Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| DNP – PMHNP (BSN to DNP) | $36,100 | 3–3.5 years |
| MSN – PMHNP | $22,800–$24,225 | 2–2.5 years |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP | ≈$9,500 | ~1.5 years (4 semesters) |
Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP (BSN to DNP)
The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP PMHNP program is approximately $36,100 and would take 3-3.5 years to complete on a full-time basis (76 credits at $475 per credit).
DNP Curriculum
The BSN to DNP PMHNP concentration requires 76 total credit hours and maintains core MSN degree courses. Students can opt to complete with an MSN degree after such requirements are met.
Required courses include:
NURS 6050 – Applied Statistics for the Health Sciences
Apply core statistical tests and interpret results for health research. Use findings to answer practice questions with clear, evidence-based conclusions.
NURS 6170 – Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice
Select, dose, and monitor medications across the lifespan, including natural and alternative options. Teach patients and plan for expected outcomes.
NURS 8010 – Biostatistics
Critically appraise evidence using probability, power, confidence intervals, and inferential tests. Judge both statistical and clinical significance for practice decisions.
NURS 8300 – Advanced Practice Scholarly and Theoretical Foundations
Use nursing theories and frameworks to guide advanced practice. Link concepts to care models across diverse settings.
NURS 6080 – Diagnostic Considerations and Psychopharmacology for Psychiatric Disorders
Match DSM criteria with brain-based mechanisms to inform diagnosis. Plan psychopharmacology and therapies that optimize outcomes and prevention.
NURS 6070 – Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice
Perform advanced histories and exams with culturally sensitive approaches. Apply diagnostic reasoning and labs to form sound clinical impressions.
NURS 6180 – Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice
Connect disease mechanisms to signs, risks, and prevention across the lifespan. Use this base to support clinical decisions.
NURS 6020 – Generating Evidence for Nursing Practice
Design a practice-focused research proposal. Evaluate existing evidence, measures, and analyses to support study choices.
NURS 6900 – Psychotherapy for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing
Compare major therapy models and observe clinical practice. Integrate theory with 60 hours of supervised psychotherapy observation.
NURS 6910 – Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric/Mental Health I
Complete initial assessments, differentials, and care plans for common disorders. Practice individual and family therapies in 180 clinical hours.
NURS 8040 – Clinical Scholarship and Analytic Methods for EBP
Solve practice problems with rigorous study design and data analysis. Translate results into actionable improvements.
NURS 8310 – Epidemiology and Preventative Care for Populations
Analyze determinants of health, infectious disease, environment, and disasters. Plan population-level prevention and preparedness.
NURS 6810 – Business, Leadership, and Health Policy for Nurse Practitioners
Apply management, finance, and policy to run and improve services. Lead teams within legal and regulatory boundaries.
NURS 6920 – Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric/Mental Health II
Manage complex and pediatric/adolescent cases with therapy and medication. Complete 210 clinical hours focused on outcomes and risk.
NURS 8030 – Project Planning
Scope and plan the DNP project using needs assessment and evidence mapping. Log 90 practicum hours to prepare for implementation.
NURS 8210 – Residency I
Finalize project structure and secure IRB approval. Begin 90 residency hours to ready implementation and evaluation.
NURS 8080 – Ethics and Health Care Policy
Examine policy impacts on ethics, advocacy, equity, and social justice. Form clear positions that guide practice and systems change.
NURS 6930 – Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric/Mental Health III
Advance role competence with adult and older-adult care across settings. Complete 210 practicum hours refining high-level clinical skills.
NURS 8220 – Residency II
Implement the evidence-based intervention with mentor support. Track 180 residency hours and monitor process and outcomes.
NURS 8070 – Organizational and Systems Leadership
Evaluate safety, quality, finance, and HR drivers in care delivery. Lead interprofessional efforts to improve system performance.
NURS 8230 – Residency III
Analyze data, report outcomes, and disseminate results from the intervention. Complete 180 residency hours to conclude the project.
NURS 8060 – Health Care Informatics
Use health IT and databases to support clinical and population outcomes. Design data workflows that improve decision-making.
More curriculum details are available here.
The curriculum includes biostatistics, epidemiology, clinical scholarship and analytic methods, preventive care, informatics, organizational and systems leadership, ethics, healthcare policy, and project planning.
DNP Clinicals
Practicum hours are required in Residencies I, II, and III courses. Students participate in on-campus activities immediately prior to program start and at program conclusion when presenting synthesis projects. Clinical experiences prepare students to provide complex hospital and community-based care for patients and families.
