Post-Master's Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Online
Make a difference in your career and your community by becoming a PMHNP and help patients holistically manage their mental health.
Program Overview
Our Post-Master’s PMHNP Online Certificate program in a nutshell
Acquire the in-demand knowledge and expertise to diagnose and treat common mental illnesses with the Post-Master’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate online program from St. Thomas University. Become proficient in psychiatric health issues with specialized courses in psychopathology, pathophysiology, and clinical pharmacology. Learn theories related to psychiatry so you can help patients experiencing acute or chronic psychiatric disorders improve their daily functioning. Develop techniques for promoting and maintaining effective and therapeutic communication patterns in a variety of group settings.
You will learn to assess, plan, and treat psychiatric disorders while you prepare to utilize psychotherapy techniques with groups and families. By building on your foundation with evidence-based practice and completing 500 clinical hours, you will be ready to work with greater independence 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.
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
Pay-as-you-go tuition makes this online certificate affordable
Tuition for the Post-Master’s 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.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per 3 Hour Credit Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate | $605 | $1,890 | $24,990* |
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Take note of these important dates
The Post-Master’s 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.
| 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
What you need to apply to our online Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate program
Our very reasonable admission requirements allow students from diverse nursing backgrounds greater access to the Post-Master’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate online program. You must possess an unencumbered RN license, a master's degree in nursing, 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
Admission Requirements:
The following are required for admission to the Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate online program:
- Completed free application
- MSN degree in a non-nurse practitioner field 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
The topics you’ll study in our Post-Master’s PMHNP Online Certificate program
The Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate online curriculum is comprised of four core courses (12 credit hours) and 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.
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
- 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
- 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.
The Post-Master’s 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 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.
