Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – Family PMHNP | $18,753 | ~2 years |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – Family PMHNP | $14,476 | ~1–2 years |
Master of Science in Nursing – Family PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-FPMHNP program is approximately $18,753 for in-state students and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on 57 credit hours at $329 per credit.
MSN Curriculum
Students complete a common core before entering the FPMHNP clinical track, followed by specialized psychiatric-mental health coursework. The program totals 57 credit hours across 6 semesters.
NURS 7100 — Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
Mechanisms of disease from cause to clinical signs to support advanced diagnostic thinking.
NURS 7101 — Role Transition: Issues in Advanced Nursing Practice (2)
What it means to be an APRN—history, scope, competencies, and professional identity.
NURS 7150 — Nursing and Health Care Information Systems (2)
Using health IT and data systems to document, track outcomes, and inform evidence-based care.
NURS 7160 — Health Care Delivery Systems, Economics, and Policy (2)
How U.S. health systems, financing, and policy work—and how clinicians influence them.
NURS 7200 — Advanced Health Assessment (3)
Head-to-toe and focused exams across the lifespan, including behavioral health assessment.
NURS 7200L — Advanced Health Assessment Practicum (2)
Hands-on practice identifying normal vs. abnormal findings in diverse patients.
NURS 7220 — Advanced Evidence-Based Practice (3)
Find, appraise, and apply research to improve care quality and system outcomes.
NURS 7230 — Advanced Pharmacology (3)
Pharmacokinetics and safe prescribing principles for common primary-care therapies.
NURS 7329 — Advanced Practice Nursing: Pediatrics (3)
Evidence-based primary care for infants through adolescents, from prevention to management.
NURS 7330 — Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult Health I (3)
Assessment and management of common adult conditions using evidence-driven plans.
NURS 7350 — Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult Health II (3)
Advanced management for complex adult/geriatric problems with prevention emphasis.
NURS 7250 — Theoretical Foundations for Advanced PMH Nursing (3)
Core PMH theories—neurobiologic, developmental, psychodynamic—to guide advanced practice.
NURS 7252 — Psychiatric Mental Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (4)
Comprehensive psych assessment using family systems and group dynamics frameworks.
NURS 7251 — Advanced Psychopharmacology (2)
Principles for selecting, dosing, and monitoring psychotropics across the lifespan.
NURS 7251L — Advanced Psychopharmacology Practicum (1)
Applied psych med management with real-world prescribing decisions.
NURS 7348 — PMH Nursing for Individuals Across the Lifespan (3)
Therapeutic strategies for acute and chronic mental health conditions in individuals.
NURS 7348L — PMH Nursing for Individuals Across the Lifespan Practicum (3)
Clinical practice in interviewing, differential diagnosis, and care planning for individuals.
NURS 7352 — PMH Nursing for Families & Groups Across the Lifespan (3)
Family systems, group process, and psychotherapy methods for advanced PMHNP care.
NURS 7352L — PMH Nursing for Families & Groups Practicum (3)
Clinical delivery of family and group counseling/psychotherapy across ages.
NURS 7590 — Advanced Practice Nursing: Capstone (6)
Final synthesis of APRN skills—health promotion, disease prevention, and integrated primary/behavioral care.
MSN Clinicals
The program requires 675 clinical hours completed throughout the curriculum. Clinical training occurs in various settings including private psychiatric practices, Veterans Administration facilities, state inpatient and outpatient psychiatric facilities, community mental health centers, correctional facilities, domestic violence shelters, residential substance abuse facilities, and schools.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree
- Current RN licensure
- Completion of admission application
- Meeting with Graduate Nursing Program Director for program planning
- Acceptance into the College of Nursing graduate program
Post-Master’s Certificate – Family PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate program is approximately $14,476 and would take 1-2 years to complete depending on the individualized program of study.
Estimate based on 44 credit hours at $329 per credit.
Certificate Curriculum
Requirements for Post-Master’s Certificate include:
- NURS 7200 Advanced Health Assessment
- NURS 7200L Advanced Health Assessment Practicum
- NURS 7230 Advanced Pharmacology
- NURS 7329 Advanced Practice Nursing: Pediatrics
- NURS 7330 Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult Health I
- NURS 7350 Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult Health II
- NURS 7250 Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice
- NURS 7252 Psychiatric Mental Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
- NURS 7251 Advanced Psychopharmacology
- NURS 7251L Advanced Psychopharmacology Practicum
- NURS 7348 Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing for Individuals Across the Lifespan
- NURS 7348L Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing for Individuals Across the Lifespan Practicum
- NURS 7352 Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing for Families and Groups Across the Lifespan
- NURS 7352L Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing for Families and Groups Across the Lifespan Practicum
- NURS 7590 Advanced Practice Nursing: Capstone
The program is highly individualized based on a gap analysis conducted with the Graduate Nursing Program Director. Courses are delivered through integrated online and hybrid coursework utilizing past learning experience to satisfy some requirements.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical requirements are determined during the gap analysis process and tailored to individual student needs based on prior MSN coursework and clinical experience.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN)
- Current RN licensure
- Completion of gap analysis with Graduate Nursing Program Director
- Development of individualized program of study
- Out-of-state applicants must verify compliance with state regulations for distance education programs
- Contact Dr. Jamil Davis, FPMHNP Program Coordinator at jamildavis@valdosta.edu
Tuition
Graduate online tuition is $329 per credit hour with an online learning fee of $442 assessed for students taking online-only courses.
On-campus students taking 12+ credit hours pay $3,944 per semester for in-state tuition and $14,923 for out-of-state tuition, plus mandatory fees totaling $818.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing program at Valdosta State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Programs are also approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing.
Other Nursing Programs
Master’s Programs:
- Family Nurse Practitioner Track (Fall and Spring admissions)
- Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track (Fall and Spring admissions)
Doctoral Programs:
- BSN-to-DNP Program (81 credit hours, 10 semesters)
- Post-Master’s DNP Program (38 credit hours, 5 semesters, online format)
More PMHNP Programs in Georgia
View All PMHNP Programs in Georgia
- Augusta University - Augusta
- Brenau University - Gainesville
- Emory University - Atlanta
- Georgia College & State University - Milledgeville
- Georgia Southern University - Statesboro, Savannah
- Georgia State University - Atlanta
- Mercer University - Macon