Program Track Overview
SVSU’s PMHNP certificate program features a unique focus on substance use disorders and emphasizes improving care in rural communities. The program utilizes ongoing telementoring through Project ECHO to equip practitioners in rural areas with high-quality addictions care knowledge.
The program offers optional on-campus skills training where community members in long-term recovery participate in substance use disorder simulations for realistic training experiences. All lectures are recorded and downloadable for offline viewing.
Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate is approximately $19,200 (24 credits × $800/credit) and takes 4 semesters to complete on a part-time basis, with considerable flexibility in study plans.
Curriculum
The 24-credit certificate includes:
NURS 710 – Advanced Psychopharmacology and Neurobiology
The course links core neurobiology to the safe use of psychotropic medications across the lifespan. Students examine mechanisms, benefits, risks, and outcomes within a full treatment plan.
NURS 712 – Psychotherapeutic Foundations
The course reviews evidence-based therapies for individuals, families, and groups. Students practice applications of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing for acute and chronic conditions.
NURS 716 – Differential Diagnosis of Mental Health
The course builds skills in interviewing, observation, and tool selection to form differential diagnoses. Students interpret screens, labs, and behavioral assessments across the lifespan.
NURS 731 – Psychiatric Mental Health Care of Adults
The course integrates assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for adult and geriatric clients. Students create plans that reflect genetics, culture, age, psychosocial needs, and diagnostic data, with focus on groups, advocacy, and prevention.
NURS 733 – Psychiatric Mental Health Care of Children and Adolescents
The course covers assessment and treatment for youth within family and community contexts. Students design plans that reflect development, culture, genetics, and diagnostics, and they apply education and family-support strategies.
NURS 735 – Addictions Care in Integrated Settings
The course examines addiction epidemiology, symptoms, and course across the lifespan. Students use screening, prevention, and both medication and therapy strategies, while managing co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions.
NURS 741 – PMHNP Clinical for Adult/Gero Population
The clinical course provides 180 hours in varied settings to manage adult and older-adult conditions. Students apply assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy skills and use telehealth and new technologies to improve access.
NURS 742 – PMHNP Clinical for Child and Family
The clinical course provides 180 hours focused on children and families across settings. Students apply assessment, diagnosis, and therapy skills, with attention to telehealth use and evidence-based care.
NURS 743 – PMHNP Clinical: Addiction/Integrated Setting
The clinical course provides 180 hours delivering addiction care in integrated settings. Students apply assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy skills and leverage telehealth and technology to expand access.
The program’s curriculum emphasizes evidence-based treatments, recovery options, and current mental health topics with perspectives from students, faculty, and individuals in recovery.
Clinicals
A clinical coordinator facilitates placement within students’ communities across diverse settings including hospital inpatient, residential environments, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation facilities, emergency/crisis settings, and telehealth applications.
Students complete 540 total supervised direct patient care clinical hours:
- NURS 741: Adult/Gero Population Clinical (180 hours, 1-3 credits)
- NURS 742: Child and Family Clinical (180 hours, 1-3 credits)
- NURS 743: Addictions/Integrated Setting Clinical (180 hours, 1-3 credits)
Clinical hours are distributed to ensure adequate exposure across the lifespan with minimum requirements:
- 100 hours pediatric
- 100 hours adult/older adult
- 100 hours addictions/recovery support
Preceptors include psychiatrists, psychologists, PMHNPs, clinical nurse specialists, and licensed clinical therapists/counselors. Settings include inpatient, residential, outpatient, rehabilitation, emergency/crisis, and telehealth.
Prerequisites & Admissions
- MSN or DNP from accredited college/university and accredited program
- National APRN certificate
- Current unencumbered RN and APRN license
- Phone interview
- Submitted online application
- Résumé
- Official transcripts (not required for SVSU alumni)
- Rolling admissions with option to begin any semester
- Students outside Michigan must contact their state Board of Nursing before beginning program
- Clinical activities currently unavailable in Louisiana, Minnesota, New York, and Oregon
- Additional courses may be required if Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Physical Assessment not completed prior to admission
Tuition
Graduate nursing courses (HHS 500-799 level) cost $800 per credit hour for both Michigan and non-Michigan residents.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Payment Options
Graduate payment plans allow students to spread educational expenses over two or five interest-free monthly payments, which can be combined with financial aid or student loans.
Traineeship Stipends
SVSU awards approximately $14,500 stipends to 31 PMHNP students from rural Michigan during their final program year through a 4-year grant (2023-2027), reducing education costs by nearly 85%. All PMHNP students are automatically considered upon application, with priority given to Michigan Upper Peninsula residents.
Loan Forgiveness Programs
The certificate qualifies for Federal Student Loans and multiple federal loan forgiveness programs:
- NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program
- NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program (Behavioral Health)
- National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program
- Michigan State Loan Repayment Program
- Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program
- MI Opioid Treatment Access Loan Repayment
Accreditation
The PMHNP program at Saginaw Valley State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates are eligible to sit for the PMHNP national certification examination offered by both the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB).
More Programs in Michigan
View All PMHNP Programs in Michigan
- Davenport University - Grand Rapids
- Michigan State University - East Lansing
- Spring Arbor University - Spring Arbor
- Wayne State - Detroit