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Nursing
The Post ²Ñ²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at UNH offers specialized training for advanced practice nurses seeking mental healthcare expertise. Here you'll be able to develop skills across multiple areas—from psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis to therapeutic interventions in diverse care settings.
With a focus on practical applications, evidence-based treatments, and comprehensive mental health care delivery, our program prepares APRNs to expand their practice into psychiatric care. Through intensive coursework and clinical training, you'll master the essential competencies needed to assess, diagnose, and treat patients with mental health needs across various healthcare environments.
*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.
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The Post-²Ñ²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program will prepare the advanced practice nurse (APN) with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health care patients across the lifespan. The program is designed for the licensed APN who has a master’s degree or doctoral degree and at least one year of APN clinical experience. Courses are founded on evidence-based approaches to care management and learning strategies with a commitment to student success and continuous quality improvement embedded within the process.
This full-time, online graduate certificate program combines the convenience of online learning with high and low-fidelity simulation experiences, competency-based education, and guidance of expert faculty. Didactic coursework is completed prior to transitioning into an immersive clinical practicum experience through a minimum of 750 clinical hours and participate in three intensives (one virtual and two on-campus) scheduled throughout the program. ±õ³Ù’s possible to complete the program in as few as 16 months, and you can begin during the fall or spring term. Upon successful program completion, y´Ç³Ü’l±ô be eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification examination
The Post-²Ñ²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program will prepare the APRN with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to assess, diagnose, and manage mental health care patients across the lifespan. The program is designed for the licensed RN who has a master’s degree and at least one year of advanced practice nursing experience*. Courses are competency based, founded on evidence-based approaches to care management and learning strategies with commitment to student success and continuous quality improvement embedded within the process.
Synchronous, asynchronous, low and ³ó¾±²µ³ó-ï¬d±ð±ô¾±³Ù²â simulation, virtual and on campus intensives, and clinical immersion will reinforce didactic content and afford the student the opportunity to transition to an active member of a collaborative mental health care team. Upon successful program completion, graduates will be eligible to sit for the ANCC board certification exam for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan (PMHNP-BC).
Admission Requirements
In addition to the standard Graduate School requirements, the Department of Nursing and PM-PMHNP program require:
*Eligibility for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) certification examination requires completion of the following three separate,comprehensive graduate-level courses:
Prior coursework will be evaluated during the application process and any noted deficiencies will be disclosed at the time of admission.
A customized plan of study will be created for admitted students and is based upon prior course work. Additional foundational coursework to meet ANCC certification requirements may be required.
Clinical Hours: 750*
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| NURS 977 | Neurobiology of Mental Disorders Across the Lifespan | 2 |
| NURS 983 | Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Practice and Assessment | 3 |
| NURS 978 | Psychopharmacology of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan I | 2 |
| NURS 991 | Diagnosis & Management of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan I | 3 |
| NURS 979 | Psychopharmacology of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan II | 2 |
| NURS 992 | Diagnosis & Management of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan II | 3 |
| NURS 986 | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum I (150 Clinical Hours) | 2 |
| NURS 990 | Mental Health & Special Populations | 3 |
| NURS 987 | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum II (200 Clinical Hours) | 3 |
| NURS 988 | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum III (200 Clinical Hours) | 3 |
| NURS 989 | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum IV (200 Clinical Hours) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 29 | |
Clinical hours are completed through the following required courses: NURS 986, NURS 987, NURS 988, NURS 989.
The Âé¶¹app offers a number of academic programs designed to lead to professional licensure or certification in New Hampshire. However, completing a UNH degree/program does not guarantee professional licensure or certification. Eligibility may also depend on factors like years of work experience, professional examinations, passing a background check, and other criteria.
UNH does not guarantee that its professional licensure programs will satisfy the criteria of professional licensure boards in other states. Some states maintain different requirements for professional licensure or certification and requirements can change frequently. Federal regulations require the University to make public disclosure of certain information regarding professional licensure or certification programs, regardless of the modality the program is offered (i.e., in-person or online). The University provides guidance below but recommends students contact their state/territory licensing or certification board to ensure a program meets specific state/territory requirements.
Visit the Office of the Registrar's website for information about whether this program meets professional licensure requirements in your state.
Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
Application fee: $25
Campus: Online
New England Regional: No
Accelerated Masters Eligible: No
Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a . This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.
NC-SARA does not cover professional licensing board approval for programs leading to state licensure or certification. If the online program that you are considering is designed to lead to professional licensure or certification in your state, please read the at the UNH Online website for more information.
If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC.
If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.
If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:
Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
References should be substantial with one academic referee (e.g., faculty) and one current nursing professional referee with graduate education who has known you in a mentoring or supervisory capacity.
A current resume is required with your submitted application.
Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:
The admission criteria for the PM-PMHNP program includes transcript evidence for advanced pathophysiology throughout the lifespan, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment in order to meet the requirements for ANCC certification testing. Candidates without three separate courses in advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment will be reviewed on a case by case basis and may be required to complete the missing course work before being endorsed for ANCC certification testing.
Based on review of completed application materials, some applicants will be considered further and invited to participate in an interview. Applicants will be contacted if they qualify for this step in the application process.
Applicants who completed prior nursing education internationally must request and submit verification from CGFNS. CGFNS is the only evaluating body accepted by for board certification eligibility upon successful program completion. The evaluation determines whether or not prior coursework renders the applicant eligible for eventual ANCC certification and reviews perquisite requirements for the PM-PMHNP program and subsequent certification.
Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our for more information.
For program-specific application questions, please contact the UNH Online Student Success Coaches: unh.online@unh.edu or 855.250.6699
Applicants who intend to pursue licensure after completing UNH's online Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner (Post Masters) should become familiar with their state's licensure requirements. To assess if UNH licensure programs meet the requirements in your location, visit the Professional Licensure Disclosure Information webpage.
UNH Nursing Department is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
The Âé¶¹app’s online graduate tuition and fees information is available on the UNH Business Services Website. Program costs and technology fees are subject to change.
Course Fees: Specific courses may have additional course fees. Visit the for more information.
Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans are a form of federal financial aid available to Graduate Students. To apply, you must complete the .
This full-time graduate certificate program combines the convenience of online learning with clinical practicum experience through a maximum of 750 clinical hours and 3 on-campus residencies. During both residencies, students participate in Observed Standardized Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). Graduates are eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner courses are taught by full-time faculty with top-notch practical and pedagogical experience.