Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Estimated Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – PMHNP | ≈ $27,150 | 2–3 years |
| Post-MSN Certificate (APRN) | ≈ $13,296 | 1–1.5 years |
| Post-MSN Certificate (Non-APRN) | ≈ $18,836 | 1.5–2 years |
UTTyler nursing programs consistently rank among the top 25 nationally according to U.S. News & World Report (#2 in the UT System, #2 in Texas, #7 for veterans nationwide), and maintain a 100% PMHNP certification exam pass rate.
Students benefit from weekly virtual debriefs for case presentations and treatment plan feedback, interactive online sessions with experienced faculty, and flexible scheduling options allowing both part-time (3-year) and full-time (2-year) completion pathways.
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-PMHNP program is approximately $27,150 and takes 2-3 years to complete depending on full-time or part-time enrollment.
Curriculum
The 49-credit program combines 15 credits of core MSN coursework with 34 credits of specialized PMHNP content.
Core courses include:
NURS 5350 Advanced Pathophysiology
Explores regulatory and compensatory mechanisms underlying common diseases across the lifespan, linking altered physiology to clinical presentation and management.
NURS 5352 Advanced Health Assessment for Nurse Practitioners
Builds advanced history-taking and examination skills to generate differential diagnoses for patients of all ages, emphasizing recognition of deviations from normal findings.
NURS 5354 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics
Covers pharmacotherapeutic decision-making for advanced practice nurses, integrating legal, ethical, and economic considerations with safe, evidence-based medication management.
NURS 5111 The Advanced Practice Role
Examines the evolution and scope of the APN role, addressing contemporary practice issues, health promotion, and disease prevention within diverse clinical settings.
NURS 5357 Neurobiology Overview: Mental Health and Illness
Provides a lifespan overview of major mental and substance use disorders, emphasizing neurobiologic, genetic, developmental, and environmental contributors and mind-body homeostasis.
NURS 5359 Psychopharmacology: Prescribing Practices in Mental Health
Applies prescribing principles across the lifespan using case studies to evaluate mechanisms, benefits, risks, pharmacogenomics, and polypharmacy within comprehensive treatment plans.
NURS 5363 Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders
Develops advanced interviewing, observation, and diagnostic skills using DSM-5 criteria, screening tools, labs, and behavioral assessments to construct nuanced differentials.
NURS 5365 Psychotherapeutic Theories and Modalities
Surveys evidence-based psychotherapies and guides case formulation and treatment planning, with focused application of CBT, motivational interviewing, and brief interventions.
NURS 5367 PMHNP Practicum I
Introduces full-scope PMHNP practice for adults and older adults through 125 clinical hours, building ethical, collaborative, and evidence-based care competencies.
NURS 5368 Integrated Mental Health Care I – Adult/Gerontology
Applies theory and research in precepted adult/gerontology care (125 clinical hours), managing complex conditions while addressing related professional practice issues.
NURS 5370 Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum II
Expands PMHNP skills to children, adolescents, and families with 125 clinical hours, emphasizing safe, team-based, evidence-driven assessment and treatment across settings.
NURS 5373 Integrated Mental Health Care II Capstone
Culminates training with a 135-hour precepted capstone project, translating evidence into care for individuals and families facing complex mental health problems.
More curriculum information available in the course catalog here.
Clinicals
Students complete 750 direct patient care clinical hours across diverse populations including children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients. Clinical experiences occur under preceptor supervision in various mental healthcare settings throughout Texas.
All clinical practicum courses must be completed at Texas-licensed facilities with Texas-licensed practitioners (PMHNP, MD, DO, or PA with CAQ certification).
Students work on capstone projects addressing real challenges in mental health organizations while developing diagnostic, treatment planning, and prescribing skills across the lifespan.
Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from nationally accredited nursing program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA for last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate work
- Current unencumbered Texas or Compact RN licensure
- One year of full-time nursing experience in last four years involving direct patient care, assessment, and medication administration
- Undergraduate statistics course with grade of “C” or better
- One-page personal statement addressing motivation for advanced practice nursing
- Resume/CV including academic history, nursing experience, and certifications
- Criminal background check, drug screening, and CPR certification required before clinical courses
- Health insurance coverage mandatory for all students enrolled in clinical courses
- International students must submit TOEFL (79 iBT/550 PBT), PTE (53), or IELTS (6.5 overall, 6.0 each subsection) scores
Post-MSN Certificate – PMHNP (APRN Majors)
The estimated cost for the Post-MSN PMHNP Certificate for APRN majors is approximately $13,296 and takes 1-1.5 years to complete.
Curriculum
The 24-credit certificate program is designed for nurses who already hold MSN degrees in other APRN specialties and have completed the “3 Ps” (pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment) within the past three years. Required courses include:
- Neurobiology Overview: Mental Health and Illness
- Psychopharmacology: Prescribing Practices in Mental Health
- Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders
- Psychotherapeutic Theories and Modalities
- PMHNP Practicum I
- Integrated Mental Health Care I – Adult/Gerontology
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum II
- Integrated Mental Health Care II Capstone
Clinicals
Certificate students complete 750 direct patient care clinical hours in Texas-licensed facilities with Texas-licensed preceptors, identical to MSN program requirements. Clinical experiences span adult, geriatric, and lifespan populations in various mental health settings.
Post-MSN Certificate – PMHNP (Non-APRN Majors)
The estimated cost for the Post-MSN PMHNP Certificate for non-APRN majors is approximately $18,836 and takes 1.5-2 years to complete.
Curriculum
The 34-credit certificate program serves nurses with MSN degrees in non-clinical specialties (administration, education, informatics) who need foundational APRN coursework. The curriculum includes all 24 credits from the APRN certificate plus:
- Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- Advanced Health Assessment for Nurse Practitioners (3 credits)
- Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (3 credits)
- The Advanced Practice Role (1 credit)
Clinicals
Students complete the same 750 direct patient care clinical hours required for MSN and APRN certificate students, all within Texas-licensed facilities under qualified preceptor supervision.
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition is $554 per credit hour (state tuition $52 + board tuition $323 + fees $109 based on 9 credits per semester). The $200 nonrefundable seat deposit applies toward first semester tuition.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing program at UT Tyler is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and prepares graduates for the American Nurses Credentialing Center PMHNP (Across the Lifespan) Certification exam.
Other Nursing Programs
UT Tyler’s School of Nursing offers comprehensive nursing education pathways:
- Master of Science in Nursing Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner (47 credits), Nursing Administration (36 credits), Nursing Education (36 credits), Nursing Informatics Quality & Safety (36 credits)
- Coordinated Dual Degree: MSN/MBA (63 credits total)
- Doctoral Programs: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), PhD in Nursing
- Post-MSN Certificates: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, Adult Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Informatics Quality & Safety
- Undergraduate Programs: Traditional BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN-to-MSN Bridge option for associate degree RNs
Other Programs in Texas
- Baylor University - Waco
- Midwestern State University - Wichita Falls
- Texas A&M - Texarkana
- Texas Christian University - Fort Worth
- Texas State University - Round Rock
- Texas Tech University - Lubbock
- Texas Woman's University - Denton
- UT Health Houston - Houston
- UT Health San Antonio - San Antonio
- University of Texas at Arlington - Arlington
- University of Texas at El Paso - El Paso