The Best Psychiatric NP Programs Online of 2023
- Best Psychiatric NP Programs
- What to Look For
- Program Accreditation
- Applying
- Paying
- Career Opportunities
- FAQ
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: SDI Productions / E+ / Getty ImagesThe demand for mental healthcare is rising along with the need for mental health practitioners. To become a psychiatric nurse practitioner (NP), you must complete a master’s program and get a license. Many online degree programs combine high-quality training with added flexibility and convenience.
Discover the best online psychiatric NP programs to determine the right one for you. Explore what accreditation to look for, how to pay for school, and salary and career outlook for psychiatric NPs.
Popular Online MSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Learn About the Best Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs and Schools
George Washington University
Washington, DC- 4 year
- Campus + Online
GW offers an online PMHNP program with full-time and part-time enrollment options, 600 hours of in-person clinical experience, and some on-campus components. Students are encouraged to find preceptors, but the department can advise on local clinical sites.
Required courses include biostatistics for healthcare research, concepts in population health, and genetics for healthcare providers. Clinical courses cover family and group psychotherapy, individuals across the lifespan with acute and chronic mental illness, population-based psychiatric/mental health, and integrated application of psychiatric/mental health.
- Program: Master of science in nursing
- Campus: Washington, D.C.
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $1,450 per credit hour
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited school; current RN license; preferred 3.0 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $110,856 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$57,894
- Out-of-state$57,894
- In-State$32,850
- Out-of-state$33,930
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate49%
- Students Enrolled25,939
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
Maryville University of Saint Louis
- Saint Louis, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Students can earn their master's in nursing with a PMHNP concentration at Maryville through full-time or part-time enrollment. The university allows learners to complete clinical hours in their local areas. Admission does not require prior statistics courses or GRE or GMAT scores. Course delivery is 100% online with no required campus visits.
The 50-credit curriculum includes coursework in advanced health assessment, professional role development for advanced practice nurses, psychiatric mental health diagnosis and management, and psychopharmacology.
- Program: Master of science in nursing
- Campus: Saint Louis, Missouri
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $863 per credit
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited school and an accredited program; current RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; one year of professional nursing experience
- Minimum Time Commitment: 20 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2023): 92% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $108,677 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$24,766
- Out-of-state$24,766
- In-State$14,346
- Out-of-state$14,346
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled10,596
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment84%
- AccreditationYes
Purdue University Global-Indianapolis
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Purdue Global's online MSN offers a PMHNP specialty track emphasizing complex co-occurring disease processes and disorders across the lifespan, medical organic brain disorders, and substance misuse.
Students learn PMHNP functions, including diagnosis and treatment planning, along with how to conduct therapy, prescribe psychotropic medications, and provide emergency psychiatric care. Instruction is aided by virtual reality lab experiences and clinical practice hours in students' communities. Graduates qualify to take industry certification exams.
- Program: Master of science in nursing
- Campus: West Lafayette, Indiana
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $420 per credit
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing with a 2.5 GPA; current RN license; criminal background check
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $110,217 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$10,080
- Out-of-state$13,356
- In-State$8,730
- Out-of-state$9,700
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled43,458
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
University of Southern Indiana
- Evansville, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The 100% online master of science in nursing at USI offers a PMHNP specialty track. This 44-credit program includes 655 clinical hours and focuses on disease prevention, family consultation and education, health promotion, and management of mental health symptoms.
Students take required courses in population-based care and health policy and healthcare informatics, along with specialty courses in psychopharmacology and psychiatric/mental healthcare of families. Admission is offered three times per year, and admitted students can choose their start dates.
- Program: Master of science in nursing
- Campus: Evansville, Indiana
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $433 per credit
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited school and an accredited program; current RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; undergraduate statistics; one year of RN clinical practice recommended
- Minimum Time Commitment: 30 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- In-State$8,976
- Out-of-state$21,824
- In-State$5,029
- Out-of-state$9,850
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled7,361
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Lubbock, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The online PMHNP program at Texas Tech prepares advanced practice nurses for roles in acute care, community health settings, and telemental services. The curriculum emphasizes rural health and early intervention for children, adolescents, and families. Students can complete the program's 49 credits through full-time or part-time enrollment.
Course delivery occurs online except for a two-day examination requirement in the advanced health assessment course. Distance learners can complete their clinical hours in their home areas.
- Program: Master of science in nursing
- Campus: Lubbock, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $265 per credit (in state); $685 per credit (out of state)
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited school and an accredited program; current RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; a C in undergraduate statistics and research
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2023): 89% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $114,426 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$6,665
- Out-of-state$19,344
- In-State$6,360
- Out-of-state$16,176
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled5,378
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment64%
- AccreditationYes
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global
- Marion, IN
- 4 year
- Online
IWU offers a primary care PMHNP program primarily online that takes a faith-integrated approach to patient care. Students complete onsite residencies and intensives, along with live psychiatric evaluations with trained actors.
