Wright State PMHNP Program

School of Nursing Dayton, OH

Wright State University offers a Master of Science in Nursing with a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) concentration.

  • 46-credit hour program
  • 24 credits of graduate nursing coursework
  • 22 credits of PMHNP-specific training
  • 560 clinical hours across three practicums
  • Second master’s and post-master’s options for NPs seeking psychiatric specialization
  • Individualized plans for part-time, transfer, and second master’s students based on gap analysis
All courses are offered online except for a two-day on-campus physical assessment requirement and required Tuesday on-campus classes for practicum courses.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes core courses in role development, health policy, nursing research, and supporting courses covering advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment.

Required classes include the following:

NUR 7001 – Role Development and Leadership
Examines theories and concepts that support professional growth and leadership in advanced nursing roles, fostering skills for effective practice and team collaboration.

NUR 7003 – Health Policy, Politics, and Issues
Analyzes public policies and issues that shape nursing and health care delivery, considering economic, political, social, technological, ethical, and legal influences from a global perspective.

NUR 7005 – Nursing Research and Evidence for Practice
Explores research methodologies, components, and current advancements to guide evidence-based practice and drive improvements in nursing care.

HLT 7001 – Introduction to Biostatistics for Evidence-Based Practice in Health Sciences
Introduces key biostatistical concepts and methods, emphasizing proper application, interpretation, and appraisal of data for health sciences research and evidence-based practice.

NUR 7102 – Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan for Advanced Nursing Practice
Covers the scientific basis of pathophysiological states across the lifespan, linking diagnostic testing and therapeutic decisions to clinical diagnoses and patient management.

NUR 7103 – Applied Pharmacology and Therapeutics for Advanced Practice Across the Lifespan
Focuses on the safe and effective use of pharmacologic agents for common and chronic health conditions, highlighting mechanisms, interactions, side effects, and patient education.

NUR 7104 – Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
Develops skills for comprehensive health assessments, including histories, physical exams, developmental and nutritional evaluations, and identification of common health problems.

NUR 7105 – Population Health
Applies population assessment and planning strategies to design culturally appropriate, safe, and effective interventions that address evolving global health needs.

NUR 7611 – Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum I
Emphasizes comprehensive symptom assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and prevention strategies for psychiatric conditions, integrating ethics, cultural competence, and therapeutic communication.

NUR 7612 – Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum II
Focuses on selecting and applying pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for psychiatric conditions, enhancing clinical reasoning and advanced practice role skills.

NUR 7613 – Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum III
Integrates advanced knowledge and skills to provide primary psychiatric care, emphasizing clinical decision making and interprofessional collaboration for complex mental health needs.

More curriculum information available here:

Clinical Requirements

Students complete three sequential practicum courses with increasing clinical responsibilities, all supervised by PMHNP faculty.:

  • Practicum I (112 clinical hours)
  • Practicum II (168 clinical hours)
  • Practicum III (280 clinical hours)

See course descriptioins above.

Prerequisites and Admission Requirements

  • Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution
  • GPA Requirement: Minimum 3.0
  • Licensure: Unencumbered U.S. nursing license
  • Experience:
    • At least 1 year of full-time psychiatric experience or
    • 2 years of part-time psychiatric experience
  • Application Process: Two-step process involving:
    • Graduate School application
    • School of Nursing application
  • Additional Requirements:
    • Background check
    • References from supervisors or faculty members

Cost

The total program investment ranges is approximately $35,880 for Ohio residents (46 credit hours × $780/hour).

More tuition details are available here:

Certification

Graduates are eligible to sit for certification examinations through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), qualifying them to provide comprehensive psychiatric care including assessment, diagnosis, medication management, and psychotherapy across various clinical settings.

The program has earned recognition as one of the “Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs” by U.S. News & World Report, demonstrating strong community partnerships and excellent clinical site placements that prepare graduates for leadership roles in mental health care.

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