Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Esti. Cost* | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN to DNP | $69,225 | 3 years (full time) |
| BSN to DNP | $74,405 | 3.25 years (full time) |
| MSN – PMHNP | $44,705 | 2.5 years (full time) |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | $35,225 | Varies; 43 quarter credits |
*Costs shown reflect estimates after the Believe & Achieve Scholarship, based on current data.
Walden University’s online PMHNP program provides working nurses with maximum flexibility by combining remote didactic learning with a virtual skills lab for interactive, faculty-guided practicum preparation. What makes the programs stand out is the Walden Practicum Pledge, a dedicated commitment from the university’s Field Placement Team to actively help students secure their essential clinical preceptor sites.
MSN to DNP PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN to DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program is $69,225 (after the Believe & Achieve Scholarship) and would take 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN to DNP Curriculum
This track requires 85 quarter credits and builds upon the student’s existing MSN knowledge base.
Coursework is heavily focused on translating research into evidence-based practice and augmenting healthcare delivery, which is essential for doctoral-level nursing. Key course content covers advanced core sciences and specialized psychiatric mental health care.
Coursework includes:
Foundational Core Courses (The “3 Ps”)
- DNRS 6501 – Advanced Pathophysiology (5 credits) Examines biological mechanisms and clinical manifestations of disease across the lifespan. Learn to interpret organ system imbalances to design effective treatment plans for diverse patient populations.
- DNRS 6521 – Advanced Pharmacology (5 credits) Covers core principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics. Focuses on safe, cost-effective drug selection, management of acute and chronic conditions, and prescribing regulations.
- DNRS 6512 – Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning (5 credits) Develops physical, psychosocial, and risk assessment skills across the lifespan. Includes interpretation of advanced diagnostic data, including suturing, 12-lead EKGs, and X-rays.
Psychiatric Specialty Didactic Courses
- DNRS 6630 – Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of Psychopathology (5 credits) Focuses on prescribing and monitoring medication regimens for major psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, psychosis). Emphasizes safe, long-term care management.
- DRNP 6635 – Psychopathology and Diagnostic Reasoning (3 credits) Introduces comprehensive mental health evaluations and differential diagnostic criteria for psychiatric and substance use disorders across the lifespan.
- DRNP 6645 – Psychotherapy With Multiple Modalities (3 credits) Surveys evidence-based therapeutic approaches for individuals, families, and groups. Focuses on the purposeful application of clinical therapy techniques over informal counseling.
- DRNP 6665 – PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan I (3 credits) Integrates diagnostic criteria, lab selection, and combined psychotherapy/medication strategies for common mental health conditions. Examines legal and ethical transitions into advanced practice.
- DRNP 6675 – PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan II (3 credits) A capstone course focused on complex, high-acuity psychiatric cases. Emphasizes system-level healthcare costs, interprofessional collaboration, and quality of care.
Clinical Practicum Experiences
- PRCM 6635 – Psychopathology and Diagnostic Reasoning Practicum (2 credits) Hands-on clinical practice in psychiatric interviewing, history taking, mental status examinations, and clinical documentation for psychiatric and substance use disorders.
- PRCM 6665 – PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan I Practicum (2 credits) Supervised clinical rotation providing integrated psychotherapy and medication management to diverse patient populations spanning childhood through geriatrics.
- PRCM 6675 – PMHNP Care Across the Lifespan II Practicum (2 credits) A final clinical immersion focusing on longitudinal management of complex, persistent mental health conditions to solidify independent practice readiness.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN to DNP Clinicals
The DNP program mandates a minimum of 1,000 post-Baccalaureate practicum hours, including at least 400 hours at the DNP level, which is standard for doctoral NP preparation.
Students who enter with fewer than 600 documented practicum hours may be required to take up to 8 credits of DNP Field Experience to meet this minimum. The specialization requires four Practicum courses (PRCM), running concurrently with the final didactic courses to ensure integrated clinical judgment development.
MSN to DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- License: Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or equivalent from an accredited school.
- Requirements: Completed online application and official transcripts.
- The admissions process is streamlined with no application fee, essay, or standardized test scores (SAT/ACT/GRE) required.
BSN to DNP Track PMHNP
The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program is $74,405 (after the Believe & Achieve Scholarship) and would take 3.25 years to complete on a full-time basis.
BSN to DNP Curriculum
This 95-quarter credit track provides the necessary foundation for BSN-prepared nurses to directly enter doctoral study. It incorporates 10 essential credits covering fundamental advanced practice concepts, plus all core DNP and specialized PMHNP courses, preparing the student to lead change and apply advanced evidence-based practice.
The curriculum covers everything from advanced pathophysiology to psychopharmacologic treatment.
- Includes 10 Essential Courses (DNRS 6052, DNRS 6211) and the full 85 credits of the MSN to DNP curriculum.
More curriculum details are available here.
BSN to DNP Clinicals
Similar to the MSN to DNP track, students must complete a minimum of 1,000 post-Baccalaureate practicum hours, with 400 hours at the DNP level, ensuring comprehensive clinical immersion.
The program integrates the four required clinical practicum courses alongside the advanced didactic specialization training.
BSN to DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- License: Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or equivalent from an accredited school.
- Requirements: Completed online application and official transcripts.
- The admissions process offers easy credit transfer and requires no application fee or standardized testing.
Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program is $44,705 (after the Believe & Achieve Scholarship) and would take approximately 2.5 years to complete on a full-time basis (63 quarter credits).
MSN Curriculum
This 63-quarter credit track, which has a BSN entry point, provides a solid understanding of various mental health disorders and treatments. The curriculum combines core master’s-level coursework focused on leadership and change with specialized PMHNP content, providing a holistic education.
Featured MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Courses include:
- Professional Nurses as Change Agents
- Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice
- Population Health Nursing
- Psychopathology and Diagnostic Reasoning
- Psychotherapy With Multiple Modalities
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan I & II
More curriculum details available here.
MSN Clinicals
The MSN track requires 640 practicum hours within the specialization. The program integrates four clinical courses (PRAC) that include these required practicum hours, which run concurrently with the advanced didactic specialization training.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- License: Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or equivalent from an accredited school (for the BSN to MSN path).
- Requirements: Completed online application and official transcripts.
- The admissions process is streamlined with no application fee, essay, or standardized test scores (SAT/ACT/GRE) required.
Post-Master’s Certificate in PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is $35,225 (Tuition, Program Fee, and Clinical Course Fee) and requires 43 quarter credits.
Certificate Curriculum
This 43-quarter credit certificate is designed for APRNs or MSN-holders seeking to add the PMHNP specialty to their certification. The curriculum is focused on the PMHNP specialization courses, allowing the student to rapidly gain the knowledge necessary for psychiatric diagnosis, treatment, and psychotherapeutic approaches.
- DRNP 6635: Psychopathology and Diagnostic Reasoning (3 cr.)
- PRCM 6635: Psychopathology and Diagnostic Reasoning Practicum (2 cr.)
- DRNP 6645: Psychotherapy With Multiple Modalities (3 cr.)
- PRCM 6645: Psychotherapy With Multiple Modalities Practicum (2 cr.)
- DRNP 6665: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan I (3 cr.)
- PRCM 6665: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan I Practicum (2 cr.)
- DRNP 6675: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan II (3 cr.)
- PRCM 6675: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Care Across the Lifespan II Practicum (2 cr.)
Certificate Clinicals
The certificate program includes 4 specialization practicum courses (PRAC) that incorporate the required clinical hours for certification. The total clinical hours required for the certificate is 640 practicum hours within the specialization.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- License: Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or equivalent from an accredited school.
- Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts.
- Admission is streamlined with no application fee, essay, or standardized test scores (GRE) required.
More curriculum details available here.
Tuition
The base graduate tuition cost per credit varies: NP Specialization coursework is $775 per quarter credit. Doctoral coursework is $925 per quarter hour.
A special Clinical Course Fee of $160 per course applies to the 4 practicum courses, and a flat Program Fee of $180 per quarter is charged for all tracks. See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, including the nurse practitioner specializations, and the Post-Master’s APRN certificate program at Walden University are all accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Compare Walden to Other PMHNP Programs
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