Program Tracks Overview
The programs feature 600-780 clinical hours and mandatory virtual Clinical Skills Intensive (CSI) training with standardized patients in telemedicine settings. Grads will be prepared to provide psychiatric care across the lifespan to children, adolescents, adults, and mature adults in diverse settings including ambulatory care, acute care, long-term care, and community health facilities.
| Program | Est. Cost | Duration (Full-Time) |
|---|---|---|
| MSN PMHNP | $26,730 | 3–4 years |
| BSN-to-DNP PMHNP | $40,986 | 5–6 years |
| MSN-to-DNP PMHNP | $14,256–$35,640 | 2–4 years |
| Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP | Varies by prerequisites | 1–2 years |
MSN PMHNP Track
The estimated cost for the MSN PMHNP program is approximately $26,730 and would take 3-4 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
This 45-credit program includes the following coursework:
NU 518 – Advanced Nursing Assessment
Develops advanced skills in health history taking and physical examination for individuals and families across the lifespan. Emphasizes integrating nursing and scientific knowledge to promote health, support differential diagnosis, and create comprehensive health records in varied care settings.
NU 545 – Physio-pathological Basis of Advanced Nursing
Explores normal physiology and physiological alterations across the lifespan. Focuses on organ systems, cellular processes, and regulatory functions in health and disease, supported by relevant theory and research.
NU 578 – Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses
Covers pharmacological principles and clinical application for advanced nursing practice, with attention to safe prescribing and medication management across diverse patient populations.
NU 607 – Scientific Underpinnings of Advanced Nursing Practice
Examines the structure and nature of nursing science, integrating philosophical, theoretical, ethical, and conceptual perspectives. Students analyze clinically relevant phenomena to inform advanced nursing practice.
NU 608 – Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement in Healthcare
Teaches students to critically appraise research and apply evidence-based methods to improve care. Emphasizes quantitative, qualitative, and quality improvement strategies for safe, effective practice.
NU 610 – Healthcare Policy and Finance
Introduces health policy design, analysis, and advocacy, along with healthcare financing principles. Focuses on contextual factors influencing policy and the economic aspects of healthcare delivery.
NU 613 – Organizational & Systems Leadership
Applies leadership and organizational theory to drive change in healthcare systems. Emphasizes team building, communication, quality improvement, and project planning to improve patient outcomes.
CMN 548 – Intro to Psychiatric Mental Health NP
Prepares students to assess, diagnose, and manage mental health needs across the lifespan. Integrates nursing theory and scientific knowledge to support health promotion and management.
CMN 551 – Health Promotion/Disease Prevention & Issues for Psychiatric Mental Health NP
Focuses on culturally sensitive health promotion and disease prevention strategies for individuals and families. Emphasizes planning at primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention levels.
CMN 552 – Psychiatric Mental Health NP I
Covers assessment, diagnosis, and management of psychiatric conditions across the lifespan. Highlights wellness, pathophysiology, and epidemiology in diverse populations.
CMN 553 – Psychiatric Mental Health NP Practicum I
Provides clinical experience applying psychiatric assessment and management skills with individuals and families in primary and acute care settings.
CMN 554 – Psychiatric Mental Health NP II
Examines advanced management of complex psychiatric conditions in individuals and families. Emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration in diverse cultural contexts.
CMN 555 – Psychiatric Mental Health NP Practicum II
Offers 180 clinical hours of advanced practice in psychiatric care, focusing on collaborative management of patients across the lifespan.
CMN 556 – Psychiatric Mental Health NP Practicum III
Serves as a capstone clinical experience under faculty and preceptor guidance. Focuses on synthesizing skills and knowledge gained throughout the program.
CMN 557 – Psychiatric Mental Health NP III
Analyzes issues and trends affecting psychiatric nurse practitioner practice. Emphasizes problem-solving and interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare systems.
NU 506 – Evidence-Based Practice & Informatics for Professional Nurses
Teaches integration of evidence-based practice and informatics into nursing care. Focuses on research appraisal, data application, and quality improvement initiatives.
NU 507 – Leadership & Management Roles for Professional Nurses
Explores leadership and management functions in nursing, including ethics, quality improvement, performance evaluation, and organizational culture. Addresses legal, political, and social considerations.
NU 508 – Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Professional Nurses
Examines population health promotion and disease prevention strategies. Covers health behaviors, literacy, disparities, ethics, advocacy, and social justice to improve outcomes at individual, family, and community levels.
More curriculum information can be found in the course catalog:
The program requires completion of a mandatory virtual Clinical Skills Intensive during the fall term when enrolled in introductory PMHNP courses, featuring advanced mental health assessment and clinical reasoning practice with standardized patients.
BSN-to-DNP PMHNP Track
The estimated cost for the BSN-to-DNP PMHNP program is approximately $40,986 and would take 5-6 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
This 69-credit program combines MSN specialty courses with DNP core coursework and residency requirements. Students complete the same PMHNP specialty sequence as MSN students (600 clinical hours) plus additional DNP core courses in translating evidence into practice, clinical prevention, quality improvement, and data management.
The program culminates with DNP project planning and development courses requiring an additional 540 specialty clinical hours across three residency courses. Two years of psychiatric nursing experience is required before starting clinical courses.
MSN-to-DNP PMHNP Track
The estimated cost for the MSN-to-DNP PMHNP program ranges from $14,256-$35,640 and would take 2-4 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
This 24-60 credit program varies based on previous coursework completion. Students who completed specific DNP core courses during their MSN may finish with only 24 credits, while those adding a new PMHNP specialty complete support courses, specialty courses, and full DNP requirements.
The program includes DNP core courses, project planning and development, and residency requirements with 540 additional clinical hours. No campus visits are required for this pathway, and the scholarly project can be completed in the student’s home region.
Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP program varies based on prerequisite completion and would take 1-2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
This program requires completion of PMHNP specialty courses and any missing support courses (advanced assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology) not previously completed within acceptable timeframes. Students complete the same clinical sequence as other tracks with mandatory virtual Clinical Skills Intensive participation.
The program focuses exclusively on specialty content without requiring graduate core or research courses, making it efficient for experienced nurses seeking PMHNP certification.
Prerequisites & Admissions
- BSN from regionally accredited institution with CCNE, ACEN, or NLN nursing program accreditation
- Current registered nurse licensure with no restrictions or disciplinary participation
- GPA of 3.0 or higher on all graduate work (for Post-Graduate Certificate)
- Resume documenting clinical experience required
- Two years psychiatric nursing experience required before clinical courses (BSN-to-DNP and specialty-adding MSN-to-DNP students)
- Negative drug screen, acceptable background check, health insurance evidence required
- Completion of Health Data Forms and Certified Profile Medical Records Manager
- Advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and assessment courses within acceptable timeframe
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition costs $594 per credit hour regardless of residency status. See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The University of South Alabama nursing programs are accredited by recognized nursing accrediting bodies including CCNE, ACEN, and NLN as approved by the U.S. Secretary of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Other Nursing Programs
- Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP
- Adult-Gerontological Primary Care NP
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Acute Care NP and Primary Care NP
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Emergency Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Nurse Specialist – Adult Gerontology
- Executive Nursing Administration
- Nursing Informatics
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Dual Role specialties (Family NP/Emergency NP, Family NP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP)
Other Programs in Alabama
View All PMHNP Programs in Alabama
- Samford University - Birmingham
- University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa
- University of Mobile - Mobile
- University of North Alabama - Florence