Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Prepares students to become safe, effective advanced practice providers equipped to prescribe psychotropic medications and deliver psychotherapy.
Fall application deadline: July 31
Spring application deadline: November 30
Overview
The PMHNP Program is designed for nurses seeking to specialize in psychiatric care. Building on prior education and professional experience, the program provides advanced expertise in the diagnosis and management of psychiatric patients across the lifespan. Students master both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, including psychotherapy and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
Through a mental health lens, students apply principles of evidence-based practice, leadership, population health, and emerging healthcare technologies to clinical settings. The curriculum further explores social determinants of health, ethical and legal issues, and professional development, with a heavy emphasis on the critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills required for diverse healthcare environments.
Program length 7 terms | Start Fall and Spring terms | Time commitment 20-30 hours per week |
Admission requirements
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning
- Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate coursework
- Official transcripts from all institutions where credit was earned
- Current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
- Current unencumbered, unrestricted Missouri licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) or a multi-state compact license in good standing
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) provider status
- Two letters of reference from individuals who can address the applicant’s academic and clinical potential
- A personal statement that addresses desired area of specialization, personal attributes that will contribute to successful accomplishments of the program, and career goals
Curriculum
| Course | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| Health Promotion Theory & Population Health | 3 |
| Foundations of Scholarly Writing & Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| Course | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| Health Systems Policy | 3 |
| Advanced Pathophysiology for Primary Care | 3 |
| Course | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 |
| Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| Course | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| Psychopathological Disorders Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Neurobiology & Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| Course | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| Psychotherapeutic Clinical I | 3 |
| Role of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Promoting Health | 2 |
| Systems Interventions for Individuals and Groups | 2 |
| Course | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| Psychiatric Diagnostics & Management of Adults | 3 |
| Psychiatric Diagnostics & Management Clinical II | 4 |
| Course | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| Psychiatric Diagnostics & Management of Children | 3 |
| Psychiatric Diagnostics & Management Clinical III | 5 |
| Total credit hours | 46 |
|---|
Courses and sequencing are subject to change.
Tuition and fees
For detailed tuition and fee information, visit our Tuition and Fees page.
For more information, please contact our Business Office by email at [email protected].
Program director
Christina Lucido Williams, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
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