Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online
Let your patience, passion for caregiving, and communication skills guide you in this MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program. Develop your advanced nursing practice expertise and explore how to best manage and help patients who need mental health care.
Program Overview
Get to know our online MSN PMHNP program
This flexible online psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner degree equips you with an in-demand skill set and provides individualized attention from caring, expert faculty. Curriculum integrates psychopathology, health policy, advanced health assessment, and clinical pharmacology. By building on your foundation of evidence-based practice and completing 500 clinical hours, you will graduate ready to work with increased autonomy as a mental health nurse practitioner.
In this CCNE-accredited nursing master's program, you will gain the knowledge and insights to make independent, crucial judgments with authority. Specialized courses encourage you to think critically and with empathy to assess, diagnose, treat, and evaluate clients across the lifespan who are experiencing acute and/or chronic psychiatric disorders.
You will learn the theories related to mental health nursing, prepare to provide complete and holistic therapeutic approaches to improve the functioning of clients with mental health disorders, and become empowered to advocate for policies that lead to improved health outcomes.
The MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program offers six starts per year, 100% online coursework, and can be completed in as few as 18 months (depending on start date and course availability). STU offers flexible enrollment so you can choose to continue working while earning your degree. You will have access to virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and assistance with obtaining clinical sites and preceptors.
Learning Outcomes
- Integrate advanced knowledge in nursing, related science, and leadership skills that will emphasize ethical and critical decision-making to promote safe, high quality, cost effective, and culturally appropriate care across diverse settings
- Incorporate evidence-based research to resolve practice problems and improve knowledge
- Apply patient-care technology, such as informatics, to enhance patient care using a collaborative approach
- Construct processes for self-accountability of professional growth, adopt lifelong learning, and practice safely and effectively within your chosen specialty to maintain health and improve patient outcomes
- Establish an environment of advanced practice that is conducive to the development of effective interactions with patients and other entities in communities
- Advocate for policies that lead to improved health outcomes for populations and improvement of the quality of the health care system at the local, regional, state, national, and global levels
- Demonstrate competence in the communication, collaboration, and consultation to advance interprofessional teams
- Integrate clinical prevention and health promotion strategies to maintain optimal health and improve patient health outcomes
- Apply advanced knowledge gained from nursing and other related sciences to practice as a competent health care provider
- Integrate advanced knowledge in nursing, related science, and leadership skills that will emphasize ethical and critical decision-making to promote safe, high quality, cost effective, and culturally appropriate care across diverse settings
- Incorporate evidence-based research to resolve practice problems and improve knowledge
- Apply patient-care technology, such as informatics, to enhance patient care using a collaborative approach
- Construct processes for self-accountability of professional growth, adopt lifelong learning, and practice safely and effectively within your chosen specialty to maintain health and improve patient outcomes
- Establish an environment of advanced practice that is conducive to the development of effective interactions with patients and other entities in communities
- Advocate for policies that lead to improved health outcomes for populations and improvement of the quality of the health care system at the local, regional, state, national, and global levels
- Demonstrate competence in the communication, collaboration, and consultation to advance interprofessional teams
- Integrate clinical prevention and health promotion strategies to maintain optimal health and improve patient health outcomes
- Apply advanced knowledge gained from nursing and other related sciences to practice as a competent health care provider
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Careers
- Correctional Facilities
- Behavioral Health Programs
- Residential Substance Abuse Shelters
- Outpatient Clinics
- Detox Centers
- Schools
- Mental Health Agencies
- Hospitals
- Private Practice
- Correctional Facilities
- Behavioral Health Programs
- Residential Substance Abuse Shelters
- Outpatient Clinics
- Detox Centers
- Schools
- Mental Health Agencies
- Hospitals
- Private Practice
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree, master's degree, Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, and post-graduate certificate programs in nursing at St. Thomas University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Tuition
Take Advantage of Affordable Tuition at STU
Tuition for the MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online degree program is the same for in-state and out-of-state students and can be paid by the course. The total tuition is inclusive of all fees, including a technology fee for each course and lab fees for specific nursing courses. Tuition costs are subject to change.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per 3 Hour Credit Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN PMHNP | $605 | $1,890 | $32,550* |
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
See our application deadlines and course schedules below
The MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program is delivered in an online format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year. Choose the start date that's best for you. Time to completion may vary depending on your start date and course availability. Speak with your Enrollment Specialist for more details.
