Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Estimated Duration | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNP | $93,565.50 | 3–4 years (full time) | 81 |
| Postdoctoral Certificate | ~$39,818 | ~2 years (full time) | 43 |
Highlights include 70 years of psychiatric nursing education, premium clinical placements across Maryland and Washington, D.C., and a 100% PMHNP board pass rate for 2024.
The program uses a blended format with online core courses and in-person specialty courses plus flexible 3-, 4-, and 5-year plans.
Doctor of Nursing Practice — PMHNP
The estimated cost for the DNP — PMHNP program is $93,565.50 (MD resident) and would take about 3–4 years to complete on a full-time basis.
DNP Curriculum
NPHY 612 — Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
Study cellular to system-level mechanisms of disease across the lifespan to support diagnostic testing and treatment decisions in advanced practice.
NURS 723 — Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Across the Life Span
Review commonly prescribed drugs, indications, dosing, monitoring, and legal considerations for initiating, maintaining, and discontinuing therapy.
NDNP 819 — Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span
Perform comprehensive histories and exams with psychosocial and cultural dimensions, and document findings to support clinical decision making.
NRSG 785 — Professional Writing
Build academic writing skills for manuscripts and scholarly projects, including literature searches, synthesis, abstracts, and peer-review basics.
NRSG 790 — Methods for Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Critically appraise research, synthesize evidence, and apply change frameworks to improve care processes and outcomes.
NRSG 795 — Biostatistics for Evidence-Based Practice
Use common statistical tests and software to analyze data, interpret results, and report findings clearly in text, tables, and figures.
NDNP 870 — Diagnosis & Management I: Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders
Develop critical thinking for differential diagnosis, appropriate workups, and guideline use for patient-centered mental health care across settings.
NDNP 871 — Diagnosis & Management I Clinical Practicum/Seminar
Apply differential diagnosis and initial management under supervision in clinical and simulation settings; translate evidence into practice.
NRSG 780 — Population Health and Promotion
Examine determinants of health, prevention strategies, and policy levers to plan, implement, and evaluate population-level interventions.
NDNP 710 — Evidence-Informed Health Policy and Advocacy
Analyze population health problems and craft evidence-based policy messages and advocacy plans that promote equity and inclusion.
NPHY 862 — Neurophysiology of Mental Disorders (2 credits)
Link neurobiological mechanisms to psychiatric symptoms to inform assessment and treatment planning.
NDNP 804 — Theory for Evidence-Based Practice
Integrate theories from nursing and related sciences to guide advanced practice and systems-level improvement.
NRSG 782 — Health Systems & Health Policy: Leadership & Quality Improvement
Apply leadership, quality, and policy concepts to improve safety and care processes within complex health systems.
NDNP 872 — Diagnosis & Management II: Therapeutic Interventions in Mental Health
Formulate age-appropriate assessments, differentials, and treatments using evidence-based guidelines, with attention to safety and ethics.
NDNP 873 — Diagnosis & Management II Clinical Practicum/Seminar
Manage common psychiatric conditions, deliver individual and group psychotherapy, and collaborate with interprofessional teams under supervision.
NDNP 809A — DNP Project Readiness (0 credits)
Assess leadership strengths and evaluate health system models to prepare for quality and safety-focused project work.
NDNP 807 — Healthcare Informatics for Advanced Practice
Apply informatics and data tools to improve care quality, address social determinants, and support clinical decisions within ethical and regulatory standards.
NDNP 810 — DNP Project Identification
Define a practice gap, review evidence, select an implementation framework, and draft a quality improvement project plan.
NDNP 874 — Diagnosis & Management III: Family Systems in Mental Health
Integrate family systems theory with evidence and patient preferences to manage acute and chronic psychiatric conditions across contexts.
NDNP 875 — Diagnosis & Management III Clinical Practicum/Seminar
Practice family assessment and therapy techniques and align treatment plans with cultural context and current evidence.
NDNP 811 — DNP Project Development
Produce a scholarly project proposal through iterative peer and faculty review of aims, literature, and methods.
NURS 834 — Translating Evidence to Practice
Develop, implement, and evaluate an action plan to move evidence into practice, addressing barriers and measurement of outcomes.
NDNP 876 — Diagnosis & Management IV: Psychopharmacology Across the Life Span
Apply psychopharmacology principles to major psychiatric and substance use disorders, with adjustments for special populations and legal/ethical issues.
NDNP 812 — DNP Project Implementation
Execute the approved project with guidance from academic and site mentors.
NDNP 814 — Advanced Practice Leadership in Health Care Systems
Lead change initiatives using systems thinking; analyze organizational dynamics, resource coordination, conflict, and DEI impacts.
NDNP 877 — Diagnosis & Management V: Professional Practice Immersion
Synthesize prior learning to manage complex patients, coordinate team-based care, and apply quality and population metrics in practice.
NDNP 813 — DNP Project Evaluation/Dissemination
Analyze project outcomes and disseminate findings using effective manuscripts and presentations that target sustainability and equity.
NDNP 878 — Diagnosis & Management VI: Integration of Practice and Leadership
Demonstrate advanced CRNP practice at the macrosystem level; integrate leadership, policy analysis, and system redesign to improve outcomes.
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
Students complete 1,035 clinical hours across multiple Diagnosis & Management practicums and a final immersion. Faculty arrange placements at premium partner sites serving children through geriatric populations.
Sub-specialty exposure includes SPMI, substance use, and pediatric mental health.
DNP Admissions
- BSN from an ACEN/CCNE/CNEA-accredited institution; minimum 3.0 GPA
- Active, unrestricted RN license; Maryland or compact eligibility
- At least two years of full-time psychiatric mental health experience by application time
- Online application with fee, two recommendations, concise essay (≤350 words), CV, and official transcripts
- Residency form if claiming Maryland in-state status; interview by invitation; priority deadline typically early November and final deadline early July
Postdoctoral Certificate — PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Postdoctoral Certificate — PMHNP program is about $39,818 (MD resident) and would take about 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
- Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology; Clinical Pharmacology; Advanced Health Assessment
- Neurophysiology of Mental Disorders
- Diagnosis & Management I–VI with associated clinical seminars
- Total of ~43 credits focused on certification readiness
Certificate Clinicals
Students complete 990 clinical hours distributed across the Diagnosis & Management practicum sequence. Faculty coordinate appropriate placements; students do not need to secure their own sites.
Practicum schedules vary by site and may include some after-hours time.
Certificate Admissions
- Graduate degree in nursing plus a doctoral degree (DNP, PhD, EdD, etc.)
- Active RN license; pre-application assessment and gap analysis required
- Online application with fee, two recommendations, CV, essay, and official transcripts
- Proof of the “3 Ps” or plan to complete them per the individualized study plan
- Fall and spring intakes with priority and final deadlines listed on the admissions page
Tuition
Graduate per-credit tuition is $926 (in-state) and $1,643 (out-of-state); university and school fees vary by term and enrollment.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Programs align with AACN Essentials for competency-based DNP education and hold CCNE accreditation. Board eligibility includes ANCC or AANP PMHNP certification upon completion of degree and required clinical hours.
Other PMHNP Programs Based in Maryland
- Frostburg State University - Frostburg
- Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore