Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Enjoy 100% online classwork and assistance with clinical placement as you pursue a master’s in a specialty area with a rapidly growing need.

TWU’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program will help you gain skills to become a practitioner in this high-need advanced practice specialty area.

As of March 2023, 160 million Americans live in areas with mental health professional shortages, with over 8,000 more professionals needed to ensure an adequate supply.

The Commonwealth Fund, 2023

Students train in counseling

PMHNPs provide mental health services to individuals across the lifespan in various inpatient and outpatient settings. This care includes assessment, diagnosis and treatment of both chronic and acute conditions. Gain specialty training in counseling and substance use disorder.

Our program is 100% online and emphasizes the importance of both medication management and psychotherapeutic interventions. Weekly clinical supervision in all practicum courses helps students attain counseling skills necessary to provide high-quality psychiatric care. We encourage students to gain experience in a variety of clinical settings.

Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) certification exam. 

Degree Plan

This program is currently limited to Texas Residents only.

Post-Master's Certificate

There is also a Post-Master's Certificate for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner available for qualified APRNs.

Admission criteria for the Post-Master's Certificate is identical to the admission criteria for the Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and can be seen below. 

For more information on the Post-Master's Certificate, visit the TWU Graduate Catalog.

Post-Master's Certificate Plan

Program Information

  • Students will complete 45 total credit hours which include 18 credit hours in core NP content and 14 credit hours in psychiatric specialty content
  • Six specialty track courses require attendance in a synchronized evening class once a week
  • Students are required to complete 780 hours of preceptored clinical practicum
  • 12 months of psychiatric nursing experience is required before the first practicum in the PMHNP program

Admission Requirements

Contact

Misty M. Richmond, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric-Mental Health Track Coordinator
mrichmond4@twu.edu 
940-898-2430

Page last updated 9:15 AM, October 10, 2024