Concentration Overview
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Post-Graduate Certificate Program (PGCP) prepares graduate nurses holding a master's or doctoral degree in nursing to assess and manage the full continuum of care services for the acutely and critically ill across the lifespan.
APRNs returning for a Post-Graduate Certificate in an NP population-focused area in which they are not currently practicing or certified may be granted academic credit for prior didactic and clinical experiences based on a gap analysis of an applicant’s academic/practice portfolio.
One certification exists for graduates of the Post Master’s Certificate Program in PMHNP. Students completing the Post-Master’s Certificate Program in PMHNP meet the academic eligibility requirements to take the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Candidates who meet all academic eligibility requirements established by the ANCC and successfully pass the ANCC examination are awarded the credential: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (PMHNP-BC).
Student Learning Outcomes
- Synthesize organizational/systems leadership for cost-effective specialist nursing practice that contributes to high-quality healthcare delivery, advancement of the nursing profession, and social change.
- Critique evidence-based literature drawing from diverse theoretical perspectives and pertinent research to guide decision making that demonstrates best practices for specialist nursing practice in a global society.
- Through knowledge integration assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate cost-effective healthcare strategies that reduce health disparities by patient/population advocacy for access to specialist nursing care.
- Demonstrate ability to effectively communicate using audience-specific oral, written, and information technology for professional delivery of specialist nursing care.
- Evaluate health needs of diverse populations for necessary teaching/coaching functions based on specialist nursing knowledge to restore/promote health and prevent illness/injury.
- Exhibit ongoing commitment to professional development and value of nursing theories/ethical principles (altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, social justice) in accordance with ethically responsible, legally accountable, specialist nursing practice.
- Implement specialist nursing roles to promote quality improvement of patient-centered care in accordance with professional practice standards that transform health outcomes for diverse populations.
Sample Course Sequence
NOTE: Courses and sequencing are subject to change
Didactic 1 credit hour = 15 contact hours
Clinical 1 credit hour = 60 clinical contact hours
Total contact hours = 795
Program Plan Post Master’s Certificate PMHNP for APRN’s and in parenthesis for non-APRN’s
| TERM I | Credit Hours | Didactic Contact Hours | Clinical Contact Hours |
| Psychopathological Disorders Across the Lifespan | 3 | 45 | - |
| Neurobiology and Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan | 3 | 45 | - |
| TERM 2 | |||
| Systems Interventions of Individuals and Groups | 2 | 30 | - |
| Clinical I Supervised Clinical Practice Across the Lifespan | 3 | - | 180 |
| TERM 3 | |||
| Clinical Psychiatric Diagnostics and Management of Adults | 3 | 45 | - |
| Supervised Clinical Practice Clinical II | 3 | - | 180 |
| TERM 4 | |||
| Role of the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in Promoting Health | 2 | 30 | - |
| Supervised Clinical Practice Clinical III | 4 | - | 240 |
| (NURS 5109 Advanced Pharmacology) | 3 | 45 | - |
| (NURS 6004 Advanced Pathophysiology #) | 4 | 60 | - |
| (NURS 5121 Advanced Health Assessment *) | 3 | 30 | 60 |
| (NURS 6420 Health Promotion Theory & Population Health) | 3 | 45 | - |
| TOTAL | 36 | 195 | 600 |
Admission Requirements
The following items are required when applying to the Master's Program for Nurse Educator:
- MSN from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale in all graduate coursework
- Unencumbered/Unrestricted Missouri RN license in good standing,
- Current CV or resume
- 1-year recent experience as RN experience
- Current BLS provider status
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended.
- Two letters of reference from individuals who can address the applicant’s academic and clinical potential.
- Personal statement that addresses desired area of specialization, personal attributes, program, and career goals
Transfer Credit and Gap Analysis: Students seeking transfer credit or who currently hold a different APRN certification should submit course syllabi to the Program Director to conduct a gap analysis to ensure all content is covered for certification exam without repetition of content from prior coursework.
Tuition and Fees
Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing reserves the right to adjust tuition and fees at any time. For additional information, please contact our Business Office.
