Online Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate PMHNP Programs – What’s the Best Program for You?

Earning a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) post-master’s certificate can be a great way to break into mental health nursing as a career if you’ve already finished your MSN. Nurses need to have completed a graduate degree before they enter a post-master’s certificate program (sometimes referred to as a post-graduate certificate program). Nurses entering a post-master’s graduate certificate program need to have a current, unencumbered nursing license, as well as one to two years of experience working in a mental health nursing setting.

Compare the 2025 Top Ranked Online PMHNP Post-Master's Certificate Programs

Finding a great online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Post-Master's Certificate program is the first step for NPs who wish to enter this unique area of care. For those interested in switching to this specialty, we have analyzed and ranked the best online PMHNP Post-Master's Certificate programs below. Browse to find a great program option, or visit our Methodology page to find out more about how we develop our rankings.

1.

Ohio University

Athens, OH

Overview:

Nurses with a master’s degree and experience treating patients with mental health and psychiatric conditions can advance their career with an online Post Master's PMHNP cert from Ohio University. Cert completers can formally expand their scope of practice.

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Post-Graduate Online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online

2.

Washburn University

Topeka, KS

Overview:

The Washburn University School of Nursing offers a rigorous and comprehensive psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner graduate certificate program that prepares students to provide holistic, evidence-based mental health care to diverse populations. The program is grounded in the nursing department's philosophy of compassionate, patient-centered practice, emphasizing the integration of physical, mental, and social aspects of health.

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Post-Graduate Certificate - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Online Program Online

3.

Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville, GA

Overview:

Georgia College & State University offers a graduate certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), designed for advanced practice nurses seeking specialized training in mental health care. The program focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing psychiatric disorders across the lifespan, combining clinical practice with evidence-based theory to enhance mental health care delivery.

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Masters Certificate Online

Why Get a Post-Master’s Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Graduate Certificate?

Earning a post-master’s certificate can be an efficient way to earn a specialty certification as a nurse practitioner, especially if you’re not interested in getting another graduate degree. After earning a post-master’s certificate, many psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners go on to open their own private practice. Others work within a network of mental health professionals in a counseling office. Other options include working in private or public healthcare systems, addiction rehabilitation centers, or hospitals for people with mental health issues.

Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of taking this path.

Pros

• Provides education on both direct patient care and healthcare policy and administration
• Efficient route to mental health specialty
• Quicker and more cost-effective than pursuing an additional MSN or a DNP

Cons

• May be a needless step if you do think you might want to earn a doctorate one day
• Provides less training in leadership and administration than a DNP program
• Culminates in a certificate and not a degree

How to Choose an Online Post-Master’s Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Certificate Program

Most PMHNP post-graduate certificate programs take roughly one to two years to complete for most students, depending on part-time or full-time study. The total number of credits required can vary depending on your prior education – most programs require approximately 20 credits for graduation. As you browse your psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner post-master’s certificate program options, you’ll see several fully online programs as well as hybrid options. A hybrid program can provide you with the one-on-one interaction with faculty you may not receive in an online program.

Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate Curriculum

Over the course of your PMHNP post-master’s certificate program, you’ll take courses in advanced practice, healthcare policy, and psychiatry. Required courses may include:

• Psychopathological disorders across the lifespan
• Clinical psychiatric diagnostics and management for children
• Neurobiology and psychopharmacology
• Clinical psychiatric diagnostics and management for adults

Most post-graduate certificate programs for nurse practitioners in the psychiatric-mental health specialty require approximately 500 hours of clinical work. It’s likely that you’ll be able to complete most or all of this work at your current job if you’re working as a nurse in mental health.

List of Online Post-Master’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate Programs

Find out more about online PMHNP post-master’s grad certificate programs near you by browsing the listings below.