Core content includes advanced health status assessment for the PMHNP, neuropsychopharmacology, and three practicum experiences in psychotherapeutic modalities across the lifespan. Graduation requires a minimum of 525 in-person practicum hours.
The university offers $10,000 Behavioral-Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Professionals grants to five second-year enrollees.
- Program: Master of science in nursing
- Campus: Marion, Indiana
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $685 per credit hour
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited school and an accredited program or non-nursing bachelor's with 10 years of nursing experience and submission of a portfolio; unencumbered RN license; minimum 3.25 undergraduate GPA or 3.0 graduate GPA; at least one year of professional practice with 500 hours of direct patient care; criminal background check
- Minimum Time Commitment: 28 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $109,768 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$8,453
- Out-of-state$8,453
- In-State$9,715
- Out-of-state$9,715
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled10,008
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment94%
- AccreditationYes
Cox College
- Springfield, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cox College offers a PMHNP track within its master of science in nursing program. Online courses and 780 clinical hours prepare graduates to bridge the gap between physical and mental health. The full-time or part-time curriculum includes courses in advanced pharmacology, counseling and psychotherapy, and family and child dynamics.
Distance learners can complete department-assisted clinical placements in their local communities. However, clinical approval restrictions do not allow the department to accept students from several states.
- Program: Master of science in nursing
- Campus: Springfield, Missouri
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $620 per credit
- Admission Requirements: U.S. citizenship or permanent residency; bachelor's degree in nursing; current RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 20 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2023): 85% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $109,058 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$10,080
- Out-of-state$10,080
- In-State$10,800
- Out-of-state$10,800
- Retention Rate50%
- Acceptance Rate39%
- Students Enrolled956
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment99%
- AccreditationYes
Mount Marty University
- Yankton, SD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
MMU offers a master's degree in nursing for prospective PMHNPs. The 50-credit program at this Catholic institution focuses on providing advanced patient care with compassion and a spirit of service, including 750 hours of clinical experiences in rural and underserved communities. Graduates qualify to take PMHNP certification exams.
The course format is 100% online and includes advanced practice roles and leadership; legal, ethical, and political issues for advanced practice nurses; neuroscience and psychopharmacology, and psychotherapeutic modalities.
- Program: Master of science in nursing
- Campus: Yankton, South Dakota
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $680 per credit
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited program; current RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; at least one year of professional RN experience; a Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers course; criminal background check
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- Median Earnings Four Years After Graduation: $196,551 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$27,720
- Out-of-state$27,720
- In-State$8,375
- Out-of-state$8,500
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled1,262
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment41%
- AccreditationYes
Husson University
- Bangor, ME
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
The online PMHNP program at Husson University awards a master of science in nursing and requires 51 credits. Enrollees complete 15-week psychiatric nursing courses through flexible asynchronous delivery and can receive free tutoring and mental health support. A clinical coordinator helps students secure clinical placements. Graduates qualify to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center's certification exam for mental health nurse practitioners.
A rolling admission process offers multiple start dates, and admitted students can transfer up to nine credits toward their master's degrees.
- Program: Master of science in nursing
- Campus: Bangor, Maine
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $682 per credit hour
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's or master's degree in nursing; current RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 30 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2023): 80% first-time pass rate
- In-State$18,890
- Out-of-state$18,890
- In-State$16,780
- Out-of-state$16,780
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled3,078
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment69%
- AccreditationYes
Bluefield University
- Bluefield, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The online PMHNP track in the master of science nursing at BU seeks to alleviate the shortage of mental health professionals in rural and underserved areas. Students train to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders and qualify for PMHNP certification.
Concentration track courses include diagnostics and psychopharmacological strategies, foundations of advanced practice psychiatric mental health, and psychiatric mental health nursing across the lifespan. Learners also complete practicums in their local areas.
- Program: Master of science in nursing
- Campus: Bluefield, Virginia
- Type: Private
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $665 per credit hour
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited school; current RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; a C in health assessment, microbiology, nursing research, pathophysiology, and statistics; at least 2,000 hours of RN experience
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- In-State$27,050
- Out-of-state$27,050
- In-State$8,640
- Out-of-state$8,640
- Retention Rate59%
- Acceptance Rate72%
- Students Enrolled948
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment72%
- AccreditationYes
Using Our Rankings: What to Look For in an Online Psychiatric NP Program
We evaluated and ranked this list of online psychiatric NP programs based on specific metrics. These factors are also crucial for students when evaluating a nursing program. They indicate how well the program fits the student’s life and educational needs.
Admission Requirements
Each online psychiatric NP program has its own consistent admissions requirements, some of which can be unique to the school or program. Be sure to look closely at the requirements for your program and follow them to the letter.
In general, however, it is a safe bet that you will need an active registered nurse (RN) license. Not all programs require GRE scores.
Clinical Experience
Every program requires some kind of clinical experience, with mental healthcare settings taking on extra importance for psychiatric NP learners. Finding the right fit for your clinical experience can vary by program. For example, some programs help students find these experiences, while others simply approve (or reject) placements after students identify them.
