Most important takeaways…
- Dual FNP/PMHNP programs require 1,000 to 1,500 total clinical hours.
- Most accredited options deliver coursework online with in-person clinical rotations.
- Dual-certified NPs typically outearn single-specialty peers in national salary data.
What does a nurse practitioner need to treat both a patient's diabetes and their depression under one roof? Increasingly, the answer is dual certification as an FNP and PMHNP. Roughly one in five U.S. adults lives with a mental illness, and primary care remains the front door for most of them, yet under 30% of counties have adequate psychiatric coverage.
Dual MSN programs answer that gap, but they demand 1,000+ clinical hours, two board exams, and tuition that can range widely between public and private institutions. Fully online dual tracks remain rare, which is why this ranking weighs delivery format alongside how to evaluate FNP programs.
Best Online FNP & PMHNP Dual Degree Programs: 2027 Rankings
These ten schools sit at the online-accessible end of the family and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner market, and every graduate nursing program listed here is CCNE accredited. Eligibility is what separates them: some enroll students from anywhere in the country, while others require state-specific RN licensure, regular campus travel, or clinical placements arranged close to home. One caveat applies to the whole list: most of these schools admit students into either the family or the psychiatric track rather than a combined FNP and PMHNP credential, and UVA is the exception, running both tracks side by side.
Factors considered
- Earnings ten years after entry
- Tuition adjusted for local cost of living
- Program-level detail and accreditation
- Graduation rates as supporting context
- First-year retention, weighted lightly
- Program-level records maintained in house
- Independent editorial research
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) — nces.ed.gov
- State cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities — bea.gov
- Federal College Scorecard outcomes data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
University of Michigan
Michigan's School of Nursing pairs a primary care Family Nurse Practitioner track with a combined nurse-midwifery and FNP option, available at both the MSN and DNP levels. Students come to Ann Arbor for structured campus sessions each term and can spread the work across two or three years. Graduate tuition is listed at about $28,600 in state and $57,400 out of state, and roughly 93 percent of the university's students graduate.
- MSN and DNP entry points
- Two-year and three-year plans of study
- Three on-campus days per term
- Capstone required for completion
- Full-time and part-time options
- Prepares graduates for FNP certification
- Prerequisite coursework and clinical experience required
- Combined nurse-midwifery and family practice credential
- Leads to dual certification
- Three-year plan of study
- Covers pregnancy and childbirth alongside primary care
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Master's — Hybrid
Nurse-Midwifery and Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner, Master's — Hybrid
San Jose State University
San Jose State's MSN with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration runs as a five-semester, full-time cohort that mixes online coursework with Tuesday evening classes and clinical rotations. Applicants need a BSN, a 3.0 GPA and an unrestricted California RN license, and about two years of RN experience is preferred. Graduate tuition is listed at roughly $7,600 in state and $17,700 out of state, and about 69 percent of the university's students graduate.
- Five-semester, full-time cohort
- Tuesday evening in-person classes
- Unrestricted California RN license required
- 3.0 GPA and BSN required
- Two years of RN experience preferred
- Fall admission only
- Clinical practicum courses each term
- $250 program fee after acceptance
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Master's — Hybrid
University of South Florida
USF Health's 60-credit Family Nurse Practitioner MSN combines online coursework with clinical placements around Tampa. Graduates are eligible for either the ANCC or AANPCB family certification exam, and the program closes with a capstone and a comprehensive examination. Graduate tuition is listed at about $8,350 for Florida residents and $19,000 for non-residents, and roughly 77 percent of the university's students graduate.
- 60 total credit hours
- Capstone and comprehensive exam
- Prepares for ANCC or AANPCB certification
- Clinical judgment, research and policy coursework
- Leadership and education training
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Master's — Hybrid
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Carolina's psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner specialty is delivered as a distance-based MSN, with clinical hours arranged in the student's own community rather than near campus. Coursework covers psychiatric assessment, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy and prescriptive authority across the lifespan. Graduate tuition is listed at about $10,800 in state and $29,400 out of state, and about 91 percent of the university's students graduate.
- Distance-based online MSN
- Clinical placements arranged in local communities
- Psychopharmacology and psychotherapy coursework
- Prescriptive authority preparation
- Care across the lifespan
- Prepares for board certification
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Master's — Online
California State University-Stanislaus
Stanislaus State's MSN in family nursing runs 56 semester units over two years, pairing online didactic courses with clinical practice in California outpatient settings and periodic simulation days on campus. Admission requires a BSN, a 3.0 GPA, one year of RN experience and an active California license, plus a $70 application fee. Graduate tuition is listed at about $7,600 in state and $17,700 out of state, and about 53 percent of the university's students graduate.
