Program Tracks Overview
The programs feature 500+ clinical practicum hours, fully virtual coursework delivery, and progressive training through five sequential PMHNP courses.
Students are required to attend two mandatory on-campus intensives at the state-of-the-art Harrison Hall and Simulation Laboratory, providing hands-on clinical skills training.
Program | Est. Cost | Duration (Full-Time) |
---|---|---|
MSN-PMHNP (41 credits) | $24,990 | 2 years |
Post-Master’s Certificate (23–32 credits) | $13,685–$19,680 | 1–1.5 years |
MSN-PMHNP Track
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is approximately $24,990 and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
This 41-credit program combines 15 hours of MSN core courses:
Required courses include:
NU 502 – Health Policy, Social Issues, and Theory
Analyzes the development of healthcare policy and the political, ethical, and financial factors shaping nursing practice. Examines community healthcare systems, the impact of legal and fiscal influences, and the application of nursing theory to improve health outcomes.
NU 508 – Advanced Health Assessment
Builds advanced assessment skills for master’s-prepared nurses, emphasizing detailed health histories, cultural and psychosocial evaluation, and comprehensive physical exams. Utilizes virtual clinical experiences to enhance patient-centered data collection and communication.
NU 509 – Diversity, Ethics, Health Promotion and Informatics in Person-Centered Care
Explores the influence of diverse socio-cultural beliefs on health practices and person-centered care. Integrates ethics, health promotion strategies, and nursing informatics to improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
NU 607 – Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology
Covers common pathological conditions across the lifespan and special populations, focusing on physiological alterations and their clinical implications. Builds on prior knowledge of assessment, anatomy, and physiology.
NU 614 – Advanced Pharmacology for Nurses
Provides in-depth study of pharmacologic principles, including drug classifications, mechanisms, and safe prescribing practices for diverse patient populations.
NU 615 – Evidence Based Practice and Nursing Scholarship
Develops skills for integrating research evidence into clinical decision-making. Emphasizes scholarly inquiry, critical appraisal of literature, and application of findings to nursing practice.
NU 650 – Introduction to Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Introduces the PMHNP role, the provider-patient relationship, and differential diagnosis concepts. Includes clinical hours and an on-campus intensive to begin hands-on practice.
NU 651 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) I
Focuses on assessment, diagnosis, and non-pharmacological interventions for mental health disorders across the lifespan using DSM-5 guidelines. Includes supervised clinical hours to apply theory in practice.
NU 652 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) II
Expands on neuroscience and evidence-based pharmacological treatments for psychiatric disorders. Integrates neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurochemistry into clinical decision-making during supervised practice.
NU 653 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) III
Continues advanced study of psychiatric care, combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Emphasizes applying neuroscience knowledge in diverse clinical settings through supervised hours.
NU 654 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) IV
Refines assessment and intervention skills for individuals and families, while introducing psychotherapy and family therapy concepts. Addresses professional aspects of the PMHNP role and requires supervised clinical hours.
NU 655 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) V
Prepares students for independent practice, focusing on group therapy and advanced clinical decision-making across the lifespan. Expands professional role development and includes an on-campus intensive with supervised clinical hours.
Clinical training begins in Year 1 Summer with 50 hours and escalates through 75-hour rotations in PMHNP I-IV, culminating with 125 clinical hours in PMHNP V. Students must complete two mandatory on-campus intensives and maintain clinical experiences independent of their employment settings.
Post-Master’s Certificate Track
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate program ranges from $13,685-$19,680 and would take 1-1.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
This 23-32 credit program requires students to have previously completed “the three P’s” (advanced pathophysiology, health assessment, and pharmacology) with grades of “B” or higher. The curriculum includes the same five sequential PMHNP specialty courses as the MSN track, totaling 500 minimum clinical practicum hours.
Students may need 0-9 additional support course credits depending on their previous coursework currency and clinical practice relevance.
Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from professionally accredited U.S. program
- Current, unencumbered registered nurse license (no restrictions or disciplinary actions)
- Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Written statement of professional goals
- Minimum two completed recommendation forms for PMHNP tracks
- Criminal background check and drug screen completion
- TOEFL scores (550 paper-based/213 computer-based) for international students
- Clinical nursing experience preferred but not required
- Post-Master’s Certificate applicants must have completed “the three P’s” with “B” grades or higher
Tuition
Graduate tuition costs $495 per credit hour for online programs, plus $115 per hour in Anderson College of Nursing & Health Professions fees. See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The nursing programs at University of North Alabama are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This accreditation covers the baccalaureate, master’s, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs.
Other Nursing Programs
- Family Nurse Practitioner Track
- Nursing Leadership in Organizational Environments
- Nursing in Teaching-Learning Environments
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Post-Master’s Certificates (various specialties)
Related Programs
View All PMHNP Programs in Alabama
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