Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Estimated Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN–PMHNP | $39,870 | 3 years (part-time) |
| BSN–DNP PMHNP | $76,992–$82,584 | 3 years (full-time) |
| Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate | $21,264–$35,440 | 1–2 years (part-time) |
A key advantage is UD’s collaborative approach to clinical placements, where the dedicated team partners with students to locate and secure qualified preceptors rather than placing the responsibility solely on students.
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP Concentration
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is approximately $39,870 (45 credits × $886/credit with Dean’s Scholarship), and the program takes 3 years to complete on a part-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN-PMHNP curriculum totals a minimum of 45 credits and includes NP core courses, MSN core courses, and PMHNP concentration courses:
Nurse Practitioner Core Courses:
NURS 618 – The Role of the Nurse Practitioner (2)
Students define NP scope, standards, and accountability. Students apply role, policy, and collaboration concepts to real clinical scenarios.
NURS 620 – Advanced Health Assessment (3)
Students perform comprehensive histories and exams across the lifespan. Students interpret findings and document focused, actionable assessments.
NURS 621 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
Students explain disease mechanisms by organ system and link them to clinical signs. Students use this base to form clear differentials.
NURS 622 – Advanced Pharmacology (3)
Students apply pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to safe prescribing. Students evaluate classes, interactions, and monitoring plans.
NURS 630 – Advanced Diagnostic Reasoning (2)
Students synthesize data from history, exam, and tests to build differentials. Students select next steps using clear decision rules.
NURS 921 – Clinical Role Immersion (1–3; program counts 3 credits)
Students integrate the full NP role under supervision. Students manage a patient panel and reflect on outcomes and professional growth.
MSN Nurse Practitioner Core Courses (6 credits)
NURS 667 – Seminar (variable; program counts 2–3 credits as specified)
Students explore approved advanced topics that extend core NP skills. Students translate current evidence into concise presentations.
PMHNP Concentration Requirements
NURS 668 – Advanced Clinical Neuroscience for the NP (3)
Students connect neuroanatomy and neurophysiology to psychiatric symptoms. Students apply pathways and circuits to assessment and care planning.
NURS 669 – Advanced Psychopharmacology (3)
Students match medications to diagnoses using efficacy, safety, and metabolism data. Students plan titration, monitoring, and patient counseling.
NURS 671 – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing I (3)
Students assess common conditions and start first-line therapies. Students practice therapeutic communication and risk assessment.
NURS 672 – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing II (3)
Students manage moderate complexity and co-occurring disorders. Students coordinate care and evaluate response over time.
NURS 673 – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing III (3)
Students treat complex presentations and special populations. Students refine interprofessional management and crisis plans.
NURS 674 – Psychiatric/Mental Health NP Practicum I (3)
Students begin supervised direct care across the lifespan. Students complete focused assessments and initiate evidence-based plans.
NURS 675 – Psychiatric/Mental Health NP Practicum II (3)
Students expand caseload and adjust pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic care. Students track outcomes and safety metrics.
NURS 676 – Psychiatric/Mental Health NP Practicum III (3)
Students manage complex cases with greater autonomy. Students demonstrate readiness for entry-level PMHNP practice.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Clinical hours are included in course requirements for both core courses and concentration courses. Students complete practicum requirements through NURS 674, 675, and 676, along with clinical experiences integrated into other courses. T
he University’s collaborative clinical placement team partners with students to locate and secure qualified preceptors aligned with educational and professional goals.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited college or university
- RN licensure in the United States
- Overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Applications processed through NursingCAS
- University of Delaware supplemental application required after NursingCAS notification
- TOEFL or IELTS exam results within last 2 years (for non-native English speakers only)
- Students admitted into 3-year part-time plans of study
- Must maintain progression with cohort as outlined upon admission
- Must complete all coursework within 5-year timeframe for degree eligibility
- Application deadlines: July 1 (Fall), November 15 (Winter), December 10 (Spring), April 1 (Summer)
Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP (Post-Baccalaureate)
The estimated cost for the BSN-DNP PMHNP program is approximately $76,992-82,584 (69-74 credits × $1,116/credit), and the program takes 3 years full-time or 5 years part-time to complete.
DNP Curriculum
The BSN-DNP PMHNP curriculum totals a minimum of 69 credits and includes NP core, DNP core, DNP project, and PMHNP concentration courses:
Nurse Practitioner Core Courses:
- NURS 618: The Role of the Nurse Practitioner (2 credits)
- NURS 620: Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
- NURS 621: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- NURS 622: Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
- NURS 630: Advanced Diagnostic Reasoning (2 credits)
- NURS 667: Seminar (2 credits – approved topics only)
- NURS 921: Clinical Role Immersion (3 credits)
Doctor of Nursing Practice Core Courses:
- EPID 603: Biostatistics for Health Sciences I (3 credits)
- NURS 813: Leadership and Innovation in Population Health (3 credits)
- NURS 843: Policy & Finance for Healthcare Delivery (3 credits)
- NURS 844: Population Health Informatics (3 credits)
- NURS 852: Integrated Healthcare Delivery (3 credits)
- NURS 870: Writing for Dissemination (2 credits)
- NURS 873: DNP Project I: Problem Identification (1-3 credits)
- NURS 874: DNP Project II: Planning & Development (1-3 credits)
- NURS 881: Advanced Population Health (3 credits)
- NURS 883: Evidence-based Practice I: Methods (3 credits)
- NURS 886: Evidence-based Practice II: Translation (3 credits)
- NURS 900: DNP Project III: Implementation (2-3 credits)
- NURS 910: DNP Project IV: Evaluation (1 credit)
PMHNP Concentration Requirements:
- NURS 668: Advanced Clinical Neuroscience for the Nurse Practitioner (3 credits)
- NURS 669: Advanced Psychopharmacology (3 credits)
- NURS 671: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing I (3 credits)
- NURS 672: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing II (3 credits)
- NURS 673: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing III (3 credits)
- NURS 674: Psychiatric/Mental Health NP Practicum I (3 credits)
- NURS 675: Psychiatric/Mental Health NP Practicum II (3 credits)
- NURS 676: Psychiatric/Mental Health NP Practicum III (3 credits)
The program combines cutting-edge neuroscience, evidence-based practice, and innovative holistic modalities, preparing practitioners to provide both psychotherapy and medication management across the lifespan.
