Program Track Overview
Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate
The estimated cost for the PMHNP Certificate program is approximately $47,600 (28 units at $1,700/unit) and would take 1.5-2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The 28-unit curriculum includes didactic and practicum courses covering the full lifespan and select populations:
PNSG-610 Theories of Human Behavior
This course reviews neurobiological, behavioral, and psychodynamic theories that explain human behavior and mental illness across the lifespan. Students examine how culture and context shape symptoms and recovery. The course builds a theory base for later PMHNP primary mental health care coursework.
PNSG-620 Role of PMHNP in Psychological Assessment
This course introduces the PMHNP role in psychiatric interviewing and comprehensive assessment. Students collect and analyze biopsychosocial and spiritual data to identify mental health needs and co-morbid conditions. Students use DSM-based diagnostic reasoning to form differential diagnoses and plan evidence-based care with clients.
PNSG-631 Interventions and Mental Health Promotion Across the Lifespan
This course teaches evidence-based psychotherapies that support stabilization, recovery, and relapse prevention. Students practice individual, family, and group interventions, plus motivational interviewing and health promotion strategies. The course also covers medication management concepts and coordination of community supports. (125 clinical hours)
PNSG-631P Interventions and Mental Health Promotion Across the Lifespan Practicum
This practicum applies psychotherapy and health promotion skills in supervised clinical settings. Students strengthen diagnostic reasoning, treatment planning, and therapeutic communication with diverse clients. Students also build competence in group facilitation, medication management support, and service coordination. (188 clinical hours)
PNSG-641 Psychiatric Mental Health Care of Adults and Older Adults
This course focuses on psychiatric assessment and treatment for adult and geriatric clients. Students develop differential diagnoses and manage common and complex conditions using psychotherapy and evidence-based care. The course emphasizes psychopharmacology basics, safety monitoring, and coordination of support services.
PNSG-641P Psychiatric Mental Health Care of Adults and Older Adults Practicum
This practicum provides supervised experience delivering psychiatric care to adults and older adults. Students perform assessments, refine differential diagnoses, and implement psychotherapy and medication management plans. Students also integrate health promotion, prevention, and referral coordination into ongoing care.
PNSG-651 Psychiatric Mental Health Care of Children and Young Adults
This course prepares students to assess and treat children, adolescents, and young adults with mental health conditions. Students apply developmental and family-focused approaches to differential diagnosis, psychotherapy, and evidence-based care. The course includes psychopharmacology principles and prescribing considerations for pediatric populations.
PNSG-651P Psychiatric Mental Health Care of Children and Young Adults Practicum
This practicum develops hands-on skills in psychiatric care for children, adolescents, and young adults. Students conduct age-appropriate assessments, create differential diagnoses, and deliver psychotherapy in collaboration with families. Students also support medication management and connect clients to needed services.
PNSG-661 Psychiatric Mental Health Care of Select Populations
This course expands PMHNP skills with a targeted population facing acute or chronic psychiatric conditions. Students integrate assessment, differential diagnosis, psychotherapy, and medication management into full-scope care. The course emphasizes health promotion, prevention, and coordination of supports for sustained functioning.
PNSG-661P Psychiatric Mental Health Care of Select Populations Practicum
This practicum provides supervised practice with a selected population in specialty or high-need settings. Students deliver integrated PMHNP care across assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, and medication management. Students also strengthen care coordination and outcome-focused follow-up.
Students missing prerequisite coursework may need to complete CNSG-613 Advanced Health Assessment, CNSG-618 Advanced Concepts in Pathophysiology, or CNSG-622 Advanced Concepts in Pharmacology before beginning practicum courses.
More curriculum details are available here.
Clinicals
The program includes 16 clinical practicum units distributed across four practicum courses focusing on different populations and care settings.
Clinical requirements are uploaded to an immunization tracker system contracted by the university, and additional health/clinical requirements may be needed before beginning practicum hours.
Admissions Requirements
- Unencumbered, active California RN license
- MSN or DNP degree from an accredited institution (NP certification not required)
- Two years of RN experience within the last 5 years
- Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Health Assessment (3 units each, may be in process during first semester but must be completed before clinical courses)
- One to two years of psychiatric nursing experience strongly recommended for non-NP applicants
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in master’s degree coursework
- Two professional letters of recommendation from nursing professionals
- One-page statement describing professional goals in psychiatric mental health nursing
- Current professional resume
- Evidence of required immunizations and current physical exam (within one year)
- AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- Interview with Director of Graduate Nursing, Graduate Faculty, or Program Director
- Background check and immunization tracker system enrollment
- $45 non-refundable application fee
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition is $1,700 per unit for the 2024-2025 academic year and $1,770 per unit for 2025-2026.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The post-graduate APRN certificate program at Vanguard University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Related PMNHP Programs
View all PMHNP programs in California
- Azusa Pacific University - Azusa
- Charles R Drew - Los Angeles
- CSU Fresno (Fresno State) - Fresno
- National University - San Diego
- San Diego University - San Diego
- Touro University - Vallejo
- UC Davis - Sacramento
- UCLA - Los Angeles
- University of California San Francisco - San Francisco
- University of San Francisco - San Francisco
- Western University - Pomona