Online PMHNP Programs: Top Degrees and Key Details
The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:
HealthcareNursingPre-Nursing
HealthcareNursingAdv Nursing
PediatricsPICU NursingNurse EducationRenee Warmbrodt, MSN, is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience in pediatric care across diverse clinical settings. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Saint Louis University and currently practices with a pediatric urology group in St. Louis, MO. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, Renee worked for several years as a PICU staff nurse, providing care for critically ill children. She also brings experience in educating, precepting, and mentoring nursing students.
Renee Warmbrodt, MSN, NP
Renee Warmbrodt, MSN, is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience in pediatric care across diverse clinical settings. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Saint Louis University and currently practices with a pediatric urology group in St. Louis, MO. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, Renee worked for several years as a PICU staff nurse, providing care for critically ill children. She also brings experience in educating, precepting, and mentoring nursing students.
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This EduMed guide explores the first steps toward becoming a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Fulfill the growing need for advanced mental health nursing practice by learning about today’s top programs, curriculum content, financial aid options to help pay for your PMHNP education, and much more.
One in five Americans is affected by mental illness each year, heightening the need for more mental health professionals to provide treatment. Thankfully, online psychiatric nurse practitioner programs are helping to make this happen, creating an accessible path into this industry with flexible learning schedules and online components.
Uncover your best options for your educational path below.
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Finding the Online Psychiatric NP Program for You
Nurses who are interested in entering the psychiatric nursing field should carefully examine their professional and educational goals and learning format preferences before enrolling in any PMHNP program. For example, students who like to work independently may prefer a program conducted mostly online, while those who prefer some classroom interaction with instructors and peers may perform better in a partially-online program.
Online Learning Flexibility
- Mostly online
Mostly-online programs allow students to finish the majority of their coursework online, but may still require completion of certain program components in person.
For instance, some schools enable students to attend classes online, but also require completing the clinical element of their program face to face at a healthcare facility. Other programs combine online coursework with periodic campus visits to complete practicum experiences.
- Partially online
Students who prefer to spend most of their time in a traditional classroom can enroll in a partially-online program. In these cases, students may be able to take a few classes and access other course components online, which can add convenience for those who are juggling their education with a full-time nursing job.
Types of Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Degrees
1. RN to MSN
RN to MSN degree programs are for nurses with a nursing diploma or associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing.
These programs teach students how to assess and treat patients with mental health issues, communicate effectively with patients and families, and promote mental health in their communities. In addition, students become familiar with the legal and ethical responsibilities associated with providing mental health treatment.
2. RN to DNP
RN to DNP programs allow registered nurses to prepare for leadership roles in a mental health setting. Graduates often become consultants, go into private practice, or work as educators.
Curriculums combine coursework on mental health treatment with classes designed to develop leadership skills. Common course topics include:
- Pharmacology
- Nursing decision making
- Health care informatics
- Epidemiology
- Human pathophysiology
In addition to program level and delivery format, prospective PMHNP students should consider:
- Program completion times
- Program costs
- School reputation and instruction quality
- Class sizes
Entrance Criteria & Prerequisites
Every school has its own specific entrance requirements. However, most PMHNP programs share a number of common application requirements, including:
- BSN or higher from an accredited program
- Active RN license
- One or more years of clinical experience
- Clinical training in at least two psychotherapeutic treatment modules
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement describing career goals and interest in psychiatric nursing
- Minimum 3.0 grade point average
- Stated minimum score on the GRE
- Personal interview
- Evidence of immunizations and recent physical examination
An Inside Look into Potential Curriculum
PMHNP program curriculums provide students with the high-level clinical skills necessary to provide effective specialized mental health care to patients. Coursework teaches students to:
- Develop patient care plans.
- Promote mental health and education.
- Perform psychotherapy, crisis interventions, and consultations.
These programs additionally provide in-depth information about psychiatric nursing models, pharmacotherapy, and neuroscience.
