Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost* | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – PMHNP | $35,800 | 2–3 years FT |
| BSN to DNP – PMHNP | $47,256–$50,120 | 3–4 years FT |
| Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP | $14,320–$21,480 | 1–2 years FT |
*In state costs
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is $35,800 for residents ($716 per credit hour) and would take approximately 2-3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN-PMHNP program requires 50 credit hours and includes core nursing courses plus specialty psychiatric-mental health coursework.
The curriculum integrates advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, assessment, and psychiatric-specific content including neuroscience psychopharmacology, counseling models, and lifespan psychiatric nursing management.
Core Courses
EPI 808 Biostatistics and Epidemiology in Nursing Practice
This course builds core skills in describing data, selecting study designs, calculating disease measures, and interpreting regression. You will evaluate population health research, spot care gaps, and use surveillance and screening data to guide decisions that improve community health.
NRSG 600 Foundations of Scholarly Writing
You will strengthen graduate-level writing with clear style, correct grammar, and precise use of evidence. The course also covers ethical access and use of information. (1 didactic credit)
NRSG 601 Advanced-Level Nursing Roles
You will examine advanced nursing roles and apply leadership theories to person-centered care. The course stresses professional identity, communication, equity, and lifelong learning to support safe, high-quality outcomes. (2 didactic credits)
NRSG 602 Foundations of Quality, Safety, Informatics and Finance
You will apply quality improvement methods, health informatics, and basic finance to measure and improve structures, processes, and outcomes. The course emphasizes accountability, access, value, patient safety, teamwork, and high-reliability practices. (4 didactic credits)
NRSG 603 Foundations of Theories and Evidence-Based Practice
You will appraise nursing theories and research types, review national practice documents, and connect evidence to advanced nursing roles. The course uses change theory to move findings into practice.
NRSG 604 Foundations of Population-Based Health Policy
You will analyze health policy and population health models in U.S. and global contexts and plan advocacy steps for policy change. The course also reviews how public health emergencies shape policy and requires translating evidence from nursing and related fields.
NRSG 605 Advanced Pathophysiology
You will study disease mechanisms—such as cellular injury, inflammation, genetics, and cancer—and apply them to organ systems. Weekly clinical cases build diagnostic thinking for common acute and chronic conditions. (4 didactic credits)
NRSG 606 Pharmacotherapeutics for the Advanced Practice Nurse
You will review pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, select and monitor medications, and understand prescriptive authority across the lifespan. Clinical scenarios strengthen safe, evidence-based medication management. (3 didactic credits)
NRSG 607 Advanced Assessment & Clinical Reasoning Across the Life Span
You will refine history taking, physical exam, and diagnostic reasoning using modules, lab, and simulation. Learning spans pediatric to geriatric care with emphasis on accurate, organized findings. (3 credits: 2 didactic/1 lab)
NRSG 608 Transformational Leadership and Complex Systems
You will apply transformational leadership concepts to improve outcomes in complex health systems. Case work builds practical strategies for leading change. (3 didactic credits)
PMHNP Specialty Courses
NRSG 670 Neuroscience Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing
You will link brain function to treatment choices for disorders such as psychosis, mood and anxiety conditions, ADHD, dementia, sleep disorders, pain, and addiction. The course supports safe, effective psychopharmacology across settings. (3 didactic credits)
NRSG 671 Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Management I: Counseling Models and Therapy
You will survey major counseling frameworks and build skills in psychiatric evaluation, differential diagnosis, and care planning. The course covers behavior change theories and the legal and ethical aspects of the PMHNP counseling role. (2 didactic credits)
NRSG 672 Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Practicum I: Counseling and Therapy
In supervised practice, you will deliver counseling and psychotherapy, complete full psychiatric evaluations, and develop diagnostic reasoning. You will plan respectful, wellness-oriented care for individuals, families, and groups. (1 clinical credit)
NRSG 673 Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Management II: Adult and Geriatric
You will manage psychiatric conditions in adults and older adults using assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, and medication strategies. The course addresses multimorbidity, safety, and functional goals. (3 credits)
NRSG 674 Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Practicum II: Adult and Geriatric
In supervised settings, you will implement treatment plans for adult and geriatric clients, integrate therapies and pharmacology, and evaluate outcomes. Interprofessional collaboration supports continuity of care. (2 clinical credits)
NRSG 675 Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Management III: Child and Adolescent
You will assess and treat youth with common psychiatric disorders, engage families, and coordinate care with schools and community agencies. The course aligns therapy and medication choices with developmental needs. (2 credits)
NRSG 676 Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Practicum III: Child and Adolescent
You will provide supervised care to children and adolescents, refine interview techniques, and tailor interventions to age and context. Progress notes and outcomes tracking guide adjustments to care. (2 clinical credits)
NRSG 677 Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing Practicum IV: Life Span and Specialty
You will synthesize skills across the lifespan and explore specialty areas such as addiction, crisis, or integrated care. The practicum focuses on readiness for independent PMHNP practice and consistent, measurable outcomes.
