| Track | Duration | Est. Cost | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN – Family Psychiatric-Mental Health NP | ~2 years | $25,852 | 100% online |
| Post-Graduate Certificate – Family PMHNP | ~1–2 years | Varies (by GAP analysis) | 100% online |
| BSN–DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP | ~3 years | $42,150 | 100% online |
Notes: Resident tuition is $562/credit (estimate shown excludes most fees). Non-resident per-credit total is $1,659.56; online students may instead be assessed a $150/semester distance-learning fee (program-specific). DNP students also pay an $850 JBI training fee in the first semester. Costs and policies are subject to change.
Program Tracks Overview
The University of Mississippi School of Nursing offers comprehensive PMHNP education through Mississippi’s only academic health science center, serving students since 1948.
Located at UMMC, which houses the state’s only Level 1 trauma center and children’s hospital, the program provides access to over 200 affiliated clinical sites including hospitals, community health centers, and mental health facilities. The school maintains JBI Centre of Excellence status and Cochrane US affiliation, demonstrating commitment to evidence-based practice.
MSN Track
The estimated cost for the MSN: Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track is approximately $25,852 and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The 46-credit hour curriculum includes foundational courses in advanced health assessment, physiology/pathophysiology, and clinical pharmacotherapeutics.
Core nursing courses cover research design, informatics, healthcare technology, and quality improvement. Specialized psychiatric courses focus on clinical assessment and management of individuals, families, and groups with mental health problems. The program concludes with role development and advanced practice enactment courses.
Clinicals
Students complete 630 clinical hours across three practicum courses, progressing from individual assessment to family and group management.
MSN Track Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from CCNE or ACEN accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA or 3.0 nursing GPA
- One year RN experience required for nurse practitioner tracks
- Current unrestricted RN licensure in United States and Mississippi eligibility
- Official transcripts from all institutions
- March 15 application deadline for fall admission
- Interview may be required
RN-MSN Track (Admissions Currently Suspended)
The RN-MSN: Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track was designed for associate degree RNs seeking direct entry to master’s level psychiatric nursing practice. The 62-credit hour program included 31 hours of prior learning assessment credit after completing foundational coursework.
Post-Graduate Certificate Track
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate: Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner varies based on individual coursework evaluation and would typically take 1-2 years to complete.
Curriculum
Post-graduate certificate plans are individualized based on previous graduate nursing coursework. Students complete required specialty courses and any missing support courses. Those with existing nurse practitioner certification in other areas typically have shorter study plans.
Clinicals
All students must complete psychiatric-specific clinical courses and meet national certification requirements.
Post-Graduate Certificate Requirements
- Master’s degree in nursing from CCNE or ACEN accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- One year RN experience
- Current unrestricted RN licensure
- February 1 application deadline for summer admission
BSN-DNP Track
The estimated cost for the BSN-DNP: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track is approximately $42,150 and would take 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The 75-credit hour doctoral program combines advanced psychiatric nursing practice with doctoral-level competencies. Coursework includes biostatistics, epidemiology, population health, health policy, leadership, and healthcare finance. Students complete theoretical foundations, project management, and scholarly project development. The psychiatric specialty component mirrors the MSN track with clinical assessment and management courses.
Students complete 1,230 clinical hours including 525 hours in specialty practicum courses and 450 hours in scholarly project implementation.
BSN-DNP Track Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from CCNE or ACEN accredited program
- Minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA
- One year full-time RN clinical experience
- Current unrestricted RN licensure
- Completion of research and statistics courses
- Personal statement and three reference letters
- March 15 application deadline for fall admission
Tuition
Graduate programs charge $562 per credit hour for Mississippi residents, with a non-resident surcharge bringing total cost to $1,659.56 per credit hour for out-of-state students.
Special fees include a $250 skills supply fee for first semester and a $150 distance learning fee per semester instead of non-resident fees for online students. DNP students pay an additional $850 JBI training fee in their first semester.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The University of Mississippi Medical Center’s baccalaureate, master’s, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Other Nursing Programs
The School of Nursing offers multiple degree levels and specialties:
- Traditional BSN Program
- Accelerated BSN Program
- RN-BSN Advanced Standing Program
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN/DNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN/DNP)
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (MSN/DNP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care (MSN/DNP)
- Nurse Educator Track (MSN)
- Nursing and Health Care Administrator (MSN/DNP)
- Nurse Anesthesia (DNP)
- PhD in Nursing
- Nursing Education and Instruction Concentration (available for most graduate programs)
More Programs in Mississippi
View All PMHNP Programs in Mississippi
- University of Southern Mississippi - Hattiesburg