Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – PMHNP | $42,446.50 | ~2.5 years (full-time) |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP | $16,609.50 | ~2–3 years (part-time) |
| DNP – PMHNP (BSN→DNP) | $69,206.25–$69,900 | ~4 years (FT) ~5 years (PT) |
| DNP – PMHNP (MSN→DNP) | $28,605.25* (~$45,214.75 with PMHNP certificate) | ~2–3 years |
*31 DNP core credits; additional certificate credits/costs apply if adding PMHNP specialty.
The programs offer flexible online learning through Canvas platform with synchronous and asynchronous modes, requiring on-campus intensives of 2-3 days once per semester during clinical courses only, scheduled well in advance for student planning.
Students complete most coursework online with some required synchronous class/chat times scheduled on Thursdays or Fridays and communicated in advance.
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is approximately $42,446.50 and takes approximately 2.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
This estimate is based on 46 credit hours at $922.75 per credit hour including tuition, simulation lab fee, and online course fee.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN-PMHNP requires 46 total credit hours including core courses, additional required courses, and clinical institute.
The curriculum includes three separate comprehensive graduate-level courses in:
- advanced physiology/pathophysiology with general principles applying across lifespan
- advanced health assessment including assessment of all human systems with advanced assessment techniques/concepts/approaches,
- advanced pharmacology including pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics/pharmacotherapeutics of all broad categories of agents
Content covers:
- health promotion and/or maintenance
- differential diagnosis and disease management including use and prescription of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions
- clinical training in at least two psychotherapeutic treatment modalities.
Core Courses:
- NURSE 5526 Health Promotion Across the Lifespan (3)
- NURSE 5527 Cultural Diversity & Values (3)
- NURSE 5528 Healthcare Policy & Advocacy (3)
- NURSE 5550 Theoretical Foundations in Nursing (3)
- NURSE 5555 Nursing Research (3)
Additional Required Courses:
- NURSE 5544 Advanced Health Assessment Skills (2)
- NURSE 5546 Foundations of Family Psychiatric Nursing Advanced Practice (3)
- NURSE 5547 Diagnostic Reasoning/Advanced Assessment (3)
- NURSE 5548 Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3)
- NURSE 5549R Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics: Application for Graduate-Prepared Nurses (1)
- NURSE 5549 Pharmacology Across the Life Span for Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
- NURSE 5564M Family Psychiatric Nursing Advanced Practice I (5)
- NURSE 5566M Family Psychiatric Nursing Advanced Practice II (5)
- NURSE 5572M Advanced Nursing Practice: Synthesis Practicum (5)
- NURSE 5601 Clinical Institute I (1)
Full-time MSN students complete the program in eight semesters with part-time MSN option available for eleven semesters. Full-time study not recommended for busy working professionals, with part-time track providing option for those continuing to work.
Both plans provide seamless transition to DNP program for graduates wanting to apply.
MSN Clinicals
The MSN-PMHNP includes minimum 660 hours of clinical training distributed across specialty practicum courses.
Clinical training with preceptors begins in specialty courses with clinical experiences including:
- outpatient
- inpatient
- crisis settings
- assessment, diagnostics, medication management, and psychotherapy taught across the lifespan
Students obtain clinical experiences with preceptors they select upon faculty approval.
Students required to attend on-campus intensive once per semester during clinical courses only, with intensives 2-3 days in length including skills labs, presentations and lectures from professionals, exams, and more.
MSN-PMHNP Requirements
- Two years of RN experience preferred but not required
- BSN from college or university nationally recognized by nursing accrediting agency (CCNE or AACN)
- Minimum GPA of 3.2 on 4.0 scale (calculated on last 60 hours of BSN degree)
- Current unencumbered Missouri licensure or unencumbered licensure in state where student completes clinical requirements
- Minimum grade of B in prerequisite courses: graduate-level statistics and free-standing undergraduate health assessment course (may be taken during first semester of MSN courses though strongly recommended to complete prior to applying)
- Personal interview required
- Application deadlines: Spring admission by October 18 (classes begin January); Summer admission by March 7 (classes begin June)
- Transcripts from each institution attended uploaded to UMKC Office of Admissions only (not via NursingCAS)
- Three evaluation forms required from: immediate supervisor, faculty professor from last year of BSN program, professional reference able to assess professional characteristics (no references from co-workers, patients, friends, or family accepted)
- Current résumé reflecting all RN experiences
- Proof of RN licensure
- Personal statement of professional goals (specific to role/track applying) and how program will help achieve them (one page maximum)
- Two-step application process: submit online UMKC application with official transcripts to UMKC Office of Admissions, then submit program application and materials through NursingCAS to UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies by deadline
- Domestic application fee: $45; International application fee: $75
Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate program is approximately $16,609.50 and takes approximately 2-3 years to complete on a part-time basis.
This estimate is based on 18 credit hours at $922.75 per credit hour including tuition, simulation lab fee, and online course fee.
Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Master’s Certificate requires 18 credit hours minimum, though the number of required credit hours depends upon student’s previous coursework with individualized plans developed. Students must contact program director for specific information about their plan of study.
Required Courses:
- NURSE 5546 Foundations of Family Psychiatric Nursing Advanced Practice (3)
- NURSE 5564M Family Psychiatric Nursing Advanced Practice I (5)
- NURSE 5566M Family Psychiatric Nursing Advanced Practice II (5)
- NURSE 5572 Advanced Nursing Practice: Synthesis Practicum (5)
Additional Courses That May Be Required:
- NURSE 5526 Health Promotion Across the Lifespan (3)
- NURSE 5544 Advanced Health Assessment Skills (2)
- NURSE 5547 Diagnostic Reasoning/Advanced Assessment (3)
- NURSE 5548 Advanced Lifespan Pathophysiology (3)
Common prerequisite graduate-level coursework must be completed prior to or as part of certificate program of study, potentially from MSN/DNP graduate program or completed at UMKC with certificate hours:
- Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
- Advanced Pharmacology/Applied Pharmacology Across the Lifespan
- Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
- Diagnostic Reasoning for the APRN, and Health Promotion.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical training occurs during specialty practicum courses with experiences in outpatient, inpatient, and crisis settings. Students obtain clinical experiences with preceptors they select upon faculty approval.
On-campus residencies required with faculty providing information prior to each scheduled on-campus residency occurring during clinical coursework.
Post-Master’s Certificate PMHNP Requirements
- Two years of RN experience preferred but not required
- MSN or DNP from college or university nationally recognized by nursing accrediting agency (CCNE or AACN)
- Minimum GPA of 3.2 on 4.0 scale
- Current unencumbered Missouri licensure or unencumbered licensure in state where student completes clinical requirements
- Common prerequisite graduate-level coursework completed prior to or as part of certificate program
- Personal interview required
- Application deadlines: Spring by October 18; Summer by March 7; Fall by March 7
- Same documentation requirements as MSN program with three evaluation forms, résumé, licensure proof, personal statement, interview
- Two-step application process through UMKC and NursingCAS
Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP (BSN-DNP)
The estimated cost for the BSN-DNP PMHNP program is approximately $69,206.25-$69,900 and takes approximately 4 years full-time or 5 years part-time to complete.
Estimate is based on 74-75 credit hours at $922.75 per credit hour including tuition, simulation lab fee, and online course fee.
BSN-DNP Curriculum
The BSN-DNP PMHNP requires 74-75 total credit hours with prerequisite graduate-level statistics course.
The program is recommended for those working less than 10 hours per week for full-time track, with part-time option recommended for those continuing to work.
Clinical placements in this program are crucial requiring adherence to schedule, as deviating from plan of study during progression could delay completion because eligibility for subsequent clinical courses would be on space-available basis only.
The curriculum includes foundational DNP courses covering:
- healthcare systems
- leadership
- policy
- advocacy
- cultural diversity
- theoretical foundations
- nursing research
- health promotion
- ethics
- healthcare economics and quality
- theory development
- healthcare outcomes and epidemiology
- evidence-based practice
- clinical synthesis.
Advanced practice specialty courses include:
- advanced health assessment skills (45 lab hours)
- diagnostic reasoning/advanced assessment (45 lab hours)
- advanced pathophysiology across lifespan
- pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics
- pharmacology across lifespan for advanced nursing practice
- foundations of family psychiatric nursing advanced practice
- and multiple clinical practicum courses totaling minimum 1031.25 clinical hours plus 330 project hours
BSN-DNP Clinicals
The BSN-DNP PMHNP includes minimum 1031.25 clinical hours plus 330 project hours distributed across multiple practicum courses.
Students are required to attend Clinical Institute I (1 credit hour) and complete advanced health assessment skills with 45 lab hours and diagnostic reasoning/advanced assessment with 45 lab hours.
Clinical training includes:
- Primary Care Clinical I (5 credits, 206.25 clinical hours)
- Primary Care Clinical II (6 credits, 247.5 clinical hours)
- Clinical III (4 credits, 247.5 clinical hours)
- APN Practicum Residency (5 credits, 330 clinical hours)
Students complete clinical experiences in psychiatric settings across the lifespan with preceptors selected upon faculty approval.
