Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Length | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| MSN PMHNP | 3–5 years | $34,760 (est.) |
| Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (PMHNP) | ~2.5 years | $26,939 (est.) |
Notes: Programs include 750 total clinical hours across three practica. Actual time and cost vary with course load, transfer credits, and fees.
MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the MSN PMHNP program is approximately $34,760 and would take 3-5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The program combines 22 credit hours of core MSN courses with 18 credit hours of psychiatric specialty coursework.
Coursework includes the following:
NURS 05516 – Epidemiology Health Promotion and Disease Management
This course introduces core epidemiology and population health concepts. You apply wellness and health promotion theories across the lifespan with attention to culture and environment.
NURS 05517 – Nurse Practitioner Role: History, Practice Regulations, Reimbursement and Ethics
This course examines the NP role from its history to current regulations, reimbursement, leadership, and advocacy. You synthesize ethical and culturally aware practices to form a clear personal practice philosophy.
NURS 05551 – Theoretical Foundations of Psychotherapy Across the Lifespan
This course reviews psychotherapy theories for work with high-risk individuals, families, and groups. You evaluate evidence to design, deliver, and assess therapies while addressing cultural, legal, and ethical issues.
NURS 05552 – Biopsychosocial Assessment and Differential Diagnosis
This course develops advanced psychiatric assessment and diagnostic skills using DSM-5. You analyze epidemiology, genetics, culture, and cognition to form accurate diagnoses and treatment plans across the lifespan.
NURS 05553 – Principles of Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan
This course explains mechanisms and effects of psychoactive medications and drugs of abuse. You learn safe administration and monitoring strategies for patients of all ages.
NURS 05554 – Behavior Theory I: Care of the Adult and the Older Adult and Family
This course integrates neuroscience, psychopharmacology, and psychotherapy to guide assessment and interventions for adults and older adults. You plan evidence-based treatments, lifestyle changes, and complementary approaches for diverse populations and settings.
NURS 05555 – Behavior Clinical Practicum I: Care of the Adult and the Older Adult and Family (250 hours)
This practicum applies evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, and medication management for adults and older adults. You receive weekly supervision and address ethical, legal, and policy issues in care.
NURS 05556 – Behavior Theory II: Care of the Adult and the Older Adult and Family
This course advances biopsychosocial management of adult and geriatric mental health within the family context. You study crisis, trauma, personality disorders, dementia, substance use, and related legal and ethical considerations.
NURS 05557 – Behavior Clinical Practicum II: Care of the Adult and the Older Adult and Family (250 hours)
This practicum strengthens skills in psychiatric evaluation, differential diagnosis, psychotherapy, and pharmacologic planning for adult and older adult patients. You manage acute and chronic conditions with weekly intensive supervision and outcome tracking.
NURS 05558 – Behavior Theory III: Care of the Child and Adolescent and Family
This course covers evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning for children and adolescents within family systems. You analyze neuroscience, psychopharmacology, and psychotherapies while addressing cultural, legal, and policy factors.
NURS 05559 – Behavior Clinical Practicum III: Care of the Child and Adolescent and Family (250 hours)
This practicum applies advanced evaluation, psychotherapy, and medication management for child and adolescent populations across varied conditions. You integrate differential diagnosis, outcome measures, and weekly 1:1 supervision to ensure safe, effective care.
More curriculum information can be found here:
Following successful completion of core requirements with a 3.0 GPA, students advance to the PMHNP concentration track featuring specialized psychiatric coursework and clinical experiences.
Clinicals
Clinical requirements include 750 total hours across three practicum courses: 250 hours each in adult/older adult care (Practicum I and II) and 250 hours in child/adolescent care (Practicum III), providing comprehensive lifespan experience.
MSN Program Requirements
- Minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA from all college transcripts
- BSN from accredited institution with current RN licensure
- Completion of comprehensive health assessment and research applications courses
- Current professional resume and individual professional malpractice insurance
- Valid CPR certification and active New Jersey RN license
- Two professional recommendation letters
- $65 non-refundable application fee
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in PMHNP
The estimated cost for the CAGS PMHNP program is approximately $26,939 and would take 2.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
The university provides gap analysis for certificate applicants to determine individualized course requirements.
Curriculum
The 31-credit certificate includes both core nurse practitioner courses and specialized psychiatric content.
Coursework includes the following:
Integrated Information Technology in Health Care
Covers core informatics concepts for nursing practice, including electronic health records, data standards, privacy/security, decision support, and workflow optimization to improve safety and outcomes.
Advanced Health Assessment
Builds graduate-level history taking, focused and comprehensive exams, diagnostic testing interpretation, and clinical reasoning across the lifespan with attention to cultural and developmental factors.
