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  3. PMHNP Certificate

PMHNP Post-Master's Online Certificate Plan of Study

Complete in as few as five semesters.

Program Completion Timeline

For Nurse Practitioners
Students can complete the program in five semesters, beginning in the summer and concluding at the end of the following fall semester. Students may also opt to begin in the spring by enrolling in one of the required courses.

For Non-APRN Students
Non-APRN students typically take three to six additional courses and can complete the program in approximately three years.

Delivery Format

This certificate program is delivered entirely online, with no campus visits required. Students are expected to attend virtual meet-and-greet sessions each semester in the psychiatric mental health specialty. These sessions are usually held during the first week of the course.

Additional Resources

  • A sample plan of study for postmaster’s APRNs is provided below.
  • View course descriptions.

Plan of Study

Summer Year 1Fall Year 1Spring Year 1 
  • N707 Neuro-psychopharmacology (3cr)
  • N643 Assessment and Diagnosis of Mental Health Disorders (3 cr)

 

  • N612 Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing with Children & Adolescents (3 cr)
  • N698CA Practicum: Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing with Children & Adolescents (3 cr, 225 contact hours)
  • N580 Integrative Therapies (2 cr)
Summer Year 2 Fall Year 2 Spring Year 2 
  • N721 Advanced Psychotherapy Modalities with Individuals, Groups & Families (2 cr)
  • N798GF Practicum: Advanced Psychotherapy Modalities with Individuals, Groups & Families (2 cr, 150 contact hours)
  • N722 Psychiatric Mental Health Complex Health Problems (2 cr)
  • N798CH/X Practicum: Psychiatric Mental Health Complex Health Problems (2 cr, 150 contact hours)
  • N622 Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing with Adults & Older Adults (3cr)
  • N698AD Practicum: Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing with Adults & Older Adults - (3 cr, 225 contact hours)
 Current APRN Experience

Indicate credit and practicum hours:

28 Credits, 750 Practicum Hours

Required Clinical Hours

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

Clinical Placement Requirements

Students are expected to secure their own clinical placements near their homes and should begin this process at least four to six months in advance. Faculty and staff at the College of Nursing are available to assist students with finding placements if needed. For full instructions, details, and additional information, please refer to the [College of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook].

Certification Preparation

As with our graduate degree programs, professional certification requirements are established by industry associations. Our certificate programs prepare students to sit for the relevant national certification exams in their specialization areas. The programs meet these certification requirements.


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. 

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Email: nursing [at] UMass [dot] edu

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