The following are examples of common PMHNP course topics:
Advanced pharmacotherapeutics
Students learn about the medications used to treat chronic and acute health issues and gain an understanding of when these drugs should be used. The class also teaches students how to understand the side effects of different medications and monitor the way patients respond to treatments.
Health assessment
Health assessment classes build on nurses’ former education in order to help them understand how assessments are conducted in a mental health context. Students also learn different evidenced-based assessment principles.
Mental health care for individuals and groups
This course trains students to care for people with mental health challenges in different age groups. The curriculum covers care from assessment to diagnosis to pharmacological interventions.
Neuroscience for mental health practitioners
This class explores the relationship between neuroscience and mental health conditions. Topics may include psychiatric disorders and their treatment, neuroanatomy, and diagnostics.
Health care law and policy
Nurses in this course learn the regulations and laws involved with working in both private and public psychiatric settings. This also includes how laws and policies impact health care delivery and outcomes.
Nursing theory
Students gain an understanding of major nursing theories and study the professionals who created them. In addition, the class may cover how seminal nursing theories are applied in day-to-day practice.
Nursing leadership
This course is designed to instill leadership skills in nursing professionals so they can effectively interact with peers, employees, and families, as well as their community at large. Specific course topics may include managerial ethics and conflict resolution.
Population-based nursing
Students in this course learn how mental health nursing is delivered in different populations and communities. The course may explore law, health maintenance, and disease prevention.
Nursing ethics
Students in this course learn the different ethical theories nurses are expected to use in their practice. Specific ethical dilemmas nurses face are also discussed.
Popular Psychiatric NP Subspecialties
There are a number of subspecialties within the larger mental health field that PMHNP students can focus on in regard to both their degree studies and careers. The following is a look at some of the most popular subspecialties:
- Addiction
Nurses in the addiction field work with patients with a range of dependence issues involving alcohol and drugs, gambling, food, sex, the internet, and more. Addiction PMHNPs are commonly employed by detoxification centers, rehab clinics, and hospitals. - Forensics
PMHNPs focusing on this subspecialty apply their nursing expertise to legal matters, evaluating patients and reviewing medical records to provide professional opinions in criminal, child custody, and juvenile justice cases. Employment settings include courts, hospitals, and correctional facilities. - Child/adolescent
Professionals in this nursing subspecialty focus on psychiatric disorders affecting children and adolescents, and how those disorders impact both patients and their families. Practice primarily involves providing care to patients with mood disorders, learning disabilities, and autism spectrum disorders. - Geriatric
PMHNPs focusing on geriatric care work with senior citizens on a wide range of mental health issues, including depression, dementia, addiction, and struggles with loss and isolation. - Psychosomatic medicine
PMHNPs who specialize in psychosomatic medicine focus on the relationships between mental and physical illnesses.
Paying for Your Online PMHNP Program
The costs of online PMHNP programs (and how those costs are calculated) vary from school to school.
Students may be charged per semester, per credit hour, or in a lump sum for their entire program. Prices range from around:
- $700 to $1,700 per credit
- $3,800 to $16,400 per semester
- $20,000 to $44,600 for an entire program
To explore online PMHNP education options that won’t bury you in student debt, be sure to check out EduMed’s guide to the Most Affordable Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs.
Online PMHNP Programs & Financial Aid
It’s no secret that most students considering a PMHNP degree or certificate program are keenly concerned with how they will pay for their educations. Fortunately, there are lots of potential financial aid resources available to qualifying online PMHNP students. Here are some of the factors impacting financial aid eligibility:
1. Accreditation
Enrolling in a fully-accredited PMHNP program ensures that you will receive a high-quality education and qualify to obtain the professional certification you need to work as a psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner. Proper accreditation is also a requirement for eligibility for most forms of financial aid.
2. Courses for Credit
Financial aid awards cannot be used for non-credit courses.
3. Minimum Grade Point Average
In order to receive certain scholarships and grants, students are expected to demonstrate academic excellence by maintaining a given minimum grade point average.
4. Enrollment Status
In some cases, financial aid is only available to PMHNP students currently enrolled in a program on a full-time basis.
