Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Estimated Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| DNP-PMHNP | $88,000 | 3 years FT |
| Postgraduate Certificate – PMHNP | $36,470 | 1.5–2 years |
The PMHNP DNP is a hybrid-by-design program with 3-year and 4-year plans, about 1,000 clinical hours, and a strong record of graduates passing their certification exam and securing jobs with starting salaries around $144,000 in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area.
The postgraduate certificate provides DNP-prepared advanced practice nurses with a structured pathway to add PMHNP certification using a flexible hybrid format.
Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP (DNP-PMHNP)
The estimated cost for the DNP-PMHNP program is about $88,000 in tuition, and would take about 3 years to complete on a full-time basis through the three-year plan, with a four-year option available for added flexibility.
Estimate based on based on 80 credits at $1,100 per credit.
DNP Curriculum
The DNP-PMHNP curriculum prepares students for independent practice across the lifespan, with an emphasis on diagnosis, holistic treatment, lifestyle management, and use of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies.
Coursework includes:
NURS 5222 – Advanced Human Physiology (2 Cr.)
Explores cellular and systems physiology across the lifespan to build a foundation for recognizing deviations from normal function and supporting advanced clinical reasoning.
NURS 5228 – Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing (2 Cr.)
Introduces core pharmacologic principles and major medication classes, focusing on mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics for advanced practice use.
NURS 5226 – Advanced Human Pathophysiology (2 Cr.)
Examines disease mechanisms and altered physiology across organ systems, linking basic science to clinical findings to guide diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.
NURS 5229 – Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3–4 Cr.)
Covers safe prescribing and medication management for advanced practice nurses, emphasizing drug selection, dosing, and treatment guidelines across age groups.
NURS 6601 – Introduction to the Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Role (1 Cr.)
Introduces the history, scope, and core responsibilities of the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner within the DNP role for individuals, families, and communities.
NURS 5200 – Advanced Holistic Health Assessment for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 Cr.)
Develops advanced holistic assessment skills to distinguish normal from abnormal findings and integrate evidence-based data into comprehensive evaluations across the lifespan.
NURS 5200 – Advanced Holistic Health Assessment for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 Cr.) Online may be available
NURS 6111 – Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning (1 Cr.)
Introduces the science and process of diagnostic reasoning for advanced practice. Emphasizes synthesizing clinical data, building differentials, presenting cases, planning management, and recognizing and reducing diagnostic error.
CSPH 5101 – Overview of Whole Health Models of Care & Integrative Practices (3 Cr.) Online may be available
NURS 6604 – Foundations for Integrative Mental Health and Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nursing (3 Cr.)
Covers advanced concepts from nursing, social sciences, neuropsychology, and neurophysiology to explain psychiatric symptoms and disorders across the lifespan. Emphasizes integrative, evidence-based approaches to assessment and treatment.
NURS 6605 – Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Nursing Practice Practicum I (2 Cr.)
Introduces clinical practice in mental health promotion and risk reduction with attention to family, culture, identity, and social determinants. Students build therapeutic interviewing skills, refine diagnostic assessment, and apply integrative, community-based care in interprofessional settings.
NURS 5225 – Psychopharmacology Advanced Practice Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (3 Cr.)
Examines advanced neuroscience and psychopharmacology concepts for treating psychiatric disorders and symptoms. Students apply medication principles and clinical decision-making to diverse patient scenarios in multiple care settings.
NURS 6102 – Family Health Theory (2 Cr.) Online may be available
Focuses on major theories in family nursing and related disciplines to understand family systems and health. Students use these frameworks to analyze clinical issues and design family-focused care strategies.
NURS 6504 – Assessment & Mgmt of Psychiatric Disorders for Adv. Practice Psych. Mental Health Nursing & Pharmacy (3 Cr.)
Provides advanced assessment and management strategies for psychiatric disorders across the age spectrum. Integrates theory, research, and neurobiological concepts to support accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning.
