Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), with Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialization

This program will begin fall 2025

The MSN program with a PMHNP specialization requires 42 credits and is designed for individuals who already possess a BSN in nursing. The curriculum is designed in keeping with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recently revised The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (AACN, 2021). This document, a roadmap for entry-level professional nursing education and advanced level of nursing education, transitions the focus to competency-based nursing education. Also guiding curriculum development are the NONPF (2022) Role Core Competencies. The Pennsylvania Board of Nursing curricular requirements for CRNP programs (Pennsylvania Code, 2006). Graduates of the program are eligible to complete the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC) exam. The MSN program with a PMHNP specialization includes existing graduate courses (18 credits) and newly developed courses for the PMHNP specialization (24 credits) for 42 credits.

Scheduling

The PMH program can be completed in 21 months of full-time study, with generally one day of classes per week and two days of clinical practicum in the fall and spring semesters. Courses are offered online with synchronous and asynchronous learning in each course.  There are two in person weekends required in the program for clinical skills assessment and traditional face-to-face precepted practicum courses taking place in clinical settings. Part-time study is also available.

Curriculum