Psychiatric Nurse listening to elder patient

Post-Master’s Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online

An affordable, accelerated pathway toward specialized expertise, this certificate program helps you serve critical community needs for diverse, underserved populations across the lifespan.

Next Apply Date: 12/16/24
Next Class Start Date: 1/13/25
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 12/16/24
Next Class Start Date: 1/13/25

Program Overview

Gain critical expertise in this PMHNP certificate program online

Designed for MSN-prepared nurses and FNPs seeking a greater ability to provide mental healthcare to their patients, the Post-Master’s Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program provides knowledge and advanced practice skills to treat chronic and acute mental health disorders and conditions across the lifespan.

Learn how to develop evidenced-based treatment plans to address cognitive and behavioral changes, recovery, trauma and relationship issues for all age groups. Ideal for working nurses, this ACEN-accredited program features affordable tuition, 100% online coursework, conveniently located clinicals and thorough preparation for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing certification exam administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

For state approvals, please consult the Program Map.

In this online PMHNP certificate program, you will learn how to:

  • Synthesize advanced knowledge in nursing, related science and leadership skills to guide clinical judgment across diverse settings
  • Develop age-appropriate mental healthcare plans that respect diversity and unique characteristics of individuals and populations
  • Apply recovery-oriented principles and trauma-focused care to individuals
  • Utilize evidence-based therapeutic relationship strategies to reduce emotional distress, facilitate cognitive and behavioral change and foster personal growth
  • Treat acute and chronic psychiatric disorders and mental health challenges
In this online PMHNP certificate program, you will learn how to:+
  • Synthesize advanced knowledge in nursing, related science and leadership skills to guide clinical judgment across diverse settings
  • Develop age-appropriate mental healthcare plans that respect diversity and unique characteristics of individuals and populations
  • Apply recovery-oriented principles and trauma-focused care to individuals
  • Utilize evidence-based therapeutic relationship strategies to reduce emotional distress, facilitate cognitive and behavioral change and foster personal growth
  • Treat acute and chronic psychiatric disorders and mental health challenges

Prepare for mental health nurse practitioner roles across a variety of settings, including:

  • Outpatient clinics
  • Substance use disorder treatment clinics
  • Correctional facilities
  • Schools
  • Mental health facilities
  • Hospitals
Prepare for mental health nurse practitioner roles across a variety of settings, including:+
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Substance use disorder treatment clinics
  • Correctional facilities
  • Schools
  • Mental health facilities
  • Hospitals
+

Also available:

A-State offers a variety of certificate programs in a convenient online format. Explore our full range of online certificate programs.

Total Tuition: $13,750
Program Duration: 18 months
Credit Hours 27.5

Accreditation

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Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Tuition

Our affordable tuition fits your budget

Our Post-Master’s Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health NP online program offers the same affordable tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $500
Total Tuition: $13,750

Calendar

Choose the start date that suits your schedule

Ideal for working nurses, Arkansas State online programs are delivered in an accelerated format with multiple start dates each year.

View full calendar  + 

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 210/14/249/30/249/30/2410/3/2410/11/2412/6/24
Spring 11/13/2512/16/2412/18/241/2/251/10/252/28/25
Spring 23/10/252/24/252/24/252/28/253/7/255/2/25

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 12/16/24
Start Class 1/13/25

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

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Admissions

See what you need to apply to the PMHNP post master’s certificate online

We know you’re busy, so we’ve streamlined the A-State admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Students who are interested in the post-master’s certificate psychiatric nurse practitioner online program must have a Master of Science in Nursing degree from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited institution. Review full admission requirements below.

Admission Requirements:

  • Online application
  • MSN degree
  • Current unencumbered RN license
View all admission requirements +

  • Complete online application and submit application fee
  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program of nursing from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA in MSN coursework
  • Official transcript(s) submitted by the registrar of any college/university you have attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution.
  • Current unencumbered RN license
  • Satisfactory background check completed through Verified Credentials

Graduates of an MSN program with an FNP option that did not include the required certification eligibility requirements from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and/or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology; Advanced Health Assessment, including diagnostics and disease management; Advanced Pharmacology; and/or minimum of 500 faculty supervised clinical hours) are also eligible to apply. A request for a curriculum “Gap Analysis” to determine an individual Plan of Study will be requested from the Program Coordinator prior to admission.

Request all official transcripts be sent directly to A-State from all colleges or universities attended. Save time by requesting transcripts be sent electronically.

English Proficiency Requirements

This program requires a high level of English proficiency to meet academic and clinical objectives, along with meeting the criteria for licensure. You may be required to provide proof of English proficiency per A-State School of Nursing English Proficiency Standards. Additionally, if you’ve ever attended a professional program in the past, you may be required to provide a letter of good standing.

Meeting the admissions requirements does not guarantee admission. Students will be admitted based on space availability.

