Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate Programs

Updated: Mar 5, 2024

Nurse practitioners (NPs) have many career options. For NPs who want to specialize in one area of medicine rather than general practice, psychiatric/mental health nursing is an interesting field that can allow NPs to have a long-lasting impact on patient well-being. Psychiatric/mental health NPs (PMHNPs) can work in a number of settings with specific or general populations. Some NPs who earn their online graduate certificate (also commonly called a post-master’s certificate) in psychiatric/mental health nursing find that even in their general practice careers, the information they learn from their certificate completion allows them to provide a higher level of patient care.

What Are the Online Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate Requirements?

While some nurses immediately begin post-graduate work upon graduation from an MSN program, many prefer to work for a few years before taking the leap back into school. Working in a variety of settings/with a variety of patients can provide nurses with insight on the specialty field that makes the most sense for them.

Typical requirements for an online post-master’s certificate in psychiatric/mental health nursing include:

  • Active, unencumbered RN license (school may require the nurse to be licensed in the same state as the school)
  • MSN from an accredited university with a GPA of at least 3.0
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Interview(s) with faculty members

What Type of Classes Are Included in the Online Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum?

Prior to applying to a post-master’s certificate program in psychiatric/mental health nursing, it’s important for nurses to consider any subsets of psychiatry in which they’d like to specialize, such as specific mental health issues (addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dual diagnosis, crisis treatment, etc.). A close examination of the curriculum and/or conversations with faculty members can provide insight into whether the program is a good fit.

Classes in an online psychiatric/mental health nursing graduate certificate program may include:

  • Advanced practice roles
  • Advanced Pathophysiology
  • Variations in Health Assessment for Pediatrics and/or Older Adults
  • Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders
  • Psychotherapeutic Frameworks and Modalities

Upon completion of the certificate program, nurses are able to sit for the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam.

What Type of Career Can I Pursue with an Online Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate?

Nursing is a high-demand field, and nurses who complete their post-master’s certificate in PMHNP are likely to have several career options. Potential job titles include:

  • Mental Health Treatment Facility Nurse Practitioner: Some facilities cater only to mental health needs. Psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioners in these areas may have the opportunity to specialize in a specific area of interest, such as schizophrenia, dual diagnosis, adolescent mental health care, and more.
  • Rehabilitation Nurse Practitioner: Addiction care facilities offer many opportunities for nurses. At a drug or alcohol rehabilitation facility, a nurse practitioner may see patients, prescribe medications as a part of medication-assisted treatment, work with families to help them understand how they can support their loved one as they begin recovery, and more.
  • Acute Psychiatry Nurse Practitioner: Mental health care is necessary in all departments of hospitals, but acute care units offer nurses the opportunity to work with patients who are in crisis or are experiencing a severe mental health episode.

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate Programs List

Interested in a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner post-master's certificate program? Check out our listings below to find a traditional, online, or hybrid program near you.

Alabama

SchoolLocationDetails
Samford UniversityBirmingham, ALOnline - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Samford UniversityBirmingham, ALPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Arizona

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University of ArizonaTucson, AZOnline - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

California

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Brandman UniversityIrvine, CAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and ScienceLos Angeles, CAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda, CAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
National UniversityLa Jolla, CAOnline - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Colorado

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Regis UniversityDenver, COPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, COHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Connecticut

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University of Saint JosephWest Hartford, CTHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Yale UniversityNew Haven, CTHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Washington, DC

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George Washington UniversityWashington, DCHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Florida

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Jacksonville UniversityJacksonville, FLHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale, FLPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of MiamiCoral Gables, FLHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of North FloridaJacksonville, FLOnline - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Georgia

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Georgia College & State UniversityMilledgeville, GAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Iowa

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Allen CollegeWaterloo, IAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Briar Cliff UniversitySioux City, IAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Clarke UniversityDubuque, IAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Graceland University-LamoniLamoni, IAPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of IowaIowa City, IA Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitione
University of IowaIowa City, IAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Illinois

SchoolLocationDetails
Illinois State UniversityNormal, ILOnline - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Lewis UniversityRomeoville, ILHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of St FrancisJoliet, ILHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Indiana

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Indiana University-Purdue University-IndianapolisIndianapolis, INHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & GlobalMarion, INHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette, INPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette, INHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of Southern IndianaEvansville, INHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Kansas

