Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner

The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certificate program prepares nurses who have already earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree to care for patients with behavioral and mental-health problems. In this advanced practice role, graduates should be prepared to assess, diagnose, treat and provide follow-up care to these patients.

Upon completion of the program, the PMHNP should be ready to provide care in a variety of treatment settings, including hospitals, jails, homes and outpatient clinics, and coordinate with other health care team members.

Why Get a PMHNP Certificate?

A shortage of mental health professionals and an increasing demand for expert mental health care in rural health settings make PMHNPs especially valuable today.  The skills a PMHNP brings are critical for patients experiencing acute psychiatric and mental health problems.

The PMHNP program can also increase students' knowledge of nursing theory, research and scientific processes. This can help prepare them to pursue a doctoral degree in nursing, such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Courses Non-APRN Track
Course Number Course Title Number of Credits
NURS 701 Mental Health Assessment Across the Lifespan 3
NURS 702 Advanced Pharmacology for Mental Health 3
NURS 703 Advanced Mental Health Therapies: Individual 3
NURS 704 Advance Mental Health Therapies: Group and Family 3
NURS 716 Advanced Pharmacology for Ambulatory Prescribing 3
NURS 717 Advanced Principles of Pathophysiology 3
NURS 721 Assessment and Diagnosis within Psych Mental Health (PMH) Settings 1-12
NURS 722 Interventions & Treatment Planning within PMH Settings 3
NURS 723 Advanced Therapeutic Interventions within the Psych Mental Health Settings 3
NURS 724 Advanced Management of Patients & Systems with Psych Mental Health Settings 3
NURS 726 Mental Health Diagnosis and Management of Children & Adolescents 2
NURS 727 Mental Health Diagnosis and Management of the Adult 2
NURS 730 Mental Health Diagnosis and Management of the Geriatric Client 1
NURS 750 Advanced Health Assessment 3

Total Credits/Units: 39-38

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Courses APRN Track
Course Number Course Title Number of Credits
NURS 701 Mental Health Assessment Across the Lifespan 3
NURS 702 Advanced Pharmacology for Mental Health 3
NURS 703 Advanced Mental Health Therapies: Individual 3
NURS 721 Assessment and Diagnosis within Psych Mental Health (PMH) Settings 1-12 (9 required)
NURS 726 Mental Health Diagnosis and Management of Children & Adolescents 2
NURS 727 Mental Health Diagnosis and Management of the Adult 2
NURS 730 Mental Health Diagnosis and Management of the Geriatric Client 1

Total Credits/Units: 23