Best Online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Programs
Compare the 2025 Top Ranked Online PMHNP Programs
For nurses dedicated to the field of mental health, taking the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) route is an excellent way to pair clinical practice with psychiatric care. Treating both the body and mind takes skill and finesse, so finding a great Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program is critical. With online programs making advanced education more convenient than ever, we've ranked the top online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner programs to help any nurse find the right educational pathway for their needs. Check out our methodology page for more information on how we ranked these programs.
Athens, OH
Overview:Ohio University offers nursing students both an online MSN and a Post-Master's Certificate in the psychiatric nurse practitioner specialty. Both programs admit students once per year.
- Both programs include 500 hours of clinical practice
- Public 4-year school
- Curriculum offered part-time
Nashua, NH
Overview:Located in Nashua, New Hampshire, Rivier University offers an online MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, as well as a post-graduate certificate in the specialty. Students learn advanced skills through clinicals and theory lecture to help them succeed in the psychiatric care field.
Anderson, SC
Overview:Anderson University offers a comprehensive psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program through its School of Nursing, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice and holistic care. Students gain hands-on experience in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders, while also learning to promote wellness and prevent illness in individuals and communities. The nursing department's philosophy centers on compassionate, patient-centered care and lifelong learning.
What Is an Online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program Like?
If you’re thinking about furthering your education by enrolling in an online psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) program, you’re making a smart move. Nurse practitioners are in high demand, and a specialty in the often underserved mental health field can make you a valuable asset to any health care organization. By choosing an online program, you’re allowing yourself the flexibility to learn on your own time. While all nurse practitioner programs will require some in-person training, most of your work will be completed at your own convenience. Faculty members who run online nurse practitioner programs are usually nurse practitioners themselves, and they understand the challenging and tiring schedules that nurses deal with on a regular basis. Your professors will likely be willing to work with you when you run into tough scheduling conflicts or need deadline adjustments due to your work schedule.
Choosing an Appropriate Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program
Your psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner degree options are determined by the prior nursing education you’ve completed. Luckily, there are multiple options for the most common degree types. The table below will show you what your best options are.
| If I Currently Have… | Option 1 | Option 2 |
|---|---|---|
| BSN | BSN to MSN Programs | BSN to DNP Programs |
| MSN | Post-Master’s Certificate | MSN to DNP Programs |
To see programs at each degree level, click the buttons below:
The type of psychiatric-mental health NP role you wish to hold will also determine which degree type is right for you. Those wanting the highest level roles, for example, might wish to pursue the DNP pathway, while students who already have an MSN and want to enter the PMHNP field may wish to earn a post-master’s certificate. Thinking long-term on your professional goals will help you settle on the appropriate pathway.
If you still need help narrowing things down, check out the table below to see how your interests align with the different psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner degree programs available.
| MSN | Post-Master's Certificate | DNP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| My passion is working directly as an acute care nurse practitioner | X | X | X |
| I already hold a graduate degree, but I wish to specialize in psychiatric practice | X | X | |
| I feel called to teach and support nurses clinically at the university level | X | X | |
| I want to advocate for the underserved population of individuals with mental health concerns and be a leader in my facility | X | X | X |
| I have ideas for clinically relevant research projects to improve the lives of people with psychiatric disorders | X | ||
| My passion is to create and improve national health policies and improve awareness of mental health issues | X | ||
| I wish to understand population-based psychiatric health in order to improve healthcare outcomes across the nation | X | ||
| I want to guide healthcare law and ethics for those with psychiatric health concerns | X |
- Online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program Admissions & Requirements by Degree Type
- Online PMHNP Program Classes and Curriculum
- Clinical Requirements and Certification
Online Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Program Admissions
When applying to PMHNP programs, you’ll find that programs fall into one of three categories: MSN, post-master’s certificate, and DNP. An MSN program is ideal for a nurse who has yet to enter graduate school. A post-master’s program is appropriate for a nurse who has an MSN but either doesn’t want to earn a doctorate or is not ready to earn a doctorate. A DNP program can be appropriate both for a nurse who has yet to enter graduate school or has already completed their MSN. If you choose a DNP program and have no prior graduate school experience, be sure that the program offers a BSN to DNP track option.
| MSN-Level Psychiatric-Mental Health NP | Post-Master’s Certificate Psychiatric-Mental Health NP | DNP-Level Psychiatric-Mental Health NP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prior Education/GPA | Bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related field with a GPA of at least 3.0 | MSN with a GPA of at least 3.0 | MSN with a GPA of at least 3.0 |
| RN Licensure | Current, unencumbered RN license | Current, unencumbered RN license | Current, unencumbered RN license. APRN is not typically required, but earning APRN certification may shorten the number of credits required to complete the program. |
| Professional Experience | At least a year of experience working in psychiatric nursing | At least a year of experience working in psychiatric nursing | Two or more years of experience working in psychiatric nursing |
| Written Requirements | Personal statement, three letters of recommendation | Personal statement, three letters of recommendation | Personal statement, three letters of recommendation, may require written answers to interview questions |
Online Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Curriculum & Classes
During your online psychiatric-mental health NP course of study, you’ll learn skills that will allow you to successfully treat patients in many facilities, including hospitals, inpatient care facilities, community health centers, in-home care, and more. If you chose the MSN path, you’ll likely spend a little over two years earning your degree, or longer if you take classes on a part-time basis. Many post-graduate certificate programs can be completed in a year and a half. Most students in a DNP program take about two-three years to earn their degree when going to school full-time but may take up to six years to earn their degree if they’re going to school part-time. Psychiatric-mental health specialty MSN, post-master’s certificate, and DNP programs differ in both the number of course credits and the number of clinical hours required.
| Degree | MSN | Post-Master’s Certificate | DNP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Credit Requirements | 50 | 38 | 71 |
There are options for both BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP degrees. Courses for psychiatric MSN and post-master’s certificates can be similar, though post-master’s certificate programs will generally require fewer core courses. Students enrolled in the DNP pathway will also generally need to complete courses in:
- Research
- Ethics
- Leadership
- Policy
DNP programs (and some MSN programs) require PMHNP students to complete a final capstone project. This project centers around an issue or topic in psychiatric nursing that the student assesses utilizing the skills learned throughout the program. At all degree levels, some of the courses you’re likely to see over the course of your PMHNP curriculum include:
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Psychotropic medication management
- Psychiatric mental health
- Population health
- Biostatistics
- Evidence-based practice methods
Depending on the specifications of your program, you may have the option to choose electives that allow you to focus on a certain area. Some psychiatric-mental health NPs choose to focus on a specific population, such as children, adolescents, or geriatric patients. Others choose to focus on specific areas within mental health, such as working with abuse victims, working with schizophrenic patients, working with people who have substance abuse disorders, etc. If you’re interested in working in a specific area within the mental health field, talk with your program advisor about how you can tailor your education to meet your needs.
Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Clinical Requirements
Online NP programs work to make your clinical requirements doable for you, and that may mean completing your hours at several different healthcare facilities. Most NP programs require over 600 and up to 1100 clinical hours, regardless of prior educational/career experience. Your faculty will be able to work with you to help you find a way to get your clinical hours in with your busy schedule. As a PMHNP student, you will complete your clinical requirements under the guidance of an experienced psych-mental health NP, a medical doctor or psychiatrist, or similar. These hours may be completed in hospitals, community/public health centers, mental health facilities, and more. If you wish to specialize in an area of care (substance abuse, adolescents, etc.), completing your clinical hours in that area is a good way to gain valuable experience.