Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Duration | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSN to DNP | $30,000–$35,000 | Under 3 years | 69 |
| Post-Graduate Certificate | $7,500–$15,000 | Gap analysis | 15 |
The programs feature hybrid delivery with synchronous online education, hands-on teaching, simulation experiences, and clinical rotations throughout New Mexico.
BSN to DNP PMHNP
The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP PMHNP program is approximately $30,000-$35,000 for New Mexico residents and takes under 3 years (8 consecutive terms) to complete.
The DNP is a terminal clinical doctorate preparing nurses for the highest level of practice with emphasis on advanced clinical practice, leadership, healthcare policy, information systems, and healthcare delivery systems.
DNP Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from accredited college or university
- RNs with baccalaureate degrees from non-nursing fields considered on individual basis
- Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher preferred
- Applicants with cumulative GPA below 3.00 may still apply and considered on individual basis
- Current unencumbered New Mexico RN license OR eligible for NM licensure
- One year or more of work experience in nursing or relevant field prior to starting program
- NursingCAS Application
- Three essay responses
- Three letters of reference
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Application form and fee
- Personal interview for selected candidates (conducted virtually or in person)
DNP Curriculum
The 69-credit BSN to DNP PMHNP program integrates DNP core courses, evidence-based practice core, systems thinking/project core, advanced practice nursing core, and PMHNP specialty courses with 750 clinical hours, 100 lab hours, and 300 systems thinking/project hours.
DNP Core Courses (9 Credits)
NURS 700 – Introduction to Professional Inquiry
Builds DNP role competencies in theory, professionalism, reflective practice, and health equity for advanced practice.
NURS 707 – Formulating Strategies for Systemic Health Inquiry
Uses epidemiology, population data, and social determinants to analyze disparities and guide community assessments.
NURS 709 – Integrating Innovative Strategies for Systemic Health Change
Applies innovation, policy, ethics, and informatics to design system-level strategies that improve outcomes.
Evidence-Based Practice Core (9 Credits)
NURS 701 – Introduction to Translational Evidence-Informed Care
Teaches literature searching, appraisal, and synthesis to support patient-centered, evidence-informed decisions.
NURS 708 – Evidence-Informed Practice and Scholarship
Uses implementation science to plan, deliver, and evaluate evidence-informed solutions in varied settings.
NURS 710 – Translation of Evidence for Healthcare Practice, Policy, and Evaluation
Advances skills in appraisal, QI methods, analytics, and policy design to move evidence into practice.
DNP Systems Thinking and Project Core (6 Credits)
NURS 796 – Systems Thinking for Healthcare Transformation I
Designs the scholarly project, linking problem, evidence, and methods.
NURS 797 – Systems Thinking for Healthcare Transformation II
Implements the project to optimize care delivery or population outcomes.
NURS 798 – Systems Thinking for Healthcare Transformation III
Evaluates project processes and outcomes for system impact.
NURS 799 – Systems Thinking for Healthcare Transformation IV
Disseminates results through presentations and manuscripts, emphasizing sustainability.
Advanced Practice Nursing Core (9 Credits)
NURS 711 – Advanced Pathophysiology
Applies disease mechanisms across the lifespan to clinical reasoning and differential diagnosis.
NURS 712 – Pharmacological Principles of Clinical Therapeutics
Covers PK/PD, major drug classes, and special population considerations for safe prescribing.
NURS 713 – Advanced Health Assessment
Develops comprehensive, lifespan assessment and diagnostic reasoning skills for APRN practice.
Didactic PMHNP Courses (18 Credits)
NURS 780 – Foundations in PMHNP Clinical Assessment and Practice
Introduces behavioral health assessment, trauma-informed care, crisis response, and care coordination.
NURS 781 – Psychiatric Diagnostic Reasoning
Uses a biopsychosocial framework to perform differentials and apply diagnostic taxonomies.
NURS 782 – Psychotherapy and Behavior Change
Builds core skills in therapeutic alliance, motivational interviewing, and CBT for individuals, families, and groups.
NURS 783 – Neurobiology & Psychopharmacology
Integrates neurobiology with psychopharmacology to guide medication selection and monitoring across the lifespan.
NURS 784 – Advanced Practice Seminar on Leadership Development for the PMHNP
Examines PMHNP leadership, ethics, and independent practice within integrated systems.
NURS 785 – Complex Management of Adults for the PMHNP
Manages complex adult psychiatric conditions using advanced pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches.
NURS 786 – Complex Management of Special Populations for the PMHNP
Delivers culturally and developmentally sensitive care for diverse and high-risk groups.
Clinical PMHNP Courses (18 Credits)
NURS 788 – Advanced Practicum I
Begins supervised psychiatric practice with evaluation and initial management; includes reflective seminars.
NURS 789 – Advanced Practicum II
Expands autonomous management of complex cases and interprofessional collaboration.
NURS 795 – Advanced Nursing Fieldwork
Culminating practicum to demonstrate terminal competencies and integrate leadership across systems.
More curriculum details are available here.