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University of KansasLawrence, KSHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Washburn UniversityTopeka, KSHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Kentucky

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Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond, KYHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Frontier Nursing UniversityHyden, KYHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of LouisvilleLouisville, KYPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KYHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Louisiana

SchoolLocationDetails
McNeese State UniversityLake Charles, LAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Northwestern State University of LouisianaNatchitoches, LAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammond, LAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Massachusetts

SchoolLocationDetails
MGH Institute of Health ProfessionsBoston, MAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Northeastern University-BostonBoston, MAPsychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcester, MAPsychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of Massachusetts-DartmouthNorth Dartmouth, MAOnline - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
University of Massachusetts-LowellLowell, MAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Maryland

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Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MDHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of Maryland, BaltimoreBaltimore, MDHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Maine

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Husson UniversityBangor, MEHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of Southern MainePortland, MEHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Michigan

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Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MIPsychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Saginaw Valley State UniversityUniversity Center, MIOnline - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MIHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Minnesota

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The College of Saint ScholasticaDuluth, MNHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Walden UniversityMinneapolis, MNPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Missouri

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Cox CollegeSpringfield, MOHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Maryville University of Saint LouisSaint Louis, MOHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MOHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of MissouriColumbia, MOOnline - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City, MOHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis, MOHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Mississippi

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University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg, MSHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

North Carolina

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Duke UniversityDurham, NCHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NCPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing

North Dakota

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University of North DakotaGrand Forks, NDHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Nebraska

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Creighton UniversityOmaha, NEHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

New Hampshire

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Rivier UniversityNashua, NHPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of New Hampshire-Main CampusDurham, NHHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

New Jersey

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Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan CampusTeaneck, NJHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Monmouth UniversityWest Long Branch, NJHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

New Mexico

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New Mexico State University-Las CrucesLas Cruces, NMOnline - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas Cruces, NMHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Nevada

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University of Nevada-RenoReno, NVHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of Nevada, Las VegasLas Vegas, NVOnline - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

New York

SchoolLocationDetails
Adelphi UniversityGarden City, NYPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing
CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York, NYPsychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York, NYHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
D'Youville CollegeBuffalo, NYHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Molloy CollegeRockville Centre, NYHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
New York UniversityNew York, NYHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Pace UniversityNew York, NYPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Russell Sage CollegeTroy, NYHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Saint John Fisher CollegeRochester, NYHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NYHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University at BuffaloBuffalo, NYHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of RochesterRochester, NYHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Upstate Medical UniversitySyracuse, NYHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Ohio

SchoolLocationDetails
Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, OHHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Kent State UniversityKent, OHPsychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Kent State University at KentKent, OHHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OHHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of ToledoToledo, OHPsychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Ursuline CollegePepper Pike, OHHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Xavier UniversityCincinnati, OHPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Pennsylvania

SchoolLocationDetails
DeSales UniversityCenter Valley, PAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Edinboro University of PennsylvaniaEdinboro, PAPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Pennsylvania College of Health SciencesLancaster, PAPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Robert Morris UniversityMoon Township, PAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
York College of PennsylvaniaYork, PAPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing

South Carolina

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Anderson UniversityAnderson, SCHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Medical University of South CarolinaCharleston, SCPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing

South Dakota

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Mount Marty CollegeYankton, SDHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
South Dakota State UniversityBrookings, SDHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Tennessee

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Southern Adventist UniversityCollegedale, TNHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
The University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphis, TNPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Union UniversityJackson, TNHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleKnoxville, TNHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TNHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Texas

SchoolLocationDetails
Texas Tech University Health Sciences CenterLubbock, TXHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
The University of Texas at TylerTyler, TXPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan Antonio, TXHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Utah

SchoolLocationDetails
Rocky Mountain University of Health ProfessionsProvo, UTOnline - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Rocky Mountain University of Health ProfessionsProvo, UTHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Virginia

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George Mason UniversityFairfax, VAFamily Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Shenandoah UniversityWinchester, VAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Washington

SchoolLocationDetails
Pacific Lutheran UniversityTacoma, WAPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Seattle UniversitySeattle, WAHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Wisconsin

SchoolLocationDetails
Alverno CollegeMilwaukee, WIHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, WIHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WIPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing

West Virginia

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West Virginia Wesleyan CollegeBuckhannon, WVHybrid - Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

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