Online MSN-PMHNP
Online MSN-PMHNP Program – Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration and Certificate
Earn your Master of Science in Nursing and prepare for advanced psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner practice through the University of Saint Mary online MSN-PMHNP program. Designed for working registered nurses, the program helps students develop the advanced assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management skills needed to care for individuals with mental health needs across the lifespan.
The USM Difference: Saint Mary provides extensive assistance in securing practicum placements.
USM’s MSN-PMHNP program includes online asynchronous coursework, more than 700 clinical hours, required on-ground intensive experiences, and extensive assistance securing practicum placements. Students can complete the 53-credit degree in as little as two years, with start dates in January and August.
MSN-PMHNP Program Snapshot
- Degree: Master of Science in Nursing — Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Program Length: As little as two years
- Total Credits: 53 credit hours
- Format: Online asynchronous coursework with one required on-ground intensive
- Start Dates: January and August
- Clinical Hours: 700+ clinical hours
- Tuition: $785 a credit hour; additional fees may apply
- Practicum Support: USM provides extensive assistance securing practicum placements
- Post-Graduate Option: PMHNP certificate option available for eligible students
- Accreditation: he master’s degree program in nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- State Authorizations - Please note: USM's MSN and NP programs may not accept students who reside in Louisiana, Tennessee, or New York. Contact us with any questions.
Why Choose USM’s Online MSN-PMHNP?
The University of Saint Mary’s MSN-PMHNP program is built for nurses who want to meet the growing need for mental health care with advanced clinical skill, ethical leadership, and compassionate service.
Practicum Placement Support
Finding appropriate practicum placements can be one of the biggest concerns for online nurse practitioner students. USM provides extensive assistance in securing practicum placements, helping students focus on developing clinical competence rather than navigating the process alone.
700+ Clinical Hours
Students complete more than 700 clinical hours, gaining supervised experience in psychiatric mental health care across the lifespan.
Online Coursework for Working Nurses
We know nurses are busy. Courses are delivered online and asynchronously, giving registered nurses greater flexibility while balancing graduate study with work and family responsibilities.
Required On-Ground Intensive
Students attend one required three-day on-ground intensive experience during the program. This intensive may include skills check-off and practice, standardized patients, virtual boards, simulations, and poster presentations.
Holistic Mental Health Care
USM’s curriculum emphasizes the whole person, incorporating wellness, recovery, cultural competence, and compassionate care into psychiatric mental health practice.
Hear From a USM NP Student
“The nursing professors at USM are absolutely the best! They are fully invested in helping you find your true potential while building in the knowledge and skill you will need to succeed.”
— Sylvia Gillis, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
What Is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner?
A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, or PMHNP, is an advanced practice nurse who provides mental health care across the lifespan. PMHNPs assess, diagnose, and treat mental health needs and may provide therapy, prescribe medications, and evaluate treatment effectiveness depending on state scope-of-practice rules.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners describes the PMHNP role as assessing, diagnosing, and treating the mental health needs of patients, including therapy and medication management for mental health and substance use conditions.
What USM PMHNP Students Learn
- Advanced psychiatric assessment and diagnostic reasoning
- Psychopharmacology and neurobiology
- Management of psychiatric mental health conditions across the lifespan
- Evidence-based practice and research utilization
- Healthcare policy and ethics
- Quality, safety, and informatics
- Interdisciplinary care and mental health advocacy
Career Outlook for Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners are part of one of the fastest-growing health care professions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners had a median annual wage of $132,050 in May 2024, and employment is projected to grow 35% from 2024 to 2034.
Note: Salaries above are calculated based on combination of all relevant occupations tied
to the career, using the 50th percentile of workers (50% of employees make this salary
or less), and is not limited to entry-level employees.
Curriculum
The MSN-PMHNP program consists of 6 semesters and 53 total credit hours. Courses must be taken in order because of the cohort progression structure. Classes are offered online, and students complete more than 700 clinical hours. One on-ground intensive is required.
- NU 701 Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice — 3 credits
- NU 703 Analysis and Utilization of Research — 3 credits
- NU 706 Healthcare Policy and Ethics Across Populations — 3 credits
- NU 714 Quality, Safety and Informatics — 3 credits
- NU 760 Evidence Based Project I — 1 credit
- NU 761 Evidence Based Project II — 1 credit
- NU 762 Evidence Based Project III — 1 credit
- NU 770 Advanced Pathophysiology — 3 credits
- NU 772 Pharmacotherapeutics for the APRN Prescriber — 3 credits
- NU 773 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning — 5 credits
- NU 790 Psychopharmacology and Neurobiology — 3 credits
- NU 792 Psychiatric Mental Health I — 4 credits
- NU 793 Psychiatric Mental Health I Clinical — 4 credits
- NU 794 Psychiatric Mental Health II — 4 credits
- NU 795 Psychiatric Mental Health II Clinical — 4 credits
- NU 796 Psychiatric Mental Health III — 4 credits
- NU 797 Psychiatric Mental Health III Clinical — 4 credits
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the MSN-PMHNP program are prepared to use advanced nursing knowledge, psychiatric mental health expertise, research, technology, and clinical judgment to care for diverse patients across the lifespan.
- Analyze complex data for independent and collaborative psychiatric mental health care decision-making
- Communicate clearly through patient-care documentation and professional collaboration
- Apply theory and research when managing care for diverse patients across the lifespan
- Use healthcare technologies to support patient care in multiple settings
- Practice within the advanced practice scope of their state
- Evaluate and function in complex healthcare environments
- Apply laws, policies, and procedures within advanced nursing practice
- Participate in interdisciplinary care relationships
- Use teaching processes to support patient understanding and behavior change
- Understand how diversity, equity, and inclusion can improve access and care quality for underserved populations
The American Associtaion of Colleges of Nursing Essentials outline expected competencies for graduates of baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral nursing programs, including competency-based preparation for professional nursing practice.
Admissions Requirements
Admission to the MSN-PMHNP program is completed through NursingCAS and is competitive. Applicants are evaluated based on academic preparation, nursing experience, professional readiness, and fit for graduate nursing study. There are two start dates a year: in January and August.
Applicants must demonstrate and provide:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA accredited nursing program
- Verification of current unrestricted RN license in the state of intended clinical practicum
- Undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 or GPA of at least 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate nursing study
- Official transcripts from undergraduate and professional schools
- Two professional or academic letters of recommendation
- Current curriculum vitae
- Written responses to three application questions, 300 words or fewer each
- At least one year of clinical experience as a registered nurse before enrollment in PMHNP practicum courses. Applicants may seek admission before completing the one-year RN clinical experience requirement, but they must complete the full year of RN clinical practice before enrolling in PMHNP practicum courses.
- Students will be invited for a remote information session with the Graduate Program Coordinator and/or the MSN Program Director, FNP Concentration Lead, or the PMHNP Concentration Lead.
- Please note: USM's MSN and NP programs may not accept students who reside in Louisiana, Tennessee, or New York. Contact us with any questions.
If you have questions about the application process, please contact Health Care Admissions Recruiter Jessica Sweet at jessica.sweet@stmary.edu or 913-758-6328.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The MSN-PMHNP program tuition rate is $785 a credit hour. Some additional fees may apply depending on term and course load. Tuition is subject to change from year to year.
Financial aid packages are designed to help students manage education expenses based on need determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Program Mission
Committed to the mission and values of the University of Saint Mary, the MSN and nurse practitioner programs builds upon the knowledge, skills, and values of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse. The program prepares students for advanced nursing practice as leaders, change agents, and innovators across all domains of advanced practice.
Rooted in USM’s Catholic and Vincentian tradition, the MSN-PMHNP program prepares nurses to serve individuals and communities with clinical excellence, ethical judgment, compassion, and respect for human dignity.
Meet the Faculty
Michelle Krakar, DNP, PMHNP-BC 
Assistant Professor & Post Licensure and Graduate Program Director
michelle.krakar@stmary.edu
706-615-7355
Highlights:
Dr. Krakar received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Columbus State University and her Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Troy State University. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing Education from the University of Saint Mary. She then received her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, and she is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Dr. Krakar has experience teaching in undergraduate and master’s programs. Her favorite courses are medical surgical. Clinically, Dr. Krakar has experience in emergency, medical-surgical, telemetry, and forensic nursing. She extensively volunteers with the American Red Cross by providing medical services.
Ginger Vaughn-Pullin, DNP, NE, FNP-BC
Associate Professor of Nursing
Ginger.Vaughn-Pullin@stmary.edu
913-758-6295
Highlights:
Dr. Ginger Vaughn-Pullin received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of
Science in Nursing, and Master of Science in Nursing (FNP focus) from the University
of Kansas. She then completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Organizational Leadership
from Graceland University. Her research focus is on stress reduction in caregivers
of individuals with special needs. She maintains certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner
through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Dr. Vaughn-Pullin has experience teaching in graduate and doctoral programs. Some
of her favorite courses to teach have been advanced health assessment, diagnostic
reasoning, pediatrics, and epidemiology.
Clinically, Dr. Vaughn-Pullin has experience in emergency medicine, intensive care,
functional medicine, pediatrics, and family practice. She currently maintains clinical
practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner working with the uninsured and underserved
in the Kansas City metro area.
Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate
USM also offers a Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate for eligible nurses who already hold a graduate nursing degree and want to add psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner preparation.
- Complete in as few as four courses
- Cost is $785 per credit hour; additional fees may apply
- Includes 700+ clinical hours
Explore Related Nursing Programs
- Online MSN-FNP Program
- Online MSN Program
- Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate
- All Nursing Programs at USM
Frequently Asked Questions
An MSN-PMHNP is a Master of Science in Nursing program focused on psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner preparation. It prepares nurses for advanced mental health care roles across the lifespan.
Take the Next Step with USM’s Online MSN-PMHNP
If you are ready to advance your nursing career and serve patients with mental health needs across the lifespan, the University of Saint Mary online MSN-PMHNP program can help you take the next step.
Have Questions? Contact Us.
Nancy Hernandez, MBA
Division of Nursing
nancy.hernandez@stmary.edu
913-758-6166
The Pre-Licensure Baccalaureate of Nursing program, Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs are approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN).
Graduation from a USM nursing program and passage of the NCLEX exam does not guarantee licensure. Learn more.
Have Questions? Contact Us.
Nancy Hernandez, MBA
Division of Nursing
nancy.hernandez@stmary.edu
913-758-6166
The Pre-Licensure Baccalaureate of Nursing program, Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs are approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN).
Graduation from a USM nursing program and passage of the NCLEX exam does not guarantee licensure. Learn more.