The Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate (also known as the Post-Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric/Mental Health) is completely online and is for registered nurses with a master’s degree or higher who wish to expand into psychiatric-mental health advanced practice. Students complete 24 to 36 credit hours and 540 supervised clinical hours over four semesters. The program accepts students to begin the program in both summer and fall terms.

Applicants who are currently practicing in the NP role may submit transcripts and/or syllabi from the original NP program. Upon review, the university may waive DNP 630, DNP 656, DNP 654 and/or DNP 664.

Graduates of our certificate program are eligible to take the ANCC national certification exam for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNPC, family). This program does not lead to a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree.

Our program develops clinicians who manage the care of patients and participate in system change, and who can identify best practices for the psychiatric and mental healthcare of the individual and family. Graduates will increase their contribution to healthcare by applying the knowledge and skills developed in this program.

The program of study includes the nurse practitioner (NP) core* (separate courses in advanced practice roles, advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment and advanced pharmacology). The PMHNPC specialty courses include content in advanced psychopharmacology and the theory and practice of psychotherapeutic modalities. The PMHNPC Certificate curriculum also covers health promotion, differential diagnosis, and disease management/prevention across the lifespan.