Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Program Contacts

FNP Online Program: Rachelle Campbell
rcampbell2@twu.edu  

Family Nurse Practitioner: Christiana Acho, DNP
cacho@twu.edu   

Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: Susan Chrostowski, DNP
schrostowski@twu.edu 

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Jeri Striplin, DNP
jstriplin@twu.edu  

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: Faheemah Hannah, DNP
fhannah1@twu.edu  

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: Misty Richmond, PhD
mrichmond4@twu.edu  

Women's Health Nurse Practitioner: Mandy Horne
mhorne4@twu.edu    {not taking applications at this time}

Nurse Educator: Elaine Wilson, PhD
cwilson@twu.edu 

Application Deadlines

Fall - February 15
Spring - September 15
Psychiatric Mental Health NP - Rolling admission

Admission Requirements

• Current US RN license (unencumbered) uploaded into application
• Basic statistics course (undergraduate)
• BS or BSN degree from a nationally-accredited nursing program
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of course work toward the undergraduate nursing degree and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all prior graduate course work

Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP requires one year experience in an acute care environment.

Psychiatric Mental Health NP requires experience in a behavioral health environment (one year full-time or two years part-time). Applicants are also required to submit a copy of their current CV/resume, two letters of recommendation from mental health practitioners/former faculty, and a one-page essay about their desire to be a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.  Applicants who do not possess experience in a behavioral health setting may be considered for provisional admission, in which case the required experience must be obtained before starting clinical practicum courses.

Applicants who do not meet these criteria but have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 semester credit hours of course work toward the undergraduate nursing degree may be considered for provisional admission on an individual basis. Factors that may be considered in the admission decision are: GPA on any prior graduate course work, scholarly activities, professional leadership, and work history.

For applicants who have a baccalaureate degree in nursing and a master's degree in another field (or more than one graduate degree), the grade point average from all previously earned degrees and post-graduate work can be considered in making the admission decision.

Individuals who have a master’s degree in nursing may seek admission to a post-master’s certification program in one of three areas: nurse practitioner, nursing health systems management, or nursing education. 

Applicants who wish to transfer from another nursing program must provide evidence of eligibility to continue in the previous nursing program. Nine semester hours for programs requiring 39-44 semester hours, 12 semester hours for programs requiring 45 or more semester hours, may be transferred, if approved. A grade of B or higher in each course is necessary for semester credit hours to be considered for transfer.

Begin by finding your program in TWU's Program, Majors & Degrees listings to see if your program has additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  (This information is for all programs. The application deadline for your specific program will be listed in the Program Requirements.  Use that deadline as it applies below.  (Example: if a program only admits once a year and has a Fall deadline for 2023 of March 1, you would need to be looking to apply to the next deadline for Fall 2024.)

1. Apply online.
   Apply to Graduate Programs according to the start semester and application portals below:
   
   • Spring 2024 - All programs apply via ApplyTexas EXCEPT applicants to the College of Business, Child Life, or Child Development master's programs or the Child Development and Early Education PhD program who should apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal.
     • Note: When applying through ApplyTexas, you will need to submit any required Documents directly to the program website.
   • Summer & Fall 2024 - All graduate programs apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal. Required documents will be asked for and uploaded into the application.
     
     
2. Pay the application fee.
   The $50 fee, ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants can be paid by:
   • Credit card - Online through the portal you applied on (either ApplyTexas or TWU's Online Graduate Application).
   • Certified check or money order by mail or electronically - payable to TWU, sent by mail to:
     TWU Admissions Processing, 301 Research Circle, Room 220; Denton, Texas 76204
     (include your full name and ID number).
   • Cash (no personal checks) - Pay at the Bursar's Office. After paying, bring the receipt to Admissions Processing (2nd floor of GRB).
   • Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar application Fee waiver. Submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission Form.
     
     
3. Submit transcripts to TWU.
   • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details.
   • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU.  See the International Admission website for more details.

For more information on graduate admissions or to contact an admissions official, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.