Washburn University PMHNP Programs (Psych NP)

Program Tracks Overview

Program	Estimated Cost	Typical Duration
Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP	$14,540–$27,626	~4 semesters
DNP – PMHNP (BSN → DNP)	~$54,525	~4.5 years
DNP – PMHNP (MSN → DNP with FNP/ANP/AGNP/PNP)	~$39,258	~3 years
DNP – PMHNP (MSN → DNP without NP status)	~$51,617	~4 years

Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP

The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP program ranges from approximately $14,540-$27,626 for in-state students (based on 20-38 credits at $727 per credit hour, plus $70 student fee per semester) and takes 4 semesters on average to complete depending on entry track and prior credentials.

Curriculum

The Post-Graduate Certificate offers three customized entry tracks with varying credit requirements based on prior education. National board certification requires separate graduate-level courses in Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Physical Assessment that are lifespan-focused and aligned with APRN Consensus Model and National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) core competencies.

Track 1: Family Nurse Practitioner (20 credit hours, 4 semesters, 525 clinical hours): FNPs complete psychiatric specialty content building upon existing nurse practitioner foundation, including psychiatric diagnostic interviewing, psychopharmacology, and three sequential psychiatric practicum courses.

Track 2: Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (variable credits): CNS-prepared students receive customized study plans based on gap analysis of prior coursework, with focus on transitioning clinical nurse specialist competencies to nurse practitioner role.

Track 3: Graduate Degree in Nursing Without APRN Credentials (variable credits up to 38): Students without nurse practitioner foundation complete comprehensive curriculum including three advanced practice core courses (Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Physical Assessment) plus psychiatric specialty coursework and minimum 525 practicum hours.

Psychiatric Specialty Courses: Students complete 9 credit hours (540 clinical hours) in psychiatric specialty practicum courses taken in varying credit hour increments as approved by advisor and clinical faculty, offered fall, spring, and summer semesters based on projected enrollment and faculty availability.

The curriculum prepares graduates to integrate nursing knowledge and theory with natural, social, and organizational sciences to support evidence-based advanced psychiatric mental health nursing practice.

Clinicals

The certificate requires minimum 525 practicum hours meeting national certification eligibility requirement. Students complete clinical experiences across the lifespan (child/adolescent, adult, geriatric populations) in clinical settings close and convenient to where they live.

Behavioral healthcare settings are appropriate placements, with outpatient settings considered most optimal.

Other placements may include:

psychiatric hospitals
senior diagnostic units
mental health nursing homes
psychiatric residential treatment facilities

Telepsychiatry may be approved for portion of practicum experiences with program approval. Preceptors must be Psychiatrists or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners certified by ANCC as PMHNP-BC.

Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP Requirements

Graduate from accredited MSN program
For Tracks 1 & 2: Current licensure to practice as Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric CNS
Track 3: Graduate degree in nursing without nurse practitioner foundation
Completed online graduate application to Washburn University and School of Nursing (no application fee)
Official transcript of MSN sent to School of Nursing
Reference information (2) from current or past employers, faculty, or professional peers
License information
Program track selected
Resume
Board certification documentation
Application opens: October 1, 2025
Application deadline: May 1, 2026 for August 2026 start
Gap analysis conducted for students with prior advanced practice courses

Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP (BSN to DNP)

The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP PMHNP program is approximately $54,525 for in-state students (based on 75 credits at $727 per credit hour, plus $70 student fee per applicable semesters) and takes approximately 4.5 years (9 semesters) to complete on a full-time basis.

Curriculum

The BSN to DNP PMHNP requires 75 total credit hours distributed across nine semesters including summer sessions. The program starts with Summer Semester 0 requiring prerequisite statistics course.

DNP Core Courses (33 credits):

PY 610 Intermediate Statistics (prerequisite) (3)
NU 801 Theoretical Foundations (2)
NU 815 Research Methods for Practice Scholarship (3)
NU 805 Health Policy (2)
NU 900 Philosophical World Views ANP (2)
NU 804 Emerging Concepts Informatics (2)
NU 802 Population Health (3)
NU 809 Doctoral Leadership (2)
NU 902 Health Care Economics (3)
NU 817 Evidence-Based Practice (3)
NU 812 Innovations in Quality Care (2)
NU 870 Data Driven Practice (2)
NU 903 Perspectives for the Advancement of Global Health (2)
NU 971 DNP-Practice Inquiry I (2)
NU 972 DNP-Practice Inquiry II (2)
NU 973 DNP-Practice Inquiry III (2)
NU 904 DNP Residency (6)
NU 980 Professional Role Development and Transition to Practice (1)

PMHNP Concentration Courses (42 credits):