International Students

Students from non-English speaking countries or for whom English is not a native language must take one of the following tests:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 83 on the preferred internet-based test (iBT), 570 on the paper-based test, or 213 on the computer-based test
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of at least 6.5 and a spoken band score of 7
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a score of 56


    • Submit all documents to:

    A-State Online
    P.O. Box 2520
    State University, AR 72467

    Fax: 870-972-3548
    Email: [email protected]

    For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:

    A-State Online
    c/o Central Receiving
    2713 Pawnee St.
    Jonesboro, AR 72401

    Arkansas State University is ranked #2 among the "Best Online Colleges in Arkansas" by AffordableCollegesOnline.org, 2024

    Arkansas State University is ranked #2 among the "Best Online Colleges in Arkansas" by AffordableCollegesOnline.org, 2024

    A-State is High Quality

    A-State is recognized among U.S. News & World Report's "Top Public Schools, National Universities" for 2024

    Courses

    Gain the psych expertise you need in your online PMHNP post-master’s certificate program

    To finish the PMHNP post-master’s certificate online, you must complete a total of 27.5 credit hours. Required coursework includes 14 advanced practice courses. If a Gap Analysis determines you must enroll in an individual plan of study, you will also need to complete three advanced nursing courses totaling nine credit hours.

    Visit the Course Registration page to view the course schedule for this certificate.

    Expand All
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Synthesizes predominant psychotherapy theories across the lifespan, emphasizing evidence-based practice for PMHNPs. Throughout the course, students will focus on developing their own theoretical orientation to advanced nursing practice and the psychiatric interview. Opportunities to practice therapeutic communication will take place through recorded mock interviews.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Develops critical thinking skills in the use of medication for psychiatric mental health diagnoses across the lifespan. Building on the prerequisite courses in pharmacology, pathophysiology, and health assessment, students will analyze the psychopharmacological interventions from national guidelines and evidenced-based practice, forming the foundation for the prescribing psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 1.5
    Evaluates normal child development and the mental health needs of younger children who have been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. Previous knowledge and skills practiced in Psychotherapy for Clinical Practice and Advanced Psychopharmacology will be applied. The focus is on psychiatric assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment interventions.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 1.5
    Evaluates normal adolescent development and the mental health needs of adolescents who have been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. Previous knowledge and skills practiced in Psychotherapy for Clinical Practice and Advanced Psychopharmacology will be applied. The focus is on psychiatric assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment interventions.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 1.5
    Evaluates normal adult development and the mental health needs of adults who have been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. Previous knowledge and skills practiced in Psychotherapy for Clinical Practice and Advanced Psychopharmacology will be applied. The focus is on psychiatric assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment interventions.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 1.5
    Evaluates normal older adult development and the mental health needs of older adults who have been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. Previous knowledge and skills practiced in Psychotherapy for Clinical Practice and Advanced Psychopharmacology will be applied. The focus is on psychiatric assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment interventions.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 1.5
    Evaluates the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of substance use disorders across the lifespan. Theoretical and evidence-based interventions to treat substance use disorders will be explored. Public health policies and approaches to the prevention of substance use disorders will be analyzed.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 1.5
    Evaluates the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of substance use disorders across the lifespan. Evidence-based interventions to treat substance use disorders are explored. Public policies to prevent substance use disorders will be analyzed. Prerequisites, NURS 6003, NURS 6013, NURS 6023, NURS 6063, NURS 6073. Restricted to Master of Science in Nursing-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration program.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 2
    Clinical application of theoretical basis for treatment of young children with mental health needs and psychiatric diagnoses. Prepares students to assess, diagnose, and treat young children and families in crisis. Interprets validated clinical scales/tools as well as performance and management of therapeutic and technologic interventions.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 2
    Clinical application of theoretical basis for treatment of adolescents with mental health needs and psychiatric diagnoses. Prepares students to assess, diagnose, and treat adolescents and families in crisis. Interprets validated clinical scales/tools as well as performance and management of therapeutic and technologic interventions.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 2
    Clinical application of theoretical basis for treatment of adults with mental health needs and psychiatric diagnoses. Prepares students to assess, diagnose, and treat adults of reproductive age, including women who are pregnant. Interprets validated clinical scales/tools as well as performance and management of therapeutic and technologic interventions.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 2
    Clinical application of theoretical basis for treatment of older adults with mental health needs and psychiatric diagnoses. Prepares students to assess, diagnose, and treat older adults with a focus on neurocognitive disorders. Interprets validated clinical scales/tools as well as performance and management of therapeutic and technologic interventions.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 2
    Clinical application of theoretical basis for treatment of individuals and populations across the lifespan who have had traumatic experiences. Interprets validated clinical scales/tools as well as performance and management of therapeutic and technologic interventions.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 2.5
    Clinical application of theoretical basis for treatment of individuals across the lifespan diagnosed with substance use disorders and co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses. Prepares students to assess, diagnose, and treat individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders. Interprets validated clinical scales/tools as well as performance and management of therapeutic and technologic interventions.

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