Post-Master's Advanced Placement Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Online

If you have completed an NP-focused graduate master’s or doctoral nursing program this certificate program enables you to gain advanced PMHNP credentials in less time than earning a full master’s degree.

Apply by: 12/20/24 Request Info
Start class: 1/11/25 Apply Now

Program Overview

The what, why and how of our Post-Master’s AP PMHNP Online Certificate

Expand your expertise with in-demand knowledge and techniques to diagnose and treat common mental illnesses with this advanced placement post-master's PMHNP certificate online from St. Thomas University. If you have completed an NP-focused graduate master’s or doctoral nursing program, you can become a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner in less time than earning a full master’s degree.

Discover how to help patients with acute or chronic psychiatric disorders function more productively by learning and applying theories and practices related to psychiatry. Specialized courses such as psychopathology and psychopharmacology will help you navigate evolving trends in psychiatric health.

Learn to assess, plan, and treat psychiatric disorders, and prepare to utilize psychotherapy and therapeutic communication techniques that can be applied with individuals, groups, and families. As you build on your foundation of evidence-based practice and complete 500 clinical hours, you will be prepared to work more independently as a mental health practitioner and nurse leader.

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
  • 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, other disciplines, and other entities in communities
  • Advocate for policies that lead to improved health outcomes for populations and the improvement of the quality of the health care system at the local, regional, state, national, and global level
  • 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
  • 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, other disciplines, and other entities in communities
  • Advocate for policies that lead to improved health outcomes for populations and the improvement of the quality of the health care system at the local, regional, state, national, and global level
  • 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

Nursing Career Opportunities

  • Correctional facilities, through their behavioral health programs
  • Residential substance abuse shelters
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Detox centers
  • Schools
  • Mental health agencies
  • Hospitals
  • Private practice
  • Correctional facilities, through their behavioral health programs
  • Residential substance abuse shelters
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Detox centers
  • Schools
  • Mental health agencies
  • Hospitals
  • Private practice

Also available:

St. Thomas University offers a variety of nursing programs. Check out all of our online nursing programs.

Total Tuition $16,930*
Duration As few as 14 months
Credit Hours 26

Accreditation

CCNE Accredited Program

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree programs in nursing, 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.

Need More Information?

Call 855-215-4021

Call 855-215-4021

Tuition

Our Post-Master’s AP PMHNP Online Certificate program is cost-effective

Tuition for the Post-Master’s Advanced Placement Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate online 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 at any time.

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $16,930*
Per Credit Hour $605

Calendar

Know when it’s time to act

The Post-Master’s Advanced Placement Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate 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.

TermStart DateApp DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlineTuition DeadlineClass End DateTerm Length
Fall 210/12/249/26/249/30/2410/4/2410/9/2412/6/247 weeks
Spring 11/11/2512/20/2412/27/241/3/251/15/253/7/257 weeks
Spring 23/15/252/21/252/28/253/7/253/19/255/9/257 weeks

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 12/20/24
Class Starts 1/11/25

Need more information about our online programs?

Ready to take on the next steps toward earning your degree?

Admissions

Requirements for your online Post-Master’s AP PMHNP Certificate

Our very reasonable admission requirements allow students from diverse nursing backgrounds greater access to the Post-Master’s Advanced Placement Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate online program. You must possess an unencumbered RN license, a master's degree in a nurse practitioner field, 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

The following are required for admission to the Post-Master’s Advanced Placement Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate online program:

  • Completed free application
  • MSN degree in a nurse practitioner field from an accredited nursing school
  • Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (Unofficial transcripts are accepted to receive a decision)
  • 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

The topics you’ll study in our Post-Master’s AP PMHNP Online Certificate program

The Post-Master’s Advanced Placement PMHNP Certificate online curriculum is comprised of 10 specialization courses (26 credit hours).

Courses in this program are seven weeks long. Courses during the two summer terms, however, are six weeks long.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will cover the common psychoactive medications, classes, uses, effects, side effects, and prescriptive implications related to nursing care of clients with psychiatric mental health illness. This course provides direction for the psychiatric mental health nurse who functions in an advanced role in a variety of settings. The emphasis of the course will focus on the selection, use and monitoring of psychotropic medications and the ethical and legal considerations of psycho-pharmacology.