NU 820 Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
NU 822 Advanced Pharmacology (3)
NU 829 Advanced Health Assessment Differential Diagnosis Lifespan (3, includes simulation hours)
NU 874 Applied Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Decision-Making (2)
NU 827 Psychiatric Differential Diagnosis and Diagnostic Interviewing (3)
NU 828 Psychopharmacology (3)
NU 851 Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing I with Lab (4)
NU 857 Advanced Psychiatric Practicum (2 credit hours)
NU 854 Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing II (3)
NU 865 Psychotherapeutic Interventions Practicum (2)
NU 859 Advanced Psychiatric Specialty Focus Practicum (3)

All PMHNP specialty courses are prerequisite to NU 859. Course sequencing may change due to faculty availability and projected student enrollment. Students in BSN-DNP programs are required to attend in-person orientation and/or training sessions (held on campus) one time per year as mandatory On-Campus Experiences.

Clinicals

The BSN to DNP PMHNP includes 1020 total clinical hours divided into 975 direct patient care hours and 45 simulation hours. PMHNP practicum hours follow 1:5 ratio (one credit hour equals 75 clock hours).

Students complete preceptor-guided clinical experiences providing minimum 1000 hours of direct patient care across the lifespan in behavioral healthcare settings. Faculty provide oversight and supervision of students at approved clinical sites.

Students work with faculty and program staff to arrange clinical placements whenever possible identifying suitable preceptors and sites convenient or close to where they live.

Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP (MSN to DNP with FNP/ANP/AGNP/PNP)

The estimated cost for the MSN to DNP PMHNP program with FNP/ANP/AGNP/PNP certification is approximately $39,258 for in-state students (based on 54 credits at $727 per credit hour, plus $70 student fee per applicable semesters) and takes approximately 3 years to complete.

Curriculum

This program is for APRNs licensed in their state of residence and nationally certified as Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner seeking second certification as PMHNP.

Gap analysis conducted at time of application to determine if advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment (3 P’s) covered lifespan content and if student has been actively practicing as NP in current specialty. If not actively practicing, the 3 P’s must have been successfully completed in last five years.

The program requires 54 total credits including 14 additional PMHNP-specific credits beyond generic MSN to DNP requirements (40 credits).

DNP Core Courses (33 credits): Same core courses as BSN to DNP program including statistics, theoretical foundations, research methods, health policy, informatics, population health, doctoral leadership, healthcare economics, evidence-based practice, innovations in quality care, data driven practice, philosophical world views, perspectives for global health, three DNP practice inquiry courses, and DNP residency.

PMHNP Specialty Courses (14 additional credits):

NU 827 Psychiatric Differential Diagnosis and Diagnostic Interviewing (3)
NU 828 Psychopharmacology (3)
NU 851 Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing I with Lab (4)
NU 857 Advanced Psychiatric Practicum (2)
NU 865 Psychotherapeutic Interventions Practicum (2)

Students who have completed two NP certifications (licensed as FNP/ANP/AGNP/PNP and completed PMHNP-Certificate program) who desire to earn DNP complete 35 credit hours.

Clinicals

MSN to DNP students nationally certified as nurse practitioner at program entry may be awarded up to 500 clock hours toward the minimum 1000 clock hour requirement. Clinical experiences are individually determined to add breadth and depth to advanced practice with minimum 540 clock hours of direct patient care included in DNP program for those seeking second PMHNP certification.

Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP (MSN to DNP without NP status)

The estimated cost for the MSN to DNP PMHNP program without NP status is approximately $51,617 for in-state students (based on 71 credits at $727 per credit hour, plus $70 student fee per applicable semesters) and takes approximately 4 years (8 semesters) to complete on a full-time basis.

Curriculum

This program is for master’s-prepared nurses not licensed as APRN-NP in their state of residence. The program requires 71 total credit hours with minimum 1000 clock hours of direct patient care.

DNP Core Courses (29 credits):

PY 610 Intermediate Statistics (prerequisite) (3)
NU 815 Research Methods for Practice Scholarship (3)
NU 802 Population Health (3)
NU 809 Doctoral Leadership (2)
NU 817 Evidence-Based Practice (3)
NU 804 Emerging Concepts Informatics (2)
NU 812 Innovations in Quality Care (2)
NU 870 Data Driven Practice (2)
NU 900 Philosophical World Views ANP (2)
NU 903 Perspectives for the Advancement of Global Health (2)
NU 902 Health Care Economics (3)
NU 971 DNP-Practice Inquiry I (2)
NU 972 DNP-Practice Inquiry II (2)
NU 973 DNP-Practice Inquiry III (2)
NU 905 DNP Residency for MSN-DNP (6 total: 3 credits in Semester 7 Fall + 3 credits in Semester 8 Spring)
NU 980 Professional Role Development and Transition to Practice (1)

