MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Your Enrollment Representative can help determine if you qualify for tuition savings through a partnership with your employer, community college or association. Alternatively, you may qualify for a scholarship or grant.

Psychiatric mental health is an area of focus within nursing. Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) work with individuals, families, groups and communities, assessing their mental health needs. PMHNPs offer primary care services to the psychiatric-mental health population. They assess, diagnose and treat individuals with psychiatric disorders or the potential for such disorders using their full scope of therapeutic skills, including the prescription of medication and administration of psychotherapy.

Chamberlain’s MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialization features 100% online coursework. The PMHNP curriculum consists of 45 specialization credit hours. In addition to the online courses, students complete 625 on-site lab and clinical hours.

Chamberlain has several resources that can help you become acclimated to the online PMHNP program classroom. Your Enrollment Representative will share resources with you such as the My Chamberlain Access Guide, student success stories, and get you signed up for a new student orientation and online readiness webinars. 

While most of the MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner coursework is online, it does require two in-person visits: one for the immersion experience as part of NR-509, and one for intensive as part of NR-668.

A PMHNP program focuses on the management of acute and chronic mental health conditions, prevention and wellness in inpatient and/or outpatient psychiatric mental healthcare settings. Graduates of Chamberlain’s PMHNP program are prepared to manage patients’ mental health needs and sit for national board certification as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC). 

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) assess the mental health needs of individuals, families, groups and communities, as well as offer primary mental health services. They assess, diagnose and treat patients with psychiatric disorders or the potential for such disorders using their full scope of therapeutic skills, including the prescription of medication and the administration of psychotherapy.

A family nurse practitioner (FNP) practices physical medicine where a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) focuses on a patient’s mental health. Physical medicine is out of scope for a PMHNP. If a PMHNP wanted to practice as a FNP, they would need to receive additional education and then become certified as an FNP. A psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner can receive the education to become a family nurse practitioner through a graduate certificate program like the one offered at Chamberlain University and then sit for their FNP certification. Chamberlain’s Graduate Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program provides a pathway to career change or enhancement for nurses who already hold a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing. 

Up to six semester hours may be eligible for transfer into Chamberlain’s MSN PMHNP program. Transfer credits may only fulfill core course requirements and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

General guidelines for transfer credits include:

• A maximum of six semester hours may be accepted toward your MSN degree.
• For the nurse practitioner specializations, transfer credits will only be accepted for the core courses.
• Core coursework must have been completed within the past seven years for transfer.
• A grade of B or higher is required for transfer credits.

Learn more in our transfer guide.

Online PMHNP program applicants must have received a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Potential students who meet admission criteria with a CGPA for the BSN degree between 2.5 to 2.99 will be provisionally accepted into the MSN-PMHNP program and given a formal NP assessment—at no cost—to determine your starting course within the MSN-PMHNP track. The assessment determines your science proficiency so we can provide the best resources and support to foster your success in the MSN-PMHNP courses, following your acceptance.

A bachelor's degree in nursing or higher and a current, unrestricted RN license are required in order to enroll in our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. The RN license must be issued in the United States or from a jurisdiction of the NCSBN and must be valid for the state in which you plan to complete your practicum.

PMHNP students are required to provide a background and fingerprint check.

Students may complete nurse practitioner school requirements in two-and-a-half years, or eight semesters, of full-time study if they take two courses per semester for three semesters each year. Some students choose to space out the program requirements and take longer to complete their studies.

You can earn your MSN PMHNP degree in two-and-a-half years, or seven-and-a-half semesters, of full-time study, taking two courses per semester for three semesters each year. Some students choose to space out the program requirements and take longer to complete their studies.

Before starting the MSN-PMHNP program, you do not need to identify a preceptor. Once you complete the application process, your Enrollment Representative will provide you with information on how to identify a potential practicum site and preceptor. You will also be matched with a dedicated team to support you in securing your practicum site and preceptor. 

If your cumulative GPA falls below our requirements — in the range of 2.5 to 2.99 — you may still be considered for provisional acceptance into the online MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. Upon being provisionally accepted to the PMHNP program, you will need to complete an NP placement assessment to determine course placement. There is no charge for the NP assessment.

• Students earning a 70% or greater on the NP assessment will be placed in NR-581NP (new students) or their first NP course.
• Students earning less than 70% on the NP assessment will be required to successfully complete NR-545: Pharmacology, Physical Assessment, and Pathophysiology at the current tuition rate.

Speak with our Enrollment team for more information. 
 

You complete exams and quizzes online using Chamberlain’s secure assessment platforms, which help ensure a fair and consistent testing experience.

During each assessment, the system records your screen and uses your camera and microphone for remote proctoring. You also complete a brief environmental scan using your camera. These steps create a secure testing environment and support your academic success.

Chromebooks and iPads are not permitted for testing.

Assessment integrity promotes fairness, supports learning, and helps prepare you for board certification exams. For full requirements and technical resources, review the Student Handbook.

An environmental scan requires you to use your camera to show your testing space before you begin an exam or quiz. You scan your desk or work surface and the equipment you are using, such as your keyboard and mouse.

This scan confirms that your environment does not contain notes or materials that could provide an unfair advantage. Completing the environmental scan is required. Failure to do so may result in a Student Code of Conduct violation.

To become a nurse practitioner, you must first earn your BSN and obtain RN licensure. Next, complete a PMHNP specialization in an accredited master’s program with clinical hours. PMHNPs may pursue certification through ANCC or AANPCB, depending on eligibility and state requirements, then apply for state APRN licensure to practice.

Admission requirements

State licensure information

Chamberlain’s MSN PMHNP program has 100% online coursework for maximum flexibility, plus a practicum component. In addition, you’ll attend an in-person immersion event to support your clinical skill development and prepare you to enter your practicum confidently. At the end of your program participate in an expert-led, in-person national board test prep. You’ll also complete your 625-hour practicum at approved sites in your community. If you need support securing a site or preceptor, we’ll help out.

Practicum Commitment®

Clinical requirements
 

*As of March 1, 2025, all nurse practitioner students who are residents of Kansas must take at least 750 hours of practicum.

To go from BSN to psychiatric nurse practitioner, enroll in an MSN program with a PMHNP specialization, like the one at Chamberlain. You must successfully complete all required courses in areas including advanced pathophysiology, advanced psychopharmacology, and psychiatric assessment. Finish 625 clinical practicum hours

PMHNP program curriculum

Application

*As of March 1, 2025, all nurse practitioner students who are residents of Kansas must take at least 750 hours of practicum. 

As a PMHNP, you’ll be trained to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, substance use disorders, and personality disorders. You’ll learn to provide care across the lifespan—from children and adolescents to adults and geriatric populations.

Curriculum

Course descriptions

Career outlook