Psych/Mental Health (PMHNP) Programs (United States)
What is a psychiatric/mental health NP/APRN? (PMHNP)
In the United states nurse practitioners are also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). There are several NP specialty programs to choose from. Psych/mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP)specialize in mental health care across the lifespan. PMHNPs assess, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders through therapy, counselling, and medication management. They work in settings such as hospitals, private practices, community clinics, and telehealth. In many U.S. states, PMHNPs have full practice authority, allowing them to provide comprehensive mental health services independently.
In many U.S. states, PMHNPs practice independently, which expands access to care in both urban and rural areas. However, the scope of practice can vary depending on the state. For example, some states are considered full practice, allowing PMHNPs to operate independently, while others are reduced or restricted practice, requiring physician supervision or collaboration.
Where do psych/mental health NPs work?
A variety of settings, and this varies by state of course. Some examples include:
Mental health clinics
Psychiatric facilities
Private psychiatric practices
Community mental health centers
Correctional facilities
Domestic violence shelters
How do I become a psych/mental health NP (PMHNP)
If you are thinking of becoming an PMHNP, I highly recommend reading this post on different pathways to become an NP. After getting a BSN, you need to become a registered nurse. From there, gain as much experience as possible. If you decide to pursue an psych/mental health NP degree, many programs will mandate you have mental health experience - so it’s important to look ahead to the future to ensure your RN experience is relevant for any future NP program. There are many different degree pathways to become an NP. Here is a visual representation of what your journey may look like:
Becoming a PMHNP - Different Tracks to Choose: MSN, post-masters certificate, and DNP
In the United states, there are several psych/mental health nurse practitioner programs. But first, it’s important to define some terms:
BSN: bachelor's of nursing science (undergraduate degree)
MSN: masters of nursing science (masters graduate degree)
MN-NP: combined maters + nurse practitioner degree (masters graduate degree)
DNP: doctor of nursing science (some schools offer with an NP specialty) (doctoral graduate degree)
Post-masters certification: an additional certification (like an NP speciality) someone gets after completing a masters of nursing degree
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When applying for an PMHNP program, there are 4 tracks offered. Not all universities offer every track:
Master of Science in Nursing with an NP specialty (MN-NP or MSN)
Post-masters NP (sometimes referred to as post-masters certificate)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-DNP) with an NP specialty
Masters of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN-DNP) with an NP specialty
Let’s break these down:
MN-NP programs: these are for students who do not have a master’s degree in nursing. Courses are a blend of masters & clinical courses, to prepare you to become an NP.
Post-masters programs: you require a master’s degree in nursing to apply for a post-masters program. Programs focus on core NP clinical courses to prepare you to become an NP.
BSN-DNP with an NP specialty: This is an advanced, doctoral-level nursing program for Registered Nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) who want to become a specialized Nurse Practitioner (NP). These programs are typically longer e.g. 3-4 years.
MSN-DNP with an NP specialty: This is an advanced, doctoral-level nursing program for Registered Nurses (RNs) with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) who want to become a specialized Nurse Practitioner (NP). These programs are typically longer e.g. 3-4 years.
The path you choose will be unique to you. Personally, I pursued an MSN in nursing, then went on to do a post-masters certificate. Some people decide to go right from a BSN degree to a doctoral level NP program (DNP), designed for hands-on clinical practice and leadership, with an emphasis on translating research and evidence into improved patient outcomes (this is different from a PhD in nursing). Now let’s get into different program offerings across key states.
PMHNP Curriculum
Each program consists of a combination of clinical and non-clinical course work, plus clinical placements. Here is an example of Ohio State University College of Nursing curriculum snap shot:
Nursing 7340 Neuroscience Principles and Concepts
Nursing 7341 Advanced Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
Nursing 7348.01 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing I
Nursing 7348.02 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing II
Nursing 7348.03 Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing III
Nursing 7350 Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan
Psych/mental health NP (PMHNP) Programs- there’s lots to choose from!