NURS 6505 – Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Nursing Practice Practicum II (3 Cr.)
Strengthens diagnostic interviewing and comprehensive psychiatric assessment skills across the lifespan. Students collaborate with patients and interprofessional teams to design initial, evidence-based, integrative treatment plans.
NURS 6606 – Assessment and Management of Complex Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan (2 Cr.)
Addresses evaluation and treatment of complex psychiatric conditions using advanced theoretical and neurobiological foundations. Students appraise evidence for psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and integrative approaches across settings and levels of care.
NURS 6607 – Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Nursing Practice Practicum III (3 Cr.)
Expands students’ skills in comprehensive psychiatric assessment and diagnostic interviewing across the lifespan. Emphasizes treatment planning and care for patients with more complex and intensive psychiatric needs.
NURS 7602 – Psychotherapeutic Interventions With Individuals, Families and Groups (2 Cr.)
Explores theories and research that support psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan. Students learn to select and integrate psychotherapeutic approaches within varied health care settings.
NURS 7603 – Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing Practicum IV (3 Cr.)
Focuses on applying psychotherapy theories, evidence, and therapeutic use of self in direct clinical care. Students support mental health management and recovery for individuals and families experiencing psychiatric illness and related psychosocial effects.
NURS 7612 – Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing: Professional Seminar (1 Cr.)
Offers a forum to discuss the evolving role, responsibilities, and professional issues in psychiatric-mental health advanced practice nursing. Supports reflection on clinical experiences, leadership, and advanced practice identity.
NURS 7613 – Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing: Practicum V (2 Cr.)
Capstone practicum focused on refining the PMHNP role and integrating DNP-level work into clinical care. Students deliver evidence-based mental health services to people at risk for or experiencing psychiatric disorders while examining system-level impacts on care.
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
Students complete about 1,000 supervised clinical hours at sites arranged by the school, so they do not have to secure their own placements.
Clinical experiences cover the full continuum of mental health care, including:
- Community mental health and integrated primary care
- Inpatient psychiatry and crisis stabilization
- Schools, correctional settings, and telehealth
- Substance use treatment programs and veterans’ services
Graduates are prepared to practice independently and on interprofessional teams, caring for people with acute and chronic psychiatric conditions and complex mental health needs across diverse populations.
DNP Admissions
The DNP program is open to both BSN-prepared and master’s-prepared registered nurses who want to take on a broader advanced practice role.
Post-baccalaureate DNP applicants must have:
- An entry-level nursing degree (such as a BSN or entry-level MN/MSN)
- A minimum 3.0 GPA
- An active U.S. RN license
Post-master’s DNP applicants must have:
- A Master of Science in Nursing in a clinical specialty from an accredited program
- At least 120 preceptor-supervised practicum hours from their master’s program
All DNP applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and PMHNP students must be able to attend required on-campus sessions each semester and complete clinical hours at approved sites.
Postgraduate Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the PMHNP Certificate is at least $35,470 in tuition, and would take about 1.5 to 2 years to complete on a full-time basis, depending on the individualized plan of study.
Estimate based on based on a minimum of 20 credits at the general graduate rate of $1,773.50 per credit.
Certificate Curriculum
The PMHNP postgraduate certificate is designed for nurses who already hold a DNP in a clinical specialty and want formal preparation for a second advanced practice role in psychiatric mental health.
A typical plan uses the following courses:
- NURS 6102 – Family Health Theory (2 Cr.)
- NURS 6604 – Foundations for Integrative Mental Health and Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nursing (3 Cr.)
- NURS 6605 – Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Nursing Practice Practicum I (2 Cr.)
- NURS 5225 – Psychopharmacology Advanced Practice Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (3 Cr.)
- NURS 6504 – Assessment & Mgmt of Psychiatric Disorders for Adv. Practice Psych. Mental Health Nursing & Pharmacy (3 Cr.)
