Evaluate Affordable Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs Near Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester, New Hampshire, sits at the center of the state's mental health response, with demand for psychiatric-mental health services rising 35% in recent years. The city is home to key facilities, such as the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, which anchor the region's service network. Substance use disorders, homelessness, and rural healthcare access all intersect here, creating significant opportunities for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs). Educational costs remain well below those in Boston and other New England cities, making Manchester a cost effective place to train without compromising educational quality.
As the state's largest city, Manchester offers PMHNP students access to both urban hospitals and rural mental health centers. In addition to hospital-based psychiatry units, students may gain experience through partnerships with nearby Veterans Affairs facilities, school-based behavioral health programs, and nonprofit organizations addressing housing insecurity. Clinical rotations often extend to surrounding communities in Hillsborough County and into rural areas of southern New Hampshire, providing exposure to diverse patient populations. This variety offers a breadth of clinical experience not found in every region and equips graduates with adaptable skills that are highly valued across the state.
2025 Discover Affordable Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs Near Manchester, New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online
Manchester, NH - Public 4-Year - cps.unh.edu
Master's - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of New Hampshire's online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program offers an affordable pathway for experienced registered nurses seeking advanced mental health specialization. With a 30-month, 50-credit curriculum, students develop comprehensive skills across patient lifespans through flexible online learning and intensive clinical practicums. The program's affordability stems from its online delivery format, reducing transportation and housing costs while allowing working professionals to maintain employment. Graduates complete 750 clinical hours, preparing for ANCC board certification and diverse mental health practice settings from private practices to telehealth services. Military-friendly status and part-time options enhance accessibility for working healthcare professionals.
- Online 30-month masters program
- 750 total clinical hours
- ANCC board certification eligible
- Full and part-time options
- Minimum 1 year RN experience required
- Across lifespan mental health focus
- Three program intensives
- Advanced practice nursing leadership
- Multiple clinical practice settings
Master's - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: Online (M.S.)
Online Learning - Visit Website
University of New Hampshire's online Master's in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing provides a cost-effective advanced practice nursing pathway for registered nurses. The program's affordability is enhanced by its online delivery, minimizing additional educational expenses while offering comprehensive mental health training. Requiring an unencumbered RN license, baccalaureate degree, and one year of professional experience, students engage in a 50-credit, 30-month curriculum combining virtual learning with simulation experiences. With 750 clinical hours, the program prepares graduates for ANCC board certification, emphasizing leadership, advanced pharmacology, and mental health diagnosis across patient lifespans. Flexible start terms and financial aid options further improve program accessibility.
- Online Master's in Nursing
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- 50 Credits
- 30 Months Program Length
- 750 Clinical Hours
- ANCC Board Certification Eligible
- Unencumbered RN License Required
- Baccalaureate Degree Required
- One Year RN Experience Required
- Combines Online and Simulation Learning
Rivier University
Nashua, NH - Private 4-year - rivier.edu
Master's - MSN: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online Learning - Visit Website
Rivier University offers an innovative online MSN: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program designed for registered nurses seeking advanced mental health specialization. With an affordable cost structure ranging from $725-$1,132 per credit, the program provides exceptional value for aspiring PMHNPs. Students benefit from a low-residency format featuring comprehensive coursework in psychiatric disorders, medication prescription, and psychotherapy techniques. The ACEN-accredited curriculum supports multiple entry paths, accommodating diverse nursing backgrounds. Designed for flexibility, the program prepares graduates for PMHNP-BC certification through hands-on practicum experiences and robust online learning modules. Notably, the university's Roman Catholic affiliation and military-friendly status enhance its accessibility and supportive educational environment.
- Online coursework available.
- Low-residency format.
- Multiple entry paths.
- ACEN accredited.
- Skills in medication prescription.
- Psychotherapy training included.
- Cost: $725-$1,132 per credit.
- Prepares for PMHNP-BC certification.
- Flexible program length.
- Hands-on practicum experience.
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH - Public 4-Year - unh.edu
Master's - Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (M.S.)
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of New Hampshire's 50-credit online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Master's program provides an economical advanced nursing education. Its 30-month duration allows part-time study, reducing financial strain for working nurses. With a minimum requirement of one year RN experience, the program offers a competency-based curriculum focusing on lifespan patient care. Affordable learning features include online delivery, minimizing commuting expenses, and high-fidelity simulations. Graduates receive comprehensive preparation for the ANCC board certification, positioning themselves for diverse mental health career paths with minimal financial investment.
- Online Master's degree program
- 50 total credit hours
- 30-month program length
- 750 clinical practice hours
- Full and part-time options
- ANCC certification preparation
- Experienced nursing faculty
- Minimum 1 year RN experience required
- Across lifespan patient care focus
- Competency-based curriculum
Master's - Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (M.S.)
