ÃÍÄÐÇ鱨¾Ö

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner M.S.

Master of Science
  • 43 Credits
  • School of Nursing
  • Westchester
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  3. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner M.S.
Nursing Student 6

Master of Science

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program Overview

The PMHNP program prepares advanced practice nurses to work in various settings including community health centers, private practice, institutional settings, substance disorder settings, school-based clinics, and shelters for unhoused populations. The PMHNP program educates students about health promotion, disease prevention, assessment, and treatment of psychiatric disorders across the lifespan, with particular attention to social determinants of health and the psychiatric care to vulnerable populations. Students will also learn about treatment, medication management, case management, and counseling modalities for individuals, families, and groups.

Family Nurse Practitioner

How to Become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

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.

The PMHNP certification exam is administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

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.

Get on the fast track to becoming a nurse

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

Course Modalities

Courses are designed to meet in a few different ways: 

  • Hybrid Online - A combination of synchronous and asynchronous virutal meetings
  • Asynchronous Online - Only asynchronous virtual meetings

We also offer in-person meeting times for some of our 3 P courses (Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Health Assessment ), 3 P exams and all clinical practicums.

Hybrid Online Meeting Format

Synchronous Meetings
Students attend class on a specific day and time

Asynchronous Meetings
Students complete coursework on their own time

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Students with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in nursing are elibible to apply to the program. 

Yes, there are number of courses in the program that students will take online. 

There are several modalities for online courses that students can take:

SynchronousStudents attend class on a specific day and time
AsynchronousStudents complete coursework on their own time
HybridA combination of synchronous and asynchronous courses

 

The courses listed below are offered online: 

NURS 503 – Asynchronous
NURS 504 – Hybrid 
NURS 515 – Hybrid
NURS 748 – Synchronous
NURS 749 – Synchronous
NURS 709 – Synchronous
NURS 710 – Synchronous
NUR 711/711S – Synchronous
NURS 712/712S – Synchronous
NURS 713/713S – Synchronous

Students will be able to take pre-requisite courses at ÃÍÄÐÇ鱨¾Ö as a non-matriculant student. 

Yes, we offer our clinical and practicum courses in person. This is designed so that you are able to get the essential hands-on training you need to become practice ready. 

Courses below are offered in-person: 
NURS 750 Advanced Health Assessment is in-person
NURS 711S/712S/713S: Clinical Practicum Hours are in-person

Courses are offered one day a week on a ste day and time. 

Students will need to find their own clinical placements, but we have a team in place to help you with the process.

The MS PMHNP program admits students every spring.

Program Details & Curriculum

Courses meet one day a week and during the day.
Clinical placements typically meet Monday -Friday during the day.

Core Courses (9 credits)

  • NURS 503 -  Health Policy
  • NURS 504 Biostatistics & Epidemiology
  • NURS 515 – Theory & Research

    Three Ps (10 credits)
  • NURS 748 – Advanced Pathophysiology
  • NURS 749 – Advanced Pharmacology
  • NURS 750 – Advanced Health Assessment

    Mental Health Specialization courses (18 Credits)
  • 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 (4 credits)

Mental Health Clinical courses (6 credits)

  • 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
 

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program has been approved by New York State Department of Education.

The master's degree programs in nursing at ÃÍÄÐÇ鱨¾Ö are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

CCNE evaluates new programs for initial accreditation after one academic year of students enrolled in the program and prior to ÃÍÄÐÇ鱨¾Ö hosting an on-site evaluation.

Download a copy of the sequence map for:

  • 2025 - 2026 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, M.S.

Full-Time Faculty

Part-Time Faculty