More curriculum details available here.
MSN Clinicals
The MSN-PMHNP program includes 10 total clinical practicum credits distributed across four practicum courses.
Students complete practicum experiences in:
- counseling and therapy (1 credit)
- adult and geriatric psychiatric nursing (2 credits)
- child and adolescent psychiatric nursing (2 credits)
- comprehensive lifespan and specialty practicum (5 credits)
The clinical experiences prepare students for diverse practice settings and populations across the lifespan.
MSN Admissions Requirements
- Completed application through NursingCAS
- Transcripts from all educational institutions attended
- Faculty evaluation and interview
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree
- Current RN license
- Competitive admission with capacity limitations
- Strong educational background required
See the official tuition page for more details.
Doctor of Nursing Practice – BSN to DNP PMHNP
The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP-PMHNP program is $47,256 to $50,120 for residents and would take approximately 3-4 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on .66-70 total credits at $716/$1,293 per credit hour.
DNP Curriculum
The BSN to DNP-PMHNP program prepares individuals for the highest level of nursing leadership and practice, combining advanced practice nurse practitioner preparation with doctoral-level competencies.
Required Courses:
- NRSG 605: Advanced Pathophysiology (4 credits)
- NRSG 606: Applied Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits)
- NRSG 607: Advanced Assessment and Clinical Reasoning Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- NRSG 608: Transition to Nurse Practitioner Practice (1 credit)
- NRSG 609: Health Promotion for Populations (3 credits)
- NRSG 662: Counseling Models in Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (2-3 credits)
- NRSG 663: Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing with Adults (2-4 credits)
- NRSG 664: Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing with Children and Adolescents (2-4 credits)
- NRSG 665: Neuroscience Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing (2 credits)
- NRSG 668: Practicum in Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (1-8 credits, 7 credits total required)
DNP Clinicals
The BSN to DNP-PMHNP program requires a minimum of 7 total clinical practicum credits through NRSG 668, which can be distributed across one or more semesters.
Clinical experiences encompass psychiatric-mental health nursing practice across the lifespan, including work with adults, children, and adolescents.
Students gain hands-on experience integrating counseling models, psychopharmacology, and advanced practice psychiatric nursing skills in diverse clinical settings.
DNP Admissions Requirements
- Completed application through NursingCAS
- Transcripts from all educational institutions attended
- Faculty evaluation and interview
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree
- Current RN license
- Competitive admission with limited capacity
- Strong educational background prioritized
- Application opens September 1, due February 1
- Program starts in August
The program focuses on evidence-based practice, quality improvement, systems leadership, and clinical excellence in psychiatric-mental health nursing.
Post-Graduate Certificate (PGC) – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the PGC-PMHNP program ranges from $14,320 to $21,480 for residents ($716 per credit hour) and would take 1-2 years to complete.
Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Graduate Certificate prepares nurses with previous MSN or DNP degrees for advanced practice in the PMHNP specialty. The plan of study ranges from approximately 20-30 credit hours based on a gap analysis completed by a faculty advisor.
Course requirements are individualized based on previous coursework, classroom and clinical training, nursing experience, and professional goals.
Specific course requirements align with the MSN-PMHNP specialty curriculum, with credit requirements determined by the gap analysis.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical requirements for the PGC-PMHNP are determined through the gap analysis process and faculty advisor consultation.
Clinical hours are integrated throughout the certificate program based on the student’s previous clinical training and experience as a practicing nurse.
Certificate Admissions Requirements
- Completed application through NursingCAS
- Transcripts from all educational institutions attended
- Previous MSN or DNP degree
- Current RN license
- Competitive admission with limited capacity
- Strong educational background prioritized
- Application opens September 1, due February 1
- Program starts in August
More curriculum details are available here.
Tuition
Graduate nursing students admitted Fall 2024 and forward pay $716 per credit hour for residents and $1,293 per credit hour for non-residents.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
UNMC College of Nursing is a premier academic health center with highly rated educational program outcomes, ranking 23rd among 656 BSN programs in the United States by US News & World Report.
Related PMHNP Programs
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