PMHNP Concentration Courses (42 credits):

NU 820 Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
NU 822 Advanced Pharmacology (3)
NU 829 Advanced Health Assessment Differential Diagnosis Lifespan (3, includes simulation hours)
NU 874 Applied Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Decision-Making (2)
NU 827 Psychiatric Differential Diagnosis and Diagnostic Interviewing (3)
NU 828 Psychopharmacology (3)
NU 851 Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing I with Lab (4)
NU 857 Advanced Psychiatric Practicum (2)
NU 854 Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing II (3)
NU 865 Psychotherapeutic Interventions Practicum (2)
NU 859 Advanced Psychiatric Specialty Focus Practicum (3)

All PMHNP specialty courses are prerequisite to NU 859. Course sequencing may change due to faculty availability and projected student enrollment.

Clinicals

The MSN to DNP PMHNP without NP status includes 1020 total clinical hours divided into 975 direct patient care hours and 45 simulation hours. PMHNP practicum hours follow 1:5 ratio (one credit hour equals 75 clock hours). Students complete preceptor-guided clinical experiences with minimum 1000 hours of direct patient care requirement across the lifespan in behavioral healthcare settings.

DNP Program Requirements

Submission of Washburn University graduate degree seeking application (available online)
Official transcripts sent to Hines School of Nursing (BSN and MSN as applicable)
Evidence of current licensure in states of residence and practice as registered nurse and APRN (post-Master’s NP only)
If MSN without FNP or NP without practice experience: advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment courses with lifespan content completed within last 5 years
Receipt of minimum two references from current or past employers, faculty, or professional peers
Evidence of national certifications through ANCC or AANP (post-Master’s NP applicants only)
Current resume
Minimum GPA of 3.0, with preference given for GPA of 3.25 or above in previous undergraduate and graduate work
Attend interview and complete brief writing assessment as part of application process
Graduate Admission, Progression, and Retention (GAPR) Committee reviews all applicants and makes admission decisions

Health Clearance Requirements (due by June 1 for DNP Program, July 1 for Certificate): All PMHNP students must complete health clearance through Verified Credentials including:

Complete pre-entrance background check
Proof of current RN licensure (and APRN licensure if NP status)
Varicella (2 vaccinations or positive titer)
Influenza immunization (due by October 1 annually)
MMR (2 vaccinations or positive titers)
Hepatitis B (3-series vaccination, positive titer, or signed waiver)
CPR Certification for Health Care Provider or Professional Rescuer
Tdap (within past 10 years)
Tuberculosis (one 2-step skin test within past 12 months)
Evidence of personal health insurance
Student Conduct Pledge (electronic signature)

Academic Progression Requirements

Maintain 3.0 GPA
DNP Program: Receive no grades below B in designated foundation courses (NU 829 Advanced Health Assessment, NU 827 Advanced Psychiatric Diagnostic Interviewing and Differential Diagnosis, NU 828 Advanced Psychopharmacology and Neurobiology)
Certificate Program: Receive no grades below B in designated foundation courses
Students who fail to achieve C or better in any required course or B or better in designated foundational course cannot proceed to next course in sequence
Academic probation granted for GPA below 3.0 (DNP: two semesters to raise GPA; Certificate: one semester to raise GPA; probation granted only once)
Time limit for completion: DNP 8 years; Certificate 4 years from program entry date

Tuition

Graduate School of Nursing online courses cost $727 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state students.

Flat $70 student fee charged to all Washburn students enrolled in one or more courses (Fall and Spring only).

Additional costs include selected software programs for clinical placement documentation and learning support, with textbooks as additional charges varying by course. Graduate students may be eligible for federal financial aid; grants and scholarships offered as available.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Washburn University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The PMHNP programs were accepted into the ANCC’s Certification Eligibility Curriculum Review Program (CERPs), affirming curriculum quality. All graduate APRN Programs are approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing.

Other Nursing Programs

Washburn University Harmony J. Hines School of Nursing offers comprehensive nursing education pathways:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN):

Traditional BSN program
RN to BSN program (online courses at $282 per credit hour)
Early Acceptance Program for high school students
97.5% NCLEX pass rate (2024), surpassing national 91%
100% job placement rate for BSN graduates

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP):

BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (74-76 credit hours)
MSN to DNP with NP status (40 credit hours; 14 additional credits for second certification if applicable)
MSN to DNP without NP status – FNP Track (70-72 credit hours)
93% FNP pass rate (2024), surpassing national 86%

Post-Graduate Certificates:

Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate

Additional Programs:

Clinical Laboratory Science/Cytotechnology/MRI & Sonography courses
Radiation Therapy courses
Study abroad opportunities (Costa Rica annually in January, Japan partnership with Fukuoka University every other year)

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