Online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program  

Designed for aspiring nurse practitioners who want to make a difference, the online Master of Science in Nursing Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program offers accessible training for an expanded scope of care.

Answer the call: Become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.  

150 million people in the United States live in communities facing mental health professional shortages1. Rural and urban communities alike feel the acute need for mental health care. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners can meet that need. 

Yale School of Nursing empowers registered nurses with advanced practice nursing experience and training to best serve their communities. Through the online PMHNP program, students graduate ready to provide care for individuals with complex psychiatric needs.

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Online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Program overview

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The 52.5-credit-hour online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program offers the excellence in nursing education students expect from YSN, and the flexibility to earn a master’s degree online, at a part-time pace. 

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Designed to be completed over three years, the PMHNP program combines live online classes, asynchronous assignments, in-person clinical training at an accessible health care setting, and short-term, intensive on-campus immersions in the New Haven, Connecticut area.

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Online PMHNP students develop advanced knowledge of mental health care from Yale faculty who work as active practitioners. Under their guidance, program graduates are prepared to serve their communities as human-forward mental health nurse practitioners. 

“The world is in a mental health crisis and desperately needs the skilled practitioners and leaders that Yale School of Nursing produces. These practitioners will become leaders within the discipline and health systems.” 

 Carmen Portillo, PhD, RN, FAAN
Executive Deputy Dean and Professor of Nursing,
Yale School of Nursing

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner

Career outlook

Now the top recruited provider in health care, nurse practitioners are in high demand2. The online PMHNP program offers a specialized course of study for nurses who want to advance their practice and careers, while promoting better health for all people. Upon completion of the program, PMHNP program graduates have the training to enter a career path projected to grow 46 percent by 20313.

The Yale School of Nursing advantage

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Created for practitioners 

Built upon classic theories, the PMHNP program prepares students to leverage research-based evidence and a bio-psycho-spiritual-cultural approach to improve mental health outcomes. In turn, these efforts advance the health care field at the macro level.  

Learn how psychiatric nurse practitioners deliver care and make a difference in a variety of health care settings.

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Focused on a human-forward approach 

Rates of trauma, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder are on the rise. Psychiatric mental health practitioners can help heal these harms through compassionate care. 

Online YSN students cultivate a holistic understanding of patients and a deep commitment to seeing patients as people who are more than their symptoms or conditions.  

Explore how the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program curriculum prepares nursing students to achieve improved mental health and well-being for all people.

Diversity Inclusion

Strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion 

Online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner students advance their knowledge of mental health care through an inclusive lens, supported by YSN’s commitment to integrating inclusive teaching and learning practices, and diverse faculty and students.

Read more about Yale School of Nursing’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom, clinic, and beyond.

Key dates

Fall 2023
Fall 2023 early application deadline
April 18, 2023
$100 application fee waiver available for applicants who submit by the early application deadline.
Fall 2023 final submit deadline
May 25, 2023
Fall 2023 classes begin
Sept. 5, 2023

Events

Online PMHNP program and application overview
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
06:00 PM ET
Online PMHNP application workshop webinar
Thursday, August 10, 2023
12:00 PM ET

Frequently asked questions

Applicants to the online Master of Science in Nursing, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, graduation from a school of nursing approved by the licensing board of the state in which it is located, and active Registered Nurse (RN) licensure. For a full list of application requirements and admissions criteria, visit our admissions page. The online PMHNP program is currently not being offered to students residing in New York, Tennessee, or foreign countries.”

Tuition for the online Master of Science in Nursing Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty is currently $1,962 per credit hour. For a comprehensive breakdown, visit the tuition page.

Our team of enrollment advisors are available to help determine if this program aligns with your career goals. Email an online PMHNP program enrollment advisor or call 203-785-2365 today.

Connecting with an enrollment advisor will help you:

  • Understand the program admissions criteria and know whether you are eligible to apply.
  • Gain insight into application best practices and how to submit a strong application.
  • Know what to expect in your online classroom, including the level of faculty interaction, program outcomes, and more.
  • Have an immediate line of support in the event you have questions or need clarification about the online PMHNP program.

Request information

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1 American Association of Medical Colleges, 2022

2 Merritt Hawkins, 2021

3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021