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Rosalind Franklin University PMHNP Programs

College of Nursing Chicago, IL

Through its College of Nursing, Rosalind Franklin University offers a DNP PMHNP program:

  • flexible 36-month full-time
  • 48-month part-time
  • 137 quarter hours
The program delivers courses through blended online (synchronous/asynchronous) and annual two-to-four day on-campus immersion events, with four onsite visits during the entire program.

Program Track Overview

Students complete 1,120 clinical hours (five 224-hour clinical residencies) coordinated entirely by the university through extensive clinical partner networks including Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, NorthShore University HealthSystem, and The Josselyn Center.

Doctor of Nursing Practice: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The estimated cost for the DNP-PMHNP program ranges from approximately $117,664 (36-month full-time) to $122,384 (48-month part-time) including all tuition and mandatory fees, and takes 3-4 years to complete depending on chosen timeline.

Curriculum

The 137 quarter-hour program offers two completion pathways with identical curriculum but different pacing.

36-Month Full-Time Track distributes coursework across 12 terms (three years) while 48-Month Part-Time/Decelerated Track extends the same content across 16 terms (four years) with reduced quarterly course loads in Years One and Two, then full-time intensity in final years.

Coursework includes the following:

NPMH 711 Clinical Correlations I (1 QH)
This simulation course links didactic content with early clinical practice using standardized patients. Students perform and document comprehensive psychiatric assessments, order and interpret basic tests, and discuss pharmacodynamic effects. Work builds readiness for NPMH assessment and psychopharmacology courses.

NPMH 712 Clinical Correlations II (1 QH)
This simulation course advances diagnostic reasoning using DSM-5-TR and ICD-10 criteria. Students refine assessment skills and apply psychopharmacology concepts while building differential diagnoses. Activities align with concurrent diagnosis, psychopharm, and psychotherapy coursework.

NDNP 725 Advanced Health Assessment (4 QH)
Students conduct comprehensive histories and physical exams and practice differential diagnosis. Weekly class, case application, and lab sessions build examination technique and clinical thinking. A standardized preoperative exam demonstration confirms competence.

NDNP 752 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology I (5 QH)
The course reviews cellular mechanisms and the genetic basis of disease, then moves to organ-system function. Students connect pathophysiology to clinical findings and primary care decisions.

NDNP 753 Advanced Pharmacology I (3 QH)
Students study core drug classes used to treat common conditions. The course links mechanisms, indications, and monitoring with NDNP 752 content for integrated therapeutic decisions.

NDNP 754 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology II (5 QH)
This continuation deepens organ-system pathophysiology with a focus on disease states. Learners apply concepts to case patterns and management planning.

NDNP 755 Advanced Pharmacology II (3 QH)
The course extends pharmacology foundations from NDNP 754 to additional agents and uses. Students align drug selection and safety with clinical scenarios.

NPMH 775 Neuro Anatomy & Physiology (4 QH)
Students examine neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurochemistry and relate brain systems to behavior. Content supports cognitive models used in psychiatric assessment and treatment.

NPMH 776 Foundations in Assessment of Psychiatric Mental Health (4 QH)
The course covers neuropsychological testing and brain-behavior relationships across the lifespan. Students select and interpret tools to identify neurological bases of behavioral concerns.

NPMH 777 Psychopharmacology I for the PMHNP (2 QH)
Students review principles of psychopharmacotherapy and major psychiatric drug classes. Topics include kinetics, dynamics, mechanisms, special populations, and treatment of mood, psychotic, anxiety, substance-related, neurodevelopmental, and personality disorders.

NPMH 778 Psychotherapy I: A review of psychotherapies (3 QH)
This survey compares major psychotherapy systems and their case-formulation methods. Students study stages of therapy, the therapeutic relationship, culture- and gender-sensitive care, and research that informs practice.

NPMH 779 Foundations in the Diagnosis of Neuropsychiatric Disorders (5 QH)
Students apply DSM-5-TR and ICD-10 to core psychopathology, including schizophrenia, mood, anxiety, neurocognitive, and personality disorders. Mental status and behavioral observations support diagnostic formulation.

NPMH 780 Psychopharmacology II for the PMHNP (2 QH)
Building on NPMH 777, students apply psychopharmacology to acute and chronic conditions across the lifespan. Learning stresses synthesis of data for safe, effective treatment plans. Prerequisite: NPMH 777.

NPMH 781 Psychotherapy II: Use of Psychotherapies for Treatment of Disorders (2 QH)
Students practice empirically supported methods for children, adolescents, and adults, including CBT techniques and parent-training. Work targets behavior change, skill acquisition, and problem solving in real cases. Prerequisite: NPMH 778.

