Overview
Our online Master of Science in Nursing – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program covers the full scope of practice, integrating the diagnosis, treatment and management of mental health disorders for patients across the lifespan. You will learn to treat individuals and families with acute or chronic psychiatric needs using comprehensive assessment, psycho-social intervention, and prescription medications.
Coursework for this 46 credit-hour program is delivered online with embedded supervised clinical residencies in a variety of settings—and is designed to help you achieve your psychiatric mental health nurse certification. Our MSN – PMHNP graduates have an impressive 100% pass rate on the ANCC Psychiatric — Mental Health NP certification examination.
Mental health nursing courses synthesize neuroscientific principles, neurophysiological theory, and a broad range of therapeutic methods—including how to incorporate variables of lifestyle, culture, religion, socio-economics, and genetics into risk assessments. Curriculum emphasizes advanced psychopharmacology and aligns with NKU's strategic mission to address a regional opioid issue and our overall commitment to promoting population health as agents of change.
Core MSN coursework includes two DNP-level courses and provides in-depth study of fundamentals of theory and research for evidence-based practice, healthcare policy, economics, and the analysis and application of health data in advanced nursing practice.
In this program, you will:
- Critically analyze data for practice by integrating knowledge from arts and sciences within the context of nursing's philosophical framework and scientific foundation
- Use evidence-based practice to demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability while implementing change to improve healthcare outcomes
- Integrate nursing science, educational frameworks, health policy, professional values and principles of business to implement initiatives that facilitate the highest level of advanced nursing practice
- Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultures and populations including patients and providers
- Analyze one's own behaviors and institutional practices and policies for coherence with principles of caring
- Demonstrate effective communication in order to facilitate nursing practice at an advanced level
Courses
Students in the Master of Science in Nursing – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program must complete 18 courses (46 credit hours) comprised of eight core courses (24 credit hours), five concentration courses (15 credit hours), four clinicals (4 credit hours), and a capstone course (3 credit hours). Each course is seven weeks long.
To see the full list of online courses for this program, view courses.
Admissions
We've streamlined the admission process to help you apply quickly and easily. Admission requirements for the Master of Science in Nursing – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program include a 3.0 GPA, current RN license, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
To learn more about the admission requirements for this program, view admissions.
Tuition
We understand that it can be a challenge to juggle work, classes, life, and finances. Tuition for the Master of Science in Nursing – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program is highly affordable, and all fees are included.
To learn more about the tuition for this program, view tuition.
Calendar
For your convenience, multiple start dates are offered during the academic calendar year. Students in the Master of Science in Nursing – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program should take note of application deadline dates, turn in all of their documents, register for classes, and pay tuition on time for their desired program start date.
To see the full calendar of upcoming start dates for this program, view calendar.
[close-]Courses
The curriculum for the Master of Science in Nursing – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program is comprised of 18 courses (46 credit hours), which includes eight core courses (24 credit hours), five concentration courses (15 credit hours), four clinicals (4 credit hours), and a capstone course (3 credit hours). Each course is seven weeks long.
Students must take the following courses:
MSN 600: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice and Research
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Examination, critique, and evaluation of the theoretical foundations of nursing practice. Appraisal of diverse scholarly resources to inform advanced nursing practice. Identification of a research problem with development of a research question.
MSN 601: Health Care Policy and Economics in Population Health
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Explores health care issues, policies and economic factors influenced by technological, social, economic, and political factors; availability of and access to health care for varied populations; social distribution of health care, actions for dealing with health care dilemmas, federal and state regulatory programs, and health care financing will be examined.
MSN 610: Diagnostic Reasoning and Advanced Physical Assessment
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Development of advanced skills in assessment of physical, cognitive, nutritional and functional domains: integration of appropriate test data and diagnostic reasoning.
MSN 611: Advanced Clinical Pharmacology and Intervention for APRN's
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Review of pharmacological physiology of selected therapeutic agents; pharmacological management of clients, including drug selection, client/family education, and monitoring and evaluating pharmacological interventions.
MSN 612: Role Development in Advanced Practice Nursing
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course explores the history and role of Advanced Practice Nurses. This includes an overview of the role of the Advance Practice Nurse as a Provider, Consultant, Educator, Researcher, Collaborator, Leader and Administrator. Selected legal, practice, and ethical issues are explored. Nursing theory is incorporated into the course.
BIO 669: Human Pathophysiology
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A systems-based approach designed to study the physiology and pathophysiology relating to human health. Integrative regulatory mechanisms responsible for homeostasis and cellular adaptation will serve as the foundation for clinical assessment, decision-making, and management in clinical practice.
DNP 800: Theory and Research for EBP
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Identification, critique, analysis, synthesis, application and evaluation of evidence to support clinical and organizational practices. This course will provide students with knowledge to utilize evidence and theoretical concepts in nursing practice and healthcare systems.
