If you’re looking to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, you need to find a program that works for you. If a fast online program is what you’re looking for, you’re in luck. While most psychiatric nurse practitioner tracks require at least two to three years of full-time study, we’ve compiled a list of the best 1-year online PMHNP programs.
These are online PMHNP programs that allow students to earn a certificate or MSN degree as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in just one year. These programs combine online didactic coursework with in-person clinical experiences.
Popular Online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Programs
At Purdue Global, discover a faster, more affordable way to earn your Nursing degree. Purdue Global is committed to keeping your tuition costs as low as possible and helping you find the most efficient path to your degree.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and the School of Nursing teaching faculty all hold doctorates. With three degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
As a working RN, you need a flexible, transfer-friendly program to help you save time and money as you take the next step in your nursing career. In our CCNE-accredited4
RN to BSN program, you can transfer in up to 134 credits—which is nearly 75% of program requirements. Your transfer credits can be reviewed in one business day (on average).
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
WGU’s award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
At Ohio University, we provide aspiring and current nursing professionals programs and credentials that will help them launch their careers and advance toward leadership positions.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, except AL, AZ, CO, DE, GA, IA, ID, KS, LA, MD, ND, NE, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, and WY
Ranked as the top nursing program in Virginia, UVA’s PMHNP certificate program graduates will have a solid educational foundation to build in clinical practice. Despite its high acceptance rate, the program offers guaranteed admission for UVA School of Nursing alumni.
The university tailored this program for post-MSN students with an APRN degree. However, it does accept students without an NP degree who still have an MSN. Students without an APRN degree must take more classes to earn the PMHNP certificate, which may extend the program length.
- Application Deadline: January 5th
- Contact Information:
- Website
U.S. News consistently ranks Wilkes University among the top universities nationwide. The university offers several PMHNP pathways. However, the only way to become a PMHNP online in 12 months is through its certificate program.
With three convenient start dates throughout the year, this will quickly become a top contender for aspiring PMHNPs.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Information:
- Phone: (434) 924-0141
- Email Address: admissions@onlinenursingdegrees.wilkes.edu
- Website*
NM State offers an 18-credit-hour PMHNP certificate program with 500 non-waivable clinical hours. Students can earn the certificate in 12 months, making it one of the shortest online PMHNP programs available.
Once you complete the program, you’re prepared to sit for the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam.
The only downside to this low-cost, fast-paced program is that it only accepts students once a year for a fall start date.
- Application Deadline:
- Priority: January 15th
- Final: March 15th
- Contact Information:
- Website
Popular Online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Programs
At Purdue Global, discover a faster, more affordable way to earn your Nursing degree. Purdue Global is committed to keeping your tuition costs as low as possible and helping you find the most efficient path to your degree.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and the School of Nursing teaching faculty all hold doctorates. With three degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
As a working RN, you need a flexible, transfer-friendly program to help you save time and money as you take the next step in your nursing career. In our CCNE-accredited4
RN to BSN program, you can transfer in up to 134 credits—which is nearly 75% of program requirements. Your transfer credits can be reviewed in one business day (on average).
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
WGU’s award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
At Ohio University, we provide aspiring and current nursing professionals programs and credentials that will help them launch their careers and advance toward leadership positions.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, except AL, AZ, CO, DE, GA, IA, ID, KS, LA, MD, ND, NE, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, and WY
Georgia State offers one of the top 1-year PMHNP programs and sets a high bar for admissions. Applicants must have at least one year of recent psychiatric nursing experience in a hospital or community setting. Alternatively, they may complete 250-500 volunteer hours in a specific psychiatric site.
Additionally, if you already hold an FNP or Adult Gerontology NP degree, you can waive one of the courses. This option may save you time and money as you pursue your advanced nursing credentials.
- Application Deadline: May 15th
- Contact Information:
- Website
The post-Masters PMHNP program at Purdue prepares students for the ANCC examination after graduation. The program requires 12 courses, all of which are 100% online.
Because of certain rules and regulations, the program can not accept students from specific states. These states include the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Guam.
- Application Deadline:
- September Start: September 18th
- December Start: December 4th
- Contact Information:
- Website*
The post-masters 1-year PMHNP certificate program at Miami is available to any student with an NP degree. Unfortunately, non-NP MSN holders are not eligible for acceptance.
All clinical experiences must be within Florida, so applicants must be able to complete their preceptorships within the state.
- Application Deadline: November 1st
- Contact Information:
- Website
Students can complete the University of Missouri’s online PMHNP certificate program in as little as 12 months.
While the program is primarily online, they must attend in-person clinical rotations. By the end of the program, PMHNP students will attend 500 clinical hours with an approved preceptor.
- Application Deadline: February 15th
- Contact Information:
- Website
After being accepted to the PMHNP program at DeSales, students will meet with the program director to complete a Gap Analysis to determine an individual study plan.
Students must complete between 5 and 11 courses, depending on their prior experiences and degrees. They will also complete at least 500 clinical hours regardless of their prior experience.
- Application Deadline:
- Summer: May 15th
- Fall: June 15th
- Winter: November 15th
- Spring: February 15th
- Contact Information:
- Website
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements will vary amongst the PMHNP programs. Specifics will also depend on whether it is an MSN or certificate program. Basic admission requirements include, but are not limited to:
- An active, unencumbered RN license
- ADN, BSN, or MSN degree
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Resume/CV
- Interview
- Statement of intent
- 1+ years of bedside nursing experience
- GRE (if applicable)
- Application
Classes & Coursework
The coursework among PMHNP programs will be similar. The only difference will be whether the program awards an MSN degree or a psychiatric mental health certificate. MSN programs are more in-depth and require roughly 45-60 credits, while certificate programs require 20-30 credits.
Additionally, all PMHNP students attend in-person clinicals with a licensed healthcare professional at an approved site. General coursework includes:
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Research
- Ethics
- Leadership
- Telemedicine
- Pharmacotherapeutics
- Health Policy and Legal Implications
- Health Informatics
- Management of Common Psychiatric and Mental Health Problems of Adults
- Management of Psychiatric and Mental Health Problems in Children
- Management of Psychiatric and Mental Health Problems in Special Populations
Becoming a PMHNP is a major decision that one doesn’t make lightly. But choosing a career path is half the battle. Now, you’ll face the even more intimidating and difficult decision of finding the right program.
When choosing the best program for you, we recommend considering several factors, including:
- Online vs. in-person
- Private vs. public institution
- MSN vs. certificate program
- In-state vs. out-of-state (tuition)
Accreditation is the most important thing to consider when choosing a 1-year PMHNP program. Graduating from an accredited nursing program is the only way you’ll be eligible to sit for your national certification exam, allowing you to practice as a PMHNP.
Popular Online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Programs
At Purdue Global, discover a faster, more affordable way to earn your Nursing degree. Purdue Global is committed to keeping your tuition costs as low as possible and helping you find the most efficient path to your degree.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and the School of Nursing teaching faculty all hold doctorates. With three degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
As a working RN, you need a flexible, transfer-friendly program to help you save time and money as you take the next step in your nursing career. In our CCNE-accredited4
RN to BSN program, you can transfer in up to 134 credits—which is nearly 75% of program requirements. Your transfer credits can be reviewed in one business day (on average).
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
WGU’s award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
At Ohio University, we provide aspiring and current nursing professionals programs and credentials that will help them launch their careers and advance toward leadership positions.
Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, except AL, AZ, CO, DE, GA, IA, ID, KS, LA, MD, ND, NE, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, and WY
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