Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Post-Master's Certificate) (Accelerated Online)
CERT Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Program Overview
Texas State’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (P.M.H.N.P.) program is designed for registered nurses ready to expand their role and provide high-quality, evidence-based psychiatric care across the lifespan.
With small class sizes and supportive faculty, you'll benefit from personalized learning and flexibility. Our Virtual Class Simulation Intensives (CSIs) offer immersive online experiences, including clinical simulations and interactive sessions with peers, faculty, and expert guest speakers—all designed to strengthen your clinical confidence and competence.
Course Work
The Post-Master’s Certificate P.M.H.N.P. program combines flexible online coursework with hands-on clinical practicum experiences. Students complete supervised practicum hours one-on-one with a qualified preceptor within the state of Texas.
In addition to clinical placements, students participate in Virtual Class Simulation Intensives (CSIs)—interactive online sessions designed to strengthen diagnostic and clinical skills through simulation-based learning, collaboration with faculty, and connection with fellow P.M.H.N.P. students. The certificate requires 20 semester credit hours and fulfillment of the required practicum hours.
Core coursework includes:
- Neuroscience, Epigenetics, and Psychopharmacology
- Diagnostics and Clinical Management for Adult-Geriatric Clients
- Diagnostics and Clinical Management for Pediatric Clients
- Integrative Clinical Management Across the Lifespan
| Degree | Hours | Location |
|---|---|---|
Degree Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Accelerated Online) | Hours 20 | Location Online |
For more information on online programs, certifications, and international restrictions, visit our Application Policy Information page.
Program Details
Program Mission
Preparing the next generation of nurses to improve health care.
The St. David’s School of Nursing at Texas State University educates and prepares graduates using innovative teaching strategies and state-of-the-art technology. Graduates provide ethical, safe, and effective patient-centered care and contribute to present and emerging research and health management practices. Graduates demonstrate competence in clinical judgment, collaborate as members and leaders of interprofessional healthcare teams, and utilize scientifically-based interventions. As caring professional nurses, graduates manage illness; promote, maintain, and restore health; and provide end-of-life care for diverse individuals, families, populations, and global communities across the lifespan.
Career Options
Graduates are employed in a wide variety of clinical settings as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and often choose to pursue doctoral studies. P.M.H.N.P.s often work in inpatient acute psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation units, outpatient psychiatric clinics, and even own their own clinics. Graduates are qualified to take the P.M.H.N.P. national certification examination which is a requirement for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
Program Faculty
St. David’s School of Nursing faculty are expert advanced nursing leaders and clinicians who bring diverse knowledge and skills into their teaching. In addition to maintaining currency in clinical practice, faculty engage in service and scholarly pursuits. Faculty are highly active in research, service, and clinical practice and frequently present at local, national, and international conferences. Recognition and publication of faculty scholarship are evident in publications in professional journals, engagement in interprofessional scholarship and grantsmanship. Faculty scholarship extends to student engagement in translational science capstone projects that often result in faculty-student presentations and publications, providing graduates with scholarly recognition prior to graduation.
Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.
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Application Deadlines
| Term | Part of Term | Deadline | Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | First 8 Weeks | August 15 | August 25 |
| Spring | First 8 Weeks | January 6 | January 20 |
| Summer | First 8 Weeks | TBD | TBD |
**Applications for Spring 2026 entry are closed.
For important information regarding deadlines and decision timelines, review the Application Policy Information page.
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international webpages.
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Application
- completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $20 nonrefundable application fee, OR
- $60 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
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Transcripts & GPA
- Bachelor of science in nursing (B.S.N.) degree from a regionally accredited institution and from a nursing program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or other nationally recognized nursing education accrediting body. Your B.S.N. degree must be reflected on the transcript at the time of application.
- Master of science in nursing (M.S.N.) degree from a regionally accredited institution and from a nursing program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or other nationally recognized nursing education accrediting body. Your M.S.N. degree must be reflected on the transcript at the time of application.
- Official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted.
- A minimum 3.25 overall GPA or 3.25 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
- A minimum 3.25 overall GPA on a 4.0 scale in nursing courses from an accredited college or university (plus any completed graduate courses).
- Completed college course in statistics with a grade of C or higher. Course must be completed at the time of application and reflected on submitted transcripts.
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.
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Documents & Other Requirements
- Current, valid, unencumbered Registered Nurse license in Texas with date issued from the Board of Nursing and Nursys. Report uploaded into the application system. Multistate licenses are accepted.
- If applicant holds advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) license, applicant must submit copy of current, valid, unencumbered licensure in Texas with date issued from the Board of Nursing and Nursys into the application system.
- A minimum equivalent of one-year full-time experience in the master’s prepared nursing role (i.e. APRN, nurse educator, nurse leader, etc.) prior to the application deadline for the program.
- A minimum three years full-time experience as a Registered Nurse (RN) based on licensure issue date prior to the application period.
Once a student has been admitted, additional criteria specific to the School of Nursing must be completed and met prior to the start of classes or due dates specified by the School of Nursing. See the Additional Requirements for more information.
Note: Applicants who are not licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurses or Nurse Practitioners, will be required to take Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics, and Advanced Health Assessments to meet the foundational pre-requisites and requirements of an APRN degree or certificate program.
Review important information about documents.
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Additional Requirements
Once a student has been offered admission, the following additional criteria must be completed and met prior to the start of classes or by the due dates set by the School of Nursing.- Clear, current criminal background check (in addition to that on file at the Board of Nursing) and drug test.
- Student liability insurance fee paid to Texas State University.
- Health Certificate and exam completed and signed by a healthcare provider.
- Currency and proof of all required immunizations.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers.
- Documentation of health insurance for each semester in the program. Many resources to obtain health insurance are available on the Internet. It may also be obtained through Texas State University's Domestic Student Health Insurance Plan.
- Laptop requirements for the program (posted in pre-orientation class).
- Essential Competency Requirements and attestation.
- Completion of New Student Orientation as scheduled.