Financial Aid Options for Your PMHNP Education
PMHNP students have several options for financing their education. Five of the most common are discussed below. For more information on funding resources and advice on how to pay for your PMHNP education, check out EduMed’s Online College Students’ Guide to Financial Aid.
1. Scholarships and Grants
Scholarships and grants are particularly popular forms of financial aid because they’re essentially “free money” in that they are not repaid. Common providers of scholarships and grants include nursing and health care professional associations, special interest organizations, private benefactors, and colleges and universities themselves.
2. Loans
Graduate students who qualify can obtain student loans without demonstrating financial need. However, loan amounts typically depend on the borrower’s specific education costs and other funding sources they may be receiving.
3. Veterans Benefits
Military vets are often eligible for any of a number of financial aid resources made available primarily through the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
4. Employer Tuition Assistance
Employers often provide tuition assistance to their most valued employees to help them advance their nursing careers and retain their professional services into the future.
5. Payment Plans
Some schools offer tuition installment plans that allow students to pay their program costs over time. These plans are often interest free, but do charge an upfront fee for participation.
Certification: The PMH in PMHNP
Following completion of their degree program, the next step for most PMHNP students is to obtain professional certification, which is a prerequisite to state licensure. Professional certification for PMHNPs in the U.S. is provided through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Earning the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification (PMHNP-BC) requires
- Master’s, doctoral or postgraduate degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing
- Active RN licensure
- Passing the certification exam
Top-Rated Online PMHNP Programs
Finding the perfect online PMHNP program for you requires time and effort. To help you in your program pursuit, we’ve researched current program offerings and ranked the best below. These quality programs succeed in combining affordability, quality, and flexibility – all important elements to prospective PMHNP students.
For details on our rankings methodology, click the “About the Rankings” button below.
Program Details
- MSCHE Accreditation
- 64% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 11/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected D’Youville University
- Duquesne University’s PMHNP program offers a significant tuition discount for eligible full-time or part-time employees at partner organizations, making it financially attractive to working professionals.
- The program features a strong faculty engagement model with synchronous and asynchronous interactive online classes, plus personal support from faculty, admissions counselors, and academic advisors to enhance the learning experience.
- Students benefit from a hybrid clinical education model that includes local clinical preceptorships and required on-campus labs, ensuring hands-on experience while accommodating a largely online curriculum.
Program Details
- MSCHE Accreditation
- 64% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 11/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 60% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 16/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Southern Adventist University
- South University's PMHNP program offers an accelerated postgraduate certificate allowing nurses to quickly switch or add this specialty to their credentials through flexible online coursework with focused practicum experiences.
- The program provides comprehensive training in psychopharmacology, counseling, psychotherapy, and diverse psychiatric care models across the lifespan, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for certification and advanced clinical roles.
- Ranked #8 for 2025 Best Colleges for Nursing in America, South University provides recognized academic quality and a reputation that can enhance networking and employment opportunities for PMHNP graduates.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- 60% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 16/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- NWCCU Accreditation
- 75% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 10/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Seattle University
- Seattle University’s PMHNP program attracts prospective students by waiving the application fee, helping to remove financial barriers to graduate education.
- The program offers a lifespan approach integrating mental health and addictions care, preparing students to serve diverse populations with complex needs across all ages.
- Students benefit from strong leadership training emphasizing advocacy, health equity, and policy influence, equipping graduates to impact healthcare systems at multiple levels.
Program Details
- NWCCU Accreditation
- 75% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 10/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- HLC Accreditation
- 54% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 13/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected West Virginia Wesleyan College
- West Virginia Wesleyan College’s PMHNP program offers convenient online pedagogy with personalized one-to-one faculty attention, enhancing tailored learning experiences.
- The program admits students as a cohort group each Fall with a competitive admission process, fostering a close-knit community and peer network.
- Students benefit from small class sizes and a low 13:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring individualized support and mentorship throughout the program.
