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.
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.
For information regarding Penn Nursing accreditation, please visit our Accreditation page.
Program Length
Financial aid available?
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Learning Format
Program Length
Financial aid available?
Start Semester
Learning Format
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.
We offer full-time and part-time plans of study options for students who are not yet Nurse Practitioners as well as a post-graduate track for Nurse Practitioners looking to expand their specialty areas. This program is flexible, with full-time students typically completing their work in 14 months, and part-time students in three 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
BSN degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
College level statistics course
RN
Decision Notification: late-February
Decision Notification: late-December
Decision Notification: late-April
Decision Notification: mid-May
*Dates subject to change without notice.
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.
| Full-time: $99,784 |
| Part-time: $101,989 |
Your program costs will depend on your individual plan of study. Tuition is charged per CU based on your enrollment for the semester.
*Summer semesters are charged per CU regardless of enrollment status
**Registration for less than 4 CUs is charged per CU
***Registration for 4 CUs is charged the full-time rate
Tuition and fees do not represent the full cost of attendance for your program. Learn more about these expenses by visiting the University’s Student Registration & Financial Services website.
At the completion of this advanced level of nursing education, Penn Nursing MSN graduates will:
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.
