Skip to Main Content Skip to bottom Skip to Chat, Email, Text

online msn/pmh degree

Master of Science in Nursing / Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Start your online MSN/PMH degree

Prepare for a role as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) specializing in neuropsychiatric care and treatment with a Master of Science in Nursing/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree. Learn skills such as neuropsychiatric disorder prevention, assessment, self-care management, psychotherapeutic intervention, pharmacological management, and addiction services. Gain the knowledge to treat psychiatric disorders in various healthcare settings and in diverse patient populations. Graduates are eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) national board certification exam.

Nurse Bridge Program

If you have an active RN license and a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, our Nursing Bridge Program helps experienced nurses like you earn your MSN degree — saving you time and money. You’ll start with three BSN courses and then move into the program specialty that fits your career goals.

Ignite Your Passion

Start when you're ready

Courses

Browse courses for your online MSN/PMH degree

Education should hold practical value. That’s why our courses meet rigorous academic standards and provide you with skills and knowledge immediately applicable to your career.

Skills-aligned program icon

Look for this icon to see which skills you’ll learn in a course.

Requirements: 52 credits

You’ll need 52 credits to complete the Master of Science in Nursing/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree. Your course schedule may vary based on transferable credits or credits earned through the University’s Prior Learning Assessment.

12 Core Courses

Here’s where you’ll pick up the majority of your program-specific knowledge. By the time you finish these courses, you should have the confidence and skills needed in this field.

12 Core Courses

Schedule

Your academic counselor will help you schedule your courses for the Master of Science in Nursing/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree.

Program Purpose Statement

Master of Science in Nursing/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN/PMH) program prepares registered nurses (RNs) for advanced practice as a PMHNP. In this role, the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) holistically cares for patients with neuropsychiatric/mental disorders to include the prescribing of psychotropic medication, the provision of psychotherapy and addiction services, and the promotion of selfcare management skills. Graduates of the MSN/PMH program are eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) PMHNP national certification examination.

Skills-aligned program icon

Earn career-relevant skills in weeks – not years.

Learning shouldn’t take years to put into practice. That’s why we’re empowering you to build career-relevant skills with every five- to six-week course.

We’ve worked with the labor market researcher Lightcast to identify in-demand skills for occupations and mapped those to our related associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

Tuition

Transfer credits

Your prior eligible college credits can save you time and money, helping you graduate faster. That’s why we’ve accepted credits from 5,000+ institutions. Check to see if you can apply eligible transfer credits from an institutionally accredited university or college toward a degree of your choice.

Affordable, fixed tuition

Lock in the peace of mind that comes with fixed, affordable tuition. You’ll enjoy one flat rate from the moment you enroll until the day you graduate from your program. That’s your Tuition Guarantee.

Tuition Guarantee

Affordable, Fixed Tuition

$540

Cost per credit

$540

Scholarships to earn your master’s degree, more affordably.

Everyone deserves an affordable education. That’s why we offer an unlimited number of scholarships, so if you qualify, you can get one. We believe everyone deserves an affordable education they shouldn’t have to compete for. Starting with your first course, every qualifying new student will be awarded one of our scholarships - regardless of your financial situation or GPA, or you’ll get the best savings you qualify for. Whether you’re a new or transfer student, you can apply for a scholarship. Explore scholarship options at University of Phoenix.

Financial aid

You may have options when it comes to paying for college tuition and expenses, such as federal grants and loans. Our finance advisors can answer your questions about financial aid and can help guide you through the process.

Federal Student Loan Basics

Careers & Outcomes

What can you do with a Master of Science in Nursing/ Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree?

Discover where your degree might take you and make informed choices about your future.

An MSN/PMH can help prepare you for:

  • Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurse Practitioner (NP)
  • Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

Top skills learned in this program:

  • Assessment

  • Diagnosis

  • Treatment of Neuropsychiatric/Mental Disorders

Our MSN/PMH program meets the educational requirements in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas for graduates who want to pursue advanced practice nursing licensure and certification at the master’s level. The program is currently available online to residents of these states.

