Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – (PMHNP) | $45,494 | ~2 years (full-time) |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP | $27,692 | ~2 years |
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is $45,494 ($989 per credit × 46 credits) and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
This program is designed for BSN-prepared nurses seeking their first advanced graduate degree and prepares students to provide holistic, evidence-based care to individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan.
Courses are grounded in neuroscience and delivered by expert faculty with active clinical backgrounds in mental health care, with small class sizes and dedicated faculty mentors providing personalized guidance from application through graduation.
MSN Curriculum
The 46-credit curriculum emphasizes comprehensive mental health assessment, psychiatric diagnosis, evidence-based treatment planning, psychopharmacology, therapeutic modalities, and interprofessional collaboration.
The program is delivered in 14-week sessions with fall or spring intake options, and students may transfer up to 9 credits from prior graduate coursework.
Program Required Courses (46 credits)
NSG 500 — Advanced Pharmacology (3):
Advanced principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics applied to safe, evidence-based prescribing across the lifespan, with attention to cultural, ethical, and regulatory considerations.
NSG 505 — Advanced Pathophysiology (3):
Cellular, genetic, and systemic mechanisms of disease across the lifespan, emphasizing immunity, inflammation, stress responses, and variations in vulnerable populations.
NSG 510 — Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (3):
Integrates comprehensive histories and physical exams with clinical reasoning to form accurate differentials for patients of all ages; includes a required on-campus immersion.
NSG 520 — EBP and QI for Safe Accountable Care (4):
Builds skills to appraise evidence, measure outcomes, and lead quality-improvement initiatives that enhance safety and accountability in diverse care settings.
NSG 600 — Advanced Leadership Practice in Complex Interprofessional Health Systems (4):
Prepares master’s-prepared nurses to drive change using evidence-based leadership, strategic planning, and collaboration to build cultures of quality, advocacy, and safety.
NSG 610 — Advanced Practice Capstone (1):
Designs, implements, and disseminates an evidence-based practice project using a PICOT question, guideline appraisal, and synthesis of research to address a clinical gap.
PMH 500 — Psychopathology and Neurobiology of Mental Health Disorders (3):
Links neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, genetics, and environment to DSM-5-TR disorders to inform assessment, diagnosis, and holistic treatment planning across the lifespan.
PMH 510 — Foundations of PMHNP Practice (3):
Introduces core PMHNP competencies with emphasis on therapeutic interviewing, safety, professionalism, and development of evidence-based, person-centered care plans.
PMH 520 — Psychopharmacology (3):
Covers neurobiology of mental illness and lifespan medication management, including selection, monitoring, and ethical–legal considerations for psychotropic therapy.
PMH 600 — Therapeutic Modalities, Diagnostic Reasoning and Treatment 1 (3):
Surveys individual, group, and family psychotherapy models and applies them to diverse populations while strengthening diagnostic reasoning.
PMH 610 — Practicum 1: Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Practice Across the Lifespan I (3):
First clinical rotation (180 hours) focused on assessment, diagnosis, psychoeducation, and initial treatment planning for patients from childhood through older adulthood.
PMH 620 — Therapeutic Modalities, Diagnostic Reasoning and Treatment 2 (3):
Advances management of complex and comorbid psychiatric conditions, including SUD and forensic contexts, through interprofessional, evidence-based approaches.
PMH 630 — Practicum 2: Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Practice Across the Lifespan II (4):
Second rotation (240 hours) emphasizing clinical judgment, guideline-concordant prescribing, and integration of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies across settings.
PMH 640 — Practicum 3: Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Practice Across the Lifespan III (6):
Capstone rotation (360 hours) delivering comprehensive care to high-risk and underserved populations, refining advanced assessment, diagnostic, and treatment skills across the lifespan.
More curriculum details are available here.
Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and achieve a minimum grade of B- in all courses.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 780 direct care clinical hours with qualified PMHNP preceptors or psychiatrists across three clinical practicum courses (PMH 610, PMH 630, PMH 640).
Clinical rotations are secured in partnership with UNE’s clinical placement team, with active support from the PMHNP team throughout the site identification and coordination process.
A mandatory two-day pre-clinical campus immersion experience provides hands-on skills assessment using simulation/virtual reality facilities, with virtual options available for students unable to attend in person.
MSN Admissions Requirements
Prerequisites:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an ACEN-, CCNE-, or CNEA-accredited institution
- Official copy of nursing degree transcript (recommended GPA of 2.65 or higher)
- Active, unencumbered RN license from an authorized state
- Background in psychiatric nursing through coursework or practical experience
- Current resume or CV
- Goal Statement/Essay addressing: What inspired you to pursue graduate study? What strengths will support your success? What areas of growth do you hope to achieve?
- Professional nursing work experience post-BSN required
- No application fee
- Multiple start dates: Fall or Spring intake
Students should note the program meets educational requirements for licensure in nearly every U.S. state except Louisiana, New York, Puerto Rico, and Tennessee.
Post-Master’s Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate program is $27,692 ($989 per credit × 28 credits) and would take 2 years to complete.
This certificate is designed for nurses with a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing who want to add a PMHNP specialization to their credentials. Post-Master’s Certificate students complete only the role-specific and clinical practicum components of the program, with the same high-quality clinical preparation and faculty mentorship as the MSN track.
Certificate Curriculum
The 28-credit Post-Master’s Certificate curriculum focuses exclusively on PMHNP role-specific coursework and clinical practicums.
Students who have previously completed the “3-P’s” (Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Health Assessment) may have these courses waived if they meet specific transfer credit criteria. All courses require a minimum grade of B- and students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Post-Master’s Certificate Required Courses (28 credits):
Core Courses (may be waived with approved transfer credit):
- NSG 500 — Advanced Pharmacology (3)
- NSG 505 — Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- NSG 510 — Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (3)
PMHNP Clinical Courses (required for all certificate students):
- PMH 500 — Psychopathology and Neurobiology of Mental Health Disorders (3)
- PMH 510 — Foundations of PMHNP Practice (3)
- PMH 520 — Psychopharmacology (3)
- PMH 600 — Therapeutic Modalities, Diagnostic Reasoning and Treatment 1 (3)
- PMH 610 — Practicum 1: Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Practice Across the Lifespan I (3)
- PMH 620 — Therapeutic Modalities, Diagnostic Reasoning and Treatment 2 (3)
- PMH 630 — Practicum 2: Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Practice Across the Lifespan II (4)
- PMH 640 — Practicum 3: Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Practice Across the Lifespan III (6)
Transfer credits for the 3-P’s must be from separate courses on transcripts, part of an advanced practice licensure program, with grades of B- (2.65) or better, and include course descriptions confirming graduate-level APRN program content.
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
Post-Master’s Certificate students complete the same 780 direct care clinical hours as MSN students across three clinical practicum courses.
The UNE PMHNP Clinical Team actively supports students in securing clinical placements, with students beginning research 9 months before rotations start. The program director partners with students experiencing difficulty identifying sites and preceptors.
Clinical experiences prepare students to thrive in diverse psychiatric settings including inpatient care, urban clinics, rural centers, and telehealth platforms.
Students participate in the mandatory two-day pre-clinical campus immersion for skills assessment and clinical readiness evaluation.
Certificate Admissions Requirements
Prerequisites:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an ACEN-, CCNE-, or CNEA-accredited institution
- Official copy of nursing degree transcript (MSN required; recommended GPA of 2.65 or higher)
- Active, unencumbered RN license from an authorized state
- Background in psychiatric nursing shown on transcripts or through practical experience
- Current resume or CV
- Goal Statement/Essay addressing program motivation, strengths, and growth goals
- No application fee
- Fall or Spring intake options
- May transfer up to 9 credits from prior graduate coursework
Students should verify state authorization requirements and confirm program eligibility for licensure in their state.
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition is $989 per credit hour. Additional fees include:
- Technology Fee: $165 per semester
- General Service Fee: $85 per semester (non-refundable for matriculated students)
- Program Fee: $750 per semester
- Malpractice Insurance Fee: $45 (clinical semesters only)
- Application Fee: FREE (no application fee)
Standard enrollment is 6 credits per semester, with accelerated students beginning at 12 credits per semester. Financial aid packages include $350 per semester for textbooks and materials. All PMHNP students must carry active health insurance throughout the program.
See the official tuition page for more details.
UNE Online offers exclusive scholarships for students committed to working in Maine: the Glickman Lauder Scholarship (up to $15,000 for rural Maine service) and the Betterment Scholarship ($5,000 annually for Maine practice), with graduates entering one of the fastest-growing nurse practitioner roles projected to grow 25.85% from 2022-2027.
Accreditation
The University of New England is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), ensuring high academic quality and public accountability. The PMHNP programs are candidates for accreditation by The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the accrediting agency for nursing education programs. Graduates are eligible to sit for national certification through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
More PMHNP Programs in Maine
- Husson University - Bangor
- University of Maine Fort Kent - Fort Kent
- University of Southern Maine - Portland