3
Semesters
$633
Ohio Resident, Cost Per Credit
20
Credit Hours
Become a Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Enrolling in the online Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate program helps you establish expanded skills that will empower you to assess, diagnose and treat patients with mental and emotional health needs. Throughout this 20-credit post-masters experience, you will have opportunities to practice psychotherapy, emergency psychiatric care and treatment evaluation. This advanced training will help you gain the expanded expertise to stand out from other RN professionals, who make up one of America's largest workforce segments, with more than 50% working specifically in hospital settings. 1
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Ohio University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Meet a Growing Need for Mental Health Providers
The online Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate expands your master's-level skills so you can maximize your potential for success in the mental health field, and meet a growing need. With your enhanced post-masters training, you will be able to help patients when you step into one of more than 300,000 open roles. 2
Fulfilling Mental Health Nursing Careers
The examples listed represent the national average salaries for the corresponding positions.
A Curriculum That Prepares You to Lead Quality Patient Care
4 Total Courses | 750 Hours of Clinical Experience
The online Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate program curriculum empowers you to excel by giving you hands-on learning opportunities, where you can practice all the skills needed to both treat patients' mental health needs and evaluate their treatment plans. When you complete the post-masters program, you'll be able to provide psychotherapy and emergency psychiatric treatment, as well as other forms of relief for patients with complex needs.
Prerequisite Courses:
- NRSE 7210 Advanced Pathophysiology in Nursing Practice
- NRSE 7220 Advanced Pharmacology
- NRSE 7230 Advanced Health Assessment for Nurse Practitioners
PMHNP Courses:
- NRSE 6846 PMHNP Clinical Course 1 (250 hrs)
- NRSE 7818 Diagnostic Reasoning
- NRSE 6847 PMHNP Clinical Course 2 (250 hrs)
- NRSE 6848 PMHNP Clinical Course 3 (250 hrs)
Online Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Admission Details
No GRE/GMAT Required | 2 Starts per Year
The online Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate program is your opportunity to make a positive impact in the mental health of your community. With expert faculty mentors and hands-on experience, you'll expand your skill set to recognize and provide relief for patients' mental and emotional health needs with a range of techniques, including psychotherapy, medication, emergency care and more. Upon completion of the program, you will gain the confidence and expertise to build a career that creates improved outcomes for patients with mental health needs.
To apply to OHIO's online certificate program, you will need:
Key Admissions Dates
| Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 |
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| Application Deadline: 03/17/2025 Classes Begin: 08/25/2025 |
Application Deadline: 09/08/2025 Classes Begin: 01/12/2026 |
Online Application Form
Application Fee
$35
Required Degree
MSN degree from a regionally accredited institution
Minimum GPA
3.0 minimum cumulative GPA for unconditional admission
Prerequisite Courses
Students must have completed the following courses or the equivalent with a minimum of a B:
- NRSE 6210 Advanced Pathophysiology
- NRSE 6230 Advanced Pharmacology*
- NRSE 6221 Health Appraisal for Nurse Practitioners
Clinical/Practicum Experience
Prior to clinical/practicum experiences, students must also provide proof of the following:
- Specified health status requirements (immunization status, TB screening, etc. as delineated in the current Graduate Nursing Student Handbook)
- State and Federal background checks free from disqualifying offenses
- Malpractice insurance
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Required
Transcripts
All official college transcripts
Additional Requirements
- Resident of and evidence of valid, unrestricted RN licensure in an approved state. View a list of approved states
- Professional Goals Statement
- Resume or CV
- Three letters of recommendation:
- A minimum of two must be from individuals prepared at or above the Master’s level
- At least one must be from an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Registered Nurse
- An admission interview with faculty
- A total of 2 years of working RN experience
When to Apply
The best time to apply is now, and this program accepts students twice per year in the Fall and Spring semester. Apply today to get started.
Online Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Tuition
$12,660 Total Tuition (Resident) | $633 Per Credit (Resident)
Investing in the online Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate program equips you with specialized skills to provide quality care for patients needing mental and psychiatric support. You'll expand your skill set to be able to assess, diagnose and treat patients, provide emergency psychiatric care and more. By completing the program, you can succeed in settings including psychiatric health units, substance abuse clinics, community health clinics and more.
| Other costs to budget for | You may have costs in addition to tuition, such as textbooks, supplies and fees. Take these into consideration as you budget for your program. |
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Listed tuition is for estimating purposes only and is subject to change.
