Online PMHNP Programs
Support the Mental Health Needs of Patients
Sacred Heart University’s PMHNP online programs prepare you to help patients develop solutions for navigating barriers to physical, mental and emotional health. Through a combination of conceptual and practical learning, you’ll gain the skills needed to provide quality care and help people improve their cognitive, emotional, physical, spiritual and behavioral health so that they function optimally.
Learn More Today
Complete the form to learn more about this program.
Meet the Prerequisites for the APRN Licensure in Psychiatric Mental Health
Projections show that nurse practitioner employment will grow by 40% through 2034.1 To help meet that demand, Sacred Heart University’s online PMHNP programs will help you develop advanced knowledge and hands-on mastery required for in-demand psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner positions in a variety of health care settings.
This specialization imparts clinical skills for addressing the cognitive, emotional and behavioral health needs of patients across the lifespan. While completing online coursework and clinical experiences, you’ll prepare to meet requirements for the certification exam from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) certification in psychiatric mental health.
Pathways to Become a PMHNP
Sacred Heart offers three paths to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, and you do not need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to get started. Each PMHNP track includes high-quality online courses taught by faculty members with advanced expertise and extensive experience in mental health nursing.
RN-MSN
Take a Direct Path to Become a PMHNP
Total credit hours: 51 to 153
Duration: 3.5 years
Degrees earned: BSN and MSN
Program Details: Gain access to top-tier nursing positions by earning both your BSN and your MSN or post-master’s certificate. Focus on providing exceptional patient care through evaluation and management with psychotherapy.
Who Should Apply: Sacred Heart offers this streamlined program to registered nurses wanting to establish a foundation for APRN licensure. To pursue the PMHNP specialization, you’ll need to achieve a 3.0 GPA for your BSN coursework.*
View ProgramMSN
Build on Your BSN to Become a PMHNP
Total credit hours: 36 to 42
Duration: 2 to 2.5 years
Degree earned: MSN
Program Details: Explore health care policy and ethics, principles of health care research and the underlying theories of contemporary nursing.
Who Should Apply: Designed for registered nurses with a BSN from an accredited college and a minimum 3.0 GPA,* the online MSN: PMHNP specialization gives you the confidence and skills for pursuing certification and, eventually, licensure.
View ProgramPost-Master’s PMHNP Certificate
Build on Your MSN to Become a PMHNP
Total credit hours: 21
Duration: 15 months
Certificate earned: PMHNP
Program Details: Gain the skills necessary to diagnose and treat patients’ mental healthcare needs.
Who Should Apply: Have you earned an MSN from an accredited college with a 3.0 GPA?* You can pursue the Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate to get on track for nurse practitioner roles focusing on psychiatric mental health. This online program expands your clinical knowledge, and you’ll be qualified to sit for certification exams available from ANCC and AANP.
View ProgramDay in the Life of a PMHNP
PMHNPs play a critical role in helping patients understand and manage mental health conditions. In this role, you will work closely with individuals and families in behavioral health settings, and your responsibilities will include:
- Conducting clinical health assessments
- Formulating diagnoses of mental health disorders
- Incorporating medications into treatment plans
- Providing psychotherapy
Because clinical experience will be essential to your success, this specialization includes residencies and practicum coursework. These immersive learning opportunities prepare you to deliver psychiatric mental health nursing care and attain certification after graduation.
Where Do Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners Work?
- Community health centers
- Hospitals
- Outpatient care facilities
- Physician’s offices
- Correctional facilities
Related Articles
Top 5 Up-and-Coming Nursing Careers
The nursing field is one of the fastest-growing in the country, but specific nursing niches are expanding much more rapidly. Learn which ones.
Read ArticleHow to Become a Nurse Practitioner
Looking to advance your nursing career? Learn to become a family nurse practitioner. Explore available paths, program duration, and career outlook now.
Read ArticleNursing Career Advancement: Explore Your Options
Want to advance your nursing degree? Explore nursing pathways, types of nursing degrees, and career advancement opportunities for Registered Nurses.
Read ArticleWhy Should an RN Get an MSN Degree?
Completing an RN to MSN degree offers many advantages that can benefit your nursing career. Explore these benefits in this list.
Read ArticleSource and Disclaimer
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners.” Retrieved November 7, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-6.
*Each online nursing program includes specific admission requirements, available on the following pages: