Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – PMHNP | $17,068 | ~2 years (full-time) |
| BSN-to-DNP – PMHNP | $24,038–$25,451 | 3 years (full-time) |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP | $8,131–$13,433 | ~1–2 years (APRN vs. non-APRN) |
UNR’s PMHNP programs prepare graduates to care for individuals and families with behavioral and mental health problems across the lifespan, with graduates regularly exceeding the national first-attempt certification pass rate and most cohorts achieving 100% pass rates.
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is $17,068 and would take approximately 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The 48-50 unit program combines core nursing courses with specialized psychiatric mental health coursework:
Core Courses
NURS 735 – Intro to Knowledge Development and Scientific Inquiry (3 units)
Examines concepts and theories that guide nursing science. Applies research methods to support evidence-based practice and leadership.
NURS 736 – Health Care Policy and Social Justice (3 units)
Analyzes how policy and justice shape nursing roles and care delivery. Applies policy and systems theories to improve population outcomes.
NURS 737 – Populations and Aggregate Health Issues (3 units)
Uses epidemiology and community partnerships to prevent disease. Designs and evaluates health promotion for populations and aggregates.
Support Courses
NURS 716 – Advanced Ambulatory Pharmacology (3 units)
Reviews common outpatient drug classes and prescribing rules. Evaluates drug information sources for sound clinical decisions.
NURS 717 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3 units)
Links normal physiology to disease mechanisms across the lifespan. Interprets signs and symptoms through underlying pathophysiology.
NURS 750 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 units)
Conducts comprehensive histories and physicals across the lifespan. Produces organized notes, differentials, and pathophysiology-based reasoning.
Psychiatric Mental Health Specialization Courses
NURS 701 – Mental Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 units)
Builds advanced interviewing and mental status exam skills. Uses DSM-5 criteria to form differentials and a clear psychiatric formulation.
NURS 702 – Advanced Pharmacology for Mental Health (3 units)
Explains psychotropic mechanisms, PK/PD, and pharmacogenomics. Designs safe, cost-aware treatment plans with monitoring and side-effect management.
NURS 703 – Advanced Mental Health Therapies: Individuals & Groups (3 units)
Covers core models for individual, family, and group therapy. Plans culturally responsive interventions and measures outcomes.
NURS 721 – Assessment & Management in PMH Settings: Clinical Practicum (1–12 units)
Delivers supervised psychiatric evaluations, diagnosis, and care planning. Adjusts therapies and medications using evidence and safety checks.
NURS 726 – MH Diagnosis and Management of Children and Adolescents (2 units)
Adapts assessment for pediatric patients and families. Selects evidence-based therapies and medications with attention to access and equity.
NURS 727 – Mental Health Diagnosis and Management of the Adult (2 units)
Builds adult psychiatric assessment and formulation skills. Integrates therapy and pharmacology while tracking quality and safety outcomes.
NURS 730 – Mental Health Diagnosis and Management of Geriatric Clients (1 unit)
Addresses dementia, delirium, and late-life depression. Optimizes meds, function, and supports using ethical and policy-aware plans.
Capstone
NURS 794 – Preparation and Utilization of Evidence-Based Scholarship (1–4 units)
Develops an evidence-based change proposal with stakeholders. Evaluates ethics, equity, and impact to improve care quality.
More curriculum details are available here: https://catalog.unr.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=58&poid=243652&returnto=120000
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 780 clinical hours in OSN-secured placements coordinated by the school. Clinical experiences occur in diverse mental health environments including psychiatric hospitals, outpatient mental health clinics, telehealth services, addiction treatment centers, and community mental health programs.
All clinical placements are arranged by OSN, allowing students to fully engage in clinical learning without managing placement logistics.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from NLNAC or CCNE-accredited program OR Associate’s Degree in Nursing plus Bachelor’s degree with minimum 2 years clinical nursing experience
- Minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Current, unencumbered RN license (must be eligible to practice in Nevada)
- 500-word statement of intent including: Why UNR; Why PMHNP; What experiences prepare you; Capstone project ideas
- Three professional letters of recommendation
- Successful completion of graduate-level applied statistics course prior to fall admission (EDRS 640 recommended at UNR)
- Interview may be required
- Application deadline: March 1 for fall semester admission
- Minimum grade of “B” required in all graduate-level nursing courses
BSN-to-DNP – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the BSN-to-DNP PMHNP program is $24,038 (full-time) to $25,451 (part-time) and would take 3 years (full-time) or 5 years (part-time) to complete.
DNP Curriculum
The 68-72 unit program includes DNP core courses plus PMHNP specialization:
DNP Core Courses:
- NURS 725: Scientific Underpinnings & Translational Evidence for the DNP (3 units)
- NURS 728: Analysis of Healthcare Organizations (3 units)
- NURS 732: Economics of Healthcare Delivery (3 units)
- NURS 735: Intro to Knowledge Development and Scientific Inquiry (3 units)
- NURS 736: Health Care Policy and Social Justice (3 units)
- NURS 737: Populations and Aggregate Health Issues (3 units)
- NURS 745: Healthcare Information Systems & Technology (3 units)
- NURS 764: Practice Development Strategies for the APRN (3 units)
- NURS 765: Executive/Advanced Practice DNP Residency (1-6 units, 4 total required)
- NURS 788: DNP Project (1-6 units, 6 total required)
- NURS 792: Outcomes Management & Performance Improvement in Nursing (3 units)
Advanced Practice Courses:
- NURS 716: Advanced Ambulatory Pharmacology (3 units)
- NURS 717: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 units)
- NURS 750: Advanced Health Assessment (3 units)
PMHNP Specialization:
- NURS 701: Mental Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 units)
- NURS 702: Advanced Pharmacology for Mental Health (3 units)
- NURS 703: Advanced Mental Health Therapies: Individuals & Groups (3 units)
- NURS 721: Assessment & Management in PMH Settings: Clinical Practicum (1-12 units, 12 total required)
- NURS 726: MH Diagnosis and Management of Children and Adolescents (2 units)
- NURS 727: Mental Health Diagnosis and Management of the Adult (2 units)
- NURS 730: Mental Health Diagnosis and Management of the Geriatric Clients (1 unit)
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
DNP students complete 1,000 total clinical hours including 780 PMHNP-specific clinical hours plus additional DNP residency hours.
DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from NLNAC or CCNE-accredited program
- Minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Current, unencumbered RN license (must be eligible to practice in Nevada)
- Baccalaureate curriculum must include: statistics, growth and development (lifespan), basic research, and health assessment
- Resume/vitae including education, professional employment, community service
- Letter of intent (single-spaced, 12-point font, maximum 1,000 words) including: Why UNR; Which track chosen; Leadership experiences; Graduate study goals for capstone project
- Three letters of recommendation
- Successful completion of graduate-level applied statistics course prior to admission (EDRS 640 recommended)
- Interview may be required
- Application deadline: March 1 for fall admission
- Students notified by April 15th
Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate ranges from $8,131 (APRN track) to $13,433 (Non-APRN track) and would take 1 year (APRN full-time) to 2 years (Non-APRN full-time) to complete.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate program offers two tracks based on prior credentials:
Non-APRN Track (29-38 units):
- NURS 716: Advanced Ambulatory Pharmacology (3 units, if not completed)
- NURS 717: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 units, if not completed)
- NURS 750: Advanced Health Assessment (3 units, if not completed)
- NURS 701: Mental Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 units)
- NURS 702: Advanced Pharmacology for Mental Health (3 units)
- NURS 703: Advanced Mental Health Therapies: Individuals & Groups (3 units)
- NURS 704: Advanced Mental Health Therapies: Group and Family (3 units)
- NURS 721: Assessment & Management in PMH Settings: Clinical Practicum (1-12 units, 12 total required)
- NURS 722: Interventions and Treatment Planning within PMH Settings (3 units)
- NURS 723: Advanced Therapeutic Interventions within PMH Settings (3 units)
- NURS 724: Advanced Management of Patient and Systems within PMH Settings (3 units)
- NURS 726: MH Diagnosis and Management of Children and Adolescents (2 units)
- NURS 727: Mental Health Diagnosis and Management of the Adult (2 units)
- NURS 730: Mental Health Diagnosis and Management of the Geriatric Clients (1 unit)
APRN Track (23 units):
- NURS 701: Mental Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 units)
- NURS 702: Advanced Pharmacology for Mental Health (3 units)
- NURS 703: Advanced Mental Health Therapies: Individuals & Groups (3 units)
- NURS 721: Assessment & Management in PMH Settings: Clinical Practicum (1-12 units, 9 total required)
- NURS 726: MH Diagnosis and Management of Children and Adolescents (2 units)
- NURS 727: Mental Health Diagnosis and Management of the Adult (2 units)
- NURS 730: Mental Health Diagnosis and Management of the Geriatric Clients (1 unit)
More curriculum details are available here: https://catalog.unr.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=58&poid=243680&returnto=120000
Certificate Clinicals
Non-APRN track students complete 720 clinical hours; APRN track students complete 500-780 clinical hours depending on prior experience.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master of Science in Nursing from CCNE or NLN-accredited institution
- BSN from CCNE or NLN-accredited institution with GPA of 3.0 or better
- Current, unencumbered RN license (must be eligible to practice in Nevada)
- Resume/vitae including education, professional employment, community service
- Letter of intent (single-spaced, 12-point font, maximum 1,000 words)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Interview may be required
- Application deadline: March 1 for fall admission
- Students notified by April 15th
- Gap analysis available for graduates without required “3 Ps” (Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Health Assessment)
- Certificate students not eligible for Federal Financial Aid
Tuition
Graduate tuition is $353.50 per credit for 2025-2026.
Net costs vary by individual student based on graduate assistantships (10-hour, 15-hour, 20-hour) that include varying levels of tuition support.
See the official tuition page for more details: https://www.unr.edu/grad/funding
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at University of Nevada, Reno Orvis School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). UNR is a Carnegie R1 research institution with Community Engaged classification.
Program Outcomes
Orvis graduates regularly exceed the national first-attempt PMHNP certification pass rate, with most cohorts achieving 100% pass rates. Graduates are prepared to deliver advanced psychiatric care managing conditions including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders across diverse settings including mental health clinics, hospitals, outpatient treatment centers, telehealth services, and community mental health agencies.
Other Nursing Programs
University of Nevada, Reno Orvis School of Nursing offers additional programs:
Undergraduate Programs:
- Pre-Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- RN to BSN
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Specializations:
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- MSN Generalist
- Nurse Educator
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-AC)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP):
- BSN-to-DNP tracks: AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, PMHNP, PNP-AC, Nurse Executive/Clinical Nurse Leadership, Clinical Education Leadership
- Post-Master’s DNP tracks: Advanced Practice, Clinical Education Leadership, Health Policy, Nurse Executive
Post-Master’s Advanced Graduate Certificates:
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Educator
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Program Features
Founded in 1956 as Nevada’s first and oldest school of nursing, Orvis provides exceptional clinical placement support by coordinating and securing all clinical placements for graduate students. The school offers both full-time and part-time enrollment options across all PMHNP tracks, with flexible scheduling to accommodate working nurses. Students benefit from research-productive faculty, access to R1 institutional resources, and commitment to healthcare access for Indigenous and underserved populations.
Other Programs in Nevada
View All PMHNP Programs in Nevada
- UNLV - Las Vegas