Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Post-Master's Online Certificate
Why choose the UMass Amherst PMHNP Online Certificate?
There is a great need for more advanced practice PMHNPs in the United States to meet the needs of the community by offering treatment for mental health and substance disorders.
The UMass Amherst Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Post-Master's Online Certificate prepares nurses to obtain psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certification. This accelerated online program is designed for nurses who have completed a Master's degree and who wish to expand their scope of practice to include the care of individuals, families and groups with psychiatric and mental health needs. Preference is given to nurses with experience in psychiatric mental health nursing.
The program may be completed in as few as two years, with individualized plans of study which recognize each student's clinical practice experience. Students benefit from the College of Nursing's focus on integrated mental health care and from classes taught by the College of Nursing's expert faculty. Students are expected to find their own clinical preceptors. Please review the College of Nursing graduate clinical placement page (p. 63 in the Graduate Student Handbook in the Downloads section below) to read more about what types of preceptors you will need.
This certificate will prepare students to:
Proposed Objectives for PMHNP Post Master’s Certificate
- Provide the instructional foundation for students to obtain professional certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
- Develop appropriate clinical inferences based on a solid background in the sciences for the prevention of illness and the promotion of physical and mental health.
- Effectively evaluate the efficacy of drug therapies on the physical and mental health of patients and consider non-drug integrative therapies to promote health.
- Assess, diagnose and treat common psychiatric and mental health disorders across the lifespan.
- Engage in inter and intra disciplinary collaboration and consultation in care of individuals, groups, and families.
- Synthesize and translate evidence-based practices from nursing and other disciplines to manage complex psychiatric and mental health conditions.
- Analyze social problems, health care policies and practices which affect the delivery of psychiatric mental health care.
Plan of Study
The PMHNP Certificate courses are completely online. You do not need to come to campus to complete this program. You will gain experiential learning through clinical practica to be arranged in your area. Individual plans of study will be developed for each student. See the Downloads section for sample plans of study for APRN and non-APRN students.
Clinical Hours Required:
Non-APRNS: 728
APRNs: 560
Estimated Fees
- Per credit: $750
- Registration fee per semester: $47
- Castlebranch (credentialing): $85
- Typhon (year 1): $80
- Fitzgerald Review Course (year 2): $250
Admissions Requirements
- A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an accredited program of nursing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- An active RN license
- Psychiatric mental health nursing experience preferred.
APPLICATION MATERIALS ARE DUE BY DECEMBER 15. Starting dates to be determined based on transcript review and available seats.
Out of state students: State and federal laws require colleges and universities to be authorized to offer online degree programs in states other than their own, particularly when the program includes clinical placements . We are currently unable to accept students from: Minnesota, Ohio, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Washington. Other states may also have restrictions on clinical placements; our office will confirm the current regulations concerning clinical placements as necessary.
Ready to Apply?
Open the PMHNP Certificate Application Package in the Downloads section below. There is no application fee.
Need More Information?
- The "PMHNP Certificate Information Packet and Application" in the Downloads section provides more details about the certificate.
- Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
- If you have a specific question, click here to complete an information request form.
Or contact:
Karen Ayotte
Program Assistant
Post Masters Psych MH NP Certificate Program
UMass Amherst College of Nursing
kayotte@nursing.umass.edu
413.545.1302
The College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
