Program Tracks Overview
All tracks require 660 clinical hours and prepare graduates for national certification exams through ANCC and/or AANPCB. The program features predominantly asynchronous online coursework with only 1-2 required on-campus intensives, allowing students nationwide to complete clinical experiences within their local communities.
| Program Track | Estimated Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| ADN/ASN to MSN | $54,000 | 2.7 years |
| BSN to MSN | $48,000 | 2 years |
| Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate | $37,000 | 1.7 years |
| DNP (Post-Master’s) | $47,000 | 2–3 years |
ADN/ASN to MSN Track
The estimated cost for the ADN/ASN is s $54,000 and would take 2.7 years to complete on a full-time basis.
This comprehensive pathway accepts nurses with associate degrees and includes foundational advanced practice courses alongside specialized psychiatric mental health content.
Curriculum
The curriculum progresses through professional role development, advanced assessment, pharmacotherapeutics, and three levels of psychiatric mental health courses. Students complete 660 clinical hours across two advanced practice clinical courses (120 and 180 hours) and a final practicum (300 hours). The program includes evidence-based practice methodology and systems leadership preparation.
BSN to MSN Track
The estimated cost of the BSN to MSN PMHNP Program is $48,000 and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.:
Designed for bachelor’s-prepared nurses, this accelerated track maintains the same clinical hour requirement (660 hours) while streamlining coursework.
Curriculum
The curriculum emphasizes advanced pathophysiology, comprehensive health assessment, psychotherapeutics frameworks, and psychopharmacology.
Core classes include:
- COHS 500 – CHS Graduate IPE course
- NURG 731 – Concepts of Advanced Nursing Practice
- NURG 772 – Psychiatric Mental Health II
- NURG 766 – Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Assessment & Diagnostics
- NURG 771 – Psychiatric Mental Health I
- NURG 788 – Advanced Practice Clinical I – PMHNP (120 hours)
- NURG 767 – Psychotherpeutics Frameworks and Modalities (60 hours)
- NURG 769 – Psychopharmacology for APRN
- NURG 774 – Psychiatric Mental Health III
- NURG 790 – PMHNP Practicum (300 hours)
- NURG 732 – Evidence Based Practice
- NURG 789 – Advanced Practice Clinical II – PMHNP (180 hours)
- NURG 733 – Systems-Based Practice
- NURG 734 – Essentials of Population Health
- NURG 760 – DNP Project I
- NURG 761 – DNP Project II
- NURG 533 – Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology
- NURG 610 – Advanced Health Assessment
- NURG 633 – Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Nursing Practice
Students progress through three sequential psychiatric mental health courses while completing clinical rotations and practicum experiences in diverse mental health settings.
Post-Graduate Certificate
The estimated cost of the Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate is $37,000 and would take 1.7 years to complete on a full-time basis.
This certificate program serves master’s-prepared nurses seeking PMHNP specialization. A gap analysis determines individualized coursework based on previous graduate nursing education, potentially adding core courses like Concepts of Advanced Nursing Practice or Evidence-Based Practice.
The program maintains the same 660 clinical hours and specialized psychiatric content as degree tracks, preparing graduates for national certification eligibility.
DNP Track (Post-Master’s)
The estimated cost for the DNP PMHNP Program is $47,000 and would take 2-3 years to complete depending on enrollment status.
Curriculum
This doctoral pathway combines PMHNP specialization (26 credits) with DNP core requirements (21 credits) totaling 47 credits.
Coursework includes:
- COHS 500 – CHS Graduate IPE course
- NURG 731 – Concepts of Advanced Nursing Practice
- NURG 772 – Psychiatric Mental Health II
- NURG 766 – Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Assessment & Diagnostics
- NURG 771 – Psychiatric Mental Health I
- NURG 788 – Advanced Practice Clinical I – PMHNP (120 hours)
- NURG 767 – Psychotherpeutics Frameworks and Modalities (60 hours)
- NURG 769 – Psychopharmacology for APRN
- NURG 774 – Psychiatric Mental Health III
- NURG 790 – PMHNP Practicum (300 hours)
- NURG 732 – Evidence Based Practice
- NURG 789 – Advanced Practice Clinical II – PMHNP (180 hours)
- NURG 733 – Systems-Based Practice
- NURG 734 – Essentials of Population Health
- NURG 760 – DNP Project I
- NURG 761 – DNP Project II
- NURG 533 – Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology
- NURG 610 – Advanced Health Assessment
- NURG 633 – Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Nursing Practice
Students complete the same clinical requirements while developing doctoral-level competencies in systems-based practice and population health.
Prerequisites & Admissions
General Requirements
- Unencumbered RN licensure
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in nursing courses (3.5 for post-graduate certificate)
- Health assessment course with B grade or better
- Three letters of recommendation (two professional, one academic)
- Personal statement and professional resume
- Video response submission
- Online application through Slate
ADN/ASN Track Prerequisites
- Associate degree from CCNE, CNEA, or ACEN accredited program
- English Composition I, College Algebra or higher math
- Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Developmental Psychology
BSN Track Prerequisites
- BSN from CCNE, CNEA, or ACEN accredited program
English Proficiency (International Students)
- TOEFL iBT: 90+ | Computer: 232+ | Paper: 575+
- IELTS: 6.5+ | Duolingo: 120+
Tuition Information
Graduate nursing tuition is $1,000 per credit hour for all PMHNP programs (excluding Nurse Anesthesia). Additional university-level fees, program fees, and course fees may apply depending on the specific track and courses taken.
Students should budget for the credit hour cost plus any applicable fees when calculating total program expenses.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation & Related Programs
All PMHNP tracks are offered through Samford’s Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing, which maintains accreditation standards through CCNE, CNEA, or ACEN recognition requirements. The program’s evidence-based approach and clinical partnerships ensure graduates meet national certification standards for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner practice across the lifespan.
Related Programs
View All PMHNP Programs in Alabama
- University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa
- University of Mobile - Mobile
- University of North Alabama - Florence
- University of South Alabama - Mobile