Virginia offers 5 accredited PMHNP programs with tuition from $486 to $2,625 per credit (BSN-MSN, BSN-DNP MSN-DNP, Certificate; hybrid & mostly online formats). Click any school name to view admission requirements, curriculum, clinical hours, tuition, and accreditation.
Virginia PMHNP Programs Comparison Table
| School | Format | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason University Fairfax | Hybrid | $645 | BSN-DNP Certificate | Affordable in-state doctorate |
| Georgetown University DC | Mostly Online | $2,625 | Certificate | Premium clinical immersion |
| Old Dominion University Norfolk | Mostly Online | $486 | BSN-MSN DNP Certificate | Lowest overall tuition |
| Shenandoah University Winchester | Online | $1,020 | BSN-MSN Certificate (NPs) Certificate (non-NPs) | Fully online delivery |
| University of Virginia Charlottesville | Hybrid | $914 | BSN-MSN BSN-DNP Certificate | Top-ranked prestige |
At a Glance:
- Cheapest MSN: ODU ($19,440 in-state)
- Cheapest Certificate: ODU ($8,748 — on hold; GMU is cheapest active)
- Highest Ranked: UVA (top 3% nationally, #1 DNP in Virginia)
- Only Fully Online: Shenandoah
- Only Non-NP Certificate Track: Shenandoah
How to Choose the Best PMHNP Program for You
Which Virginia PMHNP Program Fits Your Goals?
Choose Old Dominion University if you want the most affordable options with MSN at $19,440 or certificate at $8,748 for Virginia residents with online/hybrid delivery.
Choose George Mason University if you want an affordable certificate at $14,852 (in-state) or DNP at $46,494 with strong public health integration.
Choose University of Virginia if you want top-ranked education (#1 DNP in Virginia, top 3% nationally) with guaranteed admission for UVA alumni and extensive clinical networks.
Choose Georgetown University if you want trauma-informed, social justice-focused training in 1.5 years with standardized patient simulations and DC/MD/VA clinical placements.
Choose Shenandoah University if you want flexible certificate options ($24,480-$29,580) with collaborative agreements and strong rural health focus.
Choose Nightingale College if you need a fully online MSN with one in-person seminar at $34,750 over 2 years, available in 21 states including Virginia.
Virginia DNP-PMHNP Programs
Three Virginia universities offer doctoral PMHNP pathways. Old Dominion has the lowest tuition via its post-master’s entry, George Mason offers the most affordable BSN-entry doctorate for Virginia residents, and UVA pairs the state’s #1-ranked DNP with guaranteed admission for its nursing alumni.
| School | Track | Total Cost | Credits | Cost/Credit | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason University | BSN-to-DNP | $47K | 72 | $645.75 | ~3 years FT | 1,000 minimum |
| Old Dominion University | MSN-to-DNP | $27K–$36K | 55 | $486 | ~28 months | Not clearly stated |
| University of Virginia | BSN-to-DNP | $86K | ~74–80 | $914 | ~33 months FT | 750 |
Highlights
- Lowest DNP tuition: Old Dominion University (post-master’s entry)
- Lowest BSN-entry DNP for Virginia residents: George Mason University
- Virginia’s #1-ranked DNP: University of Virginia
- No RN experience required for BSN-DNP entry: University of Virginia (direct entry after BSN)
- Guaranteed DNP admission for nursing alumni: University of Virginia
Virginia MSN-PMHNP Programs
Three Virginia universities offer MSN PMHNP pathways. Old Dominion has by far the lowest tuition, Shenandoah is the only fully online option, and UVA carries a top-3% national graduate nursing ranking.
| School | Total Cost | Credits | Cost/Credit | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Dominion University | $20K–$26K | 40 | $486 | ~2 years | 504 |
| Shenandoah University | $47K | 46 | $1,020 | ~2–2.5 years | 600 |
| University of Virginia | $52K | 42 | Full-time annual rate | 2 years FT | 560 |
Highlights
- Lowest estimated MSN tuition: Old Dominion University
- Only fully online (synchronous) MSN: Shenandoah University
- Top-3% national graduate nursing ranking: University of Virginia
- Faculty-coordinated clinical placements: Old Dominion University
Virginia Post-Graduate Certificate Programs
Five schools offer post-master’s certificate pathways in the Virginia market. Old Dominion is the cheapest but has paused admissions, George Mason is the most affordable active option for Virginia residents, and Georgetown commands premium tuition for the highest clinical volume (750 hours) with on-campus simulation intensives.
| School | Track | Total Cost | Credits | Cost/Credit | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason University | Post-Master’s | $15K | 23 | $645.75 / $1,607 | 1–1.5 years | Not clearly stated (two practica) |
| Georgetown University | Post-Graduate | $51K | 19 | $2,652 | ~1.5 years | 750 |
| Old Dominion University* | Post-Professional | $9K–$12K | 18 | $486 | ~1 year | Not clearly stated (two practica) |
| Shenandoah University | For practicing NPs | $25K | 24 | $1,020 | ~1.5–2 years | 600 |
| Shenandoah University | For non-NPs | $30K | 29 | $1,020 | ~1.5–2 years | 600 |
| University of Virginia | Post-Professional | $17,366 | 19 | $914 / $1,493 | Varies | 560 |
* Old Dominion certificate admissions are on hold for program review as of Fall 2025; confirm status before directing readers to apply.
