Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Post-BSN to DNP – PMHNP | $36,000–$40,500 | ~2.5 years |
Post BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice – PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post BSN to DNP – PMHNP program is approximately $36,000-$40,500 based on 75 total credits at $266.31 per credit hour plus a differential of $193.79 per credit hour and fees, and would take 2.5 years (7 semesters) to complete on a full-time basis starting January 2026.
Curriculum
The Post BSN to DNP – PMHNP curriculum includes DNP core courses and psychiatric mental health specialty courses:
DNP Core Courses:
- NRSG 6190 – Professional Foundations for Graduate Nursing Students
- MHA 7080 – Healthcare Finance/Economics
- NRSG 7010 – Scholarly and Ethical Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing
- NRSG 7020 – Biostatistics/Epidemiology
- NRSG 7030 – Information Technology to Support Evidence-Based Practice
- NRSG 7040 – Systems Approach and QI
- NRSG 7050 – Advanced Population Health
- NRSG 7060 – DNP Organizational Leadership
- NRSG 7070 – Healthcare Policy & Professionalism
- NRSG 7801 – DNP Project I
- NRSG 7802 – DNP Project II
- NRSG 7803 – DNP Project III
PMHNP Emphasis Courses:
NRSG 6120 – Research and Statistics (3 cr.)
Builds the quantitative fluency nurses need to appraise evidence and guide practice. Students apply parametric and non-parametric tests to real health data sets and translate statistical findings into administrative and educational decisions.
NRSG 6210 – Advanced Pathophysiology I (2 cr.)
Establishes a cellular-to-system view of how physiologic regulation fails and disease begins across the lifespan. Emphasizes risk factors, environmental influences, and mechanistic pathways that underpin clinical signs and inform management.
NRSG 6211 – Advanced Pathophysiology II (2 cr.)
Extends foundational concepts to complex, multisystem disturbances with direct ties to clinical decision-making. Learners synthesize etiologies, regulatory breakdowns, and lifespan variations to anticipate presentations and guide care.
NRSG 6212 – Advanced Psychopathophysiology (2 cr.)
Explores the biologic bases of mental illness through neurobiology, genetics, and brain–behavior relationships. Students connect emerging science to diagnostic reasoning and PMHNP practice.
NRSG 6215 – Advanced Pharmacology I (2 cr.)
Introduces pharmacokinetics/dynamics and ethical–legal prescriptive principles for NPs. Focus areas include ANS agents, infectious disease, endocrine therapeutics, and pain management with age-appropriate monitoring and patient education.
NRSG 6216 – Advanced Pharmacology II (2 cr.)
Continues evidence-based prescribing for CNS, behavioral health, cardiovascular/renal, GI, respiratory/ENT, dermatologic, and immune conditions. Stresses drug selection, dosing, interactions, and outcomes evaluation across the lifespan.
NRSG 6217 – Advanced Psychopharmacology (2 cr.)
Prepares PMHNPs to select, initiate, and manage psychotropic regimens using mechanism-based reasoning. Coverage spans efficacy, safety, special populations, and integration with psychotherapy.
NRSG 6220 – Advanced Health Assessment (2 cr.)
Hones NP-level assessment through comprehensive histories, motivational interviewing, focused and head-to-toe exams, and differential generation by system. Simulation and standardized patients reinforce clinical reasoning across the lifespan.
NRSG 6221 – Diagnostic Reasoning (2 cr.)
A hands-on lab that applies advanced assessment and testing strategies to common primary-care problems. Students practice prioritizing differentials and forming initial management plans for acute and chronic conditions.
NRSG 6222 – Mental Health Assessment, Diagnostic Reasoning & Treatment I (3 cr.)
Establishes core PMHNP competencies in evidence-based interviewing, use of standardized tools, and formulation. Learners craft initial treatment plans grounded in theoretical frameworks and person-centered care.
NRSG 6223 – Mental Health Assessment, Diagnostic Reasoning & Treatment II (3 cr.)
Builds depth and precision in differential diagnosis and treatment planning for diverse ages and presentations. Emphasizes complex cases, measurement-based care, and refinement of therapeutic interventions.
NRSG 6271 – Psychotherapeutic Modalities (3 cr.)
Surveys the theory and practice of major therapies (e.g., CBT, DBT, interpersonal, family, group) with skills practice for clinical use. Focuses on aligning modality choice with client goals, culture, and readiness.
