Program Overview
Learn more about the online MSN – PMHNP program at NKU
Our Master of Science in Nursing – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online program at Northern Kentucky University covers the full scope of practice, integrating the diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental health disorders for patients across the life span. You will learn to treat individuals and families with acute or chronic psychiatric needs using comprehensive assessment, psycho-social intervention, and prescription medications.
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 be agents of change by promoting population health.
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.
Once you graduate, you will be eligible to take the ANCC NCC Psychiatric – Mental Health NP certification examination. Our nurses have an ANCC three-year pass rate of 88.94%.
In this online MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 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
- Apply effective communication in order to facilitate nursing practice at an advanced level
The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing, postgraduate APRN certificate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington DC, 20001, 202-887-6791.
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Also available:
Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of Master of Science in Nursing degrees, an RN to BSN, a Post-Master's DNP, and several nursing certificates online. Check out our other online nursing programs.
Tuition
Invest in yourself for less with our budget-friendly tuition
The MSN – Psych-Mental Health NP online program features affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition. All fees are included in the total tuition, and the rate is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify.
Tuition breakdown:
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total With Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Nursing – Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | $550 | $1,804 | $27,104 |
Contact your enrollment specialist for information on currently available tuition-saving offers. Offers cannot be combined. Tuition is subject to change at any time.
Some fees are course-based and subject to change based on date student enters such course.
NKU is ranked #6 among “The Best Online Colleges in Kentucky” by TheBestSchools.org (2020)
Calendar
Set a calendar reminder for these key deadlines
The MSN – Psych-Mental Health NP online program features an accelerated, 7-week course schedule with six start dates a year. View the calendar to find the most convenient start date for you and note your associated deadlines.
Now Enrolling:
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2 | 10/20/2021 | 10/07/2021 | 10/12/2021 | 10/15/2021 | 10/20/2021 | 12/10/2021 |
| Spring 1 | 01/10/2022 | N/A | N/A | 01/07/2022 | 01/10/2022 | 02/25/2022 |
| Spring 2 | 03/14/2022 | 03/02/2022 | 03/07/2022 | 03/10/2022 | 03/14/2022 | 04/29/2022 |
| Summer 1 | 05/09/2022 | 04/27/2022 | 05/02/2022 | 05/05/2022 | 05/09/2022 | 06/24/2022 |
| Summer 2 | 06/27/2022 | 06/15/2022 | 06/20/2022 | 06/23/2022 | 06/27/2022 | 08/12/2022 |
| Fall 1 | 08/22/2022 | 08/10/2022 | 08/15/2022 | 08/19/2022 | 08/22/2022 | 10/07/2022 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Northern Kentucky University?
Admissions
Know how to apply to the online MSN – PMHNP
We've simplified the MSN – Psych-Mental Health NP online admission process to help you get started sooner. Requirements for admission include:
View full admission requirements
MSN – Psych-Mental Health NP Online Admission 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.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from both a regionally accredited program and an ACEN, CCNE or CNEA-accredited program
- Students who have earned a BSN degree from a non-US institution will be considered for an exception to the requirement that the BSN come from ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA-accredited program of nursing, where applicable.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate academic work and any graduate work completed
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Undergraduate course in statistics with a grade of C or better
- Verification of your current, unencumbered RN license with expiration date from the state in which you are licensed and practice
- 2,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse in Psychiatric Mental Health; fill out the verification form here
- A criminal background check (state and federal) is required for admission to the program. Applicants are required to use PreCheck StudentCheck to purchase the background check. Instructions on how to purchase and initiate the background check can be found here.
Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:
NKU Office of Graduate Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Note: The Master of Science in Nursing degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Licenses are granted by the licensing authority in individual states, and those licensing boards might require an additional exam on laws and regulations specific to that state. Some states may also have other requirements. Out-of-state students who require subsequent licensure by the state of residence (e.g., nursing or education) should check with the state licensure office.
If at any time during your program of study you relocate to another state, restrictions may apply and adversely affect your program progression. Change of state residency may affect student program status. Notify your advisor and concentration coordinator immediately if you plan to relocate.
Courses
Get excited about your online MSN - PMHNP courses
The curriculum for the MSN – Psych-Mental Health NP 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) with a total of 500 clinical 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 602: Advanced Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice and Research
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 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. Prerequisite: MSN 602.
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. Completion of a capstone scholarly project for PMHNP. Prerequisites: MSN 602 or DNP 800, DNP 816, MSN 601, MSN 612, and MSN 674. Co-requisite: MSN 668L.
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