Home > Online Programs > Nursing > BSN to MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online Coursework
Graduate in just 2.5 years
7-1-7 Model
Take one course at a time, with a break between
CCNE-Accredited
Program meets the highest quality of standards
Meet the demand for compassionate psychiatric mental health care
As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) you will be prepared to provide holistic care to patients across the lifespan with mental health or substance abuse disorders.
Spring Arbor University’s online Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN-PMHNP) program is faith-based, allowing you to expand your nursing knowledge while thoughtfully applying the perspective of Christ to your mission to help patients with acute and chronic psychiatric mental health disorders. This PMHNP online program will allow you to deliver compassionate care and advocate for the healthcare needs of underserved populations.
As a student in the online MSN-PMHNP program, you will:
- Develop an advanced clinical practice for assessing, diagnosing and intervening in individuals, groups and families' dysfunctional coping patterns and psychiatric disorders.
- Enhance skills to serve patients with major psychiatric disorders, considering factors like epidemiology, age, socioeconomic background, cultural norms and level of disease risk.
- Continue working full-time as you earn your BSN to PMHNP degree on your schedule.
- Learn from highly educated, talented faculty who build close relationships with students in small class sizes.
- Receive 1:1 support from a dedicated Student Success Coach.
- Graduate prepared to take the national PMHNP certification exam (PMHNP-BC™).
Spring Arbor University's online MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is CCNE-accredited and highly ranked for academic quality.
If you already have your MSN, we offer a Post-Master’s Certificate-PMHNP that can be completed in 16 to 22 months, depending on completed prerequisites.
Upcoming Start Dates
Next application deadline:
January 28, 2025
Next start date:
March 11, 2025
Online PMHNP: Fast Facts
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Designed for Working Nurses
- 50 credits
- 570 clinical hours
- Just one 3-day campus residency in year two
- Online, asynchronous coursework
- 6 intakes per year
- Take one seven-week course at a time and enjoy a week off in between
- Flexible login times — complete your assignments on your schedule
Inspiring Outcomes
- Ranked on a national and regional level for its academic quality and value
- Graduating from a psychiatric nurse practitioner online program will equip you with the skills to join one of the fastest-growing job fields in nursing
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Designed for Working Nurses
- 50 credits
- 570 clinical hours
- Just one 3-day campus residency in year two
- Online, asynchronous coursework
- 6 intakes per year
- Take one seven-week course at a time and enjoy a week off in between
- Flexible login times — complete your assignments on your schedule
Inspiring Outcomes
- Ranked on a national and regional level for its academic quality and value
- Graduating from a psychiatric nurse practitioner online program will equip you with the skills to join one of the fastest-growing job fields in nursing
Online PMHNP Program Curriculum
For a complete listing of courses, contact us for a program guide.
This course builds on the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, providing a rigorous examination of neurobiology as it relates to mental health disorders across the lifespan. Students will explore the relationship between neurobiology and psychopathology, examining epidemiology and etiology of select mental health disorders. Emphasis will be placed on genetics, development, and trauma as they relate to neurobiology and psychopathology. This course introduces the students to mental health assessment strategies that are sensitive to the psychosocial needs of mental health clients.
This course builds on the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, providing a rigorous examination of neurobiology as it relates to mental health disorders across the lifespan. Students will explore the relationship between neurobiology and psychopathology, examining epidemiology and etiology of select mental health disorders. Emphasis will be placed on genetics, development, and trauma as they relate to neurobiology and psychopathology. This course introduces the students to mental health assessment strategies that are sensitive to the psychosocial needs of mental health clients.
This course builds on the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, providing a rigorous examination of neurobiology as it relates to mental health disorders across the lifespan. Students will explore the relationship between neurobiology and psychopathology, examining epidemiology and etiology of select mental health disorders. Emphasis will be placed on genetics, development, and trauma as they relate to neurobiology and psychopathology. This course introduces the students to mental health assessment strategies that are sensitive to the psychosocial needs of mental health clients.
This course will focus on developing advanced knowledge and skills required to assess, diagnose, and interpret appropriate screening tools, laboratory tests, and behavioral assessments related to mental health disorders affecting children, adolescents, and young adults. This course examines major childhood disorders; looking at epidemiology, health and mental health promotion and prevention, risk factors, taxonomy, cultural factors, assessment issues specific to children, adolescents, and young adults, use of rating scales, as well as evidence-based child and adolescent-specific treatments. Individual therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family-based interventions, psychopharmacological interventions, trauma-based interventions, and combinations of these treatments will all be presented. Students will develop treatment plans to address the psychiatric mental health disorders affecting this population.
Psychiatric mental health NPs work in community health centers, hospitals, private practices, schools and other organizations. Increasingly, they also provide patient care via telehealth.
These nurse practitioners perform mental health assessments, diagnosis and treatment; psychotherapy; psychotropic medication prescription and management; and advocacy for patients, populations and their families.
- Typically our nursing classes have 20-25 students.
- With SAU’s online BSN to MSN-PMHNP programs can be completed in just under 2.5 years
- Enjoy a week off in between classes with our 7-1-7 model (7-week courses, 1-week breaks).
To be accepted in SAU’s MSN programs, you must meet the following requirements:
- A BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution and nursing program (CCNE or NLN)
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
- A 3.0 GPA calculated from the most recent 60 academic credits
- Unrestricted, unencumbered, current nursing license from the state of employment
- Short personal statement
- Completed online application
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Salary & Career Outlook
Over half of U.S. counties have no practicing psychiatrists.* You will prepare to expand critical access to psychiatric-mental healthcare through Spring Arbor University's online MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program.
Similar to psychiatrists, PMHNPs can prescribe medication, perform examinations, diagnose illnesses and provide treatment for patients with mental health disorders and substance abuse problems.
PMHNPs are becoming increasingly integral to medical teams as more hospitals and healthcare facilities utilize their expertise. In some states, PMHNPs can practice independently.
PMHNPs may work in:
- Mental health private practice
- Inpatient centers
- Public health organizations
- Schools and universities
- Correctional institutions
The median annual wage** of PMHNPs is $125,000, which is 50 percent higher than RNs.*** PMHNPs also tend to earn higher salaries than nurse practitioners certified in other specialties.
*National Council for Mental Wellbeing
**American Association of Nurse Practitioners
***U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Grow as a Christ-Centered Nurse
At Spring Arbor University, it is a privilege to provide a Christ-centered nursing education to our students and to participate in their journey. You will grow spiritually, personally and professionally throughout this program and will gain a better understanding of what it means to live out your faith as a nurse.
While the Christian faith is the foundation of our program, we welcome all students regardless of personal faith. All students will benefit from introspection and critical thinking as they consider how to meaningfully care for patients of different faith backgrounds.
Watch this video for more information on our faith-based philosophy.
