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Online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Post-Graduate Certificate

Be prepared as a qualified practitioner to serve mental health patients across the lifespan.

The post-graduate Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner online certificate is designed for certified Family Nurse Practitioners, Adult and Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioners and Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialists (AGCNS) who have completed a master's or doctoral degree and have the desire to work in the psychiatric mental health care setting.

Program type:
Certificate - Graduate
Format:
Online
Est. time to complete:
6 Semesters
Credit hours:
26
  • Requirements
  • Tution & Fees
  • How to Apply

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Why consider UND's online PMHNP certificate?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
July 1
Summer: 
April 1

The Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) online certificate program at UND is an excellent opportunity for advanced practice nurses looking to expand their expertise and make an impact on mental health care. Designed for those who have already completed graduate-level coursework in areas such as advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment, this program offers a personalized course of study to build on your prior education. By completing the 25-credit curriculum, you’ll meet the rigorous standards of the American Nurses Credentialing Center and gain hands-on experience through advanced clinical practicums.

Graduates of the PMHNP certificate program are well-prepared to lead in providing mental health care across the lifespan, ensuring better outcomes for individuals and communities alike.

UND's Online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate

  • Complete this certificate100% online. You never have to come to campus.

  • Earn a certificate accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

  • Enjoy flexibility. Designed for working professionals, this certificate is offered in a part-time allowing you to continue to practice while completing the program.

Nurse Practitioner Careers in Psychiatric-Mental Health

There is a critical need for mental health professionals to address the growing prevalence of mental illness and substance use disorders in the U.S. Approximately one in five adults experience mental health conditions annually, with substance use disorders affecting millions, including significant numbers of youth and young adults.

Mental health care is often delayed by years, exacerbating conditions and contributing to rising death by suicide. Mental health care must become a national priority, with increased efforts to expand the workforce and address barriers to treatment. Despite increasing awareness and reduced stigma, access to timely and effective treatment remains limited.

 Earning a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner post-graduate certificate can prepare you to be a qualified nurse practitioner and serve work in a variety of settings:

  • Psychiatric facilities: These units treat children, adolescents, and adults with both acute and chronic psychiatric illnesses in the inpatient setting.
  • Addiction clinics/substance abuse programs: Psychiatric NPs who specialize in addiction medicine treat patients (children, adolescents, and adults) with substance use disorders (SUDs) and behavioral addictions. They can work in hospitals, recovery centers, outpatient clinics, or private practices.
  • Community health centers: These outpatient care settings offer free or low-cost psychological and behavioral health counseling and support.
  • Private practices: Psychiatric NPs can work in private psychiatric or mental health practices to take care of children, adolescents, and adults
  • Primary care offices: Psychiatric-mental health advanced practice nurses (PMH-APRNs) can work in primary care offices.
  • State and federal facilities: PMH-APRNs can work in state and federal facilities such as the VA or state hospitals

Required Courses 

NURS 538. Psych Diagnostic Reasoning. 2-3 Credits.

This course prepares students for advanced therapeutic communication, interviewing, and assessment of people with mental illness across the life span. Skills are developed in differential diagnoses of psychopathology within the scope and standards of advanced psychiatric mental health nursing practice. Clinical application is included. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the PMHNP program or permission of instructor. S.

NURS 584. Group and Family Therapies. 3 Credits.

This course provides the PMHNP student with knowledge and skill development in the implementation of evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions with families and diverse groups. Opportunities for clinical implementation accompany the theoretical models. Prerequisite: NURS 538 and NURS 583, or consent of the instructor. F,S,SS.

NURS 588. Management of Psychopathology I. 2-3 Credits.

This is the first of a two course sequence that focuses on the management of individuals across the lifespan, groups and families with or affected by psychopathology. Continuity of care across settings and community are emphasized. Corequisite: NURS 564, NURS 584, and admission to the PMHNP program. F.

NURS 589. Management of Psychopathology II. 2-3 Credits.

This is the second of a two course sequence that focuses on the management of individuals across the lifespan, groups and families with or affected by psychopathology. Management of co-morbidities is emphasized. Prerequisite or Corequisite: NURS 588. S.

NURS 564. Psychopharmacology. 2 Credits.

This course provides the advanced practice student with knowledge in the pharmacology of psychopathology across the life span. Emphasis will be placed on prescriptive practice, pharmacological science and therapeutic application of medications for psychiatric symptoms. Prerequisite: Admission to graduate nursing or permission of instructor. F,S,SS.

NURS 583. Individual Therapy. 2 Credits.

This course provides the PMHNP student with knowledge and skill development in the implementation of evidence-based clinical therapies and treatments focused on the individual including cultural variations. Prerequisite: NURS 538 or consent of instructor. F,S,SS.

 

 

Online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate

+160

online graduate programs

#1

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

UND's post-graduate certificate in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner courses are delivered asynchronously online.

Flexible Online Courses

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Leaders in Online Education

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on-campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey, and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

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Explore More Options

Looking to add a double major, pursue graduate work or connect with the department?

  • College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines
  • Department of Nursing
Office of Student Services, Nursing
P 701.777.4174
UND.graduatenursing@UND.edu

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