- NURS 6505 – Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Nursing Practice Practicum II (3 Cr.)
- NURS 7612 – Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing: Professional Seminar (1 Cr.)
- NURS 7613 – Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing: Practicum V (2 Cr.)
- NURS 6606 – Assessment and Management of Complex Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan (2 Cr.)
- NURS 6111 – Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning (1 Cr.)
- NURS 7602 – Psychotherapeutic Interventions With Individuals, Families and Groups (2 Cr.)
- NURS 7603 – Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing Practicum IV (3 Cr.)
- NURS 6607 – Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Nursing Practice Practicum III (3 Cr.)
This sequence strengthens family and systems theory, integrative mental health foundations, psychopharmacology, diagnostic reasoning, psychotherapy skills, and advanced practicum experiences.
Students complete at least 20 credits of specialty coursework chosen with their advisor to meet certification requirements and build PMHNP competencies.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical and practicum hours are built into the specialty courses so graduates meet national PMHNP certification requirements.
The number and type of clinical hours are planned with the student’s advisor, taking into account:
- Prior DNP clinical experience
- Current certification board expectations
During these experiences, students strengthen:
- Diagnostic and assessment skills
- Medication management
- Psychotherapy integration
- Leadership in psychiatric mental health settings
Students function at an advanced practice level, applying these skills directly in real-world clinical environments.
Certificate Admissions
Admission to the PMHNP postgraduate certificate is highly selective and limited by specialty and clinical course capacity.
Applicants must hold an entry-level nursing degree (such as BSN, BAN, or entry-level Master of Nursing) and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in a clinical nursing specialty area from an accredited program.
They must also have:
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the most recent degree
- A valid, unencumbered U.S. RN license
- A valid Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license in the United States
- U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or a visa that permits academic enrollment (the hybrid format does not qualify for an F-1 student visa)
- Documentation such as transcripts for all post-secondary study, two references with admission forms and letters, two essays, a current CV or resume, and English proficiency scores if applicable
Applicants are encouraged to contact the PMHNP specialty coordinator before applying and must apply through NursingCAS; verified applications are reviewed beginning December 2 on a rolling basis until each cohort is full.
Prerequisites & Admissions (At-a-Glance)
- Active, unencumbered U.S. RN license
- For DNP-PMHNP (post-bacc route): entry-level nursing degree (BSN or equivalent) and minimum 3.0 GPA
- For DNP-PMHNP (post-master’s route): MSN in a clinical specialty plus documented practicum hours
- For PMHNP Postgraduate Certificate: DNP in a clinical specialty, APRN license, 3.0 GPA, and entry-level nursing degree
- U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or other eligible status for hybrid study (no F-1 sponsorship)
- Program-specific materials: CV or resume, official transcripts, essays, references, and English proficiency scores if required
Tuition
For the DNP-PMHNP, the program lists a professional nursing rate of $1,100 per credit for 80 total credits, regardless of residency.
For the PMHNP postgraduate certificate, tuition is estimated using the general graduate rate of $1,773.50 per credit for residents (higher for nonresidents), and total cost will vary by the final plan of study.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Minnesota, which includes the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty, is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The post-graduate APRN certificate programs, including the PMHNP postgraduate certificate, are also accredited by CCNE, confirming that both tracks meet national quality standards for advanced nursing education.
Other Nursing Programs
The School of Nursing offers several other graduate nursing pathways in addition to PMHNP:
- Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult/Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Health Innovation and Leadership
- Integrative Health and Healing
- Nurse Anesthesia
- Nurse Midwifery
- Nursing Informatics
- Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
- Women’s Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner
- Post-master’s DNP option for experienced APRNs
The school also offers BSN, Master of Nursing (MN), and PhD in Nursing programs, with a long history of innovation and national recognition in DNP education.
Related Programs
View All PMHNP Programs in Minnesota
- St. Catherine University - St. Paul