Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Cost (Estimated) | Duration | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN: PMHNP | $18,855 | 2–3 years | Online coursework with six specialty classes |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | $11,313 | 1.5–2 years | Online |
The program operates with flexible scheduling options including full-time summer admission and part-time fall/spring enrollment, exclusively serving Texas residents. Students complete 780 clinical hours with weekly supervision in all practicum courses, emphasizing both medication management and psychotherapeutic interventions.
Clinical placement assistance is provided to students, and graduates are eligible for ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification across the lifespan. Rolling admissions are available for the PMHNP track, with a 12-month psychiatric nursing experience requirement before clinical practicum.
MSN Track
The estimated cost for the MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is approximately $18,855 and would take 2-3 years to complete depending on full-time or part-time enrollment.
Curriculum
The 45-credit hour program includes 18 hours of core nurse practitioner content covering advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, evidence-based practice, theoretical foundations, and health policy. The 27-hour psychiatric specialty component encompasses advanced psychiatric diagnostics, interviewing and assessment, psychopharmacology, psychotherapeutic interventions, therapeutic relationships, and holistic psychiatric care.
Six specialty courses require weekly synchronized evening attendance. Students complete 780 preceptored clinical hours across multiple practicum experiences. The curriculum emphasizes counseling skills and substance use disorder treatment, with weekly clinical supervision to develop high-quality psychiatric care competencies.
MSN Track Requirements:
- Current unencumbered US RN license
- BS or BSN from nationally accredited nursing program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in last 60 undergraduate hours and all graduate coursework
- Basic statistics course (undergraduate level)
- Behavioral health experience preferred (1 year full-time or 2 years part-time)
- Current CV/resume submission required
- Two mental health practitioner/faculty references
- One-page essay about desire to become PMHNP
- Interview required for qualified applicants
- Casper Assessment completion ($50 fee) starting Spring 2026
- 12 months psychiatric nursing experience required before first practicum
- Rolling admission available
Post-Master’s Certificate Track
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is approximately $11,313 and would take 1.5-2 years to complete.
Curriculum
The 27-credit hour certificate requires the same psychiatric specialty coursework as the MSN track, covering advanced psychiatric diagnostics, interviewing techniques, psychopharmacology, and therapeutic interventions. Prerequisites include advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment if not completed within six years for currently credentialed APRNs.
Clinicals
Students must complete the same 780 clinical hours with identical supervision requirements. The program maintains the same weekly synchronized evening classes and clinical placement assistance as the full MSN program.
Post-Master’s Certificate Requirements
- MS or MSN from nationally accredited nursing program
- Current APRN licensure required
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in master’s nursing degree
- Current unencumbered US RN license
- Basic statistics course completion
- Same experience and documentation requirements as MSN track
Tuition
Graduate tuition costs $323 per credit hour plus $95 nursing course surcharge, totaling $418 per credit hour for nursing courses.
Additional mandatory fees include $81 University Services Fee and $35.71 Student Services Fee per credit hour, plus various semester fees including $150 Student Center Fee and $80 Fitness & Recreation Fee.
See the official tuition page for more information: https://twu.edu/bursar/tuition-fees/
Accreditation
Texas Woman’s University nursing programs maintain accreditation status, though specific accrediting bodies are not detailed in the provided documentation.
Other Nursing Programs
The College of Nursing offers multiple advanced practice specialties:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (Hybrid and Online)
- Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) – Primary Care
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
- Nursing Education
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science (PhD)
- DNP to PhD Bridge Program
- Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics
- Various Post-Master’s Certificates in all specialty areas