Program Track Overview
Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP Track
The estimated cost for the DNP PMHNP program is approximately $105,192 for Washington residents, taking 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on $11,688 per quarter × 9 quarters) and $150,111 for non-residents ($16,679 per quarter × 9 quarters.
Curriculum
The 93-credit DNP curriculum begins with a shared first-year core focused on advanced practice and leadership before transitioning to specialized PMHNP coursework in years two and three.
Year 1 Core Courses (31 credits)
NSG 555: Perspectives on Implementing Research in Advanced Nursing Practice
You study how to use research in clinical settings and plan implementation steps that improve outcomes.
NSG 530: Leadership Communication & Professional Role Development
You build clear communication habits and define your responsibilities as an advanced practice nurse leader.
NSG 553: Foundations of Health Systems and Health Economics
You examine how health systems work, how care is financed, and how economics shapes decisions.
NMETH 535: Nursing Inquiry to Support Evidence-Based Practice
You review quantitative and qualitative methods, manage data, and analyze results to answer practice questions.
NSG 551: Health Politics and Policy
You analyze policy processes and evaluate how laws and politics affect access, quality, and costs.
NSG 552: Social Determinants of Health & Health Equity
You assess factors that drive inequities and plan actions that improve outcomes for marginalized groups.
NMETH 533: Appraisal & Translation of Evidence for Practice
You appraise studies, synthesize findings, and design procedures to measure results in real settings.
NURS 552: Wellness, Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
You apply lifespan frameworks to design prevention and behavior-change strategies for individuals and populations.
NMETH 536: Methods of Program Evaluation & Quality Improvement
You select evaluation designs, track process and outcome measures, and report findings that guide QI work.
Year 2 PMHNP Specialty Courses (41 credits)
NSG 557: Physiology & Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
You connect normal physiology with disease mechanisms to support advanced assessment and diagnosis.
NCLIN 500: Comprehensive Health Assessment
You perform advanced histories and exams and organize findings across developmental and cultural contexts.
NURS 549: Psychiatric Mental Health Assessment
You collect and analyze psychiatric data, apply DSM diagnostics, and form initial differential diagnoses.
NSG 520: Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Nursing Practice
You select and monitor drug therapy using pharmacologic principles, safety rules, and patient factors.
NURS 546: Interpersonal Therapeutics: Current Perspectives
You apply relationship-based models to therapeutic encounters with individuals, families, and groups.
NURS 507: Older Adult Mental Health Assessment and Intervention
You assess cognition, mood, and severe mental illness in aging adults and plan targeted interventions.
NURS 564: Biological Interventions in Advanced Practice Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
You manage pharmacotherapy and other biological treatments with attention to ethics and legal issues.
NCLIN 516: Advanced Clinical Practicum I
You begin supervised PMHNP practice, integrating assessment, education, and collaboration with patients.
NURS 547: Management of Psychiatric Disorders: Adult
You develop evidence-based treatment plans for adult psychiatric conditions using neuroscience insights.
NURS 554: Management of Psychiatric Disorders: Adult and Adolescent
You plan and evaluate advanced interventions for adults and adolescents and measure outcomes of care.
NCLIN 517: Advanced Clinical Practicum II
You expand clinical responsibility, refine decision-making, and coordinate care across settings.
Year 3 Advanced Practice & Capstone (21 credits)
NCLIN 518: Advanced Clinical Practicum III
You assume broader caseloads, lead care teams, and demonstrate independent PMHNP practice competencies.
NMETH 801: Practice Doctorate Project
You identify a practice problem, implement an evidence-based solution, and disseminate results.
NURS 501: Child Mental Health Assessment and Interventions
You conduct developmentally appropriate assessments and match therapies to child and family needs.
NCLIN 801: Advanced Clinical Practicum Immersion
You complete an intensive immersion that integrates advanced practice, leadership, and collaboration at the systems level.
More curriculum details are available here.
Clinicals
Clinical placements are pre-arranged by the UW School of Nursing Office of Clinical Placements through an expansive network including the UW Medicine system and community partners.
Students complete multiple clinical practicums totaling approximately 17 credits across Years 2 and 3, culminating in an Advanced Clinical Practicum Immersion.
The school manages all clinical arrangements, allowing students to focus on learning while gaining experience in diverse psychiatric and mental health settings.
Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program (CCNE, NLN, or ACEN)
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or 3.0 GPA for last 60 semester/90 quarter credits
- Graded statistics course (3 credits) completed within specified timeframe
- Active, unrestricted Washington state RN license by program start (ARNP license if applicable)
- International applicants require active, unrestricted U.S. RN license at application
- Proof of English proficiency if not a native English speaker
- Complete online application with non-refundable fee
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Resume
- Four admissions essays
- Optional statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- Priority deadline: January 15, 2026; Space available deadline: May 1, 2026 (select tracks)
Tuition
Graduate tuition for the DNP PMHNP track is $11,688 per quarter for Washington residents and $16,679 per quarter for non-residents (Autumn 2025 cohort and earlier).
Tuition includes operating and building fees, Student Technology Fee, Services & Activities Fee, IMA Bond Fee, Facilities Renovation Fee, and U-PASS Fee.
Additional program-dependent fees may apply for clinical-based programs, including background checks, drug testing, immunizations, health insurance, CPR certification, and professional liability insurance.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The University of Washington School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates are eligible to sit for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) examination through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Other Nursing Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse-Midwifery
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Acute Care)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Primary Care)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Population Health & Systems Leadership
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Women’s Health Nurse Leader
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science (PhD)
- Master of Science in Clinical Informatics & Patient-Centered Technologies
- Various Graduate Certificates
More PMHNP Programs in Washington
View All PMHNP Programs in Washington
- Washington State University - Spokane Falls