DNP Clinicals
The PMHNP concentration requires 1,008 total clinical hours (672 direct care hours and 336 indirect hours). Students prepare for the ANCC PMHNP certification exam with more than 700 clinical training hours in three psychotherapeutic treatment modalities addressing individuals, families, and groups.
The program uses innovative teaching modalities including hybrid delivery combining technology with human interactions through on-campus experiential intensives and cutting-edge simulations with healthcare theatre students.
DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
Post-Baccalaureate Applicants:
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from ACEN or CCNE-accredited School of Nursing
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Active RN license in Delaware or compact state, or demonstrated eligibility before program start
- At least one year of clinical experience as an RN
- Relevant professional nursing experience
- Three letters of recommendation (one or two from doctoral-prepared academics, one or two from employer/professional source)
- Written statement identifying career goals and professional objectives
- Successful interview with graduate leadership and DNP faculty
- Writing sample demonstrating competence in written communication
- Curriculum vitae or resume
- TOEFL or IELTS results within last 2 years (non-native English speakers)
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Students admitted into 3-year full-time or 5-year part-time plans of study
- Must complete coursework within 7-year timeframe
- Application deadline: July 1
- May be required to be on campus 2-8 days per semester
- Delaware nursing license required
Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate is approximately $21,264-35,440 (24-40 credits × $886/credit with Dean’s Scholarship), and the program takes 1-2 years to complete on a part-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Master’s Certificate curriculum is individualized based on a gap analysis completed at matriculation. Credit hours and clinical practicum hours depend on courses and clinical hours completed in previous graduate-level programs:
Core PMHNP Courses (minimum 9 credits required):
- NURS 668: Advanced Clinical Neuroscience for the Nurse Practitioner (3 credits)
- NURS 669: Advanced Psychopharmacology (3 credits)
- NURS 671: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing I (3 credits)
- NURS 672: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing II (3 credits)
- NURS 673: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing III (3 credits)
- NURS 674: Psychiatric/Mental Health NP Practicum I (3 credits)
- NURS 675: Psychiatric/Mental Health NP Practicum II (3 credits)
- NURS 676: Psychiatric/Mental Health NP Practicum III (3 credits)
Equivalent experience and/or coursework may be applied to the curriculum based on personalized gap analysis.
Certificate Clinicals
A minimum of 750 clinical hours is required, though actual clinical requirements depend on the gap analysis and prior clinical experience. The University’s collaborative clinical placement team works with students to secure qualified preceptors aligned with educational goals.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master’s degree in nursing from CCNE or ACEN-accredited School of Nursing
- Master’s GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Multi-state compact RN license
- Holds certification/licensure as nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist
- Interview with faculty required
- Official transcripts of undergraduate and master’s degrees
- Must complete all course requirements within 5 years of matriculation
- Application deadlines: December 10 (Spring start for MSN with NP), April 1 (Summer start for MSN without NP), July 1 (Fall start for MSN without NP)
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition rates benefit from a College of Health Sciences Dean’s Scholarship, resulting in a final student rate of $886 per credit hour for MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate programs (reduced from the standard UD graduate rate of $1,116/credit).
The DNP program tuition is $1,116 per credit hour.
There are no additional university fees beyond tuition as all programs are online.
Up to nine graduate credits may be transferred from another graduate program pending approval.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Delaware are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The MSN, DNP, and NP certification programs are accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), with goals aligned with AACN’s domains of competence and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty (NONPF) Standards for Quality Nurse Practitioner Education.
The University of Delaware School of Nursing is a member of the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence and is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to conduct practice experiences in Washington State for the PMHNP DNP program.
Other Nursing Programs
The University of Delaware School of Nursing offers additional nursing programs including:
- Master of Science in Nursing: Nursing Education
- Master of Science in Nursing: Family/Individual Across the Lifespan (FNP)
- Master of Science in Nursing: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
- Master of Science in Nursing: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
- Master of Science in Nursing: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice: Post-Master’s (for certified APRNs)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice: Family/Individual Across the Lifespan (FNP)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Post-Master’s Certificate: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Post-Master’s Certificate: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
- Post-Master’s Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Post-Master’s Certificate: Nursing Education
- Post-Master’s Certificate: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
Other Delaware PMHNP Programs
View All PMHNP Programs in Delaware
- Delaware State University - Dover
- Wilmington University - Wilmington