Rhode Island offers 2 PMHNP programs with costs ranging from $24,030 to $168,082 and completion times from 1.5 to 5 years depending on your track, residency status, and enrollment pace.
| School | Est. Cost Range | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Salve Regina University | MSN: $41K Certificate: $25K | – 3-year MSN and 2-year certificate. – Mostly online with short live sessions and six starts per year. – 750 supervised clinical hours plus 40-hour on-campus skills colloquium. – Partner tuition and military tuition options. |
| University of Rhode Island | MS: $87K Certificate: ~$37K | – 47-credit MS completed in 2.5–5 years FT/PT. – Certificate completed in 1.5–2 years with gap evaluation. – 750+ clinical hours with one-to-one preceptorship. – In-state, out-of-state, and regional tuition options. |
List of All PMHNP Programs for Rhode Island
Including national fully online programs to increase options for application deadlines:
Salve Regina University PMHNP Programs
Providence | $801 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Salve Regina University offers two CCNE-accredited Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs delivered 100% online in seven-week modules with a required 40-hour skills-based colloquium on the Newport, Rhode Island campus, featuring a thoughtful blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning with six start dates per year (fall, spring, summer). Both programs require 750 direct, supervised clinical hours across the lifespan with the majority completed in psychiatric mental health community partnerships, preparing graduates to provide holistic, innovative, and comprehensive mental health care using evidence-based practices and ethical considerations...read more.
University of Rhode Island PMHNP Programs
Kingston | $1,836 cpc | Certificate / MSN
The University of Rhode Island College of Nursing offers two psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner pathways with flexible part-time and full-time study options spanning 2.5 to 5 years. The Master of Science track provides comprehensive preparation in 47 credits including 23 core credits and 24 specialty credits at $18,606 annually for in-state students or $34,262 for out-of-state students, while the Post-Master's Certificate offers focused specialization in 19-20 credits for MSN-prepared nurses at approximately $36,720 total for in-state or $71,520 for out-of-state students...read more.
Walden University PMHNP Programs
Fully Online | $775 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Rhode Island The fully online PMHNP programs at Walden University offer an affordable and flexible pathway for Registered Nurses in Rhode Island to achieve advanced practice licensure. Students in Rhode Island can choose from four tracks, including the Post-Master’s Certificate, with estimated costs reflecting the Believe & Achieve Scholarship. The core curriculum, emphasizing diagnostic reasoning and psychotherapeutic modalities, prepares graduates to deliver evidence-based, high-quality mental health care to communities throughout the state.
Post University PMHNP Programs
online | $604 cpc | MSN
Post University’s American Sentinel College offers Rhode Island nurses the opportunity to complete an accredited online MSN-PMHNP program designed to prepare them for advanced clinical roles in mental health care. Over 34 months, students complete 51–54 credits and 630 clinical hours through flexible 8-week courses that fit working schedules. The program costs about $31,000 and supports lifelong professional growth leading to ANCC PMHNP certification eligibility.
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
online | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Purdue Global provides three online PMHNP routes: Certificate, MSN focus, and MSN-to-DNP. Expect ~$20,160 for the certificate (~1.5 years) and ~$32,760 for the MSN (~2 years), then doctoral work for the MSN-to-DNP. The university is authorized to offer these programs to Rhode Island residents.
WGU PMHNP Programs
online | flat rate cpc | Certificate / MSN
Designed for working nurses, WGU’s PMHNP programs use a competency-based approach so you can move quickly through what you already know. Both the MSN and the post-master’s certificate include 650 supervised hours and faculty-approved sites in your community. Continuous mentor support helps you meet the 2.5-year (MSN) or 1.5-year (certificate) minimum.
Wilkes University PMHNP Programs
online | $751 cpc | Certificate / MSN / RN to MSN
Wilkes University’s fully online PMHNP programs offer Rhode Island nurses MSN, post-graduate certificate, and DNP options that fit alongside busy clinical schedules through 12‑week courses and multiple start dates each year. Complimentary clinical placement support helps Rhode Island students secure psychiatric-mental health sites and preceptors close to home, easing the logistics of practicum planning. Graduates develop advanced skills in assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, and psychopharmacology to serve diverse communities across Rhode Island.
URI vs Salve Regina for PMHNP
Rhode Island offers 2 PMHNP programs with costs ranging from $24,030 to $168,082 and completion times from 1.5 to 5 years depending on your track, residency status, and enrollment pace.
TLDR: Program Selection Guide
Choose Salve Regina University if you want the most affordable option with partner institution pricing at $40,851, flexible seven-week modules with six annual start dates, or the fastest certificate completion at 2 years with rolling admissions.
Choose University of Rhode Island if you’re a Rhode Island resident seeking in-state tuition, prefer one-to-one preceptorship with PMHNPs and CNSs, want faculty-planned clinical placements based on your interests, or need flexibility with 2.5-5 year completion options.
MSN Programs for PMHNP
Rhode Island offers 2 MSN-PMHNP programs with dramatically different pricing structures.
Salve Regina delivers the most affordable option at $40,851 for partner institutions (51 credits, 3 years, 750 hours) with primarily asynchronous coursework and six start dates annually.
University of Rhode Island costs $86,323 for in-state residents or $168,082 for out-of-state students (47 credits, 2.5-5 years, 750+ hours) but provides comprehensive one-to-one preceptorship and faculty-coordinated clinical placements tailored to student interests and career plans.
| Program | In-State Cost | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salve Regina | $41K | 3 years | 750 hrs |
| URI | $87K | 2.5-5 years | 750+ hrs |
Key Differences:
- Salve Regina charges flat rates regardless of residency but offers partner discounts
- URI provides significant savings for Rhode Island residents but costly for out-of-state students
- Salve Regina requires mandatory 40-hour on-campus colloquium in Newport
- URI emphasizes faculty oversight with graduate faculty monitoring all clinical practica
Post-Graduate Certificate Programs
Both Rhode Island programs offer certificate tracks with identical 750 clinical hour requirements.
Salve Regina provides the absolute lowest cost at $24,030 for partners (30 credits, 2 years) with rolling admissions and six annual start dates in seven-week module format.
University of Rhode Island costs $36,733 for in-state or $71,524 for out-of-state students (19-20 credits, 1.5-2 years) but includes one-to-one preceptorship with PMHNPs/CNSs and comprehensive examination plus major paper requirement.
| Program | Cost | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salve Regina | $25K | 2 years | 750 hrs |
| URI | $37K | 1.5-2 years | 750+ hrs |
Certificate-Specific Notes:
- Salve Regina extends partner rates to military members and family members
- URI may waive NUR 521 for current nurse practitioners
- Both programs require minimum B- grades in all courses
- Salve Regina mandates 40-hour on-campus colloquium in Newport
PMHNP Admissions Requirements
| Program | Minimum GPA | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Salve Regina MSN | 3.0 cumulative | Rolling (fall, spring, summer starts) |
| URI MSN | 3.0 (3.3+ preferred) | Rolling |
Key Admission Differences:
- URI requires COVID-19 vaccination with no religious exemptions accepted per RIDOH clinical partner regulations
- URI prefers 3.3+ GPA and requires criminal background checks for all students
- Salve Regina offers equal admission opportunity regardless of race, color, age, gender, disability, or religion
- URI requires eligibility for Rhode Island RN licensure regardless of residency
- Both programs require three letters of recommendation and goal statements
- URI emphasizes clinical nursing experience prior to enrollment