University of Phoenix PMHNP Program (Psych NP)

Program Tracks Overview

Program	Est. Cost	Duration
MSN – PMHNP	$30,420	~30 months (52 credits)
MSN – PMHNP Bridge	$35,685	~34–36 months (61 credits)

The programs maintain Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accreditation and provide comprehensive support including one-on-one academic counseling, scholarship opportunities, and transfer credit acceptance from over 5,000 accredited institutions. University of Phoenix emphasizes career-relevant skills development, allowing students to update resumes and LinkedIn profiles after completing each 5-6 week course, with faculty averaging 28+ years of experience bringing real-world perspectives to online learning environments.

Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP

The estimated cost for the MSN/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is approximately $30,420 and takes 30 months to complete on a full-time basis.

Curriculum

The 52-credit program consists of 12 core courses focusing on advanced practice registered nurse preparation for neuropsychiatric care and treatment.

Corse classes include the following:

NRP/513 – Clinical Applications of Theory and Research
Covers contemporary nursing knowledge, including concepts, philosophies, models, and theories. Students evaluate how nursing knowledge is organized and applied in professional environments. Emphasis is on using theory, research, and evidence in clinical practice.

NRP/508 – Health Policy and Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
Explores the history, competencies, and scope of advanced practice nursing. Addresses role transition, certification, professional activities, and the impact of healthcare policy and managed care. Students analyze legal, ethical, and financial aspects of advanced practice.

NRP/511 – Advanced Pathophysiology
Examines advanced anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology across the lifespan. Focuses on adaptive and maladaptive changes that guide diagnosis, prevention, and management of primary care issues.

NRP/507 – Advanced Pharmacology
Provides knowledge and skills for initiating and monitoring drug therapy across the lifespan. Covers pharmacokinetics, prescribing practices, and treatment strategies for acute and chronic conditions.

PMH/501 – Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Focuses on the etiology, epidemiology, and diagnostic assessment of neurological and psychiatric disorders in adults and children. Integrates diagnostic guidelines and epidemiologic trends in care planning.

PMH/502 – Neuropsychiatric Pharmacology
Covers neuropathophysiology of mental illness and the pharmacokinetics/dynamics of psychotropic medications. Emphasizes safe, evidence-based prescribing across the lifespan.

NRP/531 – Advanced Health Assessment I
Teaches advanced history-taking, physical examination, and documentation for patients of all ages. Students learn to develop health problem lists and are introduced to medical billing and coding.

NRP/571 – Advanced Health Assessment II and Clinical Procedures
Builds on NRP/531 with training in diagnostic interpretation, office procedures, and minor surgical skills. Includes supervised practice during residency.

PMH/503 – Psychotherapy for Individuals, Families, and Groups
Covers psychotherapeutic theories and interventions for patients with mental disorders. Clinical focus is on assessment and therapy selection for individuals, families, and groups.

PMH/504 – Psychiatric Management of Adult and Geriatric Patients
Addresses differential diagnosis and treatment for adults and older adults with psychiatric symptoms. Emphasizes evidence-based psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.

PMH/505 – Psychiatric Management of Children and Adolescents
Focuses on diagnosis and treatment planning for pediatric patients with psychiatric symptoms. Includes psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and family-centered approaches.

PMH/506 – Psychiatric Mental Healthcare Across the Lifespan
Integrates assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for patients of all ages with psychiatric disorders. Emphasizes prevention, legal/ethical considerations, and interprofessional collaboration.

Students complete competency checkoffs of clinical and procedural skills during the mandatory 5-day campus residency.

Clinicals

Students complete clinical requirements through the 5-day immersive on-campus residency experience during Advanced Health Assessment II and Clinical Procedures course (NRP 571). The residency includes hands-on competency checkoffs of both clinical and procedural skills under direct faculty supervision.

Additional clinical components are embedded throughout the psychiatric management courses and the final capstone course focusing on psychiatric mental healthcare across the lifespan.

All clinical experiences are designed to prepare students for comprehensive neuropsychiatric assessment, prevention, psychotherapeutic interventions, and pharmacological management across diverse patient populations.

Prerequisites & Admissions

BSN from institutionally accredited college or university with nursing program accreditation
Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA for degree-level coursework
Grade of “C” or better in undergraduate core science courses (chemistry, biology, anatomy & physiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, microbiology)
Minimum 3 years full-time work experience within past 10 years (2 years must be clinical-based RN experience)
Valid, unrestricted/unencumbered RN license in all states where student holds active nursing licenses
Successful completion of PMH 101 (MSN/PMH Program Orientation) with maximum 3 attempts
Negative criminal background check completed within one year of enrollment
Signed clinical assurance statement, professional non-academic requirement form, and residency agreement
US residency requirement (program not available to international students)
No GRE, GMAT, or essay required for admission

Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP Bridge Program

The estimated cost for the Bridge Program is approximately $35,685 and takes approximately 34-36 months to complete including prerequisite nursing bridge courses.

Curriculum

The 61-credit bridge program serves registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields, beginning with 9 credits of nursing bridge courses before entering the core PMHNP curriculum.

Bridge courses include three foundational nursing components:

Nursing Bridge 1: theoretical development and conceptual frameworks
Nursing Bridge 2: professional nursing leadership perspectives
Nursing Bridge 3: research outcomes management for practicing nurses

Students then complete the identical 52-credit PMHNP core curriculum as the standard MSN program. The bridge design allows experienced nurses to transition into advanced psychiatric mental health practice while building essential nursing theory, leadership, and research foundations.

Clinicals

Bridge program students complete the same clinical requirements as standard MSN students, including the mandatory 5-day campus residency during Advanced Health Assessment II and Clinical Procedures.

Clinical experiences progress through psychiatric management courses with embedded hands-on practice components. The bridge structure ensures students gain comprehensive clinical competencies despite entering from non-nursing educational backgrounds.

Prerequisites & Admissions

Bachelor’s degree or higher in non-nursing field from institutionally accredited college or university
Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA for degree-level coursework
Valid, unrestricted/unencumbered RN license demonstrating nursing practice eligibility
Same clinical experience requirements as standard program (3 years full-time work with 2 years clinical RN experience)
Grade of “C” or better in undergraduate core science courses
Successful completion of PMH 101 Program Orientation
All standard admission requirements including background checks, clinical agreements, and US residency
Bridge courses must be completed with minimum “C” grade before progressing to graduate-level PMHNP coursework

Tuition

Graduate tuition is $540 per credit hour plus $195 resource fee per course, totaling $2,355 per 4-credit course.

The 52-credit standard program costs approximately $30,420, while the 61-credit bridge program costs approximately $35,685.

University of Phoenix offers a tuition guarantee ensuring fixed rates from enrollment through graduation, transfer credit opportunities from 5,000+ accredited institutions, employer tuition benefits through alliance agreements, and credit for life experience allowing up to 3 credits earned to reduce program length by 6 weeks.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Phoenix are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The program aligns with American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and Quality & Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) standards.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) national board certification examination.

Other Nursing Programs

University of Phoenix College of Nursing offers comprehensive nursing education pathways:

Master’s Degree Programs:

Master of Science in Nursing with Concentration in Nurse Education
Master of Science in Nursing with Concentration in Informatics
Master of Science in Nursing with Concentration in Nurse Administration
Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner

Doctoral Programs:

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Program Features:

Nursing Bridge Programs for RNs with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees
Up to 8 start dates per year depending on program
Online learning with minimal campus requirements
5-6 week accelerated course format
Academic counseling and student success coaching support

Other Programs in Arizona

View All PMHNP Programs in Arizona