BSN-DNP PMHNP Requirements
- Prerequisite graduate-level statistics course
- Applications accepting in 2027 for updated program
- Contact nurses@umkc.edu for information about applying through MSN then MSN-DNP option
Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP (MSN-DNP)
The estimated cost for the MSN-DNP program is approximately $28,605.25 for the 31-credit DNP core (at $922.75 per credit hour).
Additional costs apply if pursuing PMHNP certificate simultaneously ($16,609.50 for 18-credit certificate), totaling approximately $45,214.75 for combined program.
It takes approximately 2-3 years to complete with full-time and part-time options available.
MSN-DNP Curriculum
The MSN-DNP program offers three Post-MSN to DNP tracks allowing students to select path aligning with professional goals:
- Post-MSN APRN to DNP (for master’s prepared nurses certified in Advanced Practice roles)
- Post-MSN Non-APRN to DNP (for nurses with master’s in Nursing Leadership/Informatics/Clinical Research Management)
- Post-MSN to DNP returning for new or second NP role via certificate
The core DNP curriculum requires 31 credit hours with 600 project hours, offering regular plan (completed in approximately 2 years) or extended plan (completed in approximately 3 years).
MSN-DNP Core Curriculum:
Prerequisites include MSN theory course, MSN research course, and graduate-level statistics course.
Core courses include:
- Healthcare Systems & Leadership (N5602, 3)
- Theory Development I (N5608, 3)
- Healthcare Outcomes and Epidemiology (N5637, 3)
- Healthcare Policy & Advocacy (N5528, 3)
- Healthcare Economics & Quality (N5611, 3)
- Application of Evidence-based Practice I (N5613, 3)
- Application of Evidence-Based Practice II (N5617, 3 with 2 didactic/1 clinical)
- Advanced Practice V – DNP Clinical (N5620, 5 with 1 didactic/4 clinical)
- Advanced Practice VI – DNP Practicum (N5624, 5 with 3 didactic/2 clinical)
For students pursuing PMHNP specialty, individualized plans developed depending upon prior coursework with applicants needing to provide course syllabi for evaluation of potential transfer credits.
Online specialty tracks available include:
- Adult Gerontology NP
- Family NP
- Women’s Health NP
- Pediatric NP (Acute or Primary Care)
- Neonatal NP
- Psychiatric Mental Health NP
MSN-DNP Clinicals
The MSN-DNP includes 600 project hours integrated throughout the program.
Students complete DNP clinical work through:
- Advanced Practice V – DNP Clinical (5 credits with 1 didactic/4 clinical)
- Advanced Practice VI – DNP Practicum (5 credits with 3 didactic/2 clinical).
If pursuing PMHNP certificate simultaneously, students complete additional clinical hours through certificate practicum courses.
The program offers optional two-day institute upon entry (January or May) with online attendance, highly recommended for developing tools for success, peer support, role acquisition, and DNP project topic development.
MSN-DNP Requirements:
- MSN or MS in Anesthesia already completed
- Three entry pathways: Post-MSN APRN to DNP, Post-MSN Non-APRN to DNP, or Post-MSN to DNP returning for new/second NP role
- Individualized plans of study developed depending upon prior coursework
- Course syllabi required for evaluation of potential transfer credits from previous programs
- Optional two-day online institute upon entry highly recommended
- Second institute with online attendance required in last full year
Tuition
School of Nursing and Health Studies graduate tuition rate is $779.50 per credit hour.
Additional fees include simulation lab fee of $84.75 per credit hour and online course fee of $58.50 per credit hour, totaling $922.75 per credit hour for online nursing programs.
UMKC offers in-state tuition in states authorized to deliver online programs regardless of student location.
See the official cost of attendance page for more details.
Accreditation
The University of Missouri-Kansas City is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The MS at the School of Nursing and Health Studies is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
State Authorization
Students should review the state regulatory map prior to applying to verify state regulation status. Not all states authorized for online program delivery, and some states have stipulations.
Other Nursing Programs
UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies offers comprehensive graduate nursing education:
Graduate Specialty Tracks:
- Acute or Primary Care Pediatric NP
- Adult Gerontology NP
- Family NP
- Neonatal NP
- Nurse Educator
- Women’s Health NP
DNP Tracks:
- Post-BSN to DNP Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA) Specialty Track
- Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Acute or Primary Care Tracks)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
MSN-DNP Options:
- Post-MSN APRN to DNP
- Post-MSN Non-APRN to DNP
- Post-MSN to DNP (returning for new or second NP role)
More Programs in Kansas
View All PMHNP Programs in Kansas
- KU Medical Center - Kansas City
- University of Saint Mary - Leavonworth
- Washburn University - Topeka
- Wichita State - Wichita