Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition* | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSN to DNP – PMHNP | ~$92,578* | 3–5 years |
| Post-DNP Certificate – PMHNP | ~$34,999–$49,676 | 1.5–2 years |
*Same rate for in-state and out-of-state students
The BSN-to-DNP PMHNP program requires 82 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 $92,578 (82 credits at $1,129/credit, the same for in-state and out-of-state students) and takes 3-5 years to complete depending on full-time or part-time enrollment.
DNP Curriculum
The 2026–2027 catalog lists 82 semester hours across four blocks: a DNP core shared by every focus area, an APRN core, a nine-course PMHNP sequence, and a three-course DNP project sequence.
APRN Core
- NURS 521 – Advanced Physiological and Pathophysiological Principles Across the Lifespan
- NURS 531 – Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics
- NURS 532 – Comprehensive Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice
- NURS 544 – APRN Role Transition and Professional Development
PMHNP Focus Area
- NUSP 525 – Group Dynamics, Behavior and Intervention
- NUSP 527 – Mental Health Assessment of Acute and Chronic Illness
- NUSP 528 – Mental Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- NUSP 530 – Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Assessment and Interventions
- NUSP 531 – Neuropathophysiology of Psychiatric Disorders
- NUSP 532 – Psychopharmacology
- NUPR 531, 532, 533 – PMHNP Practicum I–III
DNP Core and Project
Nine core courses cover biostatistics, health equity, policy, population health, scholarship, quality, informatics, business planning, and evidence translation. The DNP project runs through NURS 547, NUPR 548, and NUPR 549.
More curriculum details are available here.
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 five UIC Nursing campuses
- Students at regional campuses may travel to Chicago or another region for at least one course or lab
The PMHNP is available at all five UIC Nursing campuses: Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana. DNP students must live within commuting distance of their admitting campus.
Post-DNP Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-DNP PMHNP Certificate is approximately $34,999–$49,676 (31 to 44 credits at $1,129/credit) depending on APRN certification status and takes 1.5-2 years to complete.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate requires 31 credit hours for currently certified APRNs, or up to 44 credits for those without current APRN national certification. Core PMHNP courses (31 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 (5 credits, 225 clinical hours)
- Mental Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Clinical Practicum II (5 credits, 225 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 675 clinical hours across three practicum courses. UIC sets a 500-hour minimum for a new focus area and runs a gap analysis for certified NPs already practicing outside their current scope.
- 225 hours in each of Practicums I, II, and 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
UIC charges $1,129 per credit hour for the DNP and post-DNP certificates in Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Summer terms are billed separately ($1,075 per credit in Summer 2026).
The 82-credit DNP totals approximately $92,578 plus fees, and the certificate $34,999 (31 credits) to $49,676 (44 credits).
Chicago campus fees and assessments come to about $2,197 per fall or spring semester at 6 to 11 credits, including a $753 health insurance fee that can be waived with other coverage. Regional campuses charge a different fee mix.
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
- Bradley University - Peoria
- DePaul University - Chicago
- Illinois State University - Normal
- Loyola University - Maywood
- North Central College - Naperville
- Rosalind Franklin University - Chicago
- Rush University - Chicago
- University of St Francis - Joliet