Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition* | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSN to DNP – PMHNP | ~$91,375* | 3–5 years |
| Post-DNP Certificate – PMHNP | ~$35,475–$49,455 | 1.5–2 years |
*Resident
The BSN-to-DNP PMHNP program requires 85 credit hours delivered in hybrid format with online didactic coursework and faculty-arranged clinical rotations at desirable sites with highly qualified preceptors.
Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP (BSN-to-DNP)
The estimated cost for the DNP-PMHNP program is approximately $91,365 for in-state students ($134,955 for out-of-state) and takes 3-5 years to complete depending on full-time or part-time enrollment.
DNP Curriculum
The 85-credit program combines DNP core courses (25 credits), APRN core courses (23 credits), PMHNP concentration courses (26 credits), and DNP practicum/project courses (11 credits). DNP core courses include:
- Epidemiology & Statistics for Evidence-Based Practice (4 credits)
- EBP 1: Theoretical Foundations for Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
- EBP 2: Implementing Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
- Leadership, Policy, and Interprofessional Collaboration (3 credits)
- Quality and Safety Through Health Technologies (3 credits)
- Health Equity & Social Determinants (3 credits)
- Nursing Information Systems and Technology (3 credits)
- Strategic and Financial Planning for Clinical Programs (3 credits)
APRN core courses feature:
- Pharmacotherapeutics (3 credits)
- Comprehensive Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing (4 credits)
- Applied Pharmaceutical Intervention in Advanced Practice (2 credits)
- Advanced Physiological Principles Across the Lifespan (2 credits)
- Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- Issues in Advanced Practice in Nursing & Policy Implications (3 credits)
- Health Promotion Theories and Population-Focused Interventions (3 credits)
PMHNP concentration courses include:
- Group Dynamics, Behavior and Intervention (3 credits)
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Assessment and Intervention (3 credits)
- Mental Health Assessment of Acute and Chronic Illness (3 credits)
- Mental Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (3 credits)
- Family Behavioral Care (2 credits)
- Mental Health Assessment Practicum I (5 credits)
- Mental Health Promotion Clinical Practicum II (5 credits)
- Professional Role and Policy Development Practicum III (5 credits)
DNP project courses feature:
- EBP 3: DNP Proposal Development (3 credits)
- EBP 4: DNP Project Planning and Implementation (4 credits)
- EBP 5: DNP Project Evaluation and Dissemination (4 credits)
DNP Clinicals
Students complete extensive clinical hours through three progressive practicum courses plus DNP project practicum experiences:
- Mental Health Assessment Practicum I focuses on management of mental health problems with application of assessment, diagnosis, crisis, triage, and emergency care.
- Mental Health Promotion Clinical Practicum II emphasizes management using psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and complementary care approaches.
- Professional Role and Policy Development Practicum III develops the PMHNP role for delivering psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacologic services while impacting policies and procedures.
All practicum sites and highly qualified preceptors are arranged by knowledgeable program directors who partner with skilled preceptors in various healthcare settings, ensuring best mentorship experiences while learning necessary clinical practice skills.
High-quality simulation scenarios complement clinical rotations, providing broad range of advanced, hands-on patient-management experiences.
DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from accredited institution
- Current RN license required
- Preference given to applicants with clinical psychiatric setting or behavioral health community program experience
- Undergraduate statistics course prerequisite
- Fall admission only
- Hybrid delivery format with online didactic coursework
- Applications accepted August through March
- Individual program plans developed based on previous degrees and coursework
- Faculty advisor creates individualized program plan upon enrollment
- Available at all six UIC Nursing campuses
- Students at regional campuses may travel to Chicago or another region for at least one course or lab
The DNP program is available at all six UIC Nursing campuses (Chicago, Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, Urbana).
Post-DNP Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-DNP PMHNP Certificate is approximately $35,475-$49,455 depending on APRN certification status and takes 1.5-2 years to complete.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate requires 33 credit hours for currently certified APRNs or up to 46 credits for those without current APRN national certification. Core PMHNP courses (33 credits) include:
- Applied Pharmaceutical Intervention in Advanced Practice in Nursing (2 credits)
- Group Dynamics, Behavior and Intervention (3 credits)
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Assessment and Intervention (3 credits)
- Mental Health Assessment of Acute and Chronic Illness (3 credits)
- Mental Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (3 credits)
- Family Behavioral Care (2 credits)
- Mental Health Assessment of Acute and Chronic Illness Practicum I (6 credits, 270 clinical hours)
- Mental Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Clinical Practicum II (6 credits, 270 clinical hours)
- Professional Role and Policy Development (5 credits, 225 clinical hours)
Additional courses for non-APRN certified students (13 credits):
- Pharmacotherapeutics (3 credits)
- Comprehensive Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing (4 credits)
- Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- Issues in Advanced Practice in Nursing & Policy Implications (3 credits)
Certificate Clinicals
Certificate students complete 750 clinical hours distributed across three practicum courses:
- 270 hours each Practicums I and II
- 225 hours for Practicum III)
UIC strongly emphasizes that clinical hours in the new focus area are essential to preparing optimal practitioners, therefore does not provide clinical credit for hours from current APRN certification.
Practicum sites and highly qualified preceptors are arranged by faculty, ensuring quality mentorship and comprehensive clinical experience. Graduates achieve 100% pass rate on certification examinations.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree required
- DNP-prepared nurses wishing to broaden scope of practice by becoming PMHNP certified
- Fall admission only
- Hybrid format with online, on-site, and blended courses
- Applications accepted August through March
- Certificates not considered “degree-seeking” therefore financial aid not available
- DNP graduates in systems-focused areas (non-NP/midwife) required to take additional courses – contact program director for details
- UIC does not accept clinical hours from current APRN position toward certificate requirements
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition is $1,075 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state students (professional program rate).
The 85-credit DNP program totals approximately $91,375 plus fees.
Graduate fees per semester include:
- General Fee ($475)
- Service Fee ($406/$271)
- Student to Student Fee ($3)
- Sustainability Fee ($6)
- Health Service Fee ($110)
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Additional PMHNP Programs for Illinois
Compare all PMHNP Programs in Illinois
- Illinois State University - Normal
- Loyola University - Maywood
- North Central College - Naperville
- Rosalind Franklin University - Chicago
- Rush University - Chicago
- University of St Francis - Joliet