 clinical hrs)
Introduces supervised diagnosis and treatment planning for common psychiatric conditions using evidence-based, bio-psycho-social care.
NR 673 – Psychiatric Advanced Practice II (5 cr.; 210 clinical hrs)
Expands autonomy in managing acute and chronic disorders, integrating psychopharmacology with individual, family, and group psychotherapies.
NR 674 – Psychiatric Advanced Practice III (5 cr.; 315 clinical hrs)
Synthesizes advanced clinical decision-making for complex cases, with emphasis on population health, community mental health, and integration of behavioral health in primary care.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 630 hours of mentored clinical time over the last three semesters of the program. Clinical experiences begin during the fourth semester (second year) and provide hands-on opportunities to apply theory in authentic learning settings.
Clinical hours are often completed on weekdays and may include telehealth opportunities, arranged by students in collaboration with faculty and Clinical Support Unit staff.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Nursing bachelor’s degree from an NLN or AACN-CCNE accredited program
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Grade of “C” or better in all nursing courses
- Active, unrestricted RN license
- Statistics course completion with grade of “C” or better (must be taken prior to NR 602)
- Current AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- Two years of behavioral health or community health RN experience (preferred)
- Three professional letters of recommendation (one from current employer)
- Resume and essay submission
- Completed online application through NursingCAS
- Admissions interview
- Successful completion of background check and drug screening
Post-BSN to DNP with PMHNP Specialization
The estimated cost for the Post-BSN to DNP program ranges from approximately $78,070 to $83,352 (74-79 credits with master’s courses at $1,055/credit and doctoral courses at $1,108/credit) and takes 4-5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
DNP Curriculum
This dual degree program combines the complete MS PMHNP curriculum (listed above) with additional doctoral-level coursework.
Students complete the master’s-level courses and 630 clinical hours during the first two years, then progress to online DNP courses with the Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) specialization.
DNP Clinicals
The program requires a total of 1,000 clinical hours, including the 630 hours completed during the master’s portion and additional hours during the doctoral portion. The flexible online format for doctoral courses allows students to work as nurse practitioners while completing their DNP.
DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- All MS PMHNP admission requirements (listed above)
- Application through NursingCAS for the MS PMHNP option
- Two-page personal statement per NursingCAS instructions
- Health assessment and physical examination with appropriate immunizations
- Program start dates: May (PMHNP track begins annually)
Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate is approximately $37,980 (36 credits × $1,055/credit).
Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Master’s Certificate requires 36 credit hours and is designed for nurses who already hold a Master of Science in nursing and wish to become psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners:
- NR 605: Advanced Pathophysiology Across Lifespan
- NR 607: Pharmacology for Advanced Practice
- NR 630F: Advanced Health Assessment of the Family
- NR 651: Professional Integration
- NR 670: Advanced Psychopharmacology
- NR 671: Psychiatric Assessment and Psychopathology
- NR 672: Psychiatric Advanced Practice I
- NR 673: Psychiatric Advanced Practice II
- NR 674: Psychiatric Advanced Practice III
- NR 699: Comprehensive Evaluation
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master’s degree in nursing from NLNAC or AACN-CCNE accredited program
- Minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0
- Two years of nursing work experience
- Three professional recommendation forms (one from current employer)
- Current unrestricted RN license
- Current AHA BLS certification
- Due to competitive clinical placements, enrollment is very limited and may not be offered annually
Tuition
Graduate tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year is $1,055 per credit hour for master’s-level courses and $1,108 per credit hour for doctoral courses.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Regis University’s Loretto Heights School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates of the PMHNP program are eligible to sit for national certification examinations administered by both the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Other Nursing Programs
Regis University’s Loretto Heights School of Nursing offers additional nursing programs including:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Traditional, Accelerated, and CHOICE)
- Master of Science in Nursing: Leadership in Health Care Systems
- Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Master of Science in Nursing: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
- Master of Science in Nursing: Completion for Certified Nurse Practitioners
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- DNP to Ph.D. in Nursing Research and Nursing Education
- Post-Graduate Certificates: FNP, NNP, Dermatology NP Fellowship, Neonatal Physician Assistant Fellowship
- Graduate Certificates: Health Care Education, Spirituality in Health and Healing
Other Colorado PMHNP Programs
Compare All Colorado PMHNP Programs
- CSU Pueblo - Pueblo
- University of Colorado - Aurora