Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSN to DNP PMHNP | ≈ $154,700 | 3–4 years | Online coursework; local clinicals |
| Post-Graduate APRN Certificate (PMHNP) | ≈ $55,250 | ~1.5 years | Online coursework; local clinicals |
The programs maintain a 97% BSN to DNP-FNP certification pass rate and hold the #43 ranking for Best Doctor of Nursing Practice Program by U.S. News & World Report in 2023. TCU provides comprehensive support through its distinguished alumni network, state-of-the-art Health Professions Learning Center, and innovative health care research opportunities across 20 areas of interest.
BSN to DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP PMHNP program is approximately $154,700 and takes 3-4 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The 70-credit hour program combines advanced practice nursing foundations with specialized psychiatric mental health content and doctoral-level leadership preparation.
Core coursework includes:
NURS50003 Advanced Pathophysiology
Examines advanced pathophysiologic mechanisms across organ systems to explain human illness in adults and children. Emphasizes linking cellular/genetic changes to clinical manifestations that inform differential diagnosis and management.
NURS50013 Advanced Health Assessment
Builds comprehensive, lifespan health‐assessment skills through structured history taking, examination, and diagnostic reasoning. Integrates didactic learning with practicum to strengthen systematic and inferential clinical judgment.
NURS50022 Advanced Practice Roles
Prepares students for transition to the DNP-prepared APRN role by exploring leadership, collaboration, advocacy, and professional identity. Addresses autonomy, change theory, certification, licensure, titling, and scope within nursing’s metaparadigm.
NURS50053 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics
Covers pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutics for safe, cost-effective prescribing across the lifespan. Stresses efficacy, patient education, adherence, and evidence-based selection of agents for altered health states.
NAPN86212 Psychotherapy Concepts for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Introduces evidence-based psychotherapies—crisis, brief, individual, family, and group—applied to disorders across the lifespan. Emphasizes assessment-driven modality selection for depression, schizophrenia, addictions, childhood onset, and cognitive conditions.
NAPN84223 Diag Methods & Procedures APRN
Develops proficiency in ordering, interpreting, and applying laboratory and diagnostic tests to guide care across the lifespan. Includes introduction to common procedures such as wound care and suturing to support office-based practice.
NAPN84212 Business and Legal Aspects for the Nurse Practitioner
Explores practice models, risk management, and the legal/ethical parameters governing NP practice. Applies business management concepts and outcome measurement strategies for continuous quality improvement.
NAPN86222 Neurobiology of Mental Illness: Lifespan
Examines neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, genetics, circuitry, and neuropharmacology underlying psychiatric disorders across ages. Evaluates evidence-based treatments and symptom management for schizophrenia, mood, substance use, childhood, and cognitive disorders.
NAPN86213 Psychopharmacology for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Links neurobiology and pharmacogenomics to psychotropic mechanisms, therapeutic uses, and adverse effects. Guides lifespan-focused medication selection and monitoring to optimize outcomes and mitigate neural and behavioral risks.
NAPN86223 Psychiatric Care of Adult and Geriatric Populations
Focuses on assessment, diagnosis, and management of adult/geriatric psychiatric conditions, including mood, psychotic, addictive, and cognitive disorders. Centers patient-, family-, and caregiver-oriented care and PMHNP role development; taken with Practicum I.
NAPN86283 PMH Practicum I
Provides supervised adult-gerontology psychiatric clinical experience to apply assessments, guidelines, and person-centered interventions. Emphasizes safe, evidence-based management and interprofessional collaboration; taken with the adult/geriatric didactic.
NAPN86333 Psychiatric Care of Children and Adolescents
Covers assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric psychiatric disorders, integrating family and developmental contexts. Builds PMHNP competencies for youth mental health; taken concurrently with Practicum II.
NAPN86383 PMH Practicum II
Immerses students in child/adolescent psychiatric settings under qualified preceptors to manage common conditions. Applies evidence-based guidelines and safety frameworks for developmentally appropriate, patient-centered care.
NAPN86386 PMH Practicum III
Culminating clinical integrating PMHNP role across the lifespan in collaborative settings. Emphasizes ethical, legal, and professional issues while synthesizing advanced assessment, treatment, and evaluation skills.
NDNP81113 Health Innovation and Complexity Science
Analyzes complexity, innovation, and entrepreneurship in healthcare systems to advance equity, quality, and safety. Equips students to address multifaceted clinical and organizational challenges.
NDNP81123 Health Care Data Management and Analysis
Applies core statistical methods and data management to interpret healthcare research and outcomes. Builds skills to critically appraise literature and support evidence-based improvement.
NDNP81143 Population Health & Epidemiology
Provides frameworks for population health assessment, epidemiology, and community interventions. Students design evidence-based programs addressing social determinants, disparities, and system-level risk reduction with measurable outcomes.