NPMH 782 Assessment, Diagnosis, Management of Child & Adolescent Mental Health (4 QH)
The course trains students to screen, assess, diagnose, and treat pediatric mental health conditions using validated tools and DSM criteria. Plans emphasize evidence-based interventions and team collaboration with pediatrics and community resources. Prerequisites: NPMH 776 and NPMH 779.

NPMH 783 Assessment, Diagnosis, Management of Addictive Disorders (3 QH)
Students integrate science, assessment, and diagnosis to manage substance use disorders. Content addresses co-occurring conditions and lifespan considerations with evidence-based approaches. Prerequisites: NPMH 776 and NPMH 779.

NPMH 784 Delivering Community Mental Health Services to the Vulnerable and Underserved (3 QH)
The course explores community assessments, social drivers of health, barriers to care, and risk stratification. Students plan culturally responsive strategies and ethical practices to improve access and outcomes.

NPMH 810 Clinical Residency I (9 QH) (224 clinical hours)
Students begin advanced PMHNP practice with comprehensive assessment, diagnostics, and medication evaluation in approved sites. A seminar supports case presentations and board review. Prerequisite: completion of prior didactic curriculum.

NPMH 820 Clinical Residency II (9 QH) (224 clinical hours)
Students refine diagnostic reasoning and apply DSM-5-TR/ICD-10 with advancing psychopharm skills. A seminar continues case presentations and exam preparation. Prerequisite: NPMH 810.

NPMH 830 Clinical Residency III (10 QH) (224 clinical hours)
Students design and implement patient-centered treatment plans using CBT, therapeutic relationships, and guidelines. Ongoing work strengthens assessment, diagnosis, and medication management. A seminar supports case presentation and board prep. Prerequisite: NPMH 820.

NPMH 840 Clinical Residency IV (10 QH) (224 clinical hours)
Training expands to care coordination, health teaching, group therapies, consultation, leadership, and practice evaluation. A simulation component gauges progress toward entry-level competency across standards. Prerequisite: NPMH 830.

NPMH 850 Clinical Residency V (10 QH) (224 clinical hours)
Students demonstrate full entry-level PMHNP competencies across settings and populations. A seminar verifies board readiness through structured case presentations. Prerequisite: NPMH 840.

NDNP 901 Translational Research I (3 QH)
Students study methods for translating evidence into practice, including measurement, biostatistics, and appraisal of primary research. Work builds skills to judge study strength and clinical applicability.

NDNP 902 Translational Research II (3 QH)
Learners frame clinical problems, form answerable questions, search for best evidence, and appraise findings with scientific and epidemiologic principles. The course introduces models that support evidence-based practice integration. Prerequisite: NDNP 901.

NDNP 919 Doctoral Project Planning I (3 QH)
Students define a significant practice problem and choose a project type: new evidence, evidence synthesis, or EBP implementation. A prospectus and literature review confirm feasibility and impact. Grading: Pass/Fail. Prerequisites: NDNP 901, 902.

NDNP 920 Doctoral Project Planning II (2 QH)
Students complete a full proposal with needs assessment, SWOT, translation model, resources, change plan, and evaluation methods. Work includes advisor assignment and IRB or QI steps as needed. Grading: Pass/Fail.

NDNP 910 Health Policy, Economics and Finance (3 QH)
Students analyze how policy shapes financing and care delivery and learn policy analysis for advocacy. Content covers cost/benefit, long-term financial impact, and professional communication of findings.

NDNP 911 Professional Dissemination Skills (2 QH)
The course builds presentation and publication skills for scholarly work. Students communicate PMHNP roles and uphold the ANA Code of Ethics in public and professional settings.

NDNP 912 Leadership, Quality/Safety and Outcomes Management (3 QH)
Students apply leadership theories, assess their style, and strengthen emotional intelligence. The course covers human error science, safety, QI methods, teamwork, informatics, and outcomes-driven decisions.

NPMH 914 Ethics and Legal Realities of Practice (2 QH)
Students review PMHNP scope, regulations, and ethical standards. Topics include autonomy, dignity, rights, and advocacy for mental health access and parity.

NDNP 921 Entry-Level Doctoral Immersion Residency I (3 QH)
Students start implementing their doctoral project through activities such as literature synthesis, data collection, and stakeholder work. A portfolio tracks progress on clinical residency goals.

NDNP 922 Entry-Level Doctoral Immersion Residency II (3 QH)
Students continue project implementation with evidence tables, context planning, and ongoing data work. Portfolio artifacts document growth in clinical and scholarly competencies.

NDNP 923 Entry-Level Doctoral Immersion Residency III (4 QH)
Students complete implementation and draft the final manuscript. The portfolio and manuscript capture evidence synthesis and local practice impact.