Check for additional information about professional licensure in your state of residence.

Ready to get started?

Start your application for free or request additional information.

What you’ll learn

With a Master of Science in Nursing/ Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree you will be equipped with concrete skills that will help you provide patient care in the advanced practice role. You’ll learn how to:

  • Synthesize advanced practice assessment to generate accurate clinical decisions
  • Integrate theory and evidence to provide holistic healthcare services to improve or maintain optimum health for all family members
  • Manage holistic healthcare for individuals and diverse populations across the lifespan
  • Integrate ethical principles in delivering care to patients across the lifespan
  • Synthesize state Nurse Practice Acts and/or regulatory guidelines to practice lawfully
  • Apply principles of quality and safety to improve patient-centered outcomes across the lifespan

38% Growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for nurse practitioners is projected to be much faster than average between 2022 and 2032.

The BLS Projected Growth for 2022-2032 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Admissions

Apply for free – no application fee, no obligation.

Starting your degree is a big decision — and we want you to feel great about it. That’s why we remove obstacles from your application.

  • No cost to request prior transcripts
  • No GMAT
  • No essay required
G. Galindo - Enrollment Representative

Gabriel G., Enrollment Rep

Receive 1-on-1 support

You have a support team of real people you can lean on. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 85% of our surveyed students.[1]

[1] Transactional Survey, September 2022-August 2023 (23,739 respondents)

Start a conversation with an enrollment representative today.

Call us at 844-937-8679 or chat with us 7 days a week.

Receive 1-on-1 support

You have a support team of real people you can lean on. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 90% of our surveyed students.[1] Start a conversation with an enrollment representative today.

[1] Transactional Survey, August 2021-22 (18,645 respondents)

Gabriel G., Enrollment Representative

Call or chat with us 7 days a week.

Student Experience

An education that fits your busy life

Balancing family, work and school

Work toward your degree without giving up what matters most. Start your degree year-round and take one class at a time.

Online learning

Enroll in online classes and attend class whenever it fits your life, day or night.

Around-the-clock support and resources

You have a support team available up to 14 hours a day, 5 days a week. 

Computer requirements for courses

Many course assignments will require you to use a computer to complete and submit your assignment. 

Phoenix provides support and resources for busy students

Faculty Spotlight

Professionals dedicated to you

Your success is a top priority for our deans and faculty members. They bring an average of 28 years of experience and hands-on perspective to the classroom, and help bridge the gap between academics and industry knowledge.

Beverly Jensen

I definitely understand how difficult it is for students who have a family. I try to make my classes as “un-stressful” as possible.

Beverly Jensen
2020 Faculty of the Year

MSN, RN, CNE

I definitely understand how difficult it is for students who have a family. I try to make my classes as “un-stressful” as possible.

Accreditation

Count on the quality of your education

programmatic accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Phoenix are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

This program is aligned with leading industry organizations, such as:

  • American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
  • Quality & Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)
CCNE Accredited

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner articles

What Does a Nurse Educator Do?

Online Degrees

January 19, 2023 • 6 minutes

Levels of Nursing and Degrees Required

Online Degrees

January 12, 2023 • 10 minutes

Role and Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners

Online Degrees

November 02, 2022 • 8 minutes

Frequently asked questions about the Master of Science in Nursing/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree

To become a PMHNP, you must first obtain a license as a registered nurse (RN) in a U.S. state or territory and complete a Bachelor’s degree. To start a program that leads to a master’s of science in nursing prepared as a PMHNP, you will need to finish a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing and be admitted to an accredited Master of Science in Nursing Program. If you have earned an Associates Degree or Diploma in Nursing and have an active RN license, you can enroll in a Bridge Program leading to an MSN with a concentration as a PMHNP.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors that have earned an MD or a DO and have completed a psychiatric residency. Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) are advanced practice RNs who have completed a graduate program such as a master's or doctorate in nursing, obtained certification as a Nurse Practitioner, and have worked as licensed registered nurses. Both psychiatrists and PMHNPs diagnose and treat mental disorders.

Current RN license required.

While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.