Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Cost | Length |
|---|---|---|
| MSN: PMHNP (Texas A&M Texarkana) | $7,250 annually | 2–3 years |
| Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate (Texas A&M) | $7,250 annually | 2 years |
MSN: PMHNP (Texas A&M Texarkana)
The estimated cost for the MSN: PMHNP program would be approximately $7,250 annually based on graduate tuition rates and would take 2-3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
Coursework includes the following:
NURS 505. Evidence Based Practice I. 3 Hours. – This foundational graduate course advances students’ research knowledge by focusing on evidence translation and identification of practice gaps in healthcare settings. Students develop leadership skills for implementing evidence-based practices across direct and indirect care levels while exploring research theory foundations, ethical considerations, and qualitative research methodologies essential for advanced nursing practice.
NURS 506. Evidence Based Practice II. 3 Hours. – Building upon the first evidence-based practice course, this advanced curriculum emphasizes quantitative research appraisal and clinical application skills. Students master rapid critical analysis techniques, participate in evidence development processes, and create implementation strategies specifically designed for aggregate populations and community health initiatives.
NURS 508. Quality Improvement and Safety. 3 Hours. – This course equips students with comprehensive quality improvement methodologies, safety performance measures, and organizational culture principles necessary for creating secure patient environments. Students develop leadership competencies in clinical quality improvement initiatives while mastering tools and standards essential for healthcare excellence and patient safety optimization.
NURS 522. Healthcare Economics and Financial Management. 3 Hours. – Designed for nurse administrators and managers, this course provides essential financial literacy for understanding healthcare organizational fiscal operations. Students explore executive roles in financial management, strategic planning, marketing initiatives, quality assurance programs, and risk management strategies critical for effective healthcare leadership and organizational sustainability.
NURS 540. Advanced Pathophysiology. 3 Hours. – This comprehensive course develops sophisticated understanding of pathophysiological and psychophysiological processes across all life stages. Students integrate clinical reasoning skills to differentiate normal variants from pathological alterations across multiple body systems, establishing the scientific foundation necessary for advanced practice nursing and clinical decision-making.
NURS 541. Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics. 3 Hours. – Students master advanced pharmacological principles including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutic applications of current medications for major health conditions. The course emphasizes prescriptive authority knowledge, legal considerations in medication management, and evidence-based pharmacological treatment protocols essential for nurse practitioner practice.
NURS 542. Advanced Health Assessment. 3 Hours. – This skills-intensive course advances comprehensive assessment abilities for individuals, families, groups, and communities across the lifespan through both theoretical and practical applications. Students develop expertise in distinguishing pathological changes from normal variants while practicing advanced assessment techniques in laboratory and clinical settings with emphasis on documentation and presentation skills.
NURS 543. Health Promotions and Diagnostics. 3 Hours. – Students acquire theoretical foundations for health promotion, disease prevention, and evidence-based treatment protocols applicable across all age groups. The course provides essential diagnostic interpretation skills for laboratory values, electrocardiograms, and radiological imaging studies necessary for comprehensive nurse practitioner clinical practice and patient care coordination.
NURS 550. Introduction to Psychotherapy. 3 Hours. – This course establishes theoretical foundations for psychotherapeutic interventions across individual, family, and group therapy modalities. Students engage in simulation-based learning to explore diverse therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused brief therapy techniques essential for mental health practice.
NURS 551. Introduction to Clinical Psychiatry and Psychoparmacology. 3 Hours. – Students develop comprehensive understanding of neuroscientific principles underlying clinical psychiatry through exploration of neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, and genetic factors. The course integrates foundational psychopharmacological concepts essential for psychiatric medication management and evidence-based mental health treatment approaches.
NURS 552. Advanced Practice Nursing Concepts and Roles. 2 Hours. – This course provides essential knowledge for advanced practice registered nurse role development, exploring professional responsibilities, legal and ethical frameworks, and interprofessional communication strategies. Students examine health equity concepts and collaborative care principles fundamental to effective advanced practice nursing in diverse healthcare environments.
