PMHNP Post-Master's Certificate Frequently Asked Questions

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Answer: The priority application deadline is October 15 for a spring or summer start. The program will continue to review applications after October 15th if there are still spaces available.

Students may take one course in the spring to get started or start in the summer and take all three required courses. Clinical sequence begins in the fall.

Answer: Yes, dependent on the following:

Interested applicants who are RNs and hold a master’s degree, but are not nurse practitioners, must complete:

  • An additional 3 courses (if the courses were not included in the MS degree program):
    • Leadership of Public Health Systems
    • Family Systems & Interventions
    • Pharmacotherapy Management
  • The "3 P’s"
    • Advanced Pathophysiology
    • Advanced Pharmacology
    • Advanced Health Assessment
  • Final Residency

A transcript review will be done to determine the specific courses required for non-APRNs.

Answer: It depends.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst operates distance education classes and programs for out-of-state students under the terms and provisions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). Due to certain states' restrictions on clinical placements for students enrolled in out-of-state institutions, we are currently unable to accept students seeking a clinical certification​​​ who reside in: Alabama, Minnesota, New York, Oregon or Washington. Learn more.

Answer: It depends if you are an NP or a non-APRN.

For nurse practitioners: this program can be completed in five semesters, starting in the summer and finishing the following fall. Students can opt to start in the spring and take one of the required courses.

For non-APRN’s: with the addition of 3-6 courses, it will take approximately three years to complete all of the requirements.

Answer: No. This is a completely online program.

Answer: No.

We do not provide clinical placements for you, however, we do have support in place should you need assistance. It is highly recommended that you have clinical placements identified and arranged before applying to the program.

Answer: It depends if you are an APRN or a non-APRN.

  • APRNs: 560 clinical hours
  • Non-APRNs and/or APRNs with less than one year of APRN practice: 728 clinical hours

Each semester there are two goals pertaining to hours: 

  1. Meet total practicum hours
  2. Meet specialty hours requirement
     
  • Child and Adolescent Practicum 168 Clinical Hours Fall Semester (at least 40 hours should be with persons 21 and younger out of 168 hours). This is a practicum year one course offered in the fall.
  • Adults/ Older Adults 168 Hours Spring Semester (at least 40 hours should be with persons over age 56 out of 168 hours). This is a practicum year two course offered in the Spring Semester.
  • Psychotherapy Practicum 112 Summer Semester (at least 20 hours should be in a psychotherapy modality- Individual, Group, and or Family Therapy). This is a practicum year one course offered in the Summer Semester.
  • Complex Health Practicum 112 Clinical Hours Fall Semester (Any Psychiatric Mental Health Setting). This is a practicum year two course, offered in the Fall Semester.
  • Final Residency Practicum 112 Clinical Hours Spring Semester (any Psychiatric Mental Health Setting). This is a practicum year two course offered in the Spring Semester for students who did not have previous APRN (and/or <1  year APRN) experience before starting the PMH program. Mostly DNP students and or students without APRN experience take this final course. Most certificate students wrap up in December of their second year with Complex Health. 

Answer: Any licensed psychiatrist and or a licensed Psychiatric NP/CNS, except for the psychotherapy rotation (Summer 2).

Students may work with a psychotherapist, during which time they may precept with:

  • A licensed and independent psychologist (PsyD)
  • Licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) social worker (LICSW only- LCSW [Licensed Social Workers] not acceptable
  • Licensed drug and alcohol counselor (LADC)
  • Psychiatrist
  • Advanced practice psychiatric nurse (PMHNP/PMHCNS)

Answer: Yes.

Students may participate in clinical experiences, including telehealth, in states in which they hold an active RN license. They must be licensed in the state(s) where their preceptor's telehealth clients are receiving care. There is no maximum or minimum number of hours for telehealth practicum.

Answer: We strongly recommend that students work part-time during the practicum semesters.