Highlights
- Georgetown admits one fall cohort per year and only nurses licensed and practicing in D.C., Maryland, or Virginia
- Lowest certificate tuition: Old Dominion University ($8,748 — admissions currently paused)
- Lowest active certificate tuition (in-state): George Mason University ($14,852)
- Most certificate clinical hours: Georgetown University (750)
- Only dedicated non-NP certificate track: Shenandoah University
Virginia PMHNP Program Summaries
George Mason University PMHNP Programs
Fairfax | $645.75 cpc | Certificate / BSN-DNP | Hybrid
GMU offers a BSN-to-DNP PMHNP track with 72 credits, a Practice Inquiry Project, and at least 1,000 mentored practice hours, plus a 23-credit Post-Master’s PMHNP certificate that supports working RNs. Instruction uses a flexible format with practicum placements arranged at approved sites. The DNP typically takes about three years full-time; the certificate usually finishes in one to one-and-a-half years...read more.
Georgetown University PMHNP Programs
Georgetown | $2,652 cpc | Certificate | Mostly Online
Georgetown University’s Berkley School of Nursing offers a 19-credit Post-Graduate Certificate (PMHNP-PGC) designed for advanced practice nurses who want to specialize in mental health care across the lifespan. The hybrid program combines synchronous online classes, two required on-campus intensives, and 750 supervised clinical hours in approved sites across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The curriculum emphasizes holistic, trauma-informed, resilience-based care with a strong focus on social justice, structural competency, and advocacy to reduce inequities in mental health services. ..read more.
Nightingale College PMHNP Program
National | $550 cpc | BSN-MSN | Mostly Online
Nightingale College's online MSN-PMHNP program is explicitly authorized for enrollment by students residing in Virginia. This 55-credit hour master's program can be completed in just 24 months and is designed to meet the state's educational requirements for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure. With its fully online instruction and 810 required clinical contact hours, the program prepares Virginia nurses to become certified psychiatric-mental health providers ready for prescriptive authority.
Old Dominion University PMHNP Programs
Norfolk | $486 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN-DNP | Mostly Online
ODU delivers PMHNP pathways online with limited in-person activities and structured clinical placements. The MSN track spans 40 credits with 504 clinical hours; the Post-Master’s DNP adds leadership, informatics, and a capstone project; the 18-credit certificate is a one-year option for APRNs (currently on admissions hold). Tuition is per credit with resident and non-resident rates; additional online fees may apply. ..read more.
Post University PMHNP Programs
National | $604 cpc | BSN-MSN | Online
With flexible 8-week courses and monthly intakes, the MSN–PMHNP lets you stack steady wins—one course at a time—across 51–54 credits. Clinical learning is embedded via 630 hours of precepted experience in child/adolescent, adult/geriatric, and specialty SUD settings. Most students complete in ~34 months for roughly $31,000, and the program is authorized for students living in Virginia.
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
National | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN / DNP | Online
Purdue Global's PMHNP programs are authorized in Virginia, providing three online pathways with flexible clinical placements that can be completed at convenient local facilities or even at students' current workplaces. Virginia nurses gain comprehensive training through CCNE-accredited programs featuring virtual reality assignments for telehealth and group therapy sessions, with coursework covering neuroscience, psychopharmacology, psychopathological disorders, and advanced diagnostic reasoning. After graduation, Virginia residents achieve a 93.7% average certification pass rate and may pursue APRN licensure in the Commonwealth after earning national PMHNP certification through ANCC or AANP.
Shenandoah University PMHNP Programs
Winchester | $1,020 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN | Online
Shenandoah University offers three PMHNP tracks delivered fully online with live, synchronous classes. The curriculum covers differential diagnosis, psychotherapy, and medication management across the lifespan, with 600 clinical hours embedded in practicum courses. Shenandoah partners with regional schools through its PMHNP Initiative, expanding clinical and academic collaboration opportunities...read more.
UVA PMHNP Programs
Charlottesville | $914 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Hybrid
UVA’s School of Nursing offers three PMHNP pathways—an accelerated MSN, a BSN-to-DNP, and a 19-credit Post-Professional Certificate—delivered in a hybrid format with monthly on-campus sessions. All tracks provide guided clinical placement support and prepare graduates for ANCC PMHNP certification. The DNP spans about three years full-time, the MSN finishes in two years, and the certificate timeline varies based on the individual gap analysis and course availability...read more.
WGU PMHNP Programs
National | flat rate cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN | Online
WGU's PMHNP programs combine 100% online didactic coursework with 650 supervised clinical hours in psychiatric practice settings within students' local communities, preparing graduates to provide comprehensive mental healthcare across the lifespan. The BSN to MSN pathway requires minimum 2.5 years and costs approximately $36,000, while the Post-Master's Certificate takes minimum 1.5 years at around $21,000. Both programs follow WGU's competency-based education model where students advance by demonstrating mastery, with most students qualifying for federal financial aid.
Wilkes University PMHNP Programs
National | $751 cpc | Certificate / RN-MSN / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Online
Wilkes University's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) PMHNP track, which includes an RN-to-MSN option, is a highly affordable choice for nurses in Virginia, costing approximately $31,542 for the 42-credit program. All courses are delivered online in 12-week sessions, allowing Virginia professionals to balance work and advanced study. The comprehensive curriculum includes core courses like Advanced Health Assessment (NSG 500) and specialized practica emphasizing care for culturally diverse and underserved populations in Virginia.