Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN — PMHNP (BSN to MSN) | $35,775 | Minimum 2.5 years |
| Post-Master’s Certificate — PMHNP | $21,465 | Minimum 1.5 years |
WGU’s PMHNP programs utilize a competency-based education model where students progress by demonstrating mastery rather than accumulating credit hours. The competency-based approach enables students to accelerate through material they already know.
Each student receives a dedicated Program Mentor providing regular guidance from enrollment through graduation, plus course instructors for each class. The MSN program requires minimum 2.5 years to complete due to clinical requirements.
Master of Science in Nursing — PMHNP (BSN to MSN)
The estimated cost for the MSN PMHNP program is approximately $35,775 (based on 2.5 years at $6,955 per six-month term plus $200 learning resources fee per term) and takes 2.5 years minimum to complete due to clinical requirements.
MSN Curriculum
The 51-competency unit program includes 17 courses:
NURS 5201 – Professional Presence and Influence
The course builds mindful presence to strengthen nurse–patient relationships. Students practice self-care, ethics, and reflective skills that support safe, compassionate care. Training links presence to leadership and workplace well-being.
NURS 5202 – Essentials of Advanced Nursing Roles and Interprofessional Practice
The course defines the advanced nurse role as leader, educator, practitioner, and informatics partner. Students apply evidence to improve team collaboration and policy advocacy. Projects use data to flag at-risk groups and guide community action.
NURS 5203 – Quality Outcomes in a Culture of Value-Based Nursing Care
The course explains value-based care and its quality and safety standards. Students study team-based models and data sharing to coordinate care. Assignments use performance improvement methods to raise patient outcomes.
NURS 5206 – Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care
The course integrates nursing and information sciences to support data-driven practice. Students learn systems, standards, and tools that turn data into clinical decisions. Work centers on applications that improve population and bedside outcomes.
NURS 5207 – Leadership and Management in Complex Healthcare Systems
The course develops skills to lead teams, allocate resources, and measure results. Students plan change, track performance, and show nursing’s impact on outcomes. Activities promote effective work with interprofessional partners.
NURS 5800 – Advanced Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Nurse
The course details disease mechanisms from cell to system across the lifespan. Students connect etiology and physiologic change to symptoms and progression. Clear communication of pathophysiology to patients and teams is a core skill.
NURS 6308 – Advancing Evidence-Based Innovation in Nursing Practice
The course links innovation to evidence appraisal and spread. Students assess new sources of evidence, measure impact, and share results. Communities of practice support pilots that improve population health and patient experience.
NURS 6800 – Advanced Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Nurse
The course builds safe prescribing using pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Students select drugs, justify choices, and plan monitoring in primary care. Exercises stress counseling and prevention of adverse effects.
NURS 6810 – Advanced Health Assessment for the Advanced Practice Nurse
The course sharpens history and exam skills for diverse populations. Students analyze subjective and objective data to form differential diagnoses. Simulation and clinical work support clear, evidence-based findings.
NURS 6436 – Foundations of Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Practice
The course surveys the history, culture, and theories of psychiatric care. Students use DSM-5-TR and guidelines to support consistent diagnosis. Legal, ethical, and practice barriers are reviewed for real-world readiness.
NURS 6437 – The Assessment and Diagnostic Process of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Practice
The course develops therapeutic interviewing and structured assessment skills. Students plan care, use technology, and lead team collaboration. Quality improvement and practice evaluation frame the NP role.
NURS 6348 – Psychopharmacology for Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Practice
The course applies advanced pharmacotherapy to acute and chronic psychiatric conditions. Students study PK/PD, patient education, and safe prescribing. Topics include addiction science and coordinated services such as group therapy and medication support.
NURS 6439 – Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Care of Adults and Older Adults Across Care Settings
The course prepares students to provide evidence-based mental healthcare for adults and older adults. Learners develop treatment plans using psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and community resources while considering family and social influences on recovery.
NURS 6440 – Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Care of Children and Adolescents Across Care Settings
The course trains students to assess and manage mental health disorders in children and adolescents. Learners create treatment plans integrating therapy, medication, and family engagement to support recovery and resilience.
NURS 6480 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Clinical Internship I
The clinical builds core PMHNP skills across the lifespan. Students perform advanced assessments and set patient-centered care plans. Precepted practice integrates pathophysiology, therapy, medication, and health promotion.
NURS 6481 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Clinical Internship II
The clinical expands autonomy in diagnosis and management. Students refine psychotherapy and medication plans in varied settings. Feedback from preceptors guides growth and consistency.
NURS 6482 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Clinical Internship III
The clinical consolidates full-scope PMHNP competencies. Students deliver comprehensive care for individuals, families, and communities. Outcomes focus on accurate diagnoses, effective plans, and population preferences.
