This is a post-graduate certificate for primary care nurse practitioners to achieve specialty certification as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. This 24-credit hour program can be completed in four semesters of part-time study. Fully-online delivery makes this an attractive option for working professionals, particularly those from geographically isolated areas. Clinical immersion experiences (540 hours) are arranged within the student’s home community, and include a lifespan approach that focuses on the treatment of substance use disorders within integrated settings.
In the post-graduate certificate PMHNP program, students are required to complete 540 hours of supervised direct patient care clinical hours prior to graduation. Clinical hours are distributed to ensure that PMHNP students have adequate exposure to patients across the lifespan, in accordance with their role preparation and population-focus competencies. Students are expected to complete at least 100 hours with pediatric populations, 100 hours with adult/older adult populations, and 100 hours with patients requiring addictions/recovery support services. Clinical settings vary and may include hospital inpatient, residential environments, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation facilities, emergency/crisis settings, and telehealth applications. Preceptors will be academically and experientially qualified for their role in the delivery of psychiatric and mental health care (medication management and psychotherapeutics), including psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists, and licensed clinical therapists and counselors. Students are expected to find their own clinical sites/preceptors.
Admission Requirements
- MSN or DNP from accredited program
- National certification as a primary care nurse practitioner
- Current Michigan RN and APRN license
Upon completion of the post-graduate certificate PMHNP program, graduates are eligible to take the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification examination offered by American Nurses Credentialing Center.
