Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science (MS) – PMHNP | $41,652 | ~2.5 years |
| BS to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – PMHNP | $62,478 | ~4.5 years |
| Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP | $23,229 | ~1.5 years |
The university arranges clinical placements for Denver and Aurora students and boasts a 100% board certification exam pass rate for this specialty.
Master of Science Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MS PMHNP program is $41,652 for Colorado residents ($67,496 for nonresidents) and takes 2.5 years (7 semesters) to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The program includes 38 didactic credit hours and 14 clinical credit hours (52 total credits).
Core courses include:
NURS 6009 – Theory Foundations for Advanced Nursing
Surveys major nursing theories and shows how to apply them in advanced practice.
NURS 6243 – Advanced Pathophysiology
Explains disease mechanisms across body systems to support clinical reasoning.
NURS 6664 – Integrated Behavioral Health Care and Common Psychiatric Presentations Across the Lifespan
Covers integrated care models and common psychiatric conditions from childhood through older age.
NURS 6070 – Policy & Politics of Health
Examines how policy and politics shape care delivery, access, and outcomes.
NURS 6222 – Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Applies pharmacology principles to safe prescribing, monitoring, and patient teaching.
NURS 6665 – Psychotherapy, Behavior Change and Health Promotion/Disease Prevention Across the Lifespan
Teaches psychotherapy methods and behavior-change strategies for prevention and wellness.
NURS 6761 – Advanced Assessment
Builds comprehensive history, exam, and diagnostic reasoning with an on-campus lab.
NURS 6859 – Advanced Professional Role
Defines APRN competencies, ethics, leadership, and interprofessional collaboration.
NURS 5991 – PMHNP Advanced Practicum I
Begins supervised psychiatric care with emphasis on assessment and early intervention.
NURS 6109 – Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluating Evidence
Trains you to appraise research and translate findings into care plans.
NURS 6659 – Advanced Assessment, Neurobiology and Psychopharmacology
Links neurobiology to assessment and psychotropic decisions.
NURS 5992 – PMHNP Advanced Practicum II
Expands clinical decision making for diverse psychiatric cases and settings.
NURS 6286 – Foundations of Health Care Informatics
Uses data, EHRs, and informatics tools to improve safety and quality.
NURS 6661 – Diagnosis and Management of Adults for the PMHNP
Focuses on adult psychiatric diagnosis, psychotherapy, and medication management.
NURS 5993 – PMHNP Advanced Practicum III
Advances autonomy in managing treatment plans across the lifespan.
NURS 6662 – Diagnosis and Management of Children, Adolescents and the Older Adult for the PMHNP
Covers age-specific assessment and treatment for pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients.
NURS 5994 – PMHNP Advanced Practicum IV
Culminates clinical training with comprehensive management and readiness for independent practice.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 630 clinical hours across four practicum courses (90, 135, 135, and 270 hours respectively). The program uses a 45-hour ratio where 1 clinical credit equals 45 face-to-face direct patient care hours.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from CCNE or ACEN-accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (GRE or 12 graduate credits required if below 3.0)
- Current unencumbered RN license
- Undergraduate nursing research and statistics courses (grade C or higher)
- Three letters of reference (one academic preferred)
- Essay responding to specialty experience and career plans
- Interview required for selected applicants
- Meet Technical Standards outlined in Student Handbook
BS to Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the BS to DNP PMHNP program is $62,478 for Colorado residents ($101,244 for nonresidents) and takes 4.5 years (10 semesters) to complete on a full-time basis.
DNP Curriculum
This combined program awards both a master’s and doctoral degree back-to-back without separate applications. Students complete 52 classroom-based credit hours covering research, psychotherapy and behavior change, integrated behavioral health, and advanced clinical practice.
The curriculum mirrors the MS track with additional DNP-level coursework focused on evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and healthcare systems management.
DNP Clinicals
Students complete over 1,100 clinical hours throughout the program. Clinical placements are arranged by the university for students in the Denver Metro area.
DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from CCNE or ACEN-accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate nursing GPA (GRE or 12 graduate credits required if below 3.0)
- Current unencumbered RN license
- Undergraduate nursing research and statistics courses (grade C or higher)
- Three letters of reference (one academic recommended)
- Essay addressing specialty experience and professional goals
- Interview required for selected applicants
- Meet Technical Standards requirements
Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP program is $23,229 for Colorado residents ($37,642 for nonresidents) and takes 1.5 years (4 semesters) to complete on a full-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate program requires 15 didactic credit hours and 14 clinical credit hours (29 total credits). Courses include:
- NURS 6659 Advanced Assessment, Neurobiology and Psychopharmacology
- NURS 6664 Integrated Behavioral Health Care and Common Psychiatric Presentations Across the Lifespan
- NURS 6661 Diagnosis and Management of Adults for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- NURS 6665 Psychotherapy, Behavior Change and Health Promotion/Disease Prevention Across the Lifespan
- NURS 6662 Diagnosis and Management of Children, Adolescents and the Older Adult for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- NURS 5991-5994 PMHNP Advanced Practicum I-IV
Certificate Clinicals
Students complete 630 clinical hours across four advanced practicum courses using the same 45-hour per credit structure. Clinical placements are coordinated for Denver Metro area students.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
Requirements are similar to the MS program but designed for nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing and want to transition to the PMHNP specialty.
Tuition
Additional expenses across all programs include a one-time $140 matriculation fee, term fees of $349 per semester (Fall, Spring, Summer), approximately $2,000 for books and supplies, and optional CU health insurance ranging from $1,095-$3,838 per term.
Accreditation
The University of Colorado College of Nursing programs are accredited by CCNE. CU Nursing ranks #1 for both master’s and DNP programs in Colorado according to 2025 U.S. News & World Report.
Other Nursing Programs
The College of Nursing also offers a Master of Science in Midwifery (MSM) program for students planning to become Certified Midwives.
Other Colorado PMHNP Programs
View All PMHNP Programs in Colorado
- CSU Pueblo - Pueblo
- Regis University - Denver