| Program | Est. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – PMHNP | $58,469–$61,295 | ~20 months |
| MSN – FNP/PMHNP Dual Certification | $76,307–$77,385 | ~2 years |
| Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate | $38,649–$39,195 | ~16 months |
The program addresses the unprecedented need for mental health services by preparing graduates to treat patients across the lifespan in diverse clinical settings.
Program Tracks Overview
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is approximately $58,469-$61,295 and takes 5 semesters (approximately 20 months) to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on 59 credits × $991-$1,005/credit plus fees.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN-PMHNP curriculum includes 10 core courses (32 credits) and 9 PMHNP concentration courses (27 credits) for a total of 59 credits:
Core Courses:
- NUR 550: Scientific Underpinnings
- NUR 570: Health Policy & Finance
- NUR 635: Advanced Pharmacology
- NUR 656: Advanced Pathophysiology
- NUR 654: Advanced Health Assessment
- NUR 710: Quality Improvement & Evidence-Based Practice I
- NUR 720: Organizational Behavior Management & Informatics
- NUR 730: Health Promotion & Prevention Populations
- NUR 740: Roles, Leadership, & Ethics
- NUR 770: Transition to Practice with Capstone Portfolio
PMHNP Concentration Courses:
PMH 650 – Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis
Develops advanced interviewing, mental status exam, and case formulation skills using DSM-5 criteria to generate accurate differentials and treatment plans across the lifespan.
PMH 660 – Psychotherapy Across the Lifespan (3 cr.)
Surveys core psychotherapy theories and translates them into brief, evidence-based interventions tailored to children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.
PMH 682 – Psychopharmacology (3 cr.)
Integrates neuroscience, pharmacokinetics/dynamics, and pharmacogenomics to guide safe, ethical prescribing and monitoring of psychotropics, including for substance use disorders.
PMH 708 – PMHNP Practicum I: Adults & Older Adults (Clinical) (3 cr.)
Applies assessment, psychotherapy, and psychopharmacology to manage adult and geriatric psychiatric conditions with attention to labs, diagnostics, and cultural factors (180 clinical hours).
PMH 709 – PMHNP Focus I: Adults & Older Adults (Didactic) (3 cr.)
Covers pathophysiology, diagnostics, and age-related considerations that inform evidence-based treatment planning for adult and older-adult mental health care.
PMH 718 – PMHNP Practicum II: Children, Adolescents, & Families (Clinical) (3 cr.)
Delivers supervised pediatric and adolescent care emphasizing developmentally informed assessment, family engagement, and integrated treatment plans (180 clinical hours).
PMH 719 – PMHNP Focus II: Children, Adolescents, & Families (Didactic) (3 cr.)
Explores genetic, developmental, cultural, and social determinants shaping child/adolescent presentations and guides evidence-based therapies and medication decisions.
PMH 728 – PMHNP Practicum III: Setting & Population-Based Care (Clinical) (3 cr.)
Provides hands-on management of acute and serious mental illness in specialty settings (e.g., corrections, addiction, student health) and with underserved populations (180 clinical hours).
PMH 729 – PMHNP Focus III: Setting & Population-Based Care (Didactic) (3 cr.)
Prepares learners to adapt evidence-based assessment and treatment to unique contexts and marginalized groups, emphasizing interprofessional collaboration and resource navigation.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 540 clinical clock hours distributed across three practicum courses (PMH 708, PMH 718, and PMH 728). Clinical hours are completed locally with preceptors in the student’s community, allowing for convenient scheduling while gaining relevant experience. Each clinical course is paired with a corresponding didactic focus course to integrate theory with practice.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited program
- Current RN license
- Completed application through the university
- Program begins in Winter, Summer, and Fall terms
Master of Science in Nursing – FNP/PMHNP Dual Certification
The estimated cost for the MSN-FNP/PMHNP program is approximately $76,307-$77,385 (77 credits × $991-$1,005/credit plus fees) and takes 6 semesters (2 years) to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
This dual certification program combines the 10 core MSN courses (32 credits) with both FNP and PMHNP concentration courses for a total of 77 credits. Students complete all coursework listed in the MSN-PMHNP curriculum plus additional FNP-specific courses.
The program includes periodic campus visits to the Provo, Utah campus for meaningful learning experiences and networking with faculty and peers.
Clinicals
The dual certification track requires 1,080 clinical hours total: 540 hours for FNP certification and 540 hours for PMHNP certification. Students complete these clinical hours locally with their own preceptors over the course of 6 semesters.
Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited program
- Current RN license
- Ability to travel periodically to Provo, Utah campus
- Completed application through the university
Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate
The estimated cost for the PMHNPC program is approximately $38,649-$39,195 (39 credits × $991-$1,005/credit plus fees) and takes 16 months (4 semesters) to complete on a full-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Master’s PMHNPC requires 39 credit hours and includes the same 9 PMHNP concentration courses listed in the MSN-PMHNP track above. This certificate is designed for registered nurses or nurse practitioners who already hold a Master of Science in Nursing or higher and wish to expand into advanced practice in psychiatric-mental health specialty.
Certificate Clinicals
Students complete 540 supervised clinical hours over 4 semesters, distributed across the three practicum courses (PMH 708, PMH 718, PMH 728). Clinical experiences are arranged locally, allowing students to gain experience in their own communities while maintaining employment.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master of Science in Nursing or higher degree
- Current RN or NP license
- Program accepts students beginning in Winter, Summer, and Fall terms
- 100% online format with no campus visits required
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition is $1,005 per credit hour for 2026.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Rocky Mountain University’s Master of Science in Nursing programs and certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates of the PMHNP program are prepared to sit for national certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Other Nursing Programs
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions offers additional nursing and healthcare programs including:
- Master of Science in Nursing: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN-AGACNP)
- Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP)
- Master of Science in Nursing: FNP/Emergency Nurse Practitioner Dual Certification (MSN-FNP/ENP)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Post-Master’s, 16 months
- Doctor of Nursing Practice/Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP/FNP) – Post-Bachelor’s, 2.5 years
- Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate (FNPC) – Post-Master’s, 16 months
- Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certificate (ENPC) – Post-Master’s, 1 year
- FNP/ENP Dual Certificate – Post-Master’s, 20 months
- FNP/PMHNP Dual Certificate – Post-Master’s, 20 months
- Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD) – 3 specialties, 3 years
- Healthcare Leadership & Administration Certificate
- Healthcare Professions Education Certificate
Other UTAH PMHNP Programs
View All PMHNP Programs in Utah
- University of Utah - Salt Lake City
- Weber State University - Ogden