Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN Psychiatric PMHNP | $33,074* | 2–3 years (full-time); part-time available |
| Post-Master’s Certificate in PMHNP | Varies† | 1–2 years (depends on prerequisites) |
*Estimate based on $719/credit for NP coursework (46 credits); excludes fees.
†Certificate tuition depends on gap analysis; NP courses billed at $719/credit (practicum fee ~$525/course). Some MSN core courses are $695/credit (practicum fee ~$400/course).
The programs offer both part-time and full-time study options across 13 courses, with flexible start dates offered every 16 weeks in January, March, July, and September. Students benefit from multiple admission cycles throughout the year, providing flexibility for working professionals.
The program requires students to perform clinical practice identical to their preceptor’s role and allows up to 50% of clinical hours to be completed via telemedicine/telehealth. Students progress from 2-3 patients per day at midterm to 3-5 patients daily by program completion. The university maintains CCNE accreditation for its nursing programs with post-graduate APRN certificate program pursuing initial accreditation.
MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the MSN PMHNP program is approximately $33,074 and would take 2-3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The 46-credit program includes comprehensive psychiatric mental health preparation. Coursework includes the following:
- NUR-5290 US Health Policy and Global Health
Examines how legislation and U.S. government agencies shape public health at local, state, and national levels. Links U.S. policy to global health, highlights nursing advocacy, social determinants of health, and factors that affect the nursing workforce worldwide. - NUR-5300 Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
Covers the EBP cycle from forming clinical questions to appraising evidence, implementing change, and evaluating outcomes. Integrates research findings with clinical judgment, patient preferences, and team input to lead measurable practice improvements. - NUR-8050 Scholarly Inquiry: The Basis for Evidence-Based Practice
Builds advanced research skills to appraise and synthesize scientific studies and guidelines. Focuses on design, methods, implementation, analysis, and evaluation of a practice change based on high-quality evidence. - NUR-7600 Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience Foundations Across the Lifespan
Explores neuroscience principles for safe prescribing, including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacogenetics. Develops decision-making for common psychiatric disorders using psychotropic and alternative treatments, with legal and ethical review of the Controlled Substances Act. - NUR-7610 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Roles and Contemporary Issues
Traces mental health theory and the evolution of the PMHNP role, including Peplau’s contributions and current practice standards. Addresses care settings, legal and ethical issues, dilemmas, and conflict resolution specific to psychiatric practice. - NUR-7620 Family System Psychopathology and Psychotherapeutics Across the Lifespan
Reviews acute and chronic psychiatric disorders and their effects on individuals and families. Applies person-centered, group, and family therapies, plus complementary interventions, to support stabilization and well-being. - NUR-7631 Advanced Assessment, Differential Diagnosis, and Management of Psychiatric Disorders: Child and Adolescent Populations, Part A
Introduces advanced psychiatric practice for youth, emphasizing assessment, diagnosis, and prescriptive decision-making. Includes 125 precepted clinical hours focused on promotion, prevention, common concerns, and equitable care across diverse settings. - NUR-7641 Advanced Assessment, Differential Diagnosis, and Management of Psychiatric Disorders: Child and Adolescent Populations, Part B
Continues advanced practice for child and adolescent care with deeper application of diagnostics and treatment planning. Adds 125 precepted clinical hours to strengthen competencies and population-focused immersion. - NUR-7632 Advanced Assessment, Differential Diagnosis, and Management of Psychiatric Disorders: Adults Populations 3.5*
Develops advanced assessment and differential diagnosis skills for adult psychiatric conditions. Guides pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic management with attention to promotion, prevention, and co-occurring medical issues. - NUR-7642 Advanced Assessment, Differential Diagnosis, and Management of Psychiatric Disorders: Adults Populations Part II 3.5
Expands adult-focused practice to more complex presentations and treatment adjustments. Refines integrated medication and psychotherapy plans while monitoring outcomes and safety. - NUR-7633 Advanced Assessment, Differential Diagnosis, and Management of Psychiatric Disorders: Geriatric Populations 3.5*
Focuses on psychiatric care for older adults, including cognitive disorders, mood conditions, and late-life anxiety. Addresses polypharmacy, medical comorbidities, functional status, and caregiver considerations. - NUR-7643 Advanced Assessment, Differential Diagnosis, and Management of Psychiatric Disorders: Geriatric Populations Part II 3.5
Advances geriatric management with complex cases across home, outpatient, and long-term care settings. Emphasizes medication optimization, safety, ethics, and interprofessional coordination. - NUR-5160 Advanced Health Assessment
Builds advanced history-taking, physical examination, and clinical reasoning skills across the lifespan. Uses risk assessment and prevention strategies to create comprehensive, evidence-based care plans. - NUR-6400 Advanced Pathophysiology
Differentiates normal physiology from disease using a systems approach. Analyzes major health problems by etiology, epidemiology, presentation, diagnostics, management, complications, and related education strategies. - NUR-6410 Advanced Pharmacology for Prescribers
Covers pharmacologic principles for safe prescribing, including mechanisms of action, kinetics, dynamics, and therapeutic drug classes. Teaches dosing, monitoring, interactions, contraindications, and regulatory considerations across the lifespan.
Students develop expertise in psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning while learning to provide holistic care for diverse patient populations. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, interprofessional collaboration, and the integration of technology in mental health care delivery.
Clinicals
Clinical requirements include extensive supervised practicum hours with qualified preceptors. Students progress from observational “shadowing” to managing 2-3 patients daily at midterm, advancing to 3-5 patients daily by program completion during 6-8 hour clinical days.
MSN Program Requirements:
- Active unencumbered RN license valid in United States
- BSN degree from regionally accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 bachelor’s degree GPA
- Current professional resume and personal statement (750 words)
- Personal interview with admissions committee
- TOEFL scores for non-English speaking applicants
- Application deadlines vary by start term (January, May, September)
Post-Master’s Certificate in PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate program varies based on gap analysis and would take 1-2 years to complete depending on prerequisite needs.
Curriculum
The certificate program targets master’s-prepared nurses seeking PMHNP specialization:
- Core Psychiatric Courses:
- Advanced psychiatric assessment and intervention
- Evidence-based mental health care delivery
- Population-focused psychiatric nursing approaches
- Interprofessional collaboration in mental health settings
- Clinical Requirements:
- Same progression expectations as MSN program
- Identical patient care responsibilities and supervision standards
- Telemedicine/telehealth practice opportunities
Clinicals
Clinical requirements mirror the MSN program with supervised practicum experiences across diverse psychiatric mental health settings serving various patient populations and acuity levels.
Post-Master’s Certificate Requirements
- Master’s degree in nursing from accredited program
- Same RN licensure and GPA requirements
- Professional experience in nursing practice
- Personal interview and goal statement
- Gap analysis determines specific coursework needs
Tuition
Nurse Practitioner program tuition costs $719 per credit hour with additional practicum fees of $525 per course.
MSN nursing courses cost $695 per credit hour with $400 practicum fees per course. Application fee is $50 for all programs.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Thomas Edison State University’s baccalaureate, master’s, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs maintain accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The post-graduate APRN certificate program is pursuing initial CCNE accreditation.
Other Nursing Programs
- RN to BSN degree completion
- Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN and Certificate)
- Nursing Administration and Leadership concentrations
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Accelerated BSN Program
- Various nursing education and specialty certificates
Related Programs
View All PMHNP Programs in New Jersey
- Fairleigh Dickinson - Teaneck
- Felician University - Rutherford
- Rowan University - Glassboro
- Rutgers University - Trenton
- Seton Hall - South Orange