| Term | Start Date | App Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Class End Date | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 1/11/25 | 12/27/24 | 1/2/25 | 1/6/25 | 1/11/25 | 3/7/25 | 7 weeks |
| Spring 2 | 3/15/25 | 2/28/25 | 3/5/25 | 3/10/25 | 3/19/25 | 5/9/25 | 7 weeks |
| Summer 1 | 5/17/25 | 5/2/25 | 5/7/25 | 5/12/25 | 5/21/25 | 6/27/25 | 6 weeks |
| Summer 2 | 6/28/25 | 6/13/25 | 6/18/25 | 6/23/25 | 7/2/25 | 8/8/25 | 6 weeks |
| Fall 1 | 8/23/25 | 8/8/25 | 8/13/25 | 8/18/25 | 8/27/25 | 10/17/25 | 7 weeks |
| Fall 2 | 10/18/25 | 10/3/25 | 10/8/25 | 10/13/25 | 10/22/25 | 12/12/25 | 7 weeks |
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Admissions
Know the qualifications for our online MSN PMHNP program
Our very reasonable admission requirements allow students from diverse academic backgrounds greater access to the MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program. You must possess an unencumbered RN license, a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited nursing school, and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Due to in-person clinical requirements, only students currently residing in Florida and Georgia can enter this program.
Admission Requirements:
- Free Application
- 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Active RN license
MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online Admission Requirements
The following are required for admission to the MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program:
- Completed free application
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited nursing school
- Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (Unofficial transcripts are accepted)
- 3.0 or higher GPA
- Active and unencumbered Florida or Georgia nursing license
- Residency in Florida or Georgia for clinicals
Official transcripts can be sent to St. Thomas University through Parchment and National Student Clearinghouse. Unofficial transcripts and other documents can be uploaded via your Admissions Portal or emailed to [email protected].
Courses
Read about our MSN PMHNP online classes
The MSN – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner requires students to complete a total of 500 clinical hours to graduate from the program. There are four Psychiatric Management clinical courses with 125 clinical hours required for each: NUR 620CL, NUR 630CL, NUR 640CL, and NUR 650CL. Each clinical course runs over a seven-week period (six weeks during the summer), and the required hours must be completed by the end of each course. See course descriptions for more details.
Prior to beginning clinical courses, you are required to complete and submit proof of the following:
- Current unencumbered RN licensure
- Current professional liability insurance
- Criminal background check
- Other background checks as required by clinical facilities
- Drug screening
- Basic life support (CPR) certification
- Annual physical examination
- Current immunizations
Finding Clinical Sites and Preceptors
Finding a clinical preceptor and site are essential components for completing this program. STU strongly encourages students to secure their own preceptors, as this is the best way to accommodate schedule and location to the student’s needs. We strongly encourage students to have an alternate preceptor available if needed.
Suitable preceptors are Psych-Mental Health APRNs and licensed psychiatrists. Psychologists may not serve as preceptors. The scope of the clinicals covers medication management and psychiatric evaluation.
If assistance with clinical placement is needed, you may be required to commute outside your local area, as STU cannot guarantee a clinical site within your immediate location. Please note that your clinical site could be up to 100 miles from your residence.
Restrictions on Clinical Sites
We highly encourage all clinical hours to be conducted in the primary care setting for this program. Students are restricted from completing clinical rotations on their assigned unit. Your immediate supervisor at your place of employment may not serve as your preceptor. Students are not permitted to perform clinical rotations during hours they are working as an employee at a facility. Students are also not allowed to be paid during clinical hours.
MSN PMHNP students can conduct their clinical hours in the private office of a licensed psychiatrist or APRN. Other suitable locations are at a mental health clinic or hospital with a licensed psychiatrist or Psych-Mental Health nurse practitioner.
Learning Outcomes
- Articulate marketing and negotiating strategies to promote acceptance of the advance practice nurse within the practice management system.
- Investigate ethical issues and the cope of practice that governs the advanced practice nurse in Florida and/or other states.
- Evaluate the interprofessional collaborative healthcare team function of the Advanced Practice Nurse.
Learning Outcomes
- Critique and assess theories and conceptual models from nursing and related fields.
- Provide high-quality care to clients using the appropriate theories from the field of nursing.
- Effectively implement the principles of research and evidence-based practice.
- Understand the application of both classic and modern literature on development and implementation of Middle Range Theory and evidence-based practice (EBP).
- Critically appraise research study and articulate findings.
Learning Outcomes
- Compare physiological and psychologies changes over the lifespan.
- Evaluate physiologic responses to illness and treatment modalities.
- Incorporate and implement evidence-based knowledge regarding changes in selected disease states.
Learning Outcomes
- Synthesize the roles of the professional nurse in conducting a health history on a variety of patients across the lifespan.
