Program Tracks Overview
Post-Graduate APRN PMHNP Certificate
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate APRN PMHNP Certificate program is $17,703 and would take approximately 1-1.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on 21 credits at $843/credit.
Curriculum
The 21-credit program consists of five didactic courses and two variable-credit clinical courses focusing on therapeutic and evidence-based psychiatric mental health advanced nursing practice across the lifespan.
Courses include:
NSG 774 Neuro-Psychopharmacology
Studies core neurobiology across the lifespan and links it to psychiatric illness. Reviews psychotropic classes with pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacogenomics.
NSG 775 PMHNP Role and Foundations (3 cr.)
Covers PMHNP scope, standards, and key practice models. Builds a clear framework for ethical, patient-centered care.
NSG 776 Psychotherapy Modalities (3 cr.)
Examines evidence-based therapies for individuals, families, and groups. Teaches how to integrate approaches into a practical treatment model; practicum reinforces assessment and intervention skills.
NSG 777 PMHNP Diagnosis and Management of Adults (3 cr.)
Trains advanced differential diagnosis and management of adult and geriatric disorders using DSM-5. Applies psychotherapy principles and psychopharmacology to adult care.
NSG 779 PMHNP Diagnosis and Management of Child/Adolescent (3 cr.)
Builds DSM-5-based diagnosis and treatment for children and adolescents. Applies therapy and medication strategies for youth.
NSG 782 PMHNP Clinical Practicum (6 cr.)
Applies neuro-psychopharmacology, assessment, and psychotherapy in supervised care across the lifespan. Performs advanced differential diagnosis and management using DSM-5 in real settings.
More curriculum details are available here.
Clinicals
Students complete 540 total clinical hours, including 30 observational hours in NSG 776 with a licensed, credentialed therapist and 510 hours in NSG 782 with an approved psychiatric provider.
Clinical practicum hours may be individualized through gap analyses based on appropriate hours accrued prior to admission, with a minimum requirement of 360 hours.
Students must complete spring clinical rotations with adult patients only, while summer rotations include children, adolescents, and adults.
Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master of Science in Nursing (or higher) from a nationally accredited nursing program and regionally accredited institution
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on graduate degree work (provisional admission may be considered for GPAs 2.75-2.99)
- Minimum overall nursing GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Active, unrestricted RN license in the state where clinical hours will be completed
- National certification and licensure as an APRN
- Admission preference given to applicants with at least one year of experience in an advanced practice role in an approved psychiatric mental health setting and/or at least two years of experience as an APRN
- Transfer students must provide a letter of good standing from their current or previous nursing program
- Satisfactory completion of background checks and drug screens upon admission
- Rolling admissions with applications reviewed until July 1
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Tuition
Graduate nursing certificate tuition is $843 per credit hour, consisting of $596 university tuition, $147 college tuition, and $100 online learning fee.
All students benefit from in-state tuition rates regardless of residency.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The master’s degree program in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at West Virginia University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates are eligible to sit for national certification examinations offered by either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Other Nursing Programs
WVU School of Nursing offers additional graduate programs including:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Family Nurse Practitioner specialty track
- Post-Graduate Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- DNP Nurse Anesthetist
- PhD in Nursing
Related PMHNP Programs
View All PMHNP Programs in West Virginia
- Marshall University - Huntington