Your Future as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Starts Here 

Become a PMHNP to provide compassionate, expert mental health care to individuals, families, and communities in need.

Felician University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program is designed for registered nurses seeking to specialize in mental health care. This program prepares graduates to provide comprehensive psychiatric care across the lifespan, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam.

MSN PMHNP at a Glance

• Location: Online (Asynchronous) with Local Practicums
• Format: 14-Week Semesters
• Credits: 47
• 2024 Tuition: $766 per credit
• Average Program Duration: 6 Semesters

Curriculum

The PMHNP program combines advanced nursing theory with clinical practice to develop competent nurse practitioners. 

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program incorporates assessments include traditional examinations to evaluate theoretical knowledge, practical simulations to mimic real-life clinical scenarios, and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) to assess clinical skills in a controlled environment. Additionally, students engage in case studies and reflective journals to enhance critical thinking and self-awareness. Direct patient care experiences and preceptors provide hands-on practice and feedback foster collaborative learning. This multifaceted approach ensures that PMHNP students are well-prepared to deliver high-quality, culturally sensitive mental health care.

Careers for PMHNP’s

With a projected 40% job growth through 2033, the demand for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) is skyrocketing—outpacing most other professions. With an average annual salary of $132,000, PMHNPs are among the most sought-after advanced practice nurses, as healthcare systems nationwide work to meet the growing need for mental health services across diverse populations. 

By using the career explorer below, you can learn about salaries for positions you’re interested in, how many job openings are currently available across the nation, projected outlooks, and more. Toggle through careers and click into the Career Coach to explore now.

“This program equips you to make a profound impact in the lives of others.”

“Grounded in clinical excellence and a deep understanding of mental health, the MSN in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing prepares nurses to lead with both skill and empathy. Whether you’re advancing your nursing career or answering a new calling, this program equips you to make a profound impact in the lives of others.”

-Christine Mihal, Dean for the School of Nursing

Credentialing

At the completion of the PMHNP program, students may sit for certification with American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Certification, or the The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board.

Admissions Requirements

Please carefully review the following admissions requirements:

• • BSN from accredited program (approved by Board of Nursing)  
  • 3.0 GPA  
  • Unencumbered RN license  
  • Two letters of recommendation  
  • Undergraduate courses in nursing research, statistics, health assessment 

If you have questions about the program, financial aid, or the admissions process, our admissions team is ready to speak with you. Click here to schedule a time to meet with our Graduate Admissions Counselor.

Financial Aid

As a graduate student, you can get financial aid. We encourage you to submit your FAFSA to see how much financial aid you qualify for to help support your academic pursuit. If you have any questions or need assistance with the process, you can contact the Office of Student Financial Services by emailing finaid@felician.edu. Our Financial Aid Counselors are ready to assist you.

Are you a Felician alum? Click here to explore the Felician Alumni grant.