Master of Science in Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Fill the Mental Healthcare Gap as a PMHNP

Help make meaningful, long-lasting change in your community through Walsh University's online Master of Science – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN-PMHNP) degree program. This program will equip you with the experience and competencies to provide mental and behavioral health care to individuals, families and groups throughout the lifespan in a variety of settings. 

With an affordable, flexible curriculum, this online PMHNP program will see you work alongside experienced faculty as you gain the skills needed to expand your professional autonomy. Through didactic and clinical experiences, you will focus on the mental health care needs of patients as you advocate for their well-being. You can complete the program in as few as two years full-time or three years part-time. This program will equip you with the core and advanced competencies to allow you to thrive in your career and will help you: 

  • Prepare for certification as a PMHNP​ 
  • Develop the skills to care for the mental health needs of patients across the lifespan 
  • Learn how to work in a variety of settings​ 
  • Promote health, rehabilitation and improve quality of life in patients of all ages 

Download a Brochure

Upcoming Start Dates

  • Applications are currently being accepted for next intake 
Overview

Online PMHNP Fast Facts 

Graduate Prepared

Develop advanced clinical skills and expand care in your community as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.  

Admissions Requirement

At Walsh University, we want to make sure you’re prepared to succeed. To be considered for enrollment in this program, you must meet the following requirements: 

  • BSN degree from an accredited school of nursing 
  • Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license 
  • Completion of an undergrad or graduate-level statistics course 
  • Official transcripts from all academic institutions attended 
  • Two letters of reference

Note: This program is currently not open to international students.

Affordable Tuition

Take advantage of competitive tuition rates of $775 per credit hour. Looking for help with financial resources? Learn more about available financial aid options.

Designed for Registered Nurses

100% online coursework (excludes clinicals) with 1 on-campus and 1 online experience. 

Clinical Placement Support

You’ll be paired with a clinical placement coordinator who will collaborate with you to secure clinical sites and preceptors. 

Expert Faculty

Connect with an engaged faculty of experienced nurses who understand today’s dynamic health care environment. 

Support from Enrollment to Graduation

Find support every step of the way. Receive coaching and mentoring until you graduate to help you succeed. 

NURS 637
Psychiatric Assessment and Intervention Across the Lifespan

This course will provide students with a comprehensive overview of the major principles of assessment and intervention related to psychiatric diagnoses across the lifespan. The course will place emphasis on the acquisition, use and interpretation of assessment data. Interviewing techniques commonly used will be explored. The course will also address risk assessment, ethical and diversity issues including cultural bias and fairness. 

NURS 639
Advanced Principles of Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology

This course will build upon 610 (advanced pathophysiology) and 612 (advanced pharmacology) as a foundation for the PMHNP. Concepts related to psychopathology, neurobiology, genomics, immunology, epidemiology, and pharmacotherapeutics with application to psychiatric diagnosis and pharmacotherapy will be discussed. Evidence based psychiatric prescribing guidelines will be evaluated including classification of medications, actions, adverse reactions, drug interactions, interventions, and patient education to achieve the highest outcome for patients while addressing ethical issues. 

NURS 660
Therapeutic Interventions

This course provides learners with advanced knowledge of individual and group therapeutic modalities needed to provide support to clients experiencing psychiatric and mental health disorders across the lifespan. Emphasis is on modalities used in preventative, acute and long-term care situations. The practitioner’s ability to recognize and address dysfunctional interpersonal patterns through effective and adaptive communication, including the importance of the therapeutic use of self in engaging the client(s) will be explored. Learners will be expected to critically examine various psychotherapeutic techniques and theoretical orientations while developing a working framework for future practice rooted in a growing professional identity. 

NURS 675A
Seminar: Care of the PMH Patient

This course is designed to address common mental health disorders encountered in outpatient mental health settings. The course will focus on the development of knowledge and skills of the PMHNP student in the management of various mental health diagnoses in the outpatient setting. Emphasis will be placed on knowledge and skills needed for health history taking, mental health assessment and disease management of patients across the lifespan. 

NURS 677A
Seminar: Care of the PMH Patient in Crisis

This course is designed to address the management of psychiatric patients in crisis across the lifespan. The course will improve the knowledge, competence and skills of the PMHNP student in addressing various mental health diagnoses in the acute psychiatric setting. The course emphasizes the development of knowledge and skills in mental health assessment and disease management of patients in crisis across the lifespan.