- 56 semester units over two years
- 750 supervised clinical hours
- One year of RN experience required
- Active California RN license required
- On-campus simulation meetings
- Rolling admissions with a fall start
- 3.0 GPA and BSN required
- $70 application fee
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Master's — Hybrid
Florida Atlantic University
FAU's Family Nurse Practitioner concentration is a part-time, 52-credit program that takes about two and a half years and includes 780 clinical hours placed across South Florida. Three campus locations support the in-person pieces, and applicants need neither the GRE nor the MAT, and no prior clinical experience is required. In-state tuition runs about $372 per credit hour, graduate tuition is listed at roughly $5,500 in state and $16,700 out of state, and about 63 percent of the university's students graduate.
- 52 credits, part-time enrollment only
- 780 clinical hours required
- About two and a half years to complete
- No GRE or MAT required
- No prior clinical experience required
- Clinical sites across South Florida
- Three campus locations
- In-state tuition about $372 per credit
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Master's — Hybrid
Southern Utah University
Southern Utah's online MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner is among the most flexible entries here: 52 credits delivered asynchronously in seven-week terms, with one required on-campus clinical intensive. Total program tuition is published at $26,208, or $504 per credit, and students can finish in as few as 18 months. Admission requires a BSN, an active RN license, a 3.0 GPA and two years of RN experience, and roughly 61 percent of the university's students graduate.
- 52 credits, about $26,208 total
- Finish in as few as 18 months
- Asynchronous seven-week terms
- One required on-campus clinical intensive
- 550 clinical hours plus a capstone
- Two years of RN experience required
- Statistics prerequisite and background check
- Next application window opens March 2027
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Master's — Online
Florida International University
FIU's psychiatric-mental health MSN runs 45 credits across six semesters and combines online learning with time on the Miami campus. A dual Nurse Educator option lets students add a teaching credential alongside the PMHNP preparation. Clinical work spans community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, crisis units and correctional settings; graduate tuition is listed at about $9,100 in state and $21,600 out of state, and about 74 percent of the university's students graduate.
- 45 credits across six semesters
- Dual Nurse Educator option
- Fall admission with a March 1 deadline
- Applications filed through NursingCAS
- Prepares for national certification and state APRN licensure
- Community mental health, hospital and correctional placements
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Master's — Hybrid
California State University-Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands delivers its Family Nurse Practitioner MSN through online 16-week sessions, with practicum courses completed in person. The curriculum follows the national FNP core competencies and prepares students for either AANP or ANCC certification, and a post-master's certificate is available for nurses who already hold a graduate nursing degree. Graduate tuition is listed at about $9,800 in state and $19,800 out of state, and about 51 percent of the university's students graduate.
- Online 16-week course sessions
- Practicum courses require in-person attendance
- Built on national FNP core competencies
- Prepares for AANP or ANCC certification
- Post-master's certificate option
- Primary care across the lifespan
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Master's — Hybrid
University of Virginia
UVA is the only school on this list that currently enrolls students into both a family and a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner MSN track, which makes it the most direct stop for nurses weighing a dual credential. Both tracks run two years full time or three years part time, with recurring class days in Charlottesville and clinical hours concentrated in Virginia. Program costs are published at $25,756 for Virginia residents and $40,328 for non-residents, and about 96 percent of the university's students graduate. Alumni of the school also receive guaranteed admission to the FNP track.
- Two years full time or three years part time
- Fall and spring start terms
- Class days on Thursdays and Fridays
- Clinical practica run Monday through Friday
- 3.0 GPA, BSN and one year of RN experience
- Virginia resident total cost about $25,756
- Non-resident total cost about $40,328
- No GRE required; alumni guaranteed admission
- Monthly in-person class sessions
- 500+ supervised clinical hours
- Placements mostly in Virginia
- Focus on underserved populations
- Virginia RN license required
- Three recommendations and an $85 application fee
- MSN core plus psychiatric specialty coursework
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Master's — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Master's — Hybrid
How FNP and PMHNP Dual Degree Programs Work
A dual FNP/PMHNP MSN typically requires 1,000 to 1,500 clinical hours, with roughly 500 to 750 hours in each specialty.
How simultaneous dual certification is structured
These programs are built for BSN-prepared nurses who do not already hold an NP certification. You complete shared advanced practice core courses first, then move through separate family/primary care and psychiatric mental health specialty content. Most dual-track MSNs run 70 or more credits and five or more semesters. The clinical split is not universal, but many programs follow a 600 plus 600, 720 plus 720, or 780 plus 780 pattern, always above the 500 supervised hours that certification bodies require for each population focus.1 Because both specialties are planned within one degree, you graduate eligible to sit for both FNP and PMHNP board exams instead of finishing one certification and returning later.