DNP Admissions Requirements
- BSN from nationally accredited program
- Current unencumbered U.S. RN license (no restrictions)
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale
- Three letters of recommendation:
- One from former nursing faculty member, current/former nursing supervisor, or nursing leader
- One attesting to advanced practice competencies and expertise
- One from individual of applicant’s choice addressing ability to complete doctoral education
- Current resume or CV
- Written document (typewritten, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, maximum 3 pages) addressing:
- Goals for doctoral study congruent with DNP program
- Focused area of interest for synthesis project
- Explanation of how DNP degree fulfills career goals
- Completion of telephone interview with DNP program coordinator
- Prior to enrollment: background checks, drug/alcohol screening, program health requirements (student expense)
- Evidence of graduate-level statistics course completion before enrolling in NURS 8010
- Computer proficiency with distance education methodologies and compatible technology with University learning management systems
Students are admitted as a cohort in fall semesters.
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN PMHNP program is approximately $22,800-$24,225 and would take 2-2.5 years to complete on a full-time basis (48-51 credits at $475 per credit).
MSN Curriculum
The program requires 48-51 credit hours depending on whether students complete a thesis or focused scholarly project.
Semester 1:
- NURS 6000 – Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing (3 credits)
- NURS 6050 – Applied Statistics for the Health Sciences (3 credits)
- NURS 6170 – Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice (3 credits)
Semester 2:
- NURS 6020 – Generating Evidence for Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- NURS 6070 – Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice (3 credits)
- NURS 6080 – Diagnostic Considerations and Psychopharmacology for Psychiatric Disorders (3 credits)
Semester 3:
- NURS 6090 – Population Based Primary Care (3 credits)
- NURS 6180 – Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (3 credits)
- NURS 6900 – Psychotherapy for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing (3 credits, Fall only)
Semester 4:
- NURS 6910 – Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric/Mental Health I (5 credits, Spring only)
Semester 5:
- NURS 6920 – Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric/Mental Health II (5 credits, Fall only)
- NURS 6810 – Business, Leadership, and Health Policy for Nurse Practitioners (3 credits)
- NURS 6950 – Focused Scholarly Project (3 credits) OR NURS 6990 – Thesis (1-6 credits)
Semester 6:
- NURS 6930 – Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric/Mental Health III (5 credits, Spring only)
- NURS 6990 – Thesis (1-6 credits, if chosen)
Students must complete either a thesis (6 total credits) or focused scholarly project (3 credits).
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Total clinical/practicum hours required: 600 hours.
Practicum courses include online didactic components plus clinical experience components (120-240 hours each) where students work with approved advanced practice preceptors guided by graduate faculty.
All practicum experiences must be completed in Louisiana.
MSN Admissions Requirements
- BSN from nationally accredited program
- Current unencumbered Louisiana RN license
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale
- Three letters of recommendation from professional references
- Current resume
- Completion of prerequisite courses before advancing to NP practicum courses:
- NURS 6000 – Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing
- NURS 6020 – Generating Evidence for Nursing Practice
- NURS 6050 – Applied Statistics for the Health Sciences
- NURS 6070 – Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice
- NURS 6170 – Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice
- Background checks, drug/alcohol screening, and program health requirements (student expense)
- Proficiency with distance education methodologies and compatible computer equipment
Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate program is approximately $9,500 and would take 1.5 years to complete (20 credits at $475 per credit, completed over 4 semesters).
Certificate Curriculum
The accelerated certificate program requires 18-20 credit hours completed over 4 semesters.
Fall Semester I:
- NURS 6080 – Diagnostic Considerations and Psychopharmacology for Psychiatric Disorders (3 credits)
- NURS 6900 – Psychotherapy for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing (3 credits)
Spring Semester I:
- NURS 6910 – Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric/Mental Health I (5 credits)
Fall Semester II:
- NURS 6920 – Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric/Mental Health II (5 credits)
Spring Semester II:
- NURS 6970 – Advanced Practice Nursing: Psychiatric/Mental Health III for Post-Master’s Certificate Students (4 credits)
Total: 20 credit hours
Certificate Clinicals
Total clinical hours required: 510 hours. Practicum courses have online didactic components plus clinical experience components (120-240 hours each) where students work with approved advanced practice preceptors guided by graduate faculty. All practicum experiences must be completed in Louisiana.
Certificate Admissions Requirements
- Master’s degree in nursing from nationally accredited graduate nursing program
- National certification as Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, or Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 verified by transcript submission
- Current unencumbered RN license in Louisiana
- Two professional references
- Current resume
- Transcript analysis and evaluation of prerequisite courses (Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics, Advanced Pathophysiology) to determine adequacy of full lifespan content
- Formal application to the university required
Program prepares completers to apply for advanced practice PMHNP license and take National PMHNP certification exam.
Tuition
Graduate nursing courses are charged at $475 per credit hour for up to 9 hours through Southeastern Online’s flat rate tuition structure. After 9 hours, tuition is $100 per credit hour for each additional hour (per semester).
A Professional Degree fee is assessed each semester of coursework. Students are also assessed fees for proctored testing of online courses.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The MSN and DNP programs at Southeastern Louisiana University School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The programs are fully approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
More Louisiana PMHNP Programs
- Loyola University - New Orleans
- LSU Health - New Orleans
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette - Lafayette