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.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will cover an in-depth investigation of the neurobiological basis of major psychiatric illnesses for individuals across the lifespan. Coursework will focus on various pathologies in psychiatry providing conceptual models and theories to the practice of psychiatric mental health nursing. The emphasis of the course will be on the different modes and the theory related to mental health nursing.

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.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide content on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of adults who are experiencing acute and/or chronic psychiatric disorders. The course focuses on learning evidenced-based practice and theoretical and conceptual models for assessing, planning, and treating psychiatric disorders. The main purpose is to promote, maintain, and restore wellness in adults. By the end of the course students will be prepared to provide complete and holistic therapeutic approaches to improve the functioning of clients with mental health 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.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This clinical course will provide experience in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of adults who are experiencing acute and/or chronic psychiatric disorders. The clinical course is founded on evidenced-based practice and application of theoretical and conceptual models for assessing, planning, and treating major psychiatric disorders. The main purpose is to promote, maintain, and restore wellness in adults. Throughout this clinical course, student will provide complete and holistic therapeutic approaches to improve the functioning of clients with mental health disorders.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides advanced comprehensive knowledge for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner student to utilize group psychotherapy techniques that can be applied with groups and families. The course is based on the theoretical and conceptual models of group dynamics and founded on evidence-based practices in assessing, planning, treating, and evaluating dysfunctional patterns in group settings. Throughout this course students will learn tools and techniques for promoting and maintaining effective and therapeutic communication patterns in a variety of group settings.

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.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This clinical course provides clinical experience for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner student to utilize group psychotherapy techniques that can be applied with groups and families. This course is based on the theoretical and conceptual models of group dynamics and is founded on application of evidence-based practices in assessing, planning, treating, and evaluating dysfunctional patterns in group settings. Throughout this clinical course students will apply tools and techniques for promoting and maintaining effective and therapeutic communication patterns in a variety of group settings.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides advanced comprehensive knowledge for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner student to become proficient in psychiatric and mental health issues. The course is founded on evidenced-based practice, and focuses on learning theoretical and conceptual models for psychiatric assessment, differential diagnosis, application of diagnostic criteria, appropriate diagnostic testing, diagnostic formulation, and treatment of psychiatric disorders in child and adolescent clients. Throughout this course students will learn tools and techniques for promoting and maintaining effective and therapeutic communication patterns in a variety of settings.

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.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This clinical course for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner student provides opportunities for application of didactic concepts to actual patient care situations experiencing psychiatric and mental health issues. The course is founded on evidence-based practice and focuses on application of theoretical and conceptual models for psychiatric assessment, differential diagnosis, application of diagnostic criteria, appropriate diagnostic testing, diagnostic formulation, and treatment of psychiatric disorders in child and adolescent clients. Throughout this course students will apply tools and techniques for promoting and maintaining effective and therapeutic communication patterns in a variety of settings.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides advanced comprehensive knowledge for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner student to become proficient in psychiatric mental health issues that occur in adults and older adults. The course is founded on evidenced-based practice, and focuses on learning theoretical and conceptual models for psychiatric assessment, differential diagnosis, application of diagnostic criteria, appropriate diagnostic testing, diagnostic formulation and treatment of major psychiatric disorders in adult and older adult clients. Throughout this course student will learn tools and techniques for promoting and maintaining effective and therapeutic communication patterns in various settings.

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.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This clinical course for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner student provides opportunities for application of didactic concepts to actual patient care situations with adults and older adults experiencing psychiatric and mental health issues. The course is founded on evidenced-based practice, and focuses on application of theoretical and conceptual models for psychiatric assessment, differential diagnosis, application of diagnostic criteria, appropriate diagnostic testing, diagnostic formulation and treatment of psychiatric disorders in adult and older adult clients. Throughout this course students will apply tools and techniques for promoting and maintaining effective and therapeutic communication patterns in various settings.

The Post-Master’s Advanced Placement PMHNP Certificate requires students to complete a total of 500 clinical hours to graduate from the program. There are four clinical courses with 125 clinical hours required for each of these classes: NUR 620: Psychiatric Management I, NUR 630: Psychiatric Management II, NUR 640: Psychiatric Management III, and NUR 650: Psychiatric Management IV. Each clinical course runs over a seven-week period, 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 in Florida
  • Current Professional Liability Insurance
  • Criminal Background Check
  • 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.

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.

STU Program Badge

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 at any time.

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