NURS 553. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concepts & Theories I. 3 Hours. – Students establish theoretical foundations for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner competencies while transitioning from registered nurse to independent practitioner roles. The course develops diagnostic evaluation skills, mental health examination techniques, and both pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention strategies for managing psychiatric conditions across the lifespan.
NURS 554. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concepts & Theories II. 3 Hours. – This advanced course refines psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner skills in health promotion, diagnosis, and management for diverse populations across all age groups. Students explore group and family therapy theoretical frameworks while developing collaborative interprofessional team skills essential for comprehensive mental health care delivery.
NURS 555. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum I. 6 Hours. – Students integrate theoretical knowledge through hands-on clinical experience managing patients with psychiatric disorders across the healthcare continuum. This intensive practicum emphasizes evidence-based, patient-centered care strategies for acute and chronic psychiatric conditions while developing collaborative skills with interprofessional healthcare teams.
NURS 556. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum II. 6 Hours. – The culminating clinical experience advances students’ integration of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner competencies through continued patient and family care across diverse settings. Students refine their expertise in managing complex psychiatric disorders while strengthening interprofessional collaboration and evidence-based practice implementation skills.
Curriculum source: https://catalog.tamut.edu/graduate-studies/nursing/nursing/pmcpmhnp/#certificationrequirementstext
Clinical requirements include quality rotation sites with faculty-approved preceptors. Students participate in scheduled clinical immersion days prior to each semester to allow for personal schedule coordination.
The hybrid format includes face-to-face evaluation of clinical skills and faculty mentoring sessions.
Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate (Texas A&M)
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate would be approximately $7,250 annually and would take 2 years to complete.
Curriculum
The 26-credit certificate program spans five semesters with courses covering psychopharmacology, pre-clinical essentials, and three progressive family psychiatric-mental health courses.
The curriculum addresses adult/acute care, child-adolescent populations, and older adult/chronic mental illness care. Clinical components include three clinical courses plus a final clinical practicum totaling significant hands-on experience.
Course delivery utilizes asynchronous online instruction with required clinical hours. The program follows a structured progression from introduction to psychopharmacology through comprehensive clinical practicum experience across diverse psychiatric populations.
Prerequisites & Admissions
MSN Program Requirements (Texas A&M Texarkana):
- BSN from CCNE or ACEN accredited institution
- Minimum one year RN experience (preference for 2+ years)
- Current unencumbered Texas RN license or compact license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in last 60 undergraduate nursing credit hours
- Current immunizations, CPR certification, negative drug screen
- Clear FBI background check
- Letter of interest and two professional references
- Interview with Program Coordinator (may be waived)
Post-Graduate Certificate Requirements (Texas A&M):
- Graduate degree in nursing and active Texas RN license
- Elementary statistics completion with minimum “B” grade
- Advanced pharmacology, physical assessment, and pathophysiology prerequisites with minimum “B” grades
- Recommended 3.0 GPA on all coursework
- NursingCAS application with transcripts, essays, resume, three references
- Timed verbal responses and written assessments through Kira Talent
Tuition
Graduate resident tuition is $3,625 for full-time enrollment annually. Additional costs include books/supplies ($510) and other educational expenses.
Accreditation
Both Texas A&M University-Texarkana and Texas A&M University nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring graduates meet national standards for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner preparation and ANCC certification eligibility.
Other Nursing Programs
- Master of Science in Nursing Administration
- Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate Track
Transfer Options
Students may receive transfer credit for core courses including Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Physical Assessment, and Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics if completed within the past five years and deemed appropriate by the Program Coordinator.
Other Programs in Texas
- Baylor University - Waco
- Midwestern State University - Wichita Falls
- Texas Christian University - Fort Worth
- Texas State University - Round Rock
- Texas Tech University - Lubbock
- Texas Woman's University - Denton
- UT Health Houston - Houston
- UT Health San Antonio - San Antonio
- University of Texas at Arlington - Arlington
- University of Texas at El Paso - El Paso
- UTTyler - Tyler