Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate at Kent State University provides advanced training for registered nurses interested in mental health care. This online program covers assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders, preparing graduates to support patients across diverse settings. Graduates are equipped to provide compassionate, evidence-based mental health care as certified PMHNPs, addressing the growing need for mental health professionals.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate Program Overview
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner graduate certificate prepares nurses who have a graduate nursing degree the additional specialized knowledge for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner role. The certificate meets the educational requirements for the national certification examination.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Meet standards for advanced practice certification or other advanced professional distinction.
- Demonstrate competencies based on professional standards to assume advanced roles in nursing and/or for leadership and career advancement, including doctoral study.
- Communicate, integrate and apply advanced nursing knowledge and skills to provide equitable, evidence-based and inclusive nursing care and promote quality outcomes in nursing and health care.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State’s website for professional licensure disclosure.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate Program Admissions Requirements
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
- Master’s degree in nursing or a doctorate in nursing practice from an accredited nursing program
- Minimum 3.000 graduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
- Official transcript(s) of all previous graduate coursework1
- Active, unrestricted registered nurse license in the state in which practicum hours will be completed
- Curriculum vitae
- Goal statement (no more than 250 words) describing reasons for seeking the certificate in the identified specialty and professional goals (starting with spring 2026 admission term, goal statement is no longer required)
- Admission essay is required starting with spring 2026 admission term responding to the following questions (two pages, double spaced, 500 words):
- How do you plan to contribute to the nursing profession and healthcare community after earning your M.S.N. degree?
- How has your experience, professional development and service within the profession contributed to your readiness for graduate education?
- What experience do you have working as a nurse caring for the underserved, high-risk or vulnerable populations?
- Syllabi of all courses to considered for transfer in the gap analysis
- Three professional letters of reference from healthcare professionals, either a supervisor and/or an advanced practice nurse who can speak to the applicant’s professional capabilities
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
- Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
- Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
- Minimum 58 PTE score
- Minimum 110 DET score
1For applicants who have not practiced as an advanced practice registered nurse within the two-year period preceding application to the certificate, completion of graduate-level courses in advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology and advanced health assessment must not be greater than five years old at the time of the student’s first semester of course registration in the certificate.
2International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.
Program Courses
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Requirements | ||
| NURS 60012 | ADVANCED MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY | 4 |
| NURS 60015 | ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT 1 | 3 |
| NURS 60045 | PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE 1 | 3 |
| NURS 60051 | NEUROBIOLOGY AND PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY OF MAJOR PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS | 4 |
| NURS 60151 | INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY | 3 |
| NURS 60251 | FAMILY AND GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY | 3 |
| NURS 60353 | INDIVIDUAL, ORGANIZATION AND COMMUNITY CONSULTATION | 3 |
| NURS 60441 | PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE 1 | 3 |
| NURS 61592 | PRACTICUM I: INDIVIDUAL THERAPY | 2 |
| NURS 62592 | PRACTICUM II: MEDICATION MANAGEMENT AND INDIVIDUAL THERAPY | 2 |
| NURS 63592 | PRACTICUM III: FAMILY AND GROUP THERAPY | 2 |
| NURS 64592 | PRACTICUM IV: NURSE PRACTITIONER ROLE | 2 |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 34 | |
1This course may be waived or transferred if it was previously completed with a grade of B or better. Please refer to the Transfer of Graduate Credit Policy for more information.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate Program Tuition and Fees
Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $594.78 | $1,784.34 | $14,900 part-time1 $13,100 full-time2 |
Non-Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $604.78 | $1,814.34 | $15,100 part-time3 $13,300 full-time4 |
1The $594.78 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time Ohio resident graduate students taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester.
2The flat-rate semester fee of $6,528.50 applies to full-time Ohio resident graduate students taking between 11-18 credit hours per semester. The amount was calculated at students completing the certificate in 2 semesters.
3The $604.78 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour.
4The flat-rate semester fee of $6,528.50 applies to full-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking between 11-18 credit hours, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour of actual credits taken (between 11-18 semester credits or $110-$180). This amount was calculated at students completing the certificate in 2 semesters plus the surcharge.
An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.
Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs, please contact Kent State’s Financial, Billing & Enrollment Center at 330-672-6000 or via our website Contact Us link.
The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken. Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person. Program costs are subject to change without notice.
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