Advanced Nursing Research
Develops skills to appraise quantitative and qualitative studies, apply statistics, and translate evidence into practice through problem identification, study design, and implementation planning.
Advanced Pathophysiology
Examines cellular to system-level mechanisms of disease and links pathogenesis to clinical signs, diagnostics, and management considerations for diverse populations.
Advanced Pharmacology
Reviews pharmacokinetics/dynamics and major drug classes; emphasizes safe prescribing, monitoring, interactions, and lifespan considerations within legal/ethical frameworks.
Leadership & Care Delivery Environment
Explores leadership models, quality improvement, finance, policy, and interprofessional teamwork to design, lead, and evaluate care systems that enhance patient and staff outcomes.
Special Issues & Trends in Nursing
Analyzes contemporary legal, ethical, cultural, regulatory, and workforce issues shaping nursing practice and prepares students to advocate and adapt within evolving health systems.
NURS 05516 – Epidemiology Health Promotion and Disease Management
Applies epidemiologic methods to prevention and population health, emphasizing screening, risk assessment, counseling, and program planning to reduce disease burden.
NURS 05517 – Nurse Practitioner Role: History, Practice Regulations, Reimbursement and Ethics
Defines the NP scope and evolution, covering licensure/certification, reimbursement and billing, collaborative practice, and ethical/legal responsibilities in advanced practice.
NURS 05551 – Theoretical Foundations of Psychotherapy Across the Lifespan
Surveys evidence-based psychotherapies (e.g., CBT, family, group) and therapeutic processes, teaching selection and adaptation of modalities for age, culture, and context.
NURS 05552 – Biopsychosocial Assessment and Differential Diagnosis
Integrates interview techniques, MSE, DSM criteria, and labs to form differentials and final diagnoses within a holistic biopsychosocial framework.
NURS 05553 – Principles of Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan
Covers psychotropic classes, mechanisms, dosing, monitoring, adverse effects, and special populations to guide safe, effective pharmacologic treatment.
NURS 05554 – Behavior Theory I: Care of the Adult and the Older Adult and Family
Introduces psychopathology, assessment, and treatment planning for adults and older adults, incorporating family dynamics and social determinants of health.
NURS 05555 – Behavior Clinical Practicum I: Care of the Adult and the Older Adult and Family
Provides 250 supervised hours managing adult/geriatric patients—conducting assessments, initiating psychotherapy and medication plans, and evaluating outcomes with preceptor guidance.
NURS 05556 – Behavior Theory II: Care of the Adult and the Older Adult and Family
Advances adult/geriatric care with complex comorbidities, polypharmacy, crisis intervention, and transition management across settings.
NURS 05557 – Behavior Clinical Practicum II: Care of the Adult and the Older Adult and Family
Adds 250 supervised hours to deepen diagnostic reasoning and autonomy in psychotherapy and psychopharmacology for adult and older-adult populations.
NURS 05558 – Behavior Theory III: Care of the Child and Adolescent and Family
Addresses developmental psychopathology, school and family systems, and evidence-based therapies for children and adolescents, including coordination of community resources.
NURS 05559 – Behavior Clinical Practicum III: Care of the Child and Adolescent and Family
Completes 250 supervised hours delivering child/adolescent psychiatric care—family-engaged interviewing, therapy, medication management, and outcome evaluation across settings.
Clinicals
Clinical requirements match the MSN program with 750 total clinical hours distributed across three sequential practica, each requiring 250 hours of supervised clinical experience in psychiatric mental health settings.
CAGS Requirements
- Master’s degree in nursing from accredited institution
- Same GPA, licensure, and insurance requirements
- Gap analysis conducted to determine additional coursework needs
- Professional interview (in-person or telephone)
- Current CPR certification and professional malpractice insurance
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition costs $876.75 per credit hour plus additional fees including general service fee ($158.85), student life fee ($44.90), and wellness fees.
Total approximate cost per credit hour is $1,086.
See the official tuition page for more details.
The program distinguishes itself through the DREAM scholarship program, a HRSA-funded initiative that provides partial tuition support specifically for PMHNP students, with preference given to those committed to serving underserved or rural communities.
Accreditation
Rowan University maintains appropriate regional and nursing program accreditation through recognized accrediting bodies ensuring quality standards and credential recognition for graduate nursing programs.
Other Nursing Programs
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN and CAGS)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN and CAGS)
- Nurse Educator concentration
- Nurse Executive concentration
- Various nursing leadership and specialty programs
Other Programs in New Jersey
View All PMHNP Programs in New Jersey
- Fairleigh Dickinson - Teaneck
- Felician University - Rutherford
- Rutgers University - Trenton
- Seton Hall - South Orange
- Thomas Edison - Trenton