Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Estimated Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN in PMHNP | $29,328 | 2–3 years |
| DNP in PMHNP | PMHNP specialty ~$16,380 | Varies |
| Post-Graduate Certificate | $16,356 | Up to 3 years |
Wayne State’s PMHNP programs prepare nurses for advanced practice roles focusing on culturally diverse populations with emphasis on urban health challenges.
Students gain expertise in psychiatric assessment, psychopharmacology, crisis intervention, and biopsychological models of mental health. The curriculum addresses specialized areas including addictions, eating and sleep disorders, gender issues, HIV/AIDS, major psychiatric illnesses, and violence.
All programs require one full-time year of RN experience in psychiatric mental health settings prior to starting clinical courses.
MSN in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the MSN PMHNP program is approximately $29,328 (52 credits × $564/credit) and takes 2-3 years to complete depending on full-time or part-time enrollment.
Curriculum
The 52-credit MSN program includes:
NUR 6510 – Health Economics, Policy, and Professional Issues for APNs
The course reviews major health policy and professional issues that affect advanced-practice nurses. Students synthesize theory and practical cases to build confidence in policy advocacy and APN practice development.
NUR 7000 – Statistics in Nursing
The course introduces statistical methods used in nursing research, including measurement, probability, descriptive and inferential tests, correlation, and regression. Students also practice basic computer-based statistical analysis.
NUR 7105 – Theoretical Foundations for Nursing
The course examines theories that guide advanced practice and leadership in nursing. Students analyze nursing and non-nursing theories—such as systems, communication, development, health promotion, and stress/coping—for use in advanced practice.
NUR 8625 – Evidence Based Nursing Practice: Theoretical and Methodological Issues
The course builds the scientific base for integrating evidence into clinical care. Students evaluate methods and theory that support evidence-based decision making.
NUR 7444 – Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan for APRNs
The course deepens knowledge of human physiology and disease mechanisms across organ systems. Students link etiologies and clinical manifestations to advanced diagnostic reasoning across the lifespan.
NUR 7555 – Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice
The course covers pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics across major drug classes and organ systems. Students learn safe, evidence-based prescribing for common conditions across the lifespan.
NUR 7615 – Psychopathology and Therapeutic Frameworks Across the Lifespan for PMHMP
The course surveys core psychopathology and treatment models used in psychiatric care. Students consider ethical, professional, and cultural factors when applying contemporary therapeutic frameworks.
NUR 7625 – Psychopharmacology
The course focuses on the neuroscience, selection, safety, and dosing of psychotropic and neurologic medications. Students design individualized medication plans and manage titration across the lifespan.
NUR 7650 – Advanced Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
The course develops skills in comprehensive mental health assessment and differential diagnosis for all ages. Students practice history taking, data analysis, and diagnostic formulation within the PMHNP role.
NUR 7030 – Advanced Nursing Assessment
The course builds advanced physical and psychosocial assessment with emphasis on differential diagnosis and clinical decisions. Instruction includes specialty tracks for Across the Lifespan/Adult, Pediatric, and Neonatal populations.
NUR 7460 – Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP: Advanced Practice Nursing with Individuals and Communities – Didactic
The course prepares students to plan and evaluate culturally informed interventions for individuals and communities. Evidence-based practice guides application across diverse service settings.
NUR 7465 – Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP: Advanced Practice Nursing with Individuals and Communities – Clinical
The clinical course applies assessment and intervention skills with individuals and communities in real settings. Students demonstrate advanced nursing process use and translate evidence into care.
NUR 7470 – Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: Advanced Practice Nursing with Groups – Didactic
The course teaches theory and methods for group psychotherapy across the lifespan. Students learn to assess dysfunctional patterns and design group interventions that promote healthy communication.
NUR 7475 – Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: Advanced Practice Nursing with Groups – Clinical
The clinical course builds hands-on group therapy skills for acute and chronic psychiatric needs. Students plan, deliver, and evaluate group treatments using established models.
NUR 7480 – Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP: Advanced Practice Nursing with Families – Didactic
The course covers family therapy theories and techniques to address dysfunctional intrafamily patterns. Students assess political, legal, economic, social, cultural, and technology factors that shape family mental health care.
NUR 7485 – Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP: Advanced Practice Nursing with Families – Clinical
The clinical course applies family therapy models to promote, maintain, and restore mental health for families and individuals. Students plan and implement interventions while considering system-level influences on care.
