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.
Total Tuition
$23,280
Duration
As few as 14 months
Credit Hours
38
Accreditation
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.
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.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate | $585 | $1,830 | $23,280 |
Tuition breakdown:
Total Tuition
$23,280
Per Credit Hour
$585
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 | 1/6/24 | 12/15/23 | 12/20/23 | 12/22/23 | 1/10/24 | 3/3/24 | 7 weeks |
| Spring 2 | 3/9/24 | 2/24/24 | 3/1/24 | 3/6/24 | 3/13/24 | 5/3/24 | 7 weeks |
| Summer 1 | 5/11/24 | 4/27/24 | 5/3/24 | 5/8/24 | 5/15/24 | 6/21/24 | 6 weeks |
| Summer 2 | 6/22/24 | 6/8/24 | 6/14/24 | 6/19/24 | 6/26/24 | 8/2/24 | 6 weeks |
| Fall 1 | 8/17/24 | 8/3/24 | 8/9/24 | 8/14/24 | 8/21/24 | 10/11/24 | 7 weeks |
| Fall 2 | 10/12/24 | 9/28/24 | 10/4/24 | 10/9/24 | 10/16/24 | 12/6/24 | 7 weeks |
Now enrolling:
Apply Date
12/15/23
Class Starts
1/6/24
Need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take on the next steps toward earning your degree?
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.
Admission Requirements:
- Master’s degree in nursing
- 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Active RN license
Admission Requirements:
The following criteria are used for admission to the Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate online program.
- 3.0 GPA from a degree granting institution
- Active and unencumbered Florida or Georgia nursing license
- MSN in a non-nurse practitioner field
Official transcripts and all other documentation should be sent to:
St. Thomas University, Office of Admissions
16401 NW 37th Ave., Mimi Dooner Hall
Miami Gardens, FL 33054-6459
This program is offered in Florida and Georgia.
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.
You must take the following courses.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide a forum for the student to examine the roles of the advanced practice nurse. The content will include professional practice issues for the advanced practice nurse, working independently and collaborating with other health care professionals within the multidisciplinary/multiagency team. This course will also look at the scope of practice, professional responsibilities, informatics, and financial aspects of advanced practice.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is a fully online course that provides the student with the advanced understanding of pathophysiology related to human illness, disease prevention and treatment, within a systems framework. Emphasis is placed on biological theories and principles that provide a basis for understanding pathophysiology as an alteration in the normal physiology functioning of subsystems from conception to end of life and the chemical agents that are capable of producing biologic responses within the body. The course uses critical thinking processes to analyze diverse client presentations of selected illness for symptomatology, pathophysiology, and health care implications.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course helps students acquire knowledge and skills in the conduct of a comprehensive health assessment including the physical, psychological, social, functional and environmental aspects of health. Data collection, interpretation, documentation and dissemination of assessment data is studied. Techniques of interview, observation, percussion, palpation, inspection and auscultation in assessing clients across the life span are reviewed in simulated and actual environments.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide knowledge of pharmacokinetics that will enable the student to safely and appropriately select pharmacologic agents for the management of common acute and chronic health problems of diverse populations. Specific content of the course covers representative drugs of a pharmacologic group, indications for use, drug selection, titration of dose, key adverse effects, and monitoring of therapy and alternative therapy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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