NDNP 931 Entry-Level Doctoral Project I (3 QH)
Students produce a substantial scholarly work that translates research into practice. The project guide sets milestones and deliverables.

NDNP 932 Entry-Level Doctoral Project II (3 QH)
Students disseminate project results via publication, conference, or university presentation and finalize the competency portfolio. Work demonstrates readiness for advanced practice and leadership.

Annual two-to-four day on-campus immersion events include neuroanatomy fundamentals exploration, clinical assessment and diagnosis practice with standardized patients, and ethical principles application discussions.

Faculty mentorship provided across clinical focus areas including Community Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders, and Psychotherapy.

Clinicals

Students complete 1,120 clinical hours distributed across five sequential clinical residencies (224 hours each) plus doctoral project practicum experiences. Rosalind Franklin University coordinates ALL clinical rotations through extensive clinical partner networks, eliminating student burden of securing placements.

  • Clinical Residency I focuses on comprehensive assessment of acute and chronic mental health conditions with diagnostic assessment, diagnostic test interpretation, and psychopharmacology therapy evaluation.
  • Clinical Residency II advances assessment skills and diagnostic reasoning using DSM-V TR and ICD-10 criteria for differential diagnosis development.
  • Clinical Residency III emphasizes patient-centered treatment goal development and implementation through:
    • cognitive behavioral therapies
    • therapeutic relationships
    • counseling
    • evidence-based therapy techniques
    • clinical practice guideline application
  • Clinical Residency IV further develops comprehensive PMHNP standards of practice competencies including:
    • care coordination
    • collaboration
    • health teaching
    • group therapies
    • consultation
    • leadership
    • resource utilization
    • professional practice evaluation
  • Clinical Residency V demonstrates achievement of full-spectrum entry-level clinical practice outcomes with board exam readiness demonstration.

Each clinical residency includes 20-hour seminar components featuring clinical case presentations using established models and board preparation activities. Simulation experiences occur in Clinical Correlations I and II courses integrated with psychiatric assessment and psychopharmacology topics, utilizing standardized patients for diagnostic assessment practice.

The university’s clinical residency training program provides opportunities to deliver mental health services directly to Lake County community partners. All clinical experiences occur at approved sites including nationally recognized healthcare systems, local public health organizations, and Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center partnerships.

Prerequisites & Admissions

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from accredited institution completed prior to matriculation
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA on 4.0 scale for undergraduate curriculum (under 3.0 considered case-by-case)
  • Biostatistics/Statistics course in previous 2 years recommended
  • Current, unencumbered U.S. registered professional nurse license required as matriculation condition
  • Passion for mental health; one year direct or indirect experience preferred
  • Up to three professional references (one minimum) from individuals attesting to academic or clinical performance (must include nursing education program professor/faculty, nursing work supervisor responsible for annual reviews, and/or healthcare professional from patient-centered interprofessional team)
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Career motivation essay (maximum 500 words) explaining why applicant wants to become PMHNP
  • Official transcripts from all colleges, universities, community colleges submitted directly to NursingCAS
  • Meet Technical Standards for Admissions with proficiency in basic computer skills
  • Pass criminal background check
  • Application through NursingCAS (available August 7, 2025)
  • Application deadline: April 15, 2026 for both full-time and part-time programs (early application strongly encouraged)
  • $0 application fee with coupon code from admission counselor Liana Baldwin (liana.baldwin@rosalindfranklin.edu), valid 2 weeks
  • If admitted: $250 deposit required (applied to first quarter tuition), additional matriculation requirements including immunizations detailed upon admission
  • TOEFL requirements for non-U.S. degree holders or non-citizens/permanent residents: iBT 100 recommended with no category score below 22 (waived if full-time student at accredited U.S. institution for 2+ consecutive years or from English-primary-language country)
  • International transcripts require U.S. equivalency evaluation through WES or ECE

Tuition

Graduate DNP tuition is $832 per quarter hour for both 36-month and 48-month programs.

  • The 36-month program’s total fees are $7,253.
  • The 48-month program’s total fees are $9,383.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Accreditation

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Graduates are eligible to sit for lifespan PMHNP board certification examination offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), qualifying for Advanced Practice licensure in state of residence upon successful certification to practice independently as PMHNP-BC.

Other Nursing Programs

Rosalind Franklin University College of Nursing offers comprehensive nursing education pathways:

  • Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs: Nurse Anesthesia Entry (DNP) – accredited by Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) with next review scheduled 2032
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Entry into Nursing Practice (MSN-ENP) for non-nurses with bachelor’s degrees in other fields – CCNE accredited, prepares entry-level registered nurses with advanced education, twice-yearly admission (summer and fall)

Other Illinois Programs

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