Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program offers a holistic approach that blends neuroscience with psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. An advanced practice nursing degree for RNs interested in mental health care, it integrates assessment, pharmacological treatment, and therapy for a wide spectrum of patients - from children and adolescents to adults and older adults.

US News and World Report #4 ranking

About the Program

Significant advancements have been made in recent years in our understanding of neuroscience and human behavior and the effective treatment and prevention of mental illness. Yet, despite this progress, mental health issues are often minimized, mishandled, and insufficiently treated, shrouded in fear and shame. There is disparity in treatment across many populations, and a critical shortage of skilled mental health professionals that limits the ability of patients to get the care they so deeply need. Confounding this is a lack of diversity among health care providers who may not adequately understand cultural barriers to seeking care. This is something we are striving to change.

In our program, you’ll benefit from a holistic approach that blends neuroscience with psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. You’ll work alongside faculty and mentors to advocate treatment of the whole person, blending mind and body in the context of the patient’s psychosocial environment.

All of Penn Nursing’s programs are accredited. To learn more about the accreditation and pass rates, please visit our Accreditation page.

Program Information

Full-Time

Program Length

14 months

Financial aid available?

Yes

Start Semester

Spring 2024

Learning Format

In-person *

Although this program is in-person, to accommodate the busy schedules of our students some courses will be offered in an online or hybrid format. All clinical experiences for this program are in-person on Penn’s campus or at affiliated clinical sites.
Part-Time

Program Length

3 years

Financial aid available?

Yes

Start Semester

Fall, Spring, or Summer 2024

Learning Format

In-person *

Although this program is in-person, to accommodate the busy schedules of our students some courses will be offered in an online or hybrid format. All clinical experiences for this program are in-person on Penn’s campus or at affiliated clinical sites.

Program Details

Curriculum

You’ll learn biopsychosocial assessment and diagnosis as well as medication management, all while deepening your skills in psychotherapy, including therapeutic approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy, group/family therapy, and more.

We use a three-semester clinical practicum, with the program placing students in settings that allow for exposure to a variety of psychiatric populations. Onsite preceptors will supervise your work, and you’ll share experiences with other students through weekly small group seminars on campus. In addition, all clinical experiences and preceptors are arranged and coordinated by the School. You’ll also have the opportunity to work closely with faculty on research projects.

This program is flexible, with full-time students typically completing their work in 14 months, and part-time students in two to five years. Many students add to their studies with a minor. Explore MSN Minors.

Click the links below to view the curriculum and plans of study for this program in the University catalog.

View curriculum and plans of study

Requirements

Minimum qualifications for the program

BSN degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher

Prerequisites

College level statistics course

Licensure

RN

Application Deadlines

Full-time Enrollment

Summer & Fall 2024 Start Deadline: November 1, 2023

Latest Decision Notification: late-February

Part-time Enrollment

Spring 2024 Start Deadline: October 16, 2023

Summer & Fall 2024 Start Deadline: March 15, 2024

Latest Decision Notification: late-April

*Dates subject to change without notice.

Costs & Tuition

Your program costs will depend on how many course units (CU) you take per semester.

Applicants to this program may be eligible for the Leonard A. Lauder Community Care Nurse Practitioner Program Fellowship, which offers a free Penn education to budding NPs who are committed to working in underserved communities after graduation.

Discount available for employees of our Academic Practice Partners. Click here to learn more.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of this advanced level of nursing education, Penn Nursing MSN graduates will:

  • Use scientific inquiry to translate evidence into practice and promote clinical scholarship
  • Perform advanced nursing skills for specialty and subspecialty nursing practice
  • Lead quality improvement and manage care delivery models across settings
  • Leverage strong networks to advance in professional role

Certification

Upon graduation, you are eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner examination for the Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (Across the Lifespan) national certification and qualify for Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner licensure in Pennsylvania.

Events

 

April 10 | 6:00pm

Spring 2024 Graduate Programs Info Session

 

April 26 | 12:00pm

Spring 2024 Graduate Programs Info Session

 

May 7 | 6:00pm

Spring 2024 Graduate Programs Info Session

 

May 22 | 6:00pm

Spring 2024 Graduate Programs Info Session

Penn Nursing is leading to healthier, more equitable future.

Ready to take the next step?