Online Learning - Visit Website
UNH's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Master's program provides an affordable pathway for RNs seeking specialized mental health expertise. The 50-credit online program reduces educational costs through flexible learning formats and minimal campus requirements. With stringent admission criteria ensuring high-quality education, the program offers cost-effective professional development. Emphasizing evidence-based approaches and inter-professional collaboration, students gain comprehensive skills without significant financial burden. The program's affordability is further demonstrated by its competency-based coursework, preparing nurses for the ANCC certification exam with minimal additional training expenses.
- Online program format.
- 750 clinical hours required.
- Competency-based coursework.
- Eligible for ANCC certification.
- Unencumbered RN license needed.
- Baccalaureate degree required.
- One year RN experience minimum.
- 3 professional references.
- Personal statement required.
- Resume submission needed.
Graduate Certificate - Post-Master's Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Online Learning - Visit Website
UNH's innovative Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online Certificate offers an affordable, flexible pathway for advanced practice registered nurses. The 29-credit program can be completed in just 17 months, making it cost-effective for working professionals. With 750 clinical hours and three on-campus intensives, students gain comprehensive psychiatric care expertise. The program's affordability stems from its online format, reducing transportation and housing costs while providing synchronous and asynchronous learning options. Designed for licensed APRNs, this certificate prepares nurses for the ANCC certification exam and diverse mental health career opportunities.
- Online graduate certificate program
- 29 total credit hours
- 17-month program length
- 750 clinical hours required
- Three on-campus intensives
- Synchronous and asynchronous learning
- For licensed APRNs
- Prepares for ANCC certification
- Multiple mental health career paths
Doctorate - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online Learning - Visit Website
UNH's online Doctor of Nursing Practice in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner represents an affordable doctoral pathway for experienced nurses. The 80-credit program offers customizable length and flexible online learning, reducing overall educational expenses. With small class sizes and expert faculty mentorship, students receive personalized education at a competitive cost. The program's leadership-focused curriculum and 750 clinical practice hours prepare nurses for advanced practice roles. Affordability is enhanced by minimal campus visits, asynchronous learning options, and the potential for continued employment during studies.
- 80 total credit hours
- Fully online program
- 750 clinical practice hours
- ANCC certification eligible
- Post-baccalaureate doctoral degree
- Customizable program length
- Small class sizes
- Expert faculty mentorship
- Leadership-focused curriculum
- Advanced practice preparation
Doctorate - Bachelors of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of New Hampshire's BSN to DNP Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program offers an economical route to advanced practice leadership. This 80-credit online program minimizes educational expenses through flexible, asynchronous learning and reduced campus visits. Designed for working nurses, the curriculum focuses on evidence-based practice and healthcare innovation. The program's affordability is further enhanced by its comprehensive approach, allowing students to earn a doctoral degree while maintaining professional employment. With 750 clinical practice hours and expert faculty mentorship, graduates are prepared for diverse leadership roles in mental healthcare.
- 80 total credit hours
- Online flexible learning format
- 750 clinical practice hours
- ANCC certification preparation
- Advanced leadership training
- Comprehensive mental health focus
- Doctoral scholarly project required
- Expert faculty mentorship
- Interdisciplinary healthcare approach
New Hampshire's Mental Health Workforce Needs
The state's opioid crisis has reshaped behavioral health care, creating an urgent need for providers who are proficient in both psychiatry and addiction medicine. This dual expertise enables PMHNPs to manage complex cases where substance use disorders and mental health conditions occur simultaneously, a scenario increasingly common in New Hampshire's patient population. As a result, educational programs and clinical settings are placing greater emphasis on integrated care approaches that prepare practitioners to address both areas effectively.
To meet these evolving needs, mental health systems are adopting collaborative care models in which PMHNPs work alongside counselors, social workers, and primary care providers to deliver coordinated treatment plans. In Manchester, healthcare systems, community organizations, and private practices actively seek PMHNPs with these competencies, offering competitive incentives such as signing bonuses, loan repayment programs, flexible schedules, and even leadership opportunities to attract and retain qualified professionals.
PMHNP Salary Expectations
| Practice Setting | Entry Level | Experienced PMHNP | Benefits |
| Community Mental Health | $115K–$125K | $140K–$155K | Full benefits + loan aid |
| Hospital Psychiatry | $120K–$135K | $150K–$170K | CME + comprehensive plan |
| Private Practice | $130K–$150K | $170K–$200K+ | Variable + profit sharing |
| Telehealth | $110K–$130K | $135K–$160K | Flexible + tech stipend |
Employers often compete for qualified PMHNPs, which can lead to generous employment terms, including relocation assistance, professional development funding, and opportunities for leadership roles.
Affordable PMHNP Education
Local PMHNP programs cost significantly less than those in Massachusetts or Connecticut. Public programs typically range from $28K–$45K, while private programs fall between $50K–$75K (AACN data). These costs are even more manageable when students leverage employer tuition reimbursement or commit to service agreements in exchange for reduced tuition.
Key Costs Beyond Tuition:
- Clinical placement fees ($2K–$4K)
- Psychiatric tools/software ($800–$1,500)
- Liability insurance ($200–$400 annually)
- Background checks, screenings, and clearances ($650–$1,300)
- Textbooks and learning platforms ($1,500–$3,000)
- Certification exam fees ($395–$495)
Programs with established clinical partnerships can help reduce travel costs for placements across the region, making the educational journey more efficient and affordable.
Financial Aid Options
New Hampshire offers grants and scholarships to boost its healthcare workforce, with enhanced support for high need specialties like psychiatric nursing.
State Programs:
- State Scholarship Program (up to $2,500)
- Workforce Incentive Program
- Rural Health Loan Repayment
- Nursing Scholarship Fund
Federal Options:
- HRSA behavioral health grants
- NURSE Corps Scholarship (full tuition + stipend)
- SAMHSA training grants
- Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans
Combining state and federal funding can substantially reduce out-of-pocket costs, and service-based scholarships often allow graduates to enter the workforce debt-free while serving in critical shortage areas.
Clinical Training Opportunities
To become a nurse practitioner, PMHNP students train in a variety of settings to develop a comprehensive, adaptable skill set and an understanding of how psychiatric care is delivered in different environments. These rotations typically include:
- Acute psychiatric units where students respond to crisis situations, stabilize patients, and coordinate transitions to outpatient or community care.
- Community mental health centers that provide ongoing therapy, support groups, and outreach services for individuals with chronic mental health conditions.
- Substance abuse treatment facilities where integrated recovery models address both mental health and addiction, preparing graduates for the complexities of dual diagnoses.
- Private outpatient practices focused on individualized medication management and psychotherapy, often for long-term patient relationships.
- Rural clinics that navigate limited resources, broad patient needs, and geographic isolation to ensure care access in underserved areas.
Rural and remote rotations are particularly valuable, as they foster self-reliance, adaptability, and resourcefulness. Students often take on broader responsibilities, learn to problem solve in lower resource environments, and strengthen their clinical judgment, key qualities for independent practice and leadership roles in psychiatric-mental health nursing.
Flexible Program Formats
Programs in the Manchester area cater to working nurses through evening, weekend, and hybrid formats, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of students.
| Format | Duration | Benefits | Considerations |
| Full-Time | 20–24 mo | Fast completion | May require job leave |
| Part-Time | 30–36 mo | Work while studying | Longer timeline |
| Hybrid Online/Campus | 24–30 mo | Less commuting | Self-discipline needed |
| Accelerated | 16–20 mo | Quickest route | Highly intensive |
Hybrid models combine online theory with in-person clinicals, often integrating virtual patient simulations, case studies, and telehealth competencies, skills that are increasingly essential in modern psychiatric care.
Certification and Licensure
To practice in New Hampshire, PMHNPs must complete an accredited program and pass the ANCC certification exam. Strong programs weave certification preparation throughout the curriculum, improving first time pass rates.
High Demand Specializations:
- Addiction psychiatry
- Child/adolescent psychiatry
- Geriatric psychiatry
- Trauma/PTSD care
- Forensic psychiatry
Specializing in these areas aligns with state needs and can open doors to niche opportunities and higher salaries.
Building a Career in Manchester
PMHNPs benefit from joining professional networks like the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, attending state behavioral health conferences, and participating in continuing education. Volunteering with community organizations, pursuing leadership roles, and developing telehealth expertise can further expand opportunities.
Manchester's location offers access to Boston's educational and professional resources while preserving New Hampshire's lower cost of living and quality of life advantages. With affordable training, strong job demand, and opportunities to make a measurable difference, PMHNPs from nurse practitioner programs in New Hampshire are positioned well for long-term career success.
Sources
- New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
- Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester
- Health Resources and Services Administration
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
- Evaluate Affordable Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs Near Manchester, New Hampshire - August 11, 2025
- Browse Premier MSN Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs Near Madison, Wisconsin - August 8, 2025
- Compare Cost-Effective Doctor of Nursing Practice Family Nurse Practitioner Programs Near Detroit, Michigan - August 6, 2025
Related Articles
- Find Budget Friendly Doctor of Nursing Practice Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs Near Dayton, Ohio
- 4 Essential Projects to Improve Primary Care Office Flow for Nurse Practitioners
- Securing Nurse Practitioner Preceptors: Why Are Some Schools and Students Paying for the Privilege?
- Top Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs Near Houston, TX
- Nurse Practitioner Residency
- Are Nurse Practitioners Leaving Primary Care?