Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Length | Est. Tuition* |
|---|---|---|
| MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | 2–3 years | $76,930 |
| Post-Master’s Certificate in PMHNP | 1.5–2 years | $37,680–$61,230‡ |
*Tuition-only estimates based on $1,570 per credit. Additional fees may apply (e.g., ~$300/semester graduate nursing fee).
†Certificate credit load determined by gap analysis. ‡Range shown reflects 24–39 credits at $1,570/credit.
The program addresses the critical shortage of 6,100+ mental health practitioners nationwide through a comprehensive 49-credit curriculum with 600 clinical hours. Students participate in three mandatory in-person immersions at the Interprofessional Health Sciences campus featuring hands-on training with standardized patients and expert-led sessions. The program offers motivational interviewing training and telehealth instruction specific to psychiatric mental health practice.
MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the MSN PMHNP program is approximately $76,930 and would take 2-3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The curriculum emphasizes assessment, pharmacology, diagnosis, and psychiatric interventions. Topics covered include:
- theoretical foundations
- advanced pathophysiology
- clinical pharmacology
- health promotion
- specialized psychiatric-mental health
Below is a list of the classes.
NURS 6123 – Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 Credits)
Explores major nursing and related theories that guide advanced practice, linking theoretical frameworks to research and clinical decision-making.
NURS 6124 – Forces in Health Care (3 Credits)
Analyzes health policy and the broader factors influencing healthcare delivery, encouraging critical evaluation of major policy debates and system-level issues.
NURS 6220 – Advanced Practice PMH Nursing: Non-Pharmacologic Interventions (3 Credits)
Covers therapeutic techniques for individuals, families, and groups with psychiatric conditions, focusing on evidence-based, non-pharmacologic interventions.
NURS 6223 – Health Promotion (3 Credits)
Teaches strategies to assess and promote health across the lifespan while examining evolving care systems and integrating pharmacologic and preventive approaches.
NURS 6242 – Advanced Physical and Psychiatric Assessment and Decision Making (4 Credits)
Builds advanced skills in comprehensive physical and psychiatric assessment, emphasizing clinical reasoning for patient care across all age groups.
NURS 6411 – Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology (3 Credits)
Examines the biological mechanisms of disease, symptom patterns, and diagnostic reasoning essential for advanced nursing practice.
NURS 6415 – Clinical Pharmacology (3 Credits)
Provides in-depth understanding of drug therapy, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics in managing health conditions from childhood to older adulthood.
NURS 7141 – Nursing Research I (3 Credits)
Introduces nursing research methods with emphasis on critical analysis, evidence-based practice, and proposal development grounded in theory.
NURS 7335 – Graduate Nursing Practicum I: Psychiatric-Mental Health (3 Credits)
Introduces students to clinical psychiatric-mental health practice, offering foundational hands-on experience with mental health care delivery.
NURS 7245 – Advanced Practice PMH Nursing: Child and Adolescent (3 Credits)
Focuses on psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning for children and adolescents, emphasizing developmentally appropriate care.
NURS 7346 – Child and Adolescent Practicum II (4 Credits)
Provides advanced clinical experience in pediatric psychiatric care, including diagnosis, therapy, and psychopharmacology for mental health conditions.
NURS 7347 – PMH Nursing: Adults Throughout the Lifespan (3 Credits)
Explores adult psychiatric care across age groups, addressing assessment, treatment planning, medication use, and culturally sensitive care.
NURS 7358 – Practicum III: Adults Throughout the Lifespan (4 Credits)
Offers direct clinical practice with adult populations, reinforcing diagnostic and treatment competencies in mental health settings.
NURS 7470 – Advanced Professional Role Enactment (3 Credits)
Examines leadership, ethics, and role development for advanced practice nurses, emphasizing collaboration and accountability.
NURS 7515 – Practicum IV: Complex Problem (4 Credits)
Capstone clinical course focused on managing complex psychiatric cases, integrating cultural competence and advanced clinical skills in practice.
More curriculum information here:
Clinicals
Clinical requirements include 600 supervised clinical hours across four practicum courses. Students complete specialized training in child/adolescent care and adult populations with emphasis on complex psychiatric conditions and integrated care approaches.
MSN Program Requirements
- BSN from NLNAC, ACEN, or CCNE accredited nursing program
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA requirement
- Recent BSN graduates must pass NCLEX by August 15th
- One year full-time direct patient care employment before practicum courses
- Professional goal statement and registered nurse licensure
- One professional and one academic reference letter
- Personal interview for selected applicants
- $75 application fee and official transcripts
International Student Requirements:
- TOEFL scores (22 reading/listening, 26 speaking, 24 writing)
- WES reports for non-US educated nurses
- Course-by-course evaluation through NACES member agency
Post-Master’s Certificate in PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate program is approximately $61,240 and would take 1.5-2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The 24-39 credit certificate program (determined by gap analysis) targets nurses with existing master’s degrees.
Coursework includes:
NURS 7335 GR Nurs Prac I: Psyc Mntl Hlth
An introductory 120-hour practicum that builds mastery in comprehensive, integrated assessments across the lifespan, emphasizing cultural competence. Students practice interviewing and complete initial bio-psycho-social evaluations while beginning role acculturation under close preceptor supervision.
NURS 7245 Adv Prac PMH Nurs Chld/Adolesc
Clinical experience focused on psychiatric care for children and adolescents, including data collection from youth and caregivers and skilled therapeutic interviewing. Learners derive diagnoses and plan care for acute and chronic conditions using community resources, applying brief psychotherapy, group therapy, and psychopharmacologic interventions.
NURS 7346 Advanced Practice PMH Nursing: Child and Adolescent Practicum II
A continuation practicum that advances autonomy in pediatric psychiatric care. Students refine diagnostic reasoning, expand use of short-term therapies and group work, and coordinate psychopharmacologic management and community resources for increasingly complex cases.
NURS 7347 Advanced Practice PMH Nursing: Adults throughout the Lifespan
Didactic and concurrent clinical work centered on PMHNP health promotion, diagnosis, and management for young, middle, and older adults. Emphasizes advanced assessment, evidence-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacology, and equity-minded therapeutic relationships within real-world social contexts.
NURS 7358 Advanced Practice PMH Nursing Practicum III: Adults throughout the Lifespan
An immersive adult-focused practicum where students collect and synthesize subjective/objective data, conduct interviews, and establish differential diagnoses. Learners plan and deliver care for acute and chronic conditions using community supports, brief psychotherapy, group modalities, and medication management.
NURS 7515 Advanced Practice PHM Nursing Practicum IV: Complex Problem
Capstone practicum integrating theory into advanced psychiatric practice with individuals, families, and groups. Students manage complex presentations using culturally responsive interventions that account for race, ethnicity, culture, age, and gender.
NURS 6220 Adv Prac PMH Nurs Non Pharm
Introduces evidence-based non-pharmacologic therapies for individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan. Each modality is presented with core concepts, therapeutic process, and applied techniques to support personalized, recovery-oriented care.
Clinicals
Clinical requirements mirror the MSN program with supervised practicum experiences across psychiatric mental health settings serving diverse age populations.
Post-Master’s Certificate Requirements
- Master’s degree in nursing from accredited program
- Same GPA, licensure, and reference requirements
- Gap analysis determines specific prerequisite needs
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition costs $1,570 per credit hour with additional graduate nursing fee of $300 per semester.
Technology and university fees apply based on enrollment status (full-time vs. part-time). Partner institutions receive 20-25% tuition discounts.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Seton Hall University’s baccalaureate, master’s, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs maintain accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Other Nursing Programs
- Family Nurse Practitioner (Online MSN)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Online MSN)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Online MSN)
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (Online MSN)
- Nursing Administration and Executive Nurse Leadership (Online MSN)
- RN to MSN Degree Bridge (Online)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- PhD in Nursing
Related Programs
View All PMHNP Programs in New Jersey
- Fairleigh Dickinson - Teaneck
- Felician University - Rutherford
- Rowan University - Glassboro
- Rutgers University - Trenton
- Thomas Edison - Trenton