NDNP81222 Synthesis in Evidence-Based Practice
Trains students to synthesize best evidence across methodologies to inform clinical and system decisions. Emphasizes rigorous appraisal and integration into practice recommendations.
NDNP81233 Health Information and Technology
Examines informatics and communication technologies for safe, high-quality, efficient care delivery. Focuses on analysis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of health IT solutions.
NDNP81242 Translation in Evidence-Based Practice
Prepares students to translate synthesized evidence into actionable practice change. Covers implementation strategies and decision support for sustainable improvement.
NDNP81353 Health Policy, Finance, & Economics
Explores policy, financing, and economic drivers of healthcare with strategies for systems change. Positions the DNP as a leader and change agent in organizational transformation.
NDNP81133 Systems & Organization Leadership
Develops leadership competencies to influence systems performance, culture, and outcomes. Emphasizes strategic thinking, interprofessional collaboration, and accountability for quality and safety.
NDNP86712 Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice and Research
Introduces research methods, EBP models, and basic statistics to ground scholarly inquiry. Builds competency in selecting designs and appraising evidence for clinical application.
NDNP88061 DNP Scholarly Project I
Students propose an evidence-based scholarly project, defining the problem, aims, framework, and outcomes. Establishes feasibility and alignment with practice priorities.
NDNP88071 DNP Scholarly Project II
Refines project design, methods, and evaluation plan; secures resources and approvals. Prepares for implementation and measurement of impact.
NDNP88182 DNP Scholarly Project III
Implements the project and evaluates processes and outcomes in the practice setting. Uses data to guide iterations and assess effectiveness.
NDNP88191 DNP Scholarly Project IV
Disseminates project results through scholarly products and presentations. Emphasizes translation of findings to sustain improvements and inform broader practice.
More curriculum information available here:
Students can complete the program in either a 3-year (36 months) or 4-year (48 months) track depending on their scheduling preferences.
Clinicals
Students complete 15 credit hours of clinical practicum through three progressive courses:
- PMH Practicum I (3 credits)
- PMH Practicum II (3 credits)
- PMH Practicum III (6 credits)
Clinical experiences are completed close to home in the student’s local community, providing flexibility for working professionals. All clinical rotations must be completed within two academic years, and students must maintain satisfactory completion of drug screens and background checks prior to beginning practicum hours.
Prerequisites & Admissions
- BSN from accredited school or university with preferred 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Current unencumbered RN licensure in Texas or state where practicum will occur
- One year of full-time RN experience (or equivalent) preferred
- Current CPR certification and immunizations
- Personal statement (maximum 2 pages, double-spaced) addressing qualifications, interest in TCU’s clinical doctorate, and DNP scholarly project area
- Three professional references from supervisors, faculty, or other professionals
- Resume or curriculum vita
- Satisfactory completion of interview
- TOEFL score of 600+ or TSE score of 6+ for non-English speakers (within past two years)
- $250 non-refundable deposit upon acceptance
- Application deadlines: October 30 for spring admission, June 1 for fall admission
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program is approximately $55,250 and takes 1.5 years to complete on a full-time basis across four semesters.
Curriculum
The 25-credit hour certificate program is designed for nurses holding a doctorate in nursing practice in a different specialty.
Coursework is determined through gap analysis of previously completed master’s and doctoral coursework, considering when courses were completed and Texas Board of Nursing requirements. The program focuses exclusively on psychiatric mental health content and clinical preparation, building upon existing advanced practice foundation knowledge.
Clinicals
Clinical practicum experiences are completed close to home in approved settings. Students must maintain current CPR certification, immunizations, and complete satisfactory drug screens and background checks prior to clinical rotations. Specific clinical hour requirements are individualized based on gap analysis results.
Prerequisites & Admissions
- BSN from accredited school or university
- PhD or DNP from NLNAC or CCNE accredited program
- Current unencumbered RN licensure in Texas or practicum state
- Preferred 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Personal statement (maximum 2 pages, double-spaced) addressing qualifications and interest in TCU’s certificate program
- Three professional references from supervisors, faculty, or professionals
- Resume or curriculum vita
- Current CPR certification and immunizations
- TOEFL score of 600+ or TSE score of 6+ for non-English speakers
- Gap analysis determines individualized coursework requirements
- $250 non-refundable deposit upon acceptance
- Fall term start only
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition is $2,210 per credit hour beginning Fall 2025. Practicum/clinical fees are $250 per course.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, doctor of nursing practice degree, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Texas Christian University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Graduates are eligible for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB).
Other Nursing Programs
TCU’s Harris College of Nursing offers comprehensive nursing education pathways:
Undergraduate Programs:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (29-month program)
Graduate Programs:
- Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Educator
- BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
- BSN to DNP – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN to DNP – Executive Nurse Leadership & Practice
- DNP-to-Ph.D. in Nursing Bridge Program
More PMNHP Programs
- Baylor University - Waco
- Midwestern State University - Wichita Falls
- Texas A&M - Texarkana
- 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