| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSN-to-DNP PMHNP | ~$27K in-state / ~$33K NE Regional per year | Not clearly stated |
| Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP | Not clearly stated (see tuition section) | 1 year (3 semesters) |
As the only nursing school in Massachusetts on the same campus as a nationally top-ranked medical school, UMass Chan offers PMHNP students interprofessional clinical training, school-arranged placements across Massachusetts, and a rare post-graduation fellowship connecting graduates to community health centers.
Program Tracks Overview
BSN-to-DNP PMHNP
The estimated cost for the BSN-to-DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing is approximately $27,259 in-state, $33,199 for New England Regional students, or $36,358 for out-of-state students per academic year (three semesters, 2026–27 rates).
Total program cost and duration are not clearly stated in the available source material — prospective students should contact the admissions office for a full program timeline and credit count.
DNP Curriculum
The BSN-to-DNP program delivers a curriculum integrating Foundational Concepts, Clinical Expertise, and Integration of Practice with a PMHNP specialty focus.
Specialty coursework prepares students to assess and diagnose psychiatric conditions, provide individual, group, couples, and family psychotherapy, prescribe psychopharmacological treatments, and address mental health needs across the lifespan.
The scholarly project component focuses on quality improvement, evidence-based practice, health policy analysis, or program evaluation in an area of the student’s interest.
DNP Courses
- N603A: Examines the societal, policy, ethical, economic, and population health forces shaping graduate nursing practice and outcomes.
- N603B.1 / N603B.2: Builds interprofessional and community-service learning skills through work with underserved and high-risk populations.
- N613: Focuses on advanced pathophysiology and how disease processes affect the whole person across body systems.
- N614: Covers advanced pharmacotherapeutics, including safe prescribing, pharmacokinetics, and medication management across the lifespan.
- N615: Develops advanced health assessment skills for comprehensive histories, physical exams, differential diagnosis, and care planning.
- N704: Teaches epidemiologic methods and critical appraisal skills for evaluating medical literature and study designs.
- N705: Explores emerging trends affecting the DNP role in hospitals and community settings, with an emphasis on evidence-based leadership.
- N706: Analyzes U.S. health policy, financing, ethics, and system-level issues that shape care delivery and reform.
- N707: Introduces biomedical informatics and the use of data, systems, and tools in research and clinical practice.
- N708: Examines organizational systems and healthcare financing to support quality care and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- N709I: Guides the initial development of the DNP scholarly project proposal with faculty mentorship.
- N709II: Continues project development by refining the methodology and finalizing the DNP proposal.
- N715: Strengthens statistical reasoning and data interpretation skills for practice inquiry and research evaluation.
- N716: Builds a foundation in evidence-based practice through question development, literature review, appraisal, and synthesis.
- N717: Introduces quality improvement and informatics tools used to evaluate and advance healthcare systems.
- N718: Focuses on scholarly writing, APA style, and clear professional communication for doctoral-level work.
- N727: Explores DNP practice inquiry methods, including quality improvement, program evaluation, and policy analysis.
- N728: Provides an immersive advanced practice experience to refine independent clinical competencies.
- N729: Applies advanced diagnostic reasoning to complex health issues commonly seen in older adults.
- N772: Supports implementation of the DNP scholarly project to improve patient and organizational outcomes.
- N773: Completes the DNP scholarly project through evaluation of outcomes and dissemination of findings.
- N776: Develops leadership vision and strategies for driving transformation in healthcare organizations.
- N777A: Offers mentored leadership practicum experiences focused on refining advanced nursing leadership skills.
- N777B: Continues the leadership practicum with extended mentored application of DNP leadership competencies.
- N778: Prepares students for transition into advanced practice through simulation, case studies, and role development.
- N799: Provides individualized independent study opportunities to deepen advanced nursing knowledge or skills.
PMHNP Courses
- N732A: Introduces psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment across the lifespan using DSM-5 and evidence-based tools.
- N732B: Provides supervised practicum experience in mental health assessment, intervention, and interprofessional care.
- N671: Covers individual psychotherapeutic approaches and the advanced practice nurse’s therapeutic role in psychiatric care.
- N733A: Focuses on psychiatric care for adults and older adults, including psychopharmacologic and psychotherapeutic strategies.
- N733B: Expands practicum experience in the assessment and treatment of adult and older adult mental health conditions.
- N673: Introduces safe and effective clinical psychopharmacology for psychiatric conditions across the lifespan.
- N734A: Addresses psychiatric assessment and treatment for children, adolescents, and families.
- N734B: Provides practicum experience focused on mental health care for children, adolescents, and families.
- N675: Reviews advanced psychotherapeutic interventions across modalities such as group, couples, and family therapy.
DNP Clinicals
Clinical placements are arranged by the school across Massachusetts, leveraging the UMass Chan Medical School network and a dedicated clinical placement coordinator. Students gain experience in outpatient and inpatient settings, step-down and residential programs, and private outpatient practices.
- Clinical placements arranged by the school across Massachusetts
- Dedicated clinical placement coordinator
- Settings include outpatient and inpatient facilities, step-down/residential programs, and private outpatient practices
- Interprofessional training available on shared campus with UMass Chan Medical School
DNP Admissions
The BSN-to-DNP PMHNP requires a BSN with an unrestricted Massachusetts RN license; a video essay and supplemental application are required in addition to NursingCAS.
