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Updated: 10/10/2025

Online PMHNP Programs: Top Degrees and Key Details

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

Author: Kenya McCullum

HealthcareNursingPre-Nursing

Editor: Wes Ricketts

EditorialSenior CareDementia Care

Reviewer: Renee Warmbrodt, MSN, NP

PediatricsPICU NursingNurse Education

Updated: 10/10/2025

This guide from EduMed explores the first steps toward becoming a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Fulfill the growing need for mental health nurse practitioner by learning about how you can join today’s top programs, potential curriculum you’ll study, and financial aid options just for you.

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A woman reclines with closed eyes on a beige sofa, while a man sitting beside her writes on a clipboard, suggesting a psychiatric therapy session.

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 area of the field should examine their professional and educational goals before enrolling in a program. In addition, they should consider what learning environment will work best. For example, students who like to work independently may prefer a program conducted mostly online, while those who prefer to have 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 they may still need to complete some parts in person. For instance, some schools enable students to take their classes online classes but then they have to complete the clinical element of their program inperson at a healthcare facility. Other programs also offer online coursework but students have to periodically come to campus to complete practicums.

Partially online
Students who prefer to spend most of their time in a traditional classroom can enroll in partially online programs, where most of their courses are conducted on campus. In these cases, students may be able to take a few classes 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 diploma or associate degree, as well as a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. These programs are designed to 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. People with these degrees may become consultants, go into private practice, or work as educators. In order to provide this training, the curriculum combines coursework on mental health treatment with classes designed to develop leadership skills. Specific classes may include pharmacology, nursing decision making, health care informatics, epidemiology, and human pathophysiology.

In addition to program level and delivery, prospective PMHNP students should also consider how long the program takes to complete, how much it costs, and the credentials of the faculty members in a department. Also, students may have a preference on the size of the school they would like to attend.

Entrance Criteria & Prerequisites

Every school has its own specific entrance requirements. The following are some of the expectations that schools may have for applicants to psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner programs.

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
A minimum 3.0 grade point average
A specific minimum score on the GRE
A personal interview
Evidence of immunizations and recent physical examination

An Inside Look into Potential Curriculum

The curriculum in PMHNP programs is designed to give nurses the high-level clinical skills necessary to provide specialized care to patients. These programs include coursework that teaching students to develop patient care plans, promote mental health and education, and perform psychotherapy, crisis interventions, and consultations. In addition, these programs provide in-depth information about psychiatric nursing models, pharmacotherapies, and neuroscience. The following are examples of some of the classes involved in most programs.

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

Within the psychiatric realm of the nursing field, there are several subspecialties that professionals can focus on. As a result, students who train for PMHNP jobs should enroll in a program that not only teaches mental health nursing, but caters to their area of interest within the field. The following are common subspecialties that psychiatric nurses may pursue.

Addiction
Nurses who focus on addiction may work with patients who are dependent on alcohol and drugs, as well as those with internet, gambling, food, or sex addictions. These professionals may work in detoxification centers, rehab clinics, or hospitals.
Forensics
PMHNPs focusing on this subspecialty apply their nursing expertise to legal matters. After evaluating patients, these nurses may give their opinions in criminal, child custody, and juvenile justice cases. They can work for courts, hospitals, or correctional facilities.
Child/adolescent
Professionals in this nursing subspecialty focus on the psychiatric disorders affecting children and adolescents, and how these issues not only affect the patient, but the entire family. Nurses who focus in this area may work with patients who have mood disorders, learning disabilities, and autism spectrum disorders.
Geriatric
Psychiatric nurses who want to focus their practice on older generations may pursue the geriatric subspecialty. These professionals work with senior citizens who have depression, dementia, and addiction, as well as those who are struggling with loss and isolation.
Psychosomatic medicine
PMHNPs who specialize in psychosomatic medicine focus on the relationship between mental and physical illnesses.

Paying for Your Online PMHNP Program

The cost of an online PMHNP program depends on the specific school that students attend. Students may be charged per semester or credit hour, and in some cases, are charged a lump sum for their entire program. The price range for the program is around $700 to $1,700 per credit, $3,800 to $16,400 per semester, and $20,000 to $44,600 for an entire program. Information about the cost of certain specific programs can be found in our listings above. And check out EduMed’s list of most affordable online psychiatric nurse practitioner programs to find accredited NP programs that won’t bury you in student debt.

Online PMHNP Courses & Financial Aid

Many students who enroll in PMHNP training schools are concerned about how they will pay for their education. Those who qualify may be able to obtain financial aid to help them pay tuition and fees, and there may be some standards students are expected to adhere to in order to receive these awards. The following are some of these stipulations.

1. Accreditation
Programs are designed to prepare students to get their certification, and in order to ensure that they’re getting the high-quality education they need, they should enroll in accredited programs. As a result, students can only qualify for financial aid for attending accredited schools.

2. Courses for credit
Students cannot apply financial aid awards to non-credit courses.

3. Minimum grade point average
In order to receive certain scholarships and grants, students may be expected to demonstrate academic excellence by maintaining a minimum grade point average.

4. Enrollment status
In some cases, financial aid awards are only available to students who are enrolled in a program on a full-time basis.

For more information about how to pay for a PMHNP education, check out EduMed’s full page on financial aid for medical support.

Other Ways to Pay

Students have several options for financing their education. Take a look at 5 examples PMHNP students have to offset the cost of their studies.

1. Scholarships
This type of aid may be available through professional associations that cater to the needs of health care professionals, and is also typically offered by the school a student is attending as well.

2. Loans
Graduate students can receive loans without demonstrating financial need. However, the amount that students can borrow depends on their education costs and the other aid they may be receiving.

3. Veterans benefits
The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program provides funding for college to students who served in the military after 9/11.

4. Employer tuition assistance
Organizations need highly-skilled workers and in some cases, may have tuition assistance programs available to encourage workers to advance their education.

5. Payment plans
Some schools allow students to enter a plan where they make monthly payments toward their education. The terms of the plan vary from school to school.

Certification: The PMH in PMHNP

After students complete their psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner degree program, the next step is to become nationally certified. In most cases, professionals are not able to obtain a state license unless they receive a PMHNP certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

To earn a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification, or PMHNP-BC, professionals need to pass a rigorous 200-question exam, lasting four hours. Candidates must possess an active nursing license, as well as master’s, doctoral or postgraduate degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing.

Top-Rated Online PMHNP Programs

Finding the right program is daunting, so this list of accredited online PMHNP programs was created with students like you in mind. These schools feature ideal combinations of affordability, quality, and flexibility – so you don’t have to break the bank to reach your goals. Get started on your school search with our ranking of the top online psychiatric nurse practitioner programs.

D’Youville University

Buffalo, NY

80% Online Enrollment

$$$ Tuition

D’Youville University’s PMHNP Post-Masters Certificate program builds on prior APRN education, focusing on advanced clinical decision-making, holistic care, and evidence-based practice. It requires a minimum of 540 clinical practicum hours and includes personalized study plans based on transcript evaluations. The curriculum emphasizes culturally appropriate, patient-centered mental health care across the lifespan, supported by experienced faculty and flexible enrollment options.

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

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, TN

51% Online Enrollment

$$ Tuition

Southern Adventist University’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program prepares graduates for advanced nursing roles in psychiatric assessment, counseling, psychopharmacology, and mental health care across the lifespan. It includes practicum courses and seminar experiences, with curriculum aligned to eligibility for the national PMHNP certification exam. Program completion requires collaboration with an advisor to map coursework and clinical practice effectively. The format blends face-to-face instruction and online courses.

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

Seattle University

Seattle, WA

6% Online Enrollment

$$$ Tuition

Seattle University’s PMHNP program prepares doctoral-level nurses to deliver comprehensive mental health and addiction care across the lifespan in diverse settings like hospitals, outpatient, and community environments. It emphasizes integration of mental health and substance use treatment, serving populations facing health disparities. Graduates are eligible for ANCC certification, engage in evidence-based practice, leadership, advocacy, and interprofessional collaboration, with a curriculum tailored by gap analysis for post-doctoral students.

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

West Virginia Wesleyan College

Buckhannon, WV

53% Online Enrollment

$$ Tuition

West Virginia Wesleyan College offers a BSN to DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program with 79 credit hours, designed for working nurses. The curriculum integrates evidence-based psychiatric assessment, therapeutic interventions, healthcare leadership, and population health. Admission requires an accredited BSN, unencumbered RN license, and minimum 3.0 GPA. Graduates are prepared to manage complex psychological healthcare needs as advanced practice clinicians.

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

Alverno College

Milwaukee, WI

38% Online Enrollment

$ Tuition

Alverno College’s Post-Master’s PMHNP certificate prepares nurses with an MSN to provide advanced, lifespan mental health care using holistic, person-centered approaches and both psycho-pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions. The program requires successful completion of specified advanced practice courses and clinical practica, typically taking as few as three to four semesters. Graduates are eligible to apply for national PMHNP certification and prescriptive authority. The program offers flexible scheduling with online, hybrid, and in-person options.

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

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY

16% Online Enrollment

$$ Tuition

The Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Advanced Certificate at University at Buffalo requires at least 34 credit hours and 600 clinical hours focused on assessing, diagnosing, and treating psychiatric disorders and co-morbidities across the lifespan. The program includes training in psychotropic medication management, psychotherapy, and health promotion. It is designed for licensed nurse practitioners holding a master’s degree and national certification who want to specialize in psychiatric mental health.

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

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL

28% Online Enrollment

$$$ Tuition

Loyola University Chicago’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program offers a blended format with online and in-person instruction, including immersion weekends. It accommodates working professionals with part-time and full-time options. The program prepares graduates for ANCC PMHNP certification through a rigorous curriculum of 74 credit hours, significant clinical experiences, and specialty focus on substance use and addiction across the lifespan. Completion takes about four to five years.

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

CUNY Hunter College

New York, NY

39% Online Enrollment

$$ Tuition

Hunter College’s PMHNP advanced certificate is a 36-credit post-master’s program for licensed NYS RNs with a master’s in nursing. It combines specialized coursework and 630 hours of supervised clinical practice to prepare graduates for autonomous psychiatric and mental health care roles across diverse settings. Graduates qualify for NY State NP certification and national board certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

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

Regis University

Denver, CO

31% Online Enrollment

$$ Tuition

The Regis University PMHNP program requires 47-51 credits and includes 600+ clinical hours, covering psychiatric assessment, psychopharmacology, psychopathology across the lifespan, and mental health advanced practice courses. The curriculum prepares students for ANCC certification and emphasizes evidence-based psychiatric care, medication management, and therapeutic communication for diverse clinical settings like hospitals, outpatient clinics, and community agencies.

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

Mount Marty University

Yankton, SD

45% Online Enrollment

$$ Tuition

Mount Marty University’s PMHNP program requires 50 credits and 660 supervised clinical hours, focusing on mental health promotion, disease prevention, assessment, and management of psychiatric disorders. It trains students in pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and evidence-based diagnosis to serve primarily rural and underserved populations, emphasizing leadership and holistic care through a curriculum aligned with AACN standards. The program holds CCNE accreditation.

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

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Kenya McCullum AUTHOR

Kenya McCullum is a professional writer and researcher with over twenty years of experience. She has authored hundreds of feature-length articles, guidebooks, and in-depth content, specializing in healthcare topics including women's health, fitness, mental health, addiction, and nutrition, as well as challenges faced by healthcare providers. McCullum also has extensive expertise in higher education, online learning, continuing education, and professional development. Throughout her career, she has interviewed numerous leaders in the healthcare and education sectors. She holds a master’s degree in communication and a bachelor’s degree in English.

Wes Ricketts EDITOR

Wes Ricketts has created award-winning content in higher education and healthcare for nearly 20 years. He founded EduMed in 2018 to give future college students a go-to resource for information on degree programs in nursing and allied health. Wes’s research and writing interests include Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as caregiving for loved ones with degenerative conditions. Wes holds a master’s degree in history from Western Washington University, where he also led workshops focused on historical research and longform writing skills.

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Keep Learning

Online PMHNP Programs: Top Degrees and Key Details

FIND THE PROGRAM FOR YOU

Finding the Online Psychiatric NP Program for You

Online Learning Flexibility

Types of Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Degrees

Entrance Criteria & Prerequisites

An Inside Look into Potential Curriculum

Advanced pharmacotherapeutics

Health assessment

Mental health care for individuals and groups

Neuroscience for mental health practitioners

Health care law and policy

Nursing theory

Nursing leadership

Population-based nursing

Nursing ethics

Popular Psychiatric NP Subspecialties

Paying for Your Online PMHNP Program

Online PMHNP Courses & Financial Aid

Other Ways to Pay

Certification: The PMH in PMHNP

Top-Rated Online PMHNP Programs

Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘25-’26 school year.

One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs

Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs

About Our Data

10 Valuable Resources for Nursing Students

Keep Learning

Kenya McCullum AUTHOR

Wes Ricketts EDITOR