- Distinguish normal and abnormal health and physical assessment findings between normal and abnormal variations associated with ethnic/racial origins, socioeconomic status, cultural/spiritual beliefs, gender, and age.
- Utilize special assessments and techniques to certain populations such as obstetric, pediatric, and the elderly population.
- Evaluate health/illness beliefs, culture, values, attitudes, behavior, and lifestyle to collaboratively plan with the patient to promote ideal health.
- Assess evidence-based care for promoting wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention for individuals, families, groups, communities, and diverse populations across the lifespan in a variety of healthcare environments.
Learning Outcomes
- Employ culturally competent care practices for self, individuals, and families.
- Describe conceptual models and theories of cultural diversity and analyze the cultural patterns and behaviors of cultural values of diverse populations.
Learning Outcomes
- Critically appraise health policies proposals and policies that encompass ethics, global health, health care disparities, uninsured, under-insured, complex health care financing issues, and the health care reform (Affordable Care Act).
- Analyze and discuss health services research, evidence-based practice policy and politics for implementation at the institutional, local, state, and federal level.
- Articulate social justice, health equity, and new policy issues to improve care delivery, patient outcomes, and the profession of nursing.
- Utilize leadership skills when developing and implementing policies in the workplace, government, professional organizations, and the community.
Learning Outcomes
- Differentiate the pharmacological actions of medications used to treat common diseases.
- Create individualized pharmacotherapy plans based on patient-specific conditions.
- Explain the relationship between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of broad categories of drugs across the lifespan.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the major classes of psychopharmacological agents commonly used in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders.
- Assess current evidence related to efficacy, prescribing patterns, side effects, drug interactions, cost effectiveness, chemical dependence, gender and genetic issues, and new classes of psychopharmacological agents.
- Employ evidence-based research and practice findings to develop effective prescribing patterns that include initiating, dosing, discontinuing, combining, and switching medications.
- Develop relevant client education strategies in relation to health promotion, side-effect management, and prevention of relapse.
- Develop and assess plans for care for clients undergoing psychopharmacotherapy that include identifying nursing interventions, monitoring activities, and expected outcomes of care.
Learning Outcomes
- Articulate the etiological theories, the diagnostic process and nomenclature of psychiatric disorders.
- Create contemporary treatment approaches for common psychiatric disorders.
- Discern between different major categories of psychiatric disorders.
Learning Outcomes
- Employ evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage screening activities and identify health promotion needs on clients with mental health issues.
- Provide guidance and counseling on environmental, lifestyle, and developmental issues for clients with mental health issues.
- Build collaborative, interdisciplinary relationships to provide optimal care to patients with mental health diseases in a way that is appropriate for their age and culture.
- Manage patients with mental and psychiatric disorders.
- Use the Diagnostic Statistical Manual as a tool for assessment and diagnosis of mental illnesses and to better understand a client's potential needs.
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate the appropriateness of clinical modalities for individuals with specific mental illnesses.
- Examine current research findings of clinical modalities used in treating individuals with mental illnesses.
- Provide individual therapies that promote mental health for individuals and families across their lifespan.
- Understand clinical modalities used in health promotion and treatment of individuals with mental illness across their lifespan.
Learning Outcomes
- Provide individual and group therapies to promote mental health for individuals and families across the lifespan.
- Incorporate assessment findings and differential diagnoses to pinpoint and prioritize treatment of acute and chronic psychiatric disorders.
- Provide culturally informed mental health care in populations across the lifespan with complex acute and chronic psychiatric disorders.
- Demonstrate beginning skills of providing quality mental health care.
- Conduct self-evaluation of clinical practice experiences and foster professional growth.
Learning Outcomes
- Determine individual and group therapies to encourage mental health for individuals and families across the lifespan.
- Use assessment findings and differential diagnoses to identify and prioritize treatment of acute and chronic psychiatric disorders.
- Provide culturally informed mental health care to populations across the lifespan with complex acute and chronic psychiatric disorders.
- Cultivate professional growth and advanced practice nursing role development through critical self-evaluation of clinical practice experiences.
- Collaborate with other health care professionals and community providers.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze current and relevant research on professional mental health nursing practice.
- Construct an evidence-based research problem regarding advanced nursing practice.
- Assess health outcomes to identify the effectiveness of treatment, need for changes, and health status of the client.
STU is ranked #80 in the “Best Regional Universities South” by U.S. News & World Report, 2022
*The total tuition is inclusive of all fees, including a technology fee for each course and lab fees for specific courses. Tuition costs are subject to change.
