67 total credits required (online)
The average program duration is 36 months of full-time study. The core of the psychiatric nurse practitioner specialization is the development of advanced competencies to support the therapeutic relationship between the client and the nurse. The DNP degree with a PMHNP specialization includes three didactic courses (nine credits) as well as three clinically focused learning experiences consisting of three-credit theory course and a two-credit clinical course practicum (15 credits) at the graduate level.
At the doctoral level, students take seven of the existing DNP courses in epidemiology, informatics, leadership, management, vulnerable populations, health policy and evidence-based practice (21 credits). Students will also take newly created courses: advanced role immersion and two courses for the psychiatric mental health nursing scholarly project.