Course Delivery:
- Hybrid model with some core courses online
- Concentration-specific courses and simulation experiences in-person/on campus
- Students expected on campus when required for in-person classes and simulation
- Classes held in Nursing/Pharmacy Building and Domenici Center
DNP Clinicals
The BSN to DNP PMHNP program requires minimum 750 supervised clinical hours with 100 lab/simulation hours providing diverse experiences from hospitals to outpatient clinics. The dedicated Office of Clinical Affairs team finds and secures all clinical placements with highly qualified preceptors throughout New Mexico.
Clinical Hour Requirements:
- NURS 788 Advanced Practicum I
- NURS 789 Advanced Practicum II
- NURS 795 Advanced Nursing Fieldwork
- NURS 713 Advanced Health Assessment
- NURS 780 Foundations in PMHNP Clinical Assessment:
- NURS 782 Psychotherapy and Behavior Change
- NURS 796
- NURS 797
- NURS 798
- NURS 799
Clinical Placement Support:
- Dedicated Office of Clinical Affairs team finds and secures all clinical placements
- No scrambling, waiting, or guessing about preceptors
- Team ensures preparation and compliance with all on-boarding requirements of clinical sites
- Faculty liaison support ensures student development and experiences with diverse populations
- Many preceptors are program graduates
- UNM College of Nursing faculty identify student needs and preferences before assigning sites
Clinical Rotation Requirements:
- Two to three semesters may be outside Albuquerque in rural and underserved areas
- Students responsible for travel costs associated with clinical experiences
- Distance students placed with clinical agencies in or near home communities whenever possible
- UNM College of Nursing committed to providing experiences in rural and underserved communities
Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the PMHNP Post-Graduate Certificate is approximately $7,500-$15,000 (minimum 15 graduate credits at varying graduate tuition rates) and takes variable time to complete based on individualized curriculum from gap analysis.
The certificate enables nurses with graduate degrees to specialize in another nursing area.
Certificate Admissions Requirements
- Master’s degree in nursing OR BSN and master’s degree in related field from accredited college or university or foreign equivalent
- All incoming students’ records undergo Gap Analysis
- Students schedule appointment with faculty coordinator of chosen concentration to review gap analysis and develop specific program of studies
- Current and unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license from one of the 50 U.S. states or territories
- NursingCAS Application
- Three essay responses
- Three letters of reference
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Application form and fee
Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Graduate Certificate requires minimum 15 graduate credits from courses within PMHNP concentration based on individualized program of study determined through gap analysis.
Students must demonstrate prior successful completion of coursework equivalent to required core and APN core courses or complete these as part of individualized program.
Required Core Competencies (If Not Previously Completed): Post-Graduate Certificate students must demonstrate completion of or complete:
- Graduate-level nursing core courses
- Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) core courses equivalent to:
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Advanced Health Assessment
PMHNP Specialty Concentration Courses (Minimum 15 Credits)
Graduate courses within PMHNP concentration may include courses from DNP PMHNP program such as:
- NURS 780 Foundations in PMHNP Clinical Assessment and Practice
- NURS 781 Psychiatric Diagnostic Reasoning
- NURS 782 Psychotherapy and Behavior Change
- NURS 783 Neurobiology & Psychopharmacology
- NURS 784 Advanced Practice Seminar on Leadership Development for the PMHNP
- NURS 785 Complex Management of Adults for the PMHNP
- NURS 786 Complex Management of Special Populations for the PMHNP
- NURS 788 Advanced Practicum I
- NURS 789 Advanced Practicum II
- NURS 795 Advanced Nursing Fieldwork
Program Structure:
- Individualized program of study based on gap analysis
- Minimum 15 graduate credit hours
- Courses determined by Concentration Coordinator
- Approved by Associate Dean for Education and Innovation
- May include additional core courses if not previously completed
Certificate Clinicals
Post-Graduate Certificate clinical requirements determined through gap analysis based on previous clinical experiences and certification requirements. Clinical hours embedded in PMHNP practicum courses with same placement support as DNP students.
Tuition
UNM College of Nursing charges DNP students a per-credit tuition rate set annually by the New Mexico State Legislature, plus required course, HSC, and UNM fees.
For 2025–2026, DNP tuition is $628.22 per credit for New Mexico residents and $1,405.62 per credit for non-residents. Required fees for the program total approximately $5,673, including estimated course fees ($890), HSC fees ($1,605), and UNM fees ($3,178).
Based on the 69-credit BSN to DNP PMHNP curriculum:
- New Mexico Resident: 69 credits × $628.22 = $43,347 tuition + $5,673 fees = approximately $49,000 total
- Non-Resident: 69 credits × $1,405.62 = $96,988 tuition + $5,673 fees = approximately $102,700 total
Post-Graduate Certificate (minimum 15 credits): approximately $9,400–$15,100 for residents and $21,100–$26,800 for non-residents, depending on the individualized program of study from gap analysis (tuition plus a proportional share of required fees).
More tuition information available here.
Accreditation
The University of New Mexico College of Nursing’s undergraduate, graduate, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-graduate certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring quality education meeting the highest standards of quality and integrity for advanced practice nursing.
The programs are also approved by the New Mexico Board of Nursing, meeting state requirements for professional nursing education and licensure.
Additional PMHNP Programs
- New Mexico State University - Las Cruces