Curriculum designed by practicing nurse practitioners and certified by ANCC. Students complete courses one at a time, working with Program Mentor to build personalized Degree Plan. No transfer credits accepted for this program.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 650 direct patient care clinical hours across three Clinical Internship courses in their home community (750 hours for Kansas licensure seekers starting after March 1, 2025). Clinical experiences occur in local facilities with university support through approval process.
Clinical settings include diverse psychiatric practice environments with preceptor supervision.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from accredited institution (MSN holders not eligible for BSN-PMHNP pathway)
- Current, active, unencumbered RN license from approved state (not available for CA, DC, LA, NY, ND, WA residents)
- Permanent residence in approved state where internships will be completed and initial APRN licensure obtained
- Compact licenses must be endorsed by state of residence
- Criminal background check through American Databank (additional fees apply)
- Professional resume or CV outlining academic, professional, and service history
- Application essay addressing nursing experience and NP career goals
- Three letters of recommendation: (1) clinical supervisor/manager, (2) professor/faculty/academic advisor, (3) Board Certified healthcare provider (APRN, NP, PA, MD, DO) who served as mentor
- 3.0 cumulative GPA in five prerequisite courses OR hold BSNU from WGU: Anatomy/Physiology I with lab (4 credits), Anatomy/Physiology II with lab (4 credits), Statistics (3 credits), Human Growth and Development Across Lifespan (3 credits), Pharmacology (2 credits). All courses require C- or above
- One year clinical RN experience and actively working as RN strongly preferred
- Highly competitive program with limited admissions
Post-Master’s Certificate in PMHNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate PMHNP is approximately $21,465 (based on 1.5 years at $6,955 per six-month term plus $200 learning resources fee per term) and takes minimum 1.5 years to complete.
Certificate Curriculum
The 33-competency unit certificate includes 11 courses:
- Nurse Practitioner Core (3 courses, if not previously completed): Advanced Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Nurse, Advanced Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Nurse, Advanced Health Assessment for the Advanced Practice Nurse
- PMHNP Specialty (8 courses): Foundations of Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Practice, The Assessment and Diagnostic Process of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Practice, Psychopharmacology for Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Practice, Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Care of Adults and Older Adults Across Care Settings, Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Care of Children and Adolescents Across Care Settings, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Clinical Internship I, II, and III
Students who completed Nurse Practitioner Core courses in prior MSN can transfer credits, reducing total courses and completion time. Program focuses on PMHNP specialty coursework without repeating previous MSN content.
Certificate Clinicals
Certificate students complete 650 direct patient care clinical hours in local community (750 hours for Kansas licensure after March 1, 2025). Clinical experiences structured identically to MSN program across three Clinical Internship courses.
University provides support through clinical approval process.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master of Science in Nursing or Terminal Nursing Degree (DNP, PhD) from accredited institution or state board-approved program
- Current, active, unencumbered RN license from approved state (not available for CA, DC, LA, NY, ND, WA residents)
- Permanent residence in approved state where internships completed and initial APRN licensure obtained
- Compact licenses must be endorsed by state of residence
- Criminal background check through American Databank (additional fees apply)
- Professional resume or CV
- Application essay addressing nursing experience and NP career goals
- Three letters of recommendation: (1) clinical supervisor/manager, (2) professor/faculty/academic advisor, (3) Board Certified healthcare provider (APRN, NP, PA, MD, DO) serving as mentor
- One year clinical RN experience and actively working as RN strongly preferred
- Highly competitive program with limited admissions
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition for PMHNP programs is $6,955 per six-month term with a $200 e-books and learning resources fee per term.
WGU charges flat-rate tuition per term rather than per credit hour, allowing students to complete unlimited courses during each six-month period. Faster completion reduces total program cost.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Financial Aid
Most WGU students qualify for federal financial aid. WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits. Average student loan debt for 2022 WGU graduates (among borrowers) was less than half the national average. Multiple scholarship opportunities available. Yellow Ribbon Program participant for eligible veterans.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree programs in nursing, master’s degree programs in nursing, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at WGU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), which reaffirmed accreditation in February 2020.
State Authorizations
The PMHNP programs accept students in the followng states:
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
WGU cannot accept students with permanent residence in California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, New York, North Dakota, or Washington due to clinical placement requirements.
Check the official licensure page for more details.
Other Nursing Programs
Western Governors University Leavitt School of Health offers additional nursing programs:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Prelicensure)
- Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN)
- Master of Science — Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to MSN)
- Post-Master’s Certificate — Family Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master’s Certificate — Nursing Leadership and Management
- Post-Master’s Certificate — Nursing Education
- Post-Master’s Certificate — Nursing Informatics
- Master of Healthcare Administration
- Master of Public Health
- Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services
- Bachelor of Science in Health Science
- Bachelor of Science in Public Health
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology
- Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management