Schools that don’t help students find these placements or have demanding clinical schedules might place added stress on students, which could influence the decision to enroll in the program.
Accreditation
Accreditation is crucial for a student to receive federal aid, transfer credits to another program, or take the certification exam necessary to practice.
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Program Length
An online master of science in nursing (MSN) program for prospective psychiatric NPs usually takes 2-3 years, encompassing 46 credit hours and 600 clinical hours. A doctor of nursing practice (DNP), a more advanced degree that can lead to the nurse practitioner career path, may require more time.
A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree is often required before pursuing an advanced degree like the MSN or DNP. However, select programs allow qualified nurses with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) to directly pursue their MSN degree.
Regardless of length, many degree programs have part-time and other flexible options for working students.
NP Certification Pass Rate
The program may publish the certification pass rate, which tells a candidate how well the program prepares students to take the national certification exam required to practice.
Online Learning Format and Requirements
Online learning differs from in-person programs in how information is delivered to students. The delivery format might significantly influence your decision based on your learning style. Technology requirements may differ between programs, requiring students to purchase more hardware or software, which increases cost.
Why Is Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program Accreditation Important?
Accreditation is important because it ensures a program meets educational and industry standards. The accrediting organization assesses the quality of individual nursing programs by determining, among other things, how many of its graduates can pass the NCLEX, the exam required to obtain a nursing license.
Attending an accredited nursing school helps ensure you’re getting high-quality training. That is why all of our listed programs are accredited.
Other factors to consider include:
- You must graduate from an accredited nursing program to take the NCLEX
- Employers typically only hire graduates from accredited nursing programs
- Many schools don’t accept credits transferred from unaccredited programs
- Government financial aid only applies to accredited schools
How Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs Work
Online nursing programs enable students to take classes and complete assignments anywhere, as long as they can access a computer. Although attending live class recordings is recommended, students can watch classes whenever convenient.
Nursing students can communicate with professors and peers via email, video conferences, and school-approved chat software. Online students must complete assignments and exams by their due dates.
Depending on the school, an MSN or DNP may also have lab components and fieldwork experience requiring in-person attendance. Students attending an online program find clinical placement assistance as an online nursing student an important factor in program choice.
Applying to an Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program
Applying to online psychiatric NP programs is similar to the process you’d follow for brick-and-mortar schools. One potential difference is that your admissions interview may be virtual instead of in person.
The admissions process helps prove your desire to become a psychiatric NP, your ability to work legally in the U.S., your sense of integrity, and your expertise on key subject matter. It’s important to make a positive first impression by correctly following directions. Don’t hesitate to contact the school if you have questions.
Common application requirements include:
- Personal essay
- MSN or BSN from an accredited nursing program
- Current RN license
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- At least one year of relevant experience
- Background check
- U.S. citizenship or permanent residency card
- 3.0 GPA or higher
The relevant experience and license requirements don’t apply to students starting with their BSN. Some schools prefer applicant MSNs to have a concentration in psychiatric nursing, or for the nurse to have met the minimum relevant experience requirement within 1-3 years of applying.
Paying for Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Several factors affect the cost of an online psychiatric NP program, which affects the student’s ability to pay out-of-pocket for nursing degrees. These factors include many of the criteria used in the ranking of the best online Psychiatric NP programs.
For example, the program’s length influences how much money it will cost a student. Students should know the cost per credit hour and the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition costs.
Some students can work to help cover the cost of living during school. Attending an accredited program allows students to apply for federal financial aid, including nursing grants, loans, and federal scholarship programs.
Accreditation also influences the ability to qualify for private grants and loans. Students should search for scholarship programs that help cover the cost of an online psychiatric nurse practitioner program. It is important to seek information about financial aid for nurses to help pay for your program, including loan forgiveness for nurses and programs to help support economically disadvantaged and minority students.
What Can You Do as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner?
A licensed and nationally board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner can care for patients in various settings. They focus on mental health disorders and most frequently address the needs of patients with:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Personality disorders
- Eating disorders
- Disruptive behavior
- Trauma
- Psychosis
These professionals are highly analytical and adept at problem-solving. Typical work settings include hospital mental health departments, private clinics, mental health clinics, and mental health departments.
According to Payscale, the median annual salary of a psychiatric nurse practitioner is $119,840 as of April 2024, making it one of the highest-earning NP specialties.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Licensed psychiatric NPs must hold both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree or higher in nursing. Many universities offer MSN programs with a concentration in psychiatric mental health. Some students earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) instead of a BSN and bypass a bachelor’s degree by enrolling in an RN-to-MSN program.
Related Online Psychiatric NP Program Resources
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner vs. Psychiatrist: What’s the Difference?
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners are similar to psychiatrists, but there are differences in education and scope of practice. Get details on both careers.
The Best Online Direct-Entry Nurse Practitioner Programs
Direct-entry nurse practitioner programs let students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree complete an accelerated NP program. Find the best direct-entry NP program for you.
Meet a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
A psychiatric nurse practitioner gets candid about the realities of the job. Plus, we discuss more about how to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner.