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DNP PMHNP student at Thomas Jefferson University providing information to patient

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

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  • Request Information
  1. Return to Home
  2. Jefferson College of Nursing
  3. Degrees & Programs
  4. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
  5. DNP-Post Baccalaureate Entry

At a Glance

  • College

    College of Nursing

  • Degree

    Doctor of Nursing Practice

  • Campus

    Center City

  • Format

    Online

  • Credits

    36

  • Duration

    4 - 6 Years

For students who have completed their BSN, we offer a track that leads to a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Training focuses on integrated health care settings and lifespan approach with an in-depth focus on assessment diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions and physical comorbidities. The PMHNP program can be completed in a minimum of four years (full-time) up to a maximum of six years (part-time).

Graduates of  the Psychiatric - Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program meet the academic eligibility requirements to take the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Candidates who meet all eligibility requirements established by the ANCC and successfully pass the ANCC examination are awarded the credential: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse – Board Certified (PMHNP-BC™). 

Program Highlights

  • Training in Substance use disorders
  • Clinical Opportunities across the lifespan and across multiple settings
  • Focus on practice in the integrated health care setting

Graduate Core Curriculum Credits
NU 717 Health and Social Policy 3 
NU 603 Research for Advanced Practice Nursing I  3 
NU 605 Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse   3
NU 696 Leadership and Critical Decision Making 3 
NU 704 Philosophy, Foundations, and Methods for Evidence-Based Practice 3 
NU 713 Digital Transformation in Healthcare: Trends and Opportunities  3
Total Graduate Core Curriculum Credits 18
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Core Curriculum 
NU 560 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics   3 
NU 570 Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology  3 
NU 673 Advanced Health Assessment 3 
Total Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Core Curriculum Credits 9
Specialty Curriculum
NU 613 Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Decision-Making for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner I 6
NU 614 Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Decision-Making for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner II 6 
NU 615 Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Decision-Making for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner III 6 
Total Specialty Curriculum Credits 18
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Core Curriculum 
NU 702 Practice Inquiry: Designs, Methods and Analyses 3
NU 714 Healthcare Systems Safety, Quality and Improvement Science 3
NU 715 Leading Strategic Change in an Era of Healthcare Transformation  3
NU 716 Perspectives in Community Engagement and Population Health 3
NU 718 Introduction to DNP Studies 1
Doctoral Elective 3
Total Doctor of Nursing Practice Credits 16
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Practicum Sequence
NU 719 DNP Scholarly Project and Practicum Seminar I 4
NU 720 DNP Scholarly Project and Practicum Seminar II 3
Total Doctor of Nursing Practice Practicum Credits 7
Total Program Credits 68
*Students from accelerated baccalaureate programs will have their academic transcripts evaluated upon matriculation by the Chair of Graduate Programs for potential transfer credit.

Graduate Core Curriculum Credits
NU 602 Health Policy, Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Practice 3 
NU 603 Research for Advanced Practice Nursing I  3 
NU 704 Philosophy, Foundations, and Methods for Evidence-Based Practice   3
NU 605 Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse 3 
NU 696 Leadership and Critical Decision Making 3 
NU 705 Advanced Topics in Health Informatics  3
Total Graduate Core Curriculum Credits 18
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Core Curriculum 
NU 560 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics   3 
NU 570 Pathophysiology of Human Disease/Pathologic Aspect of Disease  3 
NU 673 Comprehensive Assessment for Clinical Decision-Making   3 
Total Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Core Curriculum Credits 9
Specialty Curriculum
NU 613 Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Decision-Making for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner I 3
NU 614 Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Decision-Making for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner II 3 
NU 615 Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Decision-Making for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner III 3 
Total Specialty Curriculum Credits 9
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Core Curriculum 
NU 701 Scientific Underpinnings for Nursing Practice 3
NU 702 Practice Inquiry: Designs, Methods and Analyses 3
NU 703 Theoretical Foundations for Organizational Change in Healthcare Systems 3
NU 706 Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety 3
NU 707 Leadership and Inter-Professional Collaboration 3
NU 708 Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nation’s Health 3
NU 709 Current Issues in Health and Social Policy: Planning, Participating and Policy Making 3
Total Doctor of Nursing Practice Credits 21
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Practicum Sequence
NU 710 Practicum I 3
NU 711 Practicum II 3
NU 712 Practicum III 3
Total Doctor of Nursing Practice Practicum Credits 9
Total Program Credits 66
*Students from accelerated baccalaureate programs will have their academic transcripts evaluated upon matriculation by the Chair of Graduate Programs for potential transfer credit.

Related Links

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing
College of Nursing Alumni

Get in Touch

Admissions Contact

Email: enroll@jefferson.edu
Contact Number(s):
  • 215-951-2800
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