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Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Advanced Certificate

Advanced Certificate
  • 24 Credits
  • School of Nursing
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Advanced Certificate

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program Overview

Designed for students who are already nurse practitioners and nurses with a master's degree, our program educates students about health promotion, disease prevention, assessment, and treatment of psychiatric disorders across a patient's lifespan. The curriculum specifically focuses on social determinants of health and the psychiatric care to vulnerable populations. 

Students are prepared to practice in various settings including community health centers, private practice, institutional settings, substance disorder settings, school-based clinics and shelters for unhoused populations. 

Course Modalities

Courses are offered online in two modalities:

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Online Synchronous

Live online course held at a set time
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Online Asynchronous

Online class without set meeting times
Family Nurse Practitioner

Program Focus

The program's curriculum centers around:

  • Treatment
  • Medication management
  • Case management
  • Counseling modalities for individuals, families, and groups

Nursing student

Career Opportunities

Our graduates become psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners who provide mental health services in a variety of health care settings.

  • Private practices 
  • Mental health facilities
  • Emergency departments
  • Substance use clinics 
  • Correctional facilities 
  • Community settings 
  • Community mental health initiatives

Admissions Requirements

  • RN License
  • NP License or Master's Degree in Nursing*
  • 1 Letter of Recommendation
  • Resume
  • Nursing Essay

*If a student comes in with a master's degree in nursing they must submit proof of completion of the "3 Ps" (Advanced Pathology, Advanced Pharmacology and Advanced Health Assessment) with a "B" or better. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Nurse Practitioners: FNP, ANP, ANP-Geriatrics, PNP, WHNP who hold a license in their specialty and a NPI number. 

Students with a master's degree in nursing. If a student comes in with a master's degree in nursing they must submit proof of completion of the "3 Ps" (Advanced Pathology, Advanced Pharmacology and Advanced Health Assessment) with a "B" or better. 

Students without a Nurse Practitioner License can apply to the program as long as they have a master's degree in nursing. 

If a student comes in with a master's degree in nursing they must submit proof of completion of the "3 Ps" (Advanced Pathology, Advanced Pharmacology and Advanced Health Assessment) with a "B" or better. 

Students will be able to take pre-prequisite courses at Mercy University as a non-matriculant student. 

There are government programs such as the National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps Scholarship Program are available to psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners who agree to practice in medically underserved areas or health professional shortage areas.

Financial Aid from Mercy University is also available in the form of loans. You can learn more about what might be available here. 

All didactic course content is online using asynchronous (no set day or time) and synchronous formats (set day and time). The PMHNP program requires 750 hours of direct care face-to-face clinical experiences. 

Online synchronous courses are offered during the day, one day a week.

Online asynchronous courses don't meet at a set time during the week. 

The post master's PMHNP program admits students every fall. 

Program Details & Curriculum

Courses are offered during the day, one day a week. 

Clinical placements typically meet Monday - Friday during the day. 

Five Didactic Courses

  • NURS 709 Therapeutic Modalities (3 credits) – includes 30 clinical hours
  • NURS 710 Psychopharmacology (3 credits)
  • NURS 711 Mental Health I – Adults (4 credits)
  • NURS 712 Mental Health II – Children and Adolescents (4 credits)
  • NURS 713 Mental Health III – Behavioral Health

Three Clinical Courses

  • NURS 711S – Mental Health I Clinical (2 credits)
  • NURS 712S – Mental Health II Clinical (2 credits) 
  • NURS 713S – Mental Health III Clinical (2 credits) 
  • Total Clinical Hours: 750

For a full curriculum listing visit our catalog page. 

Once you earn your master's, you must pass the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam. Our PMHNP program is designed to give you all the knowledge you need to pass this exam — taking you one step closer to your dream career.

Apply for a Nurse Practitioner (NP) license in your state. To keep your license, you must renew it periodically and meet requirements such as completing continuing education

Download a copy of the sequence map for:

Full-Time Faculty

Part-Time Faculty