NRSG 6272 – Substance Abuse & Addiction Disorder Therapy & Management (1 cr.)
Examines assessment and integrated treatment of substance use disorders through biologic, psychological, and social lenses. Students apply evidence-based therapies and medication strategies within a recovery-oriented plan of care.
NRSG 7002 – Transition to APRN Practice (2 cr.)
Guides students through credentialing, regulation, and role assimilation as new NPs. Topics include ethics, contracting, billing/reimbursement, leadership, and professional engagement.
NRSG 7004 – Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Advanced Practice Nursing (1 cr.)
Critically appraises CAM approaches and their evidence base to support safe, person-centered integration with conventional care. Emphasizes risk–benefit counseling and harm reduction in NP practice.
NRSG 7912 – PMHNP Clinical I (3 cr.)
First clinical immersion emphasizing foundational psychiatric interviewing, assessment, differential diagnosis, and initial treatment planning—including prescribing under supervision—for patients across the lifespan.
NRSG 7913 – PMHNP Clinical II (3 cr.)
Advances clinical reasoning and therapeutic skills with broader diagnostic complexity. Learners refine test ordering/interpretation, psychopharmacology, and health-promotion strategies in supervised practice.
NRSG 7914 – PMHNP Clinical III (3 cr.)
Focuses on managing multifaceted cases, crisis/risk assessment, and coordinated care across settings. Students demonstrate growing autonomy while maintaining evidence-based, team-based practice.
NRSG 7915 – PMHNP Clinical IV (3 cr.)
Culminating practicum consolidating full-scope PMHNP competencies. Students independently manage diverse caseloads, evaluate outcomes, and prepare for transition to advanced practice.
Clinicals
Students complete 750 direct clinical practice hours and 1,000+ total practicum hours across the last four semesters:
- Clinical I (190 hours)
- Clinical II (190 hours)
- Clinical III (190 hours)
- Clinical IV (180 hours)
Lab experiences occur during semesters 3 and 4 with 3-6 full campus days (8am-5pm) each semester, and clinical rotations require 2-3 days per week during semesters 4-7. The Graduate Clinical Coordinator works collaboratively with students to identify and manage clinical site placements.
Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing from regionally accredited university and nursing program accredited by CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA
- Cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher on 4.0 scale for all college-level coursework (students with 3.0-3.3 GPA may qualify with 10+ years full-time RN experience or 15+ years part-time RN experience and nursing GPA of 3.0 or above)
- Minimum 60 graded transfer/transferable credit hours (3.3 or better) from regionally accredited institution
- Current unrestricted Utah RN license or compact state license
- Minimum 2 years full-time RN work experience or 4 years part-time RN work experience by September 15, 2025 application deadline
- Three letters of recommendation
- Vitae/resume
- Essay submission
- Structured Video Response (SVR)
- Official transcripts from all institutions
- English proficiency exam (TOEFL minimum 75 overall with 17 in each category OR IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each category) for non-native English speakers
- Satisfactory background check and negative 12-panel drug screen
- Personal health insurance
- Application fee: $60
- Application deadline: September 15, 2025 for January 5, 2026 start
The program admits up to 16 students and uses a competitive selection point system including GPA, experience, re-applicant status, psych/mental health experience, previous master’s degree, and veteran status. A mandatory orientation occurs at the beginning of the first semester.
Tuition
Graduate DNP students pay $266.31 base tuition per credit hour plus $193.79 per credit hour differential for a combined rate of $460.10 per credit hour.
Additional fees include zero hour student base fee ($80.75), per hour student fee ($27.65), and student support fee ($9.50). Total program cost is approximately $36,000-$40,500 for the full 75-credit program.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
All Weber State University Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing DNP programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Program Notes
Students are not recommended to work full-time during semesters 3-7 due to the clinically intensive nature of the program. Previous WSU MSN graduates do not need to repeat NRSG 6120 or NRSG 6190, and non-WSU transfer students may be eligible for NRSG 6120 equivalency. The program does not meet in-person requirements for international student status due to extensive online learning components.
Other Nursing Programs
Weber State University Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing offers additional degree programs:
- Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN)
- Practical Nursing to Registered Nursing (PN to RN)
- Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Educator or Leadership & Management
- Post MSN Graduate Certificates – Educator or Leadership & Management
- Post BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Post Master’s to DNP – Executive Leadership
Other UTAH PMHNP Programs
View All PMHNP Programs in Utah
- Rocky Mountain University - Provo
- University of Utah - Salt Lake City