- BSN from an accredited institution required
- Preferred GPA: 3.0 or higher for all degrees
- Unrestricted Massachusetts RN license required
- Statistics course with grade of B- or higher preferred (no time limit on completion)
- NursingCAS application (with NursingCAS fee)
- Supplemental application completed outside NursingCAS (access granted after NursingCAS submission): includes attestation of authenticity, residency validation form, criminal background check authorization, and 3 video essay responses (2 minutes each)
- $117 supplemental admissions application fee (non-refundable; no fee added for video essays)
- Personal statement: two prompts (300 words total) — career/nursing motivation and PMHNP role understanding; one prompt (300 words) — how the DNP will enhance APRN practice
- 2 letters of recommendation (1 professional, 1 academic, within last 5 years preferred)
- Early admission deadline: February 1, 2026 (for Fall 2026 start — to reserve your spot)
- Final application deadline: April 30, 2026
- Fall start only
- U.S. citizens and permanent residents only; F-1/J-1 visa holders not eligible
Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at UMass Chan is not clearly stated as a program-total figure in the source material.
The annual DNP/PhD tuition and fees run approximately $27,259 in-state, $33,199 NE Regional, or $36,358 out-of-state per academic year.
Since the certificate spans three semesters (one academic year), the total is approximately in that range, though the specific certificate tuition rate should be confirmed directly with the program. The program takes 1 year (3 semesters) to complete.
Certificate Curriculum
The PMHNP post-graduate certificate is a 22-credit program delivered across three semesters.
The curriculum progresses from psychiatric assessment and diagnosis to adult and older adult care and consultation, then to child, adolescent, and family care — paired with practicum courses at each stage.
Psychotherapeutic interventions are taught in two dedicated courses: individual therapy in fall and group, couples, and family therapy in summer. Clinical psychopharmacology is covered in the spring semester.
This certificate is designed specifically for practicing NPs who want to add PMHNP certification as a second specialty.
Year 1 Fall (6 credits):
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing I: Assessment and Diagnosis Across the Lifespan (3 cr)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practicum I (2 cr)
- Psychotherapeutic Interventions I: Individual Therapy (1 cr)
Year 1 Spring (8 credits):
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing II: Care of Adults, Older Adults and Consultation (3 cr)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practicum II (2 cr)
- Clinical Psychopharmacology (3 cr)
Year 1 Summer (8 credits):
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing III: Care of Children, Adolescents, and Families (3 cr)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practicum III (3 cr)
- Psychotherapeutic Interventions II: Group, Couples, and Family Therapy (2 cr)
Total certificate credits: 22
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical experiences are embedded across all three semesters through three practicum courses totaling 7 practicum credits. Placements are arranged by UMass Chan across Massachusetts. Total clinical hours are not explicitly stated — prospective students should confirm with the program.
- Practicum I: 2 credits (fall)
- Practicum II: 2 credits (spring)
- Practicum III: 3 credits (summer)
- Total practicum credits: 7
- Settings: outpatient and inpatient psychiatric facilities, community mental health, and other behavioral health settings across Massachusetts
- Clinical placements arranged by the school
Certificate Admissions
The PGC PMHNP requires an unrestricted Massachusetts NP license and is geographically restricted to applicants in or relocating to six New England states; a video essay and supplemental application are required.
- Unrestricted Massachusetts NP licensure required
- Eligible out-of-state applicants must live or plan to relocate to one of the following states: MA, RI, CT, NH, VT, ME
- Preferred GPA: 3.0 or higher for all degrees
- Prerequisite courses with B- or higher preferred: statistics, advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment
- NursingCAS application (with NursingCAS fee)
- Supplemental application (access granted after NursingCAS submission): attestation, residency validation, criminal background check authorization, 3 video essay responses (2 min each)
- $117 supplemental admissions application fee (non-refundable)
- Personal statement: Why are you wishing to pursue a career as an additional scope of practice in mental health and what do you hope to do with further education? (500 words)
- 2 letters of recommendation (1 professional, 1 academic, within last 5 years preferred)
- Application deadline: completed applications reviewed on a rolling basis; confirm current deadlines with the admissions office
- U.S. citizens and permanent residents only
Tuition
The Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing charges tuition based on the number of credits taken, with fees charged based on program.
For DNP and PhD programs (2026–27), tuition and fees for one academic year (Fall, Spring, Summer) are estimated at $27,259 for in-state students, $33,199 for New England Regional students (RI, CT, NH, VT, ME, plus MA), and $36,358 for out-of-state students — these figures are COA estimates used for financial aid budgeting and actual costs may vary.
The per-credit rate is not broken out separately in the available source material. Certificate program tuition is not independently listed; prospective PGC students should contact the program for the current certificate rate. Application costs include the NursingCAS fee plus a $117 non-refundable supplemental admissions application fee. Financial aid may be available upon acceptance.
See the official tuition and financial information page for more details.
Accreditation
The DNP and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing at UMass Chan Medical School are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The pre-licensure program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
PMHNP graduates are eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner board certification examination. Upon graduation and certification, eligible graduates may apply to the post-graduation 12-month Fellowship Program at a community health center managed by UMass Chan and the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers.
Compare UMass with Other Massachusetts PMHNP Programs
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - Boston
- Northeastern University - Boston
- Regis College - Weston
- Westfield State University - Westfield