Program Tracks Overview
| Pathway | Est. Cost* | Length |
|---|---|---|
| MSN PMHNP | $13,600 | 2–3 years |
| BSN to DNP PMHNP | $13,600 | ~3 years |
| Post-Graduate Certificate in PMHNP | $25,500 | 1.5–2 years |
*Costs reflect psychiatric-mental health specialty coursework at $850/credit; total program cost varies with required core/DNP credits, fees, and any online per-credit charges.
The programs require 672 patient-centered clinical hours plus 84 professional clinical hours across multiple settings for comprehensive psychiatric mental health training. Students complete curriculum focusing on assessment, diagnosis, and management of mental health disorders across the lifespan.
MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the MSN PMHNP program is approximately $13,600 for specialty courses and would take 2-3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The MSN curriculum emphasizes relationship-based, continuous, and comprehensive services essential for optimal mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Coursework includes the following:
NURS 770 Adv. Psychiatric Assessment of Psychopathology and Clinical Interviewing Across the Lifespan
This course builds advanced interviewing and diagnostic reasoning for psychiatric patients across all ages. Students integrate neurobiology, genetics, development, and environment to recognize normal and abnormal patterns and assess patients across cultures.
NURS 771 Foundations of Individual and Group Psychotherapy for the Adv. Practice Psychiatric Mental Health NP
This course introduces the PMHNP therapist role and core psychotherapy methods. Students select and deliver evidence-based individual and group therapies that fit each patient’s needs and culture.
NURS 772 Psychopharmacology
This course surveys psychiatric medications across the lifespan with links to neurobiology, genomics, and standards of practice. Students apply safe prescribing principles in diverse patient situations.
NURS 773 Diagnosis and Management of Children and Adolescents in Adv. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
This course covers development, common pediatric psychiatric disorders, and family-centered care. Students practice evidence-based therapies and medication management using readings, online tools, case studies, and role-plays.
NURS 774 Diagnosis and Management of Adults in Advanced Practice Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
This course reviews adult psychiatric disorders and treatment across care settings. Students apply individual and group therapies and medication management with support from online activities and in-person case work.
NURS 775 Diagnosis and Management of Special Populations in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
This course prepares PMHNPs to serve high-need and underserved groups. Students examine access, delivery, and barriers in U.S. mental health care and plan culturally competent, evidence-based interventions.
NURS 794 The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role
This course defines the PMHNP scope with a focus on care for children and adolescents across settings. Students link development and diagnosis to therapy and medication plans through literature, guidelines, online tools, and role-plays.
MSN students complete additional core nursing courses covering pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, research, and professional issues.
More curriculum information available here:
DNP students engage in advanced doctoral-level coursework focusing on evidence-based practice, leadership, and quality improvement initiatives.
Clinical Requirements
Clinical requirements include 672 patient-centered clinical hours plus 84 professional clinical hours completed through four clinical practicum courses with supervised preceptors in psychiatric mental health settings.
MSN and BSN to DNP Program Requirements:
- BSN from regionally accredited and CCNE/ACEN/NLN accredited nursing program
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA recommended
- Two letters of recommendation from nursing professionals
- Current unencumbered RN license from US state board
- Application through NursingCAS with supplemental Graduate School application
- Criminal background check through Castlebranch
- Current resume and responses to application questions
BSN to DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP program is approximately $13,600 for specialty courses and would take 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The 16-credit specialty track mirrors the MSN curriculum:
Core Psychiatric Courses:
- Advanced psychiatric assessment and psychopharmacology
- Individual and group psychotherapy foundations
- Population-specific diagnosis and management across three courses
Role Development
- Professional role course for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners
Clinical Experience
- Minimum 1,000 total clinical, professional, and project hours
- Advanced practice leadership focus with population health emphasis
Clinical requirements include extensive supervised clinical hours with emphasis on leadership development and advanced practice competencies in psychiatric mental health settings.
Post-Graduate Certificate in PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate program is approximately $25,500 and would take 1.5-2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum The 30-credit certificate targets nurses with existing master’s degrees:
Prerequisite Courses (10 credit hours):
- Advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, and physical assessment
PMHNP Specialty Courses (16 credit hours):
- Identical specialty curriculum to MSN and DNP tracks
- Psychiatric assessment, psychotherapy, and psychopharmacology
- Population-specific management courses
Clinical and Professional Courses (4 credit hours):
- Four clinical practicum courses (168 hours each)
- Clinical seminars and advanced practice role course
Clinical requirements include 672 patient-centered clinical hours plus 84 professional role clinical hours with supervised preceptors across diverse psychiatric mental health settings.
Post-Graduate Certificate Requirements:
- Master’s degree in nursing or terminal degree (PhD, EdD, DNP)
- Graduate degree from CCNE/ACEN/NLN accredited nursing program
- Minimum 3.0 graduate GPA recommended
- Goal statement addressing specialty choice and career goals
- Same licensing and background check requirements
Tuition
Graduate nursing courses cost $850 per credit hour plus $10 per credit hour online course fee. Military-friendly rates available at $250 per credit hour for active-duty service members. Federal employees receive 10% discount off standard tuition rates.
Accreditation
University of Louisville School of Nursing maintains accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral nursing programs including post-graduate APRN certificates.
Other Nursing Programs
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Anesthesia (DNP)
- MSN to DNP programs
- PhD in Nursing
More Programs in Kentucky
View All PMHNP Programs in Kentucky
- Bellarmine University - Louisville
- Frontier Nursing University - Versailles
- Northern Kentucky University - Highland Heights
- Western Kentucky University - Bowling Green