While several states offer PMHNP programs, I will focus on the following states that offer several program options: California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Psych/mental health NP (PMHNP) programs California
Psych/mental health NP (PMHNP) programs Florida
| University | Tracks Offered | Delivery Format |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville University | MSN, Post-Masters | In Person |
| Florida International University | MSN, Post-Masters, BSN-DNP | Hybrid |
| University of Florida | BSN-DNP | Hybrid |
| Nova Southeastern University | MSN, Post-Masters, BSN-DNP | Hybrid |
| Florida State University | Post-Masters, BSN-DNP | Online |
Psych/mental health NP (PMHNP) programs Illinois
| University | Tracks Offered | Delivery Format |
|---|---|---|
| Bradley University | MSN, BSN-DNP | Online |
| Rush University | BSN-DNP | Online |
| University of Illinois Chicago | BSN/MSN-DNP | Hybrid |
| Loyola University Chicago | BSN/MSN-DNP | Hybrid |
| Illinois State University | Post-Masters | Online |
| St. Anthony College of Nursing | MSN, MSN-DNP | Online |
| Chamberlain University | MSN | Online |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | BSN-DNP | Online |
| University of St. Francis | MSN, Post-Masters | Hybrid |
| Lewis University | MSN, BSN/MSN-DNP | Online |
| Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing | MSN, Post-Masters, BSN/MSN-DNP | Hybrid / Online |
Psych/mental health NP (PMHNP) programs New York
| University | Tracks Offered | Delivery Format |
|---|---|---|
| Chamberlain University | MSN | Online |
| Grand Canyon University | MSN, Post-Masters | Online |
| NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing | MSN, Post-Masters | In Person |
| University of Rochester School of Nursing | MSN | Online |
| University of Buffalo - The State University of New York | BSN/MSN-DNP, Post-Masters | Hybrid |
| D’Youville University | MSN, MSN-DNP, Post-Masters | Online |
| PACE University, NYC & Westchester | MSN, Post-Masters | Hybrid |
| St John Fisher University | MSN, Post-Masters | Online |
| Stony Brook University, SUNY | MSN, MSN-DNP, Post-Masters | Online |
| Molloy University | MSN, BSN/MSN-DNP, Post-Masters | Hybrid |
| Binghamton University | BSN/MSN-DNP | Hybrid |
| Hunter College | MSN, Post-Masters, BSN/MSN-DNP | In Person |
| SUNY Polytechnic Institute Online | Post-Masters, BSN/MSN-DNP | Online |
| Adelphi University | MSN, BSN/MSN-DNP | Hybrid |
| Mount St. Mary College | MSN, Post-Masters | Hybrid |
| Hofstra University | MSN, Post-Masters, BSN/MSN-DNP | Hybrid |
Psych/mental health NP (PMHNP) programs Ohio
| University | Tracks Offered | Delivery Format |
|---|---|---|
| Kent State University | MSN, BSN/MSN-DNP | Hybrid |
| Ohio State University | MSN, BSN/MSN-DNP | Hybrid |
| University of Cincinnati | Post-Masters | Online |
| Western Governors University | MSN, Post-Masters | Online |
| Ohio University | MSN, Post-Masters, BSN-DNP | Online |
| Cleveland State University | MSN, Post-Masters | Online |
| University of Toledo | MSN, Post-Masters, BSN/MSN-DNP | In Person / Online |
| Wright State University | MSN | Online |
| Franklin University | MSN, Post-Masters | Online |
| Ursuline College | MSN, Post-Masters | Hybrid |
Psych/mental health NP (PMHNP) programs Oregon
| University | Tracks Offered | Delivery Format |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) | BSN-DNP | Hybrid |
| Western University of Health Sciences | Post-Masters, BSN-DNP | Online |
Psych/mental health NP (PMHNP) programs Pennsylvania
| University | Tracks Offered | Delivery Format |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Jefferson University | MSN | Online |
| Drexel University | MSN, Post-Masters | Online |
| University of Pennsylvania | MSN | Hybrid |
| DeSales University | MSN | Online |
| University of Pittsburgh | Post-Masters | In Person |
| Duquesne University | MSN, Post-Masters | Online |
| La Salle University | MSN, Post-Masters | Online |
| Pennsylvania State University | Post-Masters, DNP | Hybrid |
| Villanova University | MSN, Post-Masters | Hybrid |
Psych/mental health NP (PMHNP) Texas
| University | Tracks Offered | Delivery Format |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas at Arlington | MSN | Hybrid |
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | MSN, Post-Masters, BSN-DNP | Online |
| Texas State University | MSN, Post-Masters | Online |
| Texas Woman’s University | MSN | Hybrid |
| University of Texas at Austin | MSN, Post-Masters | In Person |
| UTHealth Houston (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston) | BSN-DNP | Hybrid |
| Baylor University | BSN-DNP | Online |
| University of Texas El Paso | MSN, Post-Masters | Hybrid |
| Texas A&M University | Post-Masters | Online |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Post-Masters | Online |
| Midwestern State University | MSN, Post-Masters | Hybrid |
| Texas Christian University | BSN-DNP | Online |
| West Texas A&M University | MSN, Post-Masters | Hybrid |
Pre-requisites for Psych/mental health NP (PMHNP) programs
Specific pre-requisites vary across universities and programs, but commonly, here is what you will need for a successful application:
Bachelor of science in nursing degree (BScN)
A masters of science in nursing degree (MScN) if applying for a post-masters certificate program, and some DNP programs that do not offer the direct entry from BSN
RN license in the respective state
Minimum GPA of 3.0
RN experience – the more the better! For PMHNP programs, many universities require 1-2 years full time RN experience within the last 3-5 years - ideally in a mental health/psych environment.
Official transcripts.
A CV/resume
Statement of interest
2-3 academic +/- clinical references
Others: many require an undergraduate statistics course completion with a grade of B or C
Online psych/mental health NP (PMHNP) programs
Many universities offer online PMHNP programs, both full and part time. Several highlight the need for a few on-campus “intensives.” Intensives are hands-on workshops that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. These immersions are held at the university's physical location, are guided by expert faculty, and focus on refining advanced clinical skills.
👉 Read this post for more information about online PMHNP programs.
Key Take home Points:
Do your research on NP programs.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to university admissions offices to ask questions about the program or admission process.
Talk with nurse practitioners who have been through this process already.
Think about what you want out of your career (Do you want a serious challenge with career growth potential?)
The NP program (and career in general!) is intense and will probably be the steepest learning curve of your life. Don’t let this intimidate you – check out our newsletter to kick-start your NP journey.
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Disclaimer - The views expressed in this post are my own and do not represent the official position of any organization. This is not a sponsored post.