DNP 816: Analysis and Application of Health Data for Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP)
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Understanding and analysis of health data for application to evidence based nursing practice for public health, health promotion, clinical prevention, and population health. Emphasis is placed on the use of health data and the best evidence in the application and evaluation of recommendations to improve health outcomes.
Students must take the following courses:
MSN 664L: Psych-Mental Health NP Clinical I
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
The first in a series of courses comprised of a supervised PMHNP clinical residency in a variety of settings. Students will engage patients across the lifespan integrating and synthesizing psychopharmacology, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of the psychiatric mental health patient.
MSN 665L: Psych-Mental Health NP Clinical II
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
The second in a series of courses comprised of a supervised PMHNP clinical residency in a variety of settings. Students will engage patients across the lifespan integrating and synthesizing psychopharmacology, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of the psychiatric mental health patient.
MSN 667L: Psych-Mental Health NP Clinical III
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
The third in a series of courses comprised of a supervised PMHNP clinical residency in a variety of settings. Students will engage patients across the lifespan integrating and synthesizing psychopharmacology, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of the psychiatric mental health patient.
MSN 668L: Psych-Mental Health NP Clinical IV
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 1
The fourth in a series of courses comprised of a supervised PMHNP clinical residency in a variety of settings. Students will engage patients across the lifespan integrating and synthesizing psychopharmacology, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of the psychiatric mental health patient.
MSN 671: Psychopathopharmacology I
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Advanced psychopathopharmacological concepts, theories and issues related to neurobiology, genetic and neurocircuitry.
MSN 672: Psychopathopharmacology II
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Advanced psychopathopharmacological concepts, theories and issues related to psychiatric and mental health disorders and treatments.
MSN 673: Psych-Mental Health Assessment and Diagnosis
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The process of history taking, neuroscientific principles, current edition of DSM and data from the comprehensive assessment will be applied in reaching a final diagnosis of psychiatric disorders and possible differential diagnosis. Cultural, genetic, religious, and behavioral and laboratory data will be utilized in the formulation of differential diagnoses.
MSN 674: Psychotherapy for Psych-Mental Health NP
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course includes non-pharmacological methodologies and interventions including individual therapies; group therapies; reminiscence therapy; play therapy; family therapies; and complementary and alternative approaches will be studied. Exploration of appropriate clinical application of each therapeutic approach. The use of self, the therapist-patient relationship, phases of the therapeutic relationship, teaching-coaching functions.
MSN 675: Management of Psych-Mental Health Disorders
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Integrate comprehensive assessment, neurophysiological theory, diagnosis and its application in the process of psychopharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of individuals with psychiatric mental health problems. The variables of lifestyle, culture, religion, socio-economic and genetics will be incorporated along with risk assessments.
MSN 676: Psych-Mental Health NP Capstone
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Essential topics in role, ethics, and law specific for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Selected practice issues including professional role responsibilities, informed consent, ethics in psychiatry, risk assessment and legal considerations in the advanced role in psychiatry. Complete of a capstone scholarly project for PMHNP.
Admissions
The admission process is the first step toward earning your degree online. Here you can find requirements for admission into the Master of Science in Nursing – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program, what additional materials you should send and where to send them.
MSN – Psych-Mental Health NP Online Requirements
- Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee.
- If you are an NKU alumni or active/veteran military member your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee. The fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required on your end.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate academic work
- Valid RN license
- Bachelor of Science degree. RNs with a non-BSN bachelor's degree are required to complete prerequisite courses NRP 471 and NRP 472
- Minimum of 3.0 GPA
- 1,000 hours of work experience. Verification form, click here.
- Undergraduate course in statistics with a grade of C or better
If you need to submit official documents by mail, send them to:
NKU Office of Graduate Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Or email documentation to graduate@nku.edu
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215 800-985-7215.
[close-]Tuition
The following is the tuition breakdown for our Master of Science in Nursing – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online degree program. Total tuition includes all fees and is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total With Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN – Psych-Mental Health NP | $621 | $2,704 | $31,270 |
Scholarships are available. For more information, contact your enrollment specialist.
[close-]Calendar
For the Master of Science in Nursing – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | January 14, 2019 | January 2, 2019 | January 7, 2019 | January 9, 2019 | January 14, 2019 | March 1, 2019 |
| Spring 2 | March 18, 2019 | March 4, 2019 | March 11, 2019 | March 13, 2019 | March 18, 2019 | May 3, 2019 |
| Summer 1 | May 13, 2019 | April 29, 2019 | May 6, 2019 | May 8, 2019 | May 13, 2019 | June 28, 2019 |
| Summer 2 | July 1, 2019 | June 17, 2019 | June 24, 2019 | June 26, 2019 | July 1, 2019 | August 16, 2019 |
| Fall 1 | August 19, 2019 | August 5, 2019 | August 12, 2019 | August 14, 2019 | August 19, 2019 | October 4, 2019 |
| Fall 2 | October 16, 2019 | October 2, 2019 | October 9, 2019 | October 11, 2019 | October 16, 2019 | December 6, 2019 |