The post-master's route for current FNPs
If you already hold an FNP, a post-master's PMHNP certificate or bridge is usually shorter and more targeted. A gap analysis identifies the psychiatric mental health content and clinical time you still need. Most students complete 500 to 780 or more additional clinical hours in psychiatric settings across the lifespan.2 Published minimums vary: UNC Greensboro lists 510 hours and may credit up to 300 prior NP practice hours depending on state rules, George Washington University lists 600, Francis Marion University lists 7803, and Simmons University lists 7564. A dual-focus certificate that stacks full FNP and PMHNP sequences, such as Robert Morris University's, can require around 540 hours per specialty, or 1,080 total.5
Why the pathway matters for board eligibility
Completing a dual program is not the same as adding a certification later. In a simultaneous dual MSN, all required clinical hours and coursework are completed before initial board certification in one continuous program. In an FNP to PMHNP pathway, prior FNP clinical hours generally do not automatically satisfy PMHNP requirements. Certification bodies require 500 supervised hours per focus, and hours cannot overlap.1 State boards may require additional hours or extension courses, so an individualized gap analysis can raise the published minimum. The timeline differs, too: the dual MSN is a full graduate program, while the certificate route typically spans 18 to 32 credits and three to six semesters.
Online vs Campus Dual Degree Options and Clinical Placement Support
Choosing between a fully online, hybrid, or on-campus dual FNP/PMHNP program comes down to how much travel you can absorb, whether your state allows enrollment, and how much help you need finding preceptors. For working nurses, the last point often matters most.
Fully Online, Hybrid, and On-Campus Formats
Truly 100% online dual programs are rare. Even schools that market themselves as online almost always require some in-person component for clinical skills, simulation, or orientation. A few examples of how this looks in 2026:
- Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions: Coursework runs online with periodic visits to the Provo, Utah campus. Students complete 1,080 clinical hours (split 540 per certification) in their home communities.1
- Rockhurst University: Online didactic coursework paired with a 3-day clinical immersion on the Kansas City, Missouri campus.2
- University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing: Online format with a virtual orientation and an in-person clinical intensive.
- University of San Francisco: Hybrid delivery based in San Francisco, with a mix of online and on-campus components.3
- Maryville University: Coursework is delivered fully online, though clinical training must still be completed in person.
- SUNY Polytechnic Institute: Flexible hybrid format blending synchronous and asynchronous online courses.
If you cannot travel for immersions, ask each program directly how many campus visits are required, how long they last, and whether dates are set a year in advance so you can plan PTO.
State Authorization and Out-of-State Enrollment
Online nursing programs must be authorized to enroll students in each state, and not every dual program accepts residents of every state. Restrictions change year to year, so treat any list you find online as a starting point. Before you apply, check the program's page on state authorization for online NP programs and confirm in writing that your state is currently approved for both didactic enrollment and clinical placement.
Clinical Placement Support and Preceptor Matching
This is where dual programs diverge sharply. Some schools assign a placement coordinator who helps identify FNP primary care sites and PMHNP psychiatric sites in your region. Others, including Rocky Mountain, expect students to find clinical preceptors for all 1,080 hours. A middle path is common: the school will help arrange local placements but you are still responsible for outreach.
Psychiatric preceptors are harder to find than family practice preceptors in most markets, so strong PMHNP clinical placement support is often the deciding factor. Before enrolling, ask what percentage of dual-track students the program places directly and how it handles students in preceptor-scarce regions.
The Dual FNP/PMHNP Pathway at a Glance
Earning dual FNP and PMHNP certification follows a clear sequence of academic and credentialing milestones. Whether you enter with a BSN or an active RN license, the pathway below outlines what to expect from application through independent practice.
Accreditation isn't just a checkbox on your application, it's the foundation your board certification and state licensure will stand on for the rest of your career.
Related Articles
Salary Insight: What Dual-Certified NPs Can Expect Nationally
Dual-certified NPs bring flexibility that single-specialty peers may not have.
Additional Online FNP/PMHNP Dual Programs to Consider
These schools appear in our full directory of online and hybrid FNP and PMHNP programs and are worth considering if you want more options beyond the ranked list above. Each entry notes which specialty tracks are offered, the university-level graduate tuition range, and the institution's typical net price. Program availability and details can change, so confirm current requirements with each school.
Other
Michigan State University East Lansing, MI · Hybrid
- Nurse Practitioner (Family Nurse Practitioner)
University of Missouri Columbia, MO · Hybrid
- MS(N) Family Nurse Practitioner
- MS in Nursing with Emphasis in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
University of Delaware Newark, DE · Online
- Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN · Hybrid
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse-Midwifery/Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Lifespan)
California State University-Channel Islands Camarillo, CA · Hybrid
- Master of Science in Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner)
Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA · Hybrid
- Master of Science in Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner)
Ohio State University Columbus, OH · Hybrid
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Purdue University West Lafayette, IN · Hybrid
- MS with Family Nurse Practitioner Program (MS/FNP)
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX · Hybrid
- Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner
Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJ · Hybrid
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Family Nurse Practitioner
The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL · Online
- MS in Nursing - Nurse Practitioner (Family Nurse Practitioner)
- Master of Science in Nursing (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner)
Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY · Hybrid
- Family Nurse Practitioner M.S.
California State University-Dominguez Hills Carson, CA · Hybrid
- MSN Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA · Hybrid
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Miami University Oxford, OH · Hybrid
- Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner
