Expand your career in nursing and help restore individuals to a higher level of mental health
The Post-Graduate Certificate (PGC) Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Program consists of didactic and clinical course content essential to providing differential diagnosis, health promotion, psychotropic medication management and psychotherapy services across the lifespan in both hospital and community settings. The program is designed for RNs who already hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) with a MSN in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.
Cohorts are established annually in the Summer (May); non-NP’s will begin in the Fall (August), as they may have an additional two semesters if they require the prerequisites. Once the prerequisites are met, the program can be completed full time in 5 consecutive semesters, including summer. Clinical placement is a collaborative process between the student and faculty.
The PMHNP program is fully accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner certification exam.
Nursing at Shenandoah
Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing‘s programs are challenging, but the rewards of completing your degree and entering this critical profession are many. We are committed to providing an outstanding education to nurses at all levels. Our programs are dynamic and responsive to the needs of our students and the health care industry. Shenandoah Nursing offers graduate nursing classes in a fully online format with synchronous class meetings. Students may also utilize study areas on the main campus in Winchester and in Fairfax at the ICPH location, across from Inova Fairfax Hospital. We’re excited to share our programs with you.
The curricula for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs combine important knowledge and skills with a friendly and caring spirit. Students share diverse backgrounds and professional experiences with seasoned teaching faculty and clinical preceptors, to contribute to robust classroom discussions and enrich clinical interactions. Our goal is to prepare and challenge you for that next step in your professional career
Career Possibilities
Our graduates work as educators, consultants, prescribers, therapists, researchers and in combined roles. Some work in military installations, community mental health centers, child and adolescent settings, private practice with community psychiatrists or as teaching faculty.
Classes
You will learn:
- psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups within hospitals and community settings
- assessment, diagnosis and psychotropic medication management
- education for students, patients and staff
- health promotion/maintenance
Our small classes, combined with a close-knit, caring, compassionate learning environment, create a dynamic and collaborative education experiences and make the Shenandoah University graduate nursing programs special. Classes are taught by Nurse Practitioner faculty who maintain clinical practice. You will gain valuable clinical experience providing psychotherapy to a diverse range of populations in a variety of hospitals and community settings.
This program is typically completed in five semesters (including summer).
Alumni are eligible for a tuition discount.
PMHNP Post-Grad Certificate for Currently Practicing NPs
Post Graduate Certificate – PMHNP (NP) – 5 Semester Plan
Prerequisites (if you need to take the prerequisite courses they may add an additional 2 semesters and start in the Fall)
- Advanced Pathophysiology 3 (offered only in the fall and is a prerequisite for Advanced Health Assessment)
- Advanced Pharmacology 3 (offered only in the spring)
- Advanced Health Assessment 4 (offered both in fall and spring)
Summer I
- Behavioral Neuroscience & Psychopharmacology 3
Fall I
- Foundations of Psychotherapy 3
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Adult 2
- Practicum I (120 Clinical Hours) 2
Spring I
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Child & Adolescent 2
- Practicum II (120 clinical hours) 2
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Geriatrics 2
Summer II
- Management of Complex Mental Health Across the Lifespan 2
- Practicum III (120 clinical hours) 2
Fall II
- Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum (240 clinical hours) 4
Total: 24 credit hours and 600 clinical hours
PMHNP Post-Grad Certificate for Non-NPs
Post-Graduate Certificate – PMHNP (Non-NP)
Fall I
- Advanced Concepts in Physiology & Pathophysiology 3
- Advanced Practice Roles, Ethics & Policy 3
Spring I
- Advanced Pharmacology & Therapeutics 3
- Advanced Health Promotion & Assessment Across the Lifespan 4
Summer I
- Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology 3
Fall II
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Adult 2
- Practicum I (120 clinical hours) 2
- Foundations of Psychotherapy 3
Spring II
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Child & Adolescent 2
- Practicum II (120 Clinical hours) 2
- Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Geriatrics 2
Summer III
- Management of Complex Mental Health Across the Lifespan 2
- Practicum III (120 clinical hours) 2
Fall III
- Advanced Nurse Practitioner Role Development 2
- Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum (240 clinical hours) 4
Total: 29 credit hours and 600 Clinical Hours.
Admissions & Application Information
We’re excited you’re interested in one of our graduate nursing programs! Applications are reviewed continuously starting in January until the cohort is full. Students submitting completed applications before our priority deadlines will be considered first.
Priority: February 15
Final: April 15
Prerequisites:
- Master’s degree in nursing (MSN) from CCNE or an ACEN accredited institution. Recommended 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Active nurse practitioner (NPs): Successful completion of following courses with recommended grade of “B” or better:
- Advanced Physical Assessment
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- For applicants with an MSN in a non-NP area:
- Undergraduate Chemistry course with a grade of “C” or better
- Will be required to take Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology at Shenandoah before progressing to specialty courses
Admissions Requirements
- Graduate application along with $30 non-refundable application fee
- Unofficial transcripts for initial admission from all institutions of higher education previously attended
- 2 letters of recommendation (1 from previous nursing faculty if graduated in the last 5 years)
- Current resume/C.V.
- Essay (250-500 words) answering:
- Why are you choosing to pursue the PMHNP roles?
- Documentation of 2,080 RN or APRN hours (direct patient care required)
- Unencumbered RN license – multi-state or individual state (must obtain licensure in clinical rotation state)
- Copy of Advanced Practice Nursing certification as applicable. Applicants without national certification will be individually evaluated and must submit evidence of their specialty expertise.
- Interview with graduate nursing faculty will be required.
- Language Proficiency Requirement must be met. Submission of TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English Test may be required. See our policy for full details: https://www.su.edu/admissions/international-students
- Upon admission – up-to-date immunizations and health records, a criminal background check, a urine drug screen and a CPR (from AHA only) will be required.
