Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – PMHNP | ~$16,261 | ~2–3 years |
| Advanced Graduate Certificate – PMHNP | ~$9,898 | ~2 years (4 semesters) |
| Advanced Graduate Certificate – PMHNP for FNP | ~$7,423.50 | ~1.5 years (3 semesters) |
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is approximately $16,261 for Nevada residents and takes approximately 2-3 years to complete on a full-time basis depending on whether students choose full-time or part-time enrollment options.
Estimate based on 46 credits at $353.50 per credit plus fees.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN-PMHNP requires 46 total credits including MSN Core courses (18 credits). Students admitted to the program in fall semester each year based upon competitive selection.
MSN Core Courses (18 credits)
NURS 703 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 cr.)
Builds graduate-level history and exam skills. Prepares students for direct-care roles using focused, head-to-toe assessments.
NURS 704 – Advanced Pathophysiology and Genetics I (3 cr.)
Explains cellular mechanisms of disease across the lifespan. Introduces genomics, inheritance patterns, and genetic variation.
NURS 706 – Nursing Theory and Research (3 cr.)
Connects philosophy, theory, and research to practice. Covers concept analysis, qualitative and quantitative methods, and evidence use.
NURS 711 – Informatics and Quality Improvement (3 cr.)
Applies informatics to safety, outcomes, and cost. Uses data and quality frameworks to improve care and education.
NURS 719R – Health & Public Policy for Advanced Practice of Nursing (3 cr.)
Trains nurses to analyze, shape, and evaluate health policy. Maps problems, stakeholders, and interventions to measurable results.
NURS 730 – Advanced Pharmacology and Genetics II (3 cr.)
Covers drug selection and monitoring for all ages in primary care. Integrates pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenomics in decisions.
MSN PMHNP Required Courses (27 credits)
NURS 701 – Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Decision Making for the APRN (2 cr.)
Strengthens differential diagnosis using case studies. Adds 45 simulation hours to apply assessment and decision skills.
NURS 714 – Family Theory and Health Promotion (2 cr.)
Uses family systems concepts to guide care. Plans holistic assessment and prevention across the lifespan.
NURS 752 – Advanced Practice Nurse Business and Roles (3 cr.)
Prepares for APRN practice setup and teamwork. Reviews ethics, law, billing, credentialing, and certification steps.
NURS 794 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner I (6 cr.)
Builds comprehensive psychiatric assessment using DSM and standardized tools. Integrates neurobiology, culture, and labs for diagnosis.
NURS 796 – Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan (3 cr.)
Explains neurobiology and mechanisms of psychotropics. Guides symptom-targeted prescribing with PK/PD and pharmacogenetics. Coreq: NURS 796L.
NURS 796L – Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan Lab (5 cr.)
Applies psychopharmacology in clinical scenarios. Practices dosing, monitoring, and patient education across age groups. Coreq: NURS 796.
NURS 799 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner III (6 cr.)
Covers non-drug therapies including individual, group, family, play, and reminiscence approaches. Emphasizes therapeutic use of self and relationship phases.
Culminating Experience (1 credit)
NURS 751 – Clinical Synthesis for the Psych Mental Health NP (1 cr.)
Develops a scholarly project proposal that addresses a practice gap. Delivers an oral presentation to demonstrate readiness for practice.
More curriculum details available here.
Students may take NURS 704 Advanced Pathophysiology and Genetics I (3 credits) and NURS 730 Advanced Pharmacology and Genetics II (3 credits) as non-degree-seeking student with no more than six credits of coursework as “non-degree seeking student” accepted toward MSN program.
MSN Clinicals
Preceptors & sites: Students are encouraged to propose local preceptors/clinical sites in partnership with the School. All out-of-state and outside–Las Vegas metro preceptors/sites require UNLV approval before you begin.
Clinical hours: At least 500 direct patient-care hours, earned through clinical coursework.
On-campus components (MSN-FNP track with similar structure): Seven required visits across the program (e.g., orientation, skills labs, final skills pass-offs, Inter-Professional Education workshop, OSCE pass-offs, and student presentations).
Guaranteed placements (Nevada): UNLV School of Nursing guarantees clinical placements in the greater Las Vegas area for students who hold a valid Nevada RN license.
Out-of-state learners (AK, MT, NC, OK, UT): Must hold a valid RN license in the state/jurisdiction where they plan to complete the program.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
MSN-PMHNP Requirements:
- Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 or GPA of 3.00 in last two years of undergraduate work (undergraduate nursing course work must have been completed at accredited nursing program)
- Three letters of recommendation from former instructors or employers that speak to applicant’s potential to complete graduate program (evaluators should speak to student’s professional nursing competency including application of theory, quality of patient care, independent judgment when appropriate, relationship with team members such as nurses, physicians, and others, leadership skills, and personal responsibility and accountability)
- Current resumé or curriculum vita that demonstrates minimum of one full year clinical experience as RN by time program starts
- Statement of approximately 300 words or less describing student’s professional goals and reason for seeking graduate education
- Current, unrestricted, valid RN license in state of residence
- Upload unofficial transcripts as part of application (if unofficial transcripts unavailable, please request official transcripts be sent to Graduate College)
- Completed application in Application Portal and non-refundable application fee
- Bachelor’s degree from regionally accredited institution or approved equivalent
- Seat Holding Fee: one-time, non-refundable deposit of $500 required as seat holding fee (deposit will be credited towards tuition costs once admissions acceptance has been completed)
Accepted Applicants: Accepted applicants must, prior to enrollment, show evidence of current health insurance, proof of required immunizations, validation of negative drug screen and background check, and health data requirements identified in student handbook.
Additional Requirements:
- Maintain cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above each semester enrolled
- Receive grade of B (3.00) or above in all required cognate and nursing courses (if less than B, for example B- (2.70) is earned, course must be repeated; student must be in good standing to repeat course and any required course may be repeated only one time)
- Student may register for course only two times (student who has registered for same course twice and has withdrawn or received grade less than B is ineligible for readmission unless approved by UNLV Graduate College)
- If student fails two courses or has withdrawn from two courses or received grade less than B in two courses they are ineligible for readmission unless approved by Graduate College
- Complete minimum of six semester credits in each calendar year
- Students must retain continuous enrollment status
- UNLV School of Nursing will not accept more than six transfer credits from outside institution (MSN Coordinator and Graduate College must approve transfer credit)
- Six-Year Completion Rule: All degree requirements must be completed within six calendar years from date of matriculation (no credit may be used in advanced degree program for course work completed more than six calendar years immediately preceding term in which all degree requirements completed)
Graduate Certificate in PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Advanced Graduate Certificate in PMHNP program is approximately $9,898 for Nevada residents (based on 28 credits at $353.50 per credit plus fees) and takes approximately 2 years (four semesters) to complete.
Certificate Curriculum
The Advanced Graduate Certificate requires 28 total credits for post-master’s advanced certificate program preparing graduate-degree nurses to become advanced practice nurses in psychiatric mental health.
Building upon existing skill sets of graduate-prepared registered nurse, a four-semester sequence provides family theory, health promotion, nurse practitioner role, and psychiatric-mental health assessment, pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic management skills.
Required Courses (28 credits):
- NURS 701 Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Decision Making for the APRN
- NURS 714 Family Theory and Health Promotion
- NURS 751 Clinical Synthesis for the Psych Mental Health NP
- NURS 752 Advanced Practice Nurse Business and Roles
- NURS 794 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner I
- NURS 796 Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan
- NURS 796L Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan Lab
- NURS 799 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner III
Each individual applicant will be evaluated to determine courses required in order to complete specific certificate program.
Additional courses beyond minimum courses needed for certificate program may be required if applicant’s earned graduate degree in nursing lacks courses required by UNLV School of Nursing.
Certificate Clinicals
The Advanced Graduate Certificate requires minimum 500+ hours of direct patient care completed through clinical coursework.
Two-day orientation sessions held on campus before beginning of each fall semester to enhance connections among students and with nursing faculty. Certificate has mandatory on-campus sessions throughout program.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
Advanced Graduate Certificate PMHNP Requirements:
- Transcripts must show coursework in Advanced Physical Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology (additionally, if unofficial transcripts available to student, please upload to application; nursing course work must have been completed at nursing program accredited by National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education)
- Three letters of recommendation from either instructors or employers that speak to applicant’s potential to complete Advanced Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program
- Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- Current valid unencumbered and unrestricted RN license in state of residence
- Statement of 300 words describing students’ professional goals and reason for seeking nurse practitioner certificate
- Interviews may be required
- Completed application in Application Portal and non-refundable application fee
- Bachelor’s Degree from regionally accredited institution or approved equivalent
- Advanced Certificates require regionally accredited Master’s degree
- Grade Point Average of minimum overall 2.75 (4.00=A) for bachelor’s degree or minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for last two years (60 semester credits)
- All applicants required to submit unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended showing all degrees and coursework, dates awarded, and grades received (official transcripts required upon admission)
- Seat Holding Fee: one-time, non-refundable deposit of $500 required as seat holding fee (deposit will be credited towards tuition costs once admissions acceptance has been completed)
Certificate Requirements:
- Completion of minimum 28 credits with minimum GPA of 3.00
- Individuals who already have graduate degree in nursing and meet admission qualifications will be allowed to take courses as advanced graduate certificate-seeking student
- Certificate will be awarded documenting completion of course work will be provided and transcripts showing completion of courses will be available
Advanced Graduate Certificate in PMHNP for the FNP
The estimated cost for the Advanced Graduate Certificate in PMHNP for the FNP program is approximately $7,423.50 for Nevada residents (based on 21 credits at $353.50 per credit plus fees) and takes approximately 1.5 years (three semesters) to complete.
FNP Certificate Curriculum
The Advanced Graduate Certificate for FNP requires 21 total credits for three-semester post-master’s advanced graduate certificate program. It prepares family nurse practitioners to expand their practice specialty to include management of patients with acute and chronic psychiatric conditions.
Required Courses (21 credits):
- NURS 751 Clinical Synthesis for the Psych Mental Health NP
- NURS 794 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner I
- NURS 796 Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan
- NURS 796L Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan Lab
- NURS 799 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner III
Successful completion of program meets national certification board eligibility requirements.
FNP Certificate Clinicals
The Advanced Graduate Certificate for FNP requires minimum 500+ hours of direct patient care.
FNP Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
Advanced Graduate Certificate PMHNP for FNP Requirements:
- Transcripts must show coursework in Advanced Physical Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology and Family Nurse Practitioner degree concentration (additionally, if unofficial transcripts available to student, please upload to application; nursing course work must have been completed at nursing program accredited by National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education)
- Three letters of recommendation from either instructors or employers that speak to applicant’s potential to complete Advanced Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program
- Statement of 300 words describing students’ professional goals and reason for seeking nurse practitioner certificate
- Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- Current valid unencumbered and unrestricted RN license in state of residence
- Interviews may be required
- Completed application in Application Portal and non-refundable application fee
- Bachelor’s Degree from regionally accredited institution or approved equivalent
- Advanced Certificates require regionally accredited Master’s degree
- Grade Point Average of minimum overall 2.75 (4.00=A) for bachelor’s degree or minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for last two years (60 semester credits)
- Seat Holding Fee: one-time, non-refundable deposit of $500 required as seat holding fee (deposit will be credited towards tuition costs once admissions acceptance has been completed)
Certificate Requirements:
- Completion of minimum 21 credits with minimum GPA of 3.00
- Individuals who already have master’s degree in nursing as Family Nurse Practitioner and meet admissions qualifications will be allowed to take courses towards Post-Master’s Advanced Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner for FNP upon admissions into program
- Certificate will be awarded documenting completion of coursework and transcripts will reflect courses taken
Tuition
Graduate tuition costs $353.50 per credit plus fees for Nevada residents.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing program and Advanced Graduate Certificate programs at University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Other Nursing Programs
University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Nursing offers comprehensive nursing education:
Master of Science in Nursing Programs:
- Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Educator (NE)
- Master of Science in Nursing – Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
- Master of Science in Nursing – Direct Entry Generalist (DEMSN)
Advanced Graduate Certificates:
- Advanced Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education (Post Master’s)
- Advanced Graduate Certificate in Emergency Nurse Practitioner (On Hold)
Doctoral Programs:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.)
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Program:
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) – 36 months full-time study
UNLV School of Nursing’s mission is to advance science of health and healthcare by preparing nurse clinicians, educators, leaders, and researchers to optimize health equity and wellness of individuals, families, communities, and populations through interdisciplinary and transformational education, scholarship, practice, and community engagement.
Other Programs in Nevada
View All PMHNP Programs in Nevada
- University of Nevada Reno - Reno