Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Cost | Length | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN (Texas A&M Texarkana) | $14,500–$21,750 | 2–3 years | 50 |
| Post-Graduate Certificate (Texas A&M) | $14,500 | 2 years | 26 |
With hybrid delivery combining online learning and face-to-face clinical immersion, these programs feature annual application deadlines and minimum one-year RN experience requirements.
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.
MSN Curriculum
Coursework includes the following:
Core Research & Quality Courses
NURS 505. Evidence Based Practice I Focuses on evidence translation, identifying healthcare practice gaps, and qualitative research methodologies to develop leadership skills for advanced nursing practice.
NURS 506. Evidence Based Practice II Emphasizes quantitative research appraisal, rapid critical analysis, and the development of clinical implementation strategies for community health initiatives.
NURS 508. Quality Improvement and Safety Equips students with quality improvement methodologies, safety performance metrics, and clinical leadership competencies to create secure patient environments.
NURS 522. Healthcare Economics and Financial Management Provides financial literacy and strategic planning skills for nurse leaders, covering fiscal operations, marketing, quality assurance, and risk management.
Advanced Foundational Sciences (The “3 Ps” & Diagnostics)
NURS 540. Advanced Pathophysiology Explores biological and psychophysiological disease processes across the lifespan, building the clinical reasoning needed to differentiate normal variants from pathology.
NURS 541. Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics Covers advanced pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics for major health conditions, with an emphasis on prescriptive authority, legal considerations, and treatment protocols.
NURS 542. Advanced Health Assessment Advanced physical and psychosocial assessment across the lifespan. Includes lab and clinical practice to hone diagnostic documentation, presentation skills, and variance identification.
NURS 543. Health Promotions and Diagnostics Establishes foundations for disease prevention while teaching essential diagnostic interpretation skills for laboratory values, EKGs, and radiological imaging.
Psychiatric Specialty Didactic Courses
NURS 550. Introduction to Psychotherapy Establishes the theoretical foundations for individual, family, and group modalities. Uses simulation to practice CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused techniques.
NURS 551. Introduction to Clinical Psychiatry and Psychopharmacology Explores the neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, and genetic factors underlying clinical psychiatry, integrating core concepts for psychiatric medication management.
NURS 552. Advanced Practice Nursing Concepts and Roles Examines APRN role development, professional responsibilities, legal/ethical frameworks, health equity, and collaborative care strategies.
NURS 553. PMHNP Concepts & Theories I Manages the transition to independent practice by developing diagnostic evaluation skills, mental status exam techniques, and lifespan psychiatric intervention strategies.
NURS 554. PMHNP Concepts & Theories II Refines advanced diagnosis and psychiatric management across all age groups, focusing on group/family therapy frameworks and interprofessional team collaboration.
Clinical Practicum Experiences
NURS 555. PMHNP Practicum I Hands-on clinical experience managing acute and chronic psychiatric disorders across the healthcare continuum using evidence-based, patient-centered care.
NURS 556. PMHNP Practicum II The culminating clinical immersion. Solidifies core competencies through direct patient and family care while refining independent management of complex psychiatric conditions.
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.
Certificate 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.
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.
Compare More PMNHP Programs
- 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