Home > Online Programs > Nursing > Post-Master's Certificate - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Faith-based Education
Considers Christian and Spiritual Perspectives in Nursing
CCNE-Accredited
Program meets the highest quality of standards
Designed for Working Nurses
Flexible, online classes with no set login times
Online Post-Master's PMHNP Certificate Overview
Broaden your career opportunities as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) through an online, faith-based certificate program that aligns with your life and values.
Spring Arbor University's online Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMC-PMHNP) equips you with the clinical expertise to diagnose and treat psychiatric and mental health conditions and serve patients across the lifespan.
As a student in the online PMHNP Post-Master's Certificate, you can:
- Continue working full-time as you earn your degree on your own schedule.
- Enjoy a week off in between classes with our 7-1-7 model (7-week courses, 1-week breaks).
- Receive dedicated support from a Student Success Coach.
- Join a close community of motivated students and caring faculty.
- Graduate prepared for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam (PMHNP-BC™).
- Experience spiritual growth through a quality educational journey rooted in faith.
Spring Arbor University's online Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is CCNE-accredited and highly ranked for academic quality.
Online Post-Master's PMHNP Certificate: Fast Facts
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Program Details
- The Post-Master's Certificate - Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner can be completed in 16 to 22 months (depending on completion of prerequisite courses)
- 500 clinical hours
Designed for Working Nurses
- Take one seven-week course at a time and enjoy a week off in between
- Begin your certificate at the right time for you — choose from six intake dates a year
- Flexible login times — complete your assignments on your own schedule
Inspiring Outcomes
- Experience a unique, quality educational program in preparation for certification
- Ranked on a national and regional level for its academic quality and value
A Caring Community
- Small class sizes and caring, connected faculty provide a personal learning experience
- Dedicated student success advisor to support you from enrollment to graduation, as well as career development support
- Faith-based educational philosophy that considers Christian perspectives in nursing practice and values spiritual growth
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Program Details
- The Post-Master's Certificate - Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner can be completed in 16 to 22 months (depending on completion of prerequisite courses)
- 500 clinical hours
Designed for Working Nurses
- Take one seven-week course at a time and enjoy a week off in between
- Begin your certificate at the right time for you — choose from six intake dates a year
- Flexible login times — complete your assignments on your own schedule
Inspiring Outcomes
- Experience a unique, quality educational program in preparation for certification
- Ranked on a national and regional level for its academic quality and value
A Caring Community
- Small class sizes and caring, connected faculty provide a personal learning experience
- Dedicated student success advisor to support you from enrollment to graduation, as well as career development support
- Faith-based educational philosophy that considers Christian perspectives in nursing practice and values spiritual growth
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.
- 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.
- Examine 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.
Learn More
Gain access to full course descriptions, program details and tuition information.
SAU’s online PMC-PMHNP program can be completed in as few as 16-22 months, depending on completed prerequisites.
Enjoy a week off in between classes with our 7-1-7 model (7-week courses, 1-week breaks).
Typically, our Post-Master's Certificate - Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner classes have 20-25 students.
To be accepted into the online PMC-PMHNP program, you must meet the following requirements:
- MSN degree from an accredited program
- Official graduate transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
- 3.0 GPA calculated from the most recent 60 academic credits
- A current nursing license from your state of employment
- Online application
- Short personal statement
Prerequisite Courses
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Some additional prerequisites may apply
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Careers & Outcomes
Similar to psychiatrists, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners can prescribe medication, perform examinations, diagnose illnesses and provide treatment for patients with mental health disorders and substance abuse problems. They can be found in private mental health practices, inpatient centers, public health organizations and more.
Over half of U.S. counties have no practicing psychiatrists.* Getting certified from Spring Arbor University's online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Certificate program will help you expand critical access to psychiatric mental healthcare in underserved communities.
Benefits of Becoming a PMHNP
Becoming a PMHNP can fulfill your passion for service and mental healthcare advocacy for patients and families across the lifespan. Other benefits include:
- Increased salary and career opportunities
- Better work-life balance with a more traditional work schedule
- New level of independence and leadership
- Versatility to work in a wide range of care environments
Job Outlook
The job outlook for all types of NPs is exploding. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that projected employment for this profession is expected to grow 52% through the year 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage** of PMHNPs is $125,000, which is 50% higher than that of 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
The Role of a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Similar to psychiatrists, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners 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. They may work in:
- Mental health private practices
- Inpatient centers
- Public health organizations
- Schools and universities
- Correctional institutions
Grow as a Christ-Centered Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
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.
