Online Post-Master’s PMHNP Programs – What’s the Best Program for You?

Earning a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) post-master’s certificate can be a great way to break into mental health nursing as a career if you’ve already finished your MSN. Nurses need to have completed a graduate degree before they enter a post-master’s certificate program (sometimes referred to as a post-graduate certificate program). Nurses entering a post-master’s certificate program need to have a current, unencumbered nursing license, as well as one to two years of experience working in a mental health nursing setting.

Compare the 2021 Top Ranked Online PMHNP Post-Master's Certificate Programs

Finding a great online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Post-Master's Certificate program is the first step for NPs who wish to enter this unique area of care. For those interested in switching to this specialty, we have analyzed and ranked the best online PMHNP Post-Master's Certificate programs below. Browse to find a great program option, or visit our Methodology page to find out more about how we develop our rankings.

1.

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL

Overview:

Florida State's post-master's certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health is available to NPs who wish to advance their nursing careers in this specialty. The program covers comprehensive and integrative psychiatric health care. Its theory-based courses are delivered online, and supervised clinicals across three psychotherapeutic modalities must be completed in person.

Highlights:

• Prerequisites include advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology
• Real-time video conferencing occurs in many courses
• Additional pediatric or APRN coursework may be required

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Psychiatric Mental Health Certificate Online/Hybrid

2.

Washburn University

Topeka, KS

Overview:

Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas offers an online Psychiatric Mental Health post-master's certificate program for NPs seeking to specialize. Courses from the public university teach students to assess and care for patients with psychiatric disorders across all age groups, using both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods.

Highlights:

• Online courses are mostly self-paced rather than scheduled
• Clinicals may be completed at locations convenient to students
• Graduates are eligible to test for national board certification

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Post-Graduate Certificate - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Online Program Online/Hybrid

3.

Southeastern Louisiana University

Hammond, LA

Overview:

With a focus on medical and psychiatric integrative care, Southeastern Louisiana University offers a Psychiatric Mental Health certificate only for advanced nurses licensed in the state of Louisiana. The online offering includes both theory and didactic courses, including diagnosing psychiatric disorders and psychopharmacology.

Highlights:

• In-person practicums must be completed in-state
• Graduates can apply for the advanced practice PMHNP license and exam
• Readies graduates to treat mental health conditions across all ages

 

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Nurse Practitioner to Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

4.

National University

San Diego, CA

Overview:

Based in San Diego, National University offers an online Psychiatric-Mental Health post-master's certificate program for advanced nurses. The specialty teaches students how to make psychiatric assessments, diagnoses and treatment plans for patients in a number of clinical settings. NU is veteran-founded and veteran-focused.

Highlights:

• Fast-paced courses are delivered via both asynchronous and synchronous methods
• Graduates can sit for the Psychiatric-Mental Health, competency-based exam
• NU is a non-profit university geared toward working adults

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Online/Hybrid

5.

Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences

Boston, MA

Overview:

Based in Boston, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers an online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate program for nurses with advanced degrees. Students engage directly with patients of all ages to deliver care for their psychiatric conditions. Courses cover advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, psychopharmacology, and mental health counseling.

Highlights:

• Three on-campus meetings are required to complete the program
• Students complete home-state based, in-person clinicals
• MCPHS is an almost 200-year-old institution of higher learning

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (CAGS) Online/Hybrid

Why Get a Post-Master’s Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Certificate?

Earning a post-master’s certificate can be an efficient way to earn a specialty certification as a nurse practitioner, especially if you’re not interested in getting another graduate degree. After earning a post-master’s certificate, many psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners go on to open their own private practice. Others work within a network of mental health professionals in a counseling office. Other options include working in private or public healthcare systems, addiction rehabilitation centers, or hospitals for people with mental health issues.

Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of taking this path.

Pros

• Provides education on both direct patient care and healthcare policy and administration
• Efficient route to mental health specialty
• Quicker and more cost-effective than pursuing an additional MSN or a DNP

Cons

• May be a needless step if you do think you might want to earn a doctorate one day
• Provides less training in leadership and administration than a DNP program
• Culminates in a certificate and not a degree

How to Choose an Online Post-Master’s Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Certificate Program

Most PMHNP post-graduate certificate programs take roughly one to two years to complete for most students, depending on part-time or full-time study. The total number of credits required can vary depending on your prior education – most programs require approximately 20 credits for graduation. As you browse your psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner post-master’s certificate program options, you’ll see several fully online programs as well as hybrid options. A hybrid program can provide you with the one-on-one interaction with faculty you may not receive in an online program. 

Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate Curriculum

Over the course of your PMHNP post-master’s certificate program, you’ll take courses in advanced practice, healthcare policy, and psychiatry. Required courses may include:

• Psychopathological disorders across the lifespan
• Clinical psychiatric diagnostics and management for children
• Neurobiology and psychopharmacology
• Clinical psychiatric diagnostics and management for adults

Most post-graduate certificate programs for nurse practitioners in the psychiatric-mental health specialty require approximately 500 hours of clinical work. It’s likely that you’ll be able to complete most or all of this work at your current job if you’re working as a nurse in mental health.

List of Online Post-Master’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Programs

Find out more about online PMHNP post-master’s certificate programs near you by browsing the listings below.