Financial Aid
OHIO is committed to offering affordable, competitive tuition and has been recognized for the fourth consecutive year as a best-value university by U.S. News and World Report. In addition, student veteran, active military members, alumni, and corporate partners are automatically eligible to receive a 15% scholarship. Depending on your background, costs and credit hours will differ.
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Financial Aid
Students in Ohio University's certificate programs may be eligible for aid from resources outside of Ohio University. When joining a certificate program, many Ohio students take advantage of the following:
Employer education benefits and private sources.
Scholarship and loan repayment programs for working nurses through state and federal agencies. Note that there are eligibility requirements and/or service requirements as a part of the program, such as serving in a nursing shortage area or a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has many federally-funded scholarship and loan repayment programs specifically for advanced-practice nurses. These programs usually have application processes that take time and include firm deadlines. Links to the Ohio Board of Nursing and HRSA sites are below:
Health Resources & Services Administration (Select Funding from the drop-down menu)
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Online Learning That Fits Your Life
No matter what your career goals are, Ohio University can help you get there. We offer a wide range of online graduate programs specifically for professionals who are ready for their next step. Complete focused courses while maintaining your work and personal responsibilities by studying when and where it's convenient for you. As a student, you'll learn alongside fellow leaders and have access to the same expert faculty and leading-edge curriculum as you would on campus.
Support for Military-Affiliated Students
Ohio University is a Military Collegiate Purple Star Award ® school and has been named one of the nation’s top Military Friendly ® schools for over a decade. Our Veteran and Military Student Services Center provides access to programs and services specifically for military members and their families. In addition, student veterans and active military members are eligible to receive an incentive scholarship of up to 15% for eligible online graduate programs.
As an OHIO online student, you can earn credit for select military experience, training or previous college credit. To learn more about the military benefits available to you, contact us today.
It is not the intent of Ohio University to imply an endorsement by any service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
What You'll Learn
The online Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate equips you with specialized knowledge and advanced skills to provide comprehensive care for patients with mental health disorders. Topics covered include advanced psychopharmacology, assessment and diagnosis, evidence-based practices for managing psychiatric disorders, and culturally sensitive care for diverse populations. You'll develop critical thinking and effective communication skills to make informed clinical decisions and establish therapeutic relationships with patients and families. The program prepares you to provide high-quality, evidence-based care to individuals and families experiencing mental health challenges.
Program Outcomes
- Synthesizes knowledge from nursing and other disciplines as a basis for clinical judgment, clinical reasoning, and innovative evidence-based education and practice.
- Incorporates evidence-based practice in delivering person-centered care to enhance health outcomes and improve health systems.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to select and apply principles of population health and advocacy strategies that optimize health outcomes for individuals, families, communities, and populations.
Integrate and evaluate evidence-based practice to inform and promote advanced clinical practice. - Analyze and apply quality improvement strategies to create a culture of safe, professional nursing practice that optimizes health and protects all.
- Apply leadership skills as an interprofessional team member to optimize the health of individuals, families, and populations within complex healthcare environments.
- Apply evidence-based, innovative strategies based on organizational and systems policies to enhance value, access, quality, and cost-effectiveness within complex healthcare delivery systems.
- Integrate information technology systems to drive decision-making, healthcare change and interdisciplinary communication in complex healthcare delivery systems.
- Integrate the role of the advanced practice nurse by utilizing effective professional communication and presence to promote person-centered care.
- Contribute to an environment that promotes self-care, personal health, well-being and professional development in a culture of accountability and collaboration.
Learn From Leading Experts
By establishing meaningful connections with these Ohio University's faculty, you gain access to the valuable insights of expert practitioners in the field. With a collaborative spirit, they will provide mentorship and support to help you navigate the complexities of the nursing practice and successfully advance your career.
Faculty Spotlight
Related Program
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Online MSN to DNP Degree
Complete your journey to advanced practice or nursing administration opportunities with flexible online coursework and enlightening practicum hours.
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Online Post-Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Gain the skills and confidence to become a family nurse practitioner (FNP) through flexible coursework and practicum hours. Program admits in Fall & Spring semesters.
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MSN-PMHNP
Gain specialized skills to provide advanced nursing practice to patients and families with mental health needs. Become a trusted provider in a critical field with our MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Answers to Common Questions
Find answers to common questions about the online program. For information not covered here, our expert admissions team is available to provide additional details and guidance .
What classes will I be taking for my certificate?
Students with a current APRN License – Current APRNs who are pursuing an APRN certificate will, more than likely, progress directly into a clinical course in their first semester. This means that current APRNs should have possible preceptors and sites in mind when applying These applicants should also contact the School of Nursing at graduatenursing@ohio.edu and request the clinical overview sheets and preceptor packet for their program.
If I graduate from the program, will I be licensed in my state as an APRN?
The AG-ACNP, FNP, and PMHNP degree and certificate programs at Ohio University are intended to prepare students for advanced practice nursing and national certification in those areas. State Boards of Nursing set individual standards for licensure in their state. It is highly recommended that students who seek admission to Nursing programs at Ohio University contact their home state’s Board of Nursing to verify that the desired program and its graduates will meet the eligibility criteria for approval for those credentials. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has contact information for Boards of Nursing on their site, located here: www.ncsbn.org .
What certification exams do students take? What is your first-time pass rate?
Our programs are intended to provide students with the opportunity to acquire the educational eligibility to meet standards for APRN certification or other professional distinctions through examination. A list of examinations and their credentialing bodies are below:
Certification Exams and Credentialing Bodies
The graduate nursing programs at Ohio University are intended to provide students with the opportunity to acquire the educational eligibility to meet standards for advanced practice certification or other professional distinction through examination. For the best information regarding eligibility and standards for these examinations, please visit the website for the credentialing bodies below.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): www.nursingworld.org/ancc
Family Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): www.nursingworld.org/ancc
- Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (NP-C)
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP): www.aanpcert.org
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): www.nursingworld.org/ancc
Nurse Educator
- Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)
- National League of Nursing (NLN): www.nln.org
Nurse Leader
- Eligibility is dependent upon experience criteria in addition to education.
- Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP)
- American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL): www.aonl.org
- Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)
How long is the program?
Most of our programs are three fifteen-week semesters in length with students taking courses in the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Students have up to six years to complete the program.
How many hours do I take per semester? Is this a full-time program?
The programs of study appear later in this document. Most students take 2 fifteen-week courses each semester for 5-9 total credits. Students can take fewer courses but it will take longer to complete their program. The definition of a full-time program can differ among financial aid or tuition reimbursement programs and you will want to check with that particular program’s administrator.
Is the program completely online?
The programs combine online education and in-person education. Students take their courses through an online- format and are only expected on campus for the required On-Campus Intensives. Software applications utilized in nursing classes will work on either PCs or MACs. Office 365 Pro Plus is required and is now available at no charge to Ohio University students.
What are On-Campus Intensives?
On-Campus Intensives (OCIs) are brief visits to a campus that may be required for specific instruction and assessment. These OCIs typically occur at the beginning, middle, and end of your program. The Virtual Orientation Intensive for all programs consists of a half-day virtual conference.
The On-Campus Clinical Skills Workshop associated with the first clinical course in our APRN programs is an on-campus visit to receive specific tack-specific instruction and coaching in preparation for the advanced practice role.
The schedule and details for program-specific OCIs will be provided at Orientation.
Sources and Disclaimer
- "Nursing Fact Sheet.” Retrieved April 27, 2023, from https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/nursing-fact-sheet .
- "Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives and Nurse Practitioners." Retriever October 10, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm .
- "Director of Mental Health Salary.” Retrieved October 10, 2024, from https://www.salary.com/research/salary/position/director-of-mental-health-salary .
*In many states, students must have completed an advanced pharmacology course within five years of applying for a new certification. If your course is more than five years old, please check with your state Board of Nursing. In most cases, you can take that course in your certificate program of study.
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