More curriculum details available here.
Clinicals
Students complete 620 total clinical hours across four semesters:
- NUR 7030: Advanced Nursing Assessment (included in course)
- NUR 7465: Advanced Practice with Individuals/Communities (5 credits/180 hours)
- NUR 7475: Advanced Practice with Groups (5 credits/180 hours)
- NUR 7485: Advanced Practice with Families (5 credits/180 hours)
Clinical sites include psychiatric mental health settings where students work under qualified preceptors (PMHNPs, physicians, LPCs, MSWs, or psychologists with appropriate credentials).
Prerequisites & Admissions
- BSN from accredited institution with 3.0+ GPA
- Current Michigan RN licensure (out-of-state applicants must obtain within two semesters)
- One full-time year of RN experience in psychiatric mental health setting (required before clinical courses begin)
- Two professional letters of recommendation
- Personal goal statement
- Resume/CV
- Official transcripts from all institutions
- Application through NursingCAS (AACN universal application system)
- Interview for qualified applicants
DNP in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the DNP PMHNP specialty varies based on entry point and total credits but includes the clinical specialty courses totaling approximately $16,380 (29 clinical specialty credits × $564/credit) plus additional DNP core coursework.
Curriculum
DNP students complete the same PMHNP specialty courses as MSN students plus additional doctoral-level coursework:
- PMHNP Specialty Courses (29 credits): Same clinical specialty curriculum as MSN track
- Additional DNP Core Courses: Vary based on BSN-to-DNP or MSN-to-DNP pathway
- Clinical courses include: NUR 8675 (240 hours), NUR 8685 (240 hours), NUR 8695 (240 hours)
Clinicals
DNP students complete 820 total clinical hours:
- NUR 7605: Psychopharmacology (100 hours)
- NUR 8675: APN Specialty Clinical I – Foundations (240 hours)
- NUR 8685: Specialty Clinical II (240 hours)
- NUR 8695: Specialty Clinical III (240 hours)
Clinical experiences emphasize translation of evidence to practice, leadership development, and understanding healthcare systems’ impact on outcomes.
Prerequisites & Admissions
Same requirements as MSN program plus:
- Commitment to completing doctoral-level scholarship
- Understanding of DNP terminal objectives including scientific underpinnings, analytical methodologies, technology utilization, leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and health policy
Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate is approximately $16,356 (29 credits × $564/credit) and takes up to 3 years to complete.
Curriculum
The 29-credit certificate program includes:
- NUR 7650: Advanced Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (1 credit)
- NUR 7615: Psychopathology and Therapeutic Frameworks (2 credits)
- NUR 7625: Psychopharmacology (2 credits)
- Three didactic/clinical course pairs: Individuals/Communities (3+5 credits), Groups (3+5 credits), Families (3+5 credits)
Additional courses may be required based on GAP analysis of prior graduate nursing education.
Clinicals
Certificate students complete the same clinical hour requirements as MSN students (620 hours total) across the same four clinical courses focusing on psychotherapy with individuals/communities, groups, and families.
Prerequisites & Admissions
- MSN or DNP clinical degree from nationally accredited institution with 3.0+ GPA
- Current Michigan RN licensure
- Current specialty certification by nationally recognized body in area of specialization (certificate copy required)
- Two professional letters of recommendation
- Personal goal statement
- Resume
- Official transcripts
- Application through NursingCAS
- Certificate awarded only after DNP is posted on transcript (if currently enrolled in DNP program)
- No transfer credits accepted
- Must complete within 3 years
Tuition
Graduate nursing courses cost $564 per credit hour for Michigan residents.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Wayne State University College of Nursing undergraduate and graduate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through April 2023. The DNP program received full CCNE accreditation in October 2010. The PMHNP programs are approved by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Other Nursing Programs
Wayne State University College of Nursing offers additional graduate programs:
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (PNP-AC)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care (PNP-PC)
- MSN in Advanced Public Health Nursing (APHN)
- PhD in Nursing
- Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education
More Programs in Michigan
View All PMHNP Programs in Michigan
- Davenport University - Grand Rapids
- Michigan State University - East Lansing
- Saginaw Valley State - Saginaw
- Spring Arbor University - Spring Arbor