Program Details
- HLC Accreditation
- 54% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 13/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- HLC Accreditation
- 47% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 10/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Alverno College
- The PMHNP program at Alverno College offers an accelerated certification pathway that can be completed in just four semesters, ideal for timely advancement.
- It emphasizes a holistic, person-centered approach to mental health care, integrating both psycho-pharmacological and psycho-therapeutic interventions to prepare practitioners comprehensively.
- Students must have completed foundational advanced practice courses or take them concurrently, ensuring thorough preparedness and eligibility for national PMHNP certification.
Program Details
- HLC Accreditation
- 47% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 10/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- MSCHE Accreditation
- 71% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 11/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected University at Buffalo
- The University at Buffalo PMHNP program offers fully online synchronous instruction with flexible full- or part-time enrollment options, allowing working professionals to balance studies with career commitments.
- Students complete 600 unique clinical hours exclusively within the psychiatric mental health specialty, ensuring intensive, focused hands-on experience in their field.
- The program is designed specifically for licensed nurse practitioners with a master's degree aiming to add or shift their specialty to psychiatric mental health, facilitating efficient career advancement without repeating general coursework.
Program Details
- MSCHE Accreditation
- 71% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 11/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- HLC Accreditation
- 72% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 13/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Loyola University Chicago
- The PMHNP program at Loyola University Chicago offers a unique Substance Use and Addiction Specialty, allowing students to deepen expertise in addiction's impact on psychiatric care.
- The program features a blended format with both online instruction and in-person Immersion weekends at Loyola's Health Sciences Campus, providing flexible full-time or part-time enrollment for working professionals.
- Admission is competitive and includes a strength-of-application and interview process, ensuring a cohort of highly qualified students.
Program Details
- HLC Accreditation
- 72% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 13/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- MSCHE Accreditation
- 58% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 14/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected CUNY Hunter College
- The Hunter-Bellevue PMHNP program offers an accelerated path with waived courses for those with relevant prior coursework, reducing time to completion.
- Students complete 630 hours of supervised clinical experience, ensuring extensive hands-on practice and readiness for autonomous mental health care roles.
- Graduates are eligible for both national board certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and New York State nurse practitioner certification, enhancing job market competitiveness.
Program Details
- MSCHE Accreditation
- 58% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 14/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- HLC Accreditation
- 62% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 9/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Regis University
- The PMHNP program at Regis College offers tuition discounts for alumni, government employees, and veterans, along with scholarships like the MetroWest Health Foundation award, reducing the financial burden on students.
- Students benefit from a 92% nurse practitioner exam pass rate, exceeding the national average and enhancing graduates' certification and employment prospects.
- The program features a flexible format with both hybrid (in-person and online) and fully online options, allowing students to choose the learning mode that best suits their schedules and lifestyles.
Program Details
- HLC Accreditation
- 62% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 9/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- HLC Accreditation
- 60% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 12/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Mount Marty University
- Mount Marty’s PMHNP program offers 750 clinical hours focused on rural and underserved populations, enhancing real-world experience and community impact.
- Tuition is competitively priced at $680 per credit, making advanced psychiatric nursing education more affordable.
- The program is delivered 100% online, providing flexible learning options without on-campus attendance requirements.
Program Details
- HLC Accreditation
- 60% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 12/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘25-’26 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves:
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic and career counseling on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted*.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full-time.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area.
- Avg. Aid Amount – Average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Students w/ Aid – Percent of full-time, first-time students undergraduates awarded institutional aid.
- Online Enrollment – Percent of undergraduate students taking at least one distance education class.
- Graduation Rate – Percent of full-time, first-time receiving an award in 6 years.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
*Metrics #2-5 and #6-7 were equally weighted.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2025
10 Valuable Resources for Nursing Students
- APNA Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Resources
- ANA Certification Prep
- APNA Awards & Scholarships
- Meeting the Needs of People with Mental Illness: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Salary (Payscale)
- Continuing Education for the APRN-PMH
- Self Care Tip Sheet For Nurses
- A Night in the Life of a Mental Health Nurse
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