BSN to DNP | PMHNP Online Program

Credit Hours

Online* with required virtual intensive

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | March 23, 2026 | May 18, 2026

Help Your Patients Overcome Mental Health Challenges with Liberty’s Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program Online

Are you a nurse looking to develop new skills and expand your career options? Do you want to help people who suffer from mental health issues? Are you seeking a fast track to a doctoral nursing degree? If so, conferring Liberty’s post-BSN Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) degree might be the right next step for you. You can apply to this program if you are a licensed, registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree – which means you won’t need to complete a master’s program before pursuing your doctorate!

Our PMHNP program seeks to help meet the desperate need for mental health care providers in the United States. Throughout your courses, you can develop the skills needed to treat mental health disorders, substance abuse issues, and developmental problems in patients of all ages. Additionally, you can prepare to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner national certification exam and pursue state licensure as a PMHNP.

Partner with us and prepare to help meet a variety of patient health needs – both physical and mental.

Liberty maintains strict compliance with all licensure requirements for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Not a Virginia resident? We want to help find the best program for you! To view educational requirements and whether a specific program aligns with the licensure requirements for your state, please review our licensure/certification requirements webpage.

*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.

Accreditation

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and the postgraduate APRN certificate program at Liberty University School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

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600+ Online Degrees
No Standardized Testing for Admission
Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Why Choose Liberty’s BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Degree?

Liberty University has been a pioneer in distance education since 1985. A lot has changed since then, but our commitment to Training Champions for Christ has not. We seek to offer high-quality programs that maximize flexibility, affordability, and accessibility.

Our DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). You can pursue your degree with confidence knowing that our courses have met rigorous academic standards.

While pursuing your post-BSN DNP – PMHNP, you will complete over 1,000 practicum hours. That way, you can gain marketable experience that could help you stand out to future employers. Additionally, you’ll attend 1 virtual intensive, giving you the opportunity to interact live with your professor and classmates. This provides you with a unique opportunity to have an interactive experience without the commitment and expense of travel.

If you want to earn your nursing doctorate but don’t have a master’s degree, then this program is for you. You can apply to our DNP – PMHNP (post-BSN) program if you’ve completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing – allowing you to start achieving your academic and professional goals sooner.

In our PMHNP online program, you will study under nursing professionals who have years of real-world experience. Our DNP faculty will support you as you complete your scholarly project, and our practicum coordinators can help you gain practicum placement. Additionally, for some of your courses, you’ll have online meetings with your professors so you can further benefit from their mentorship.

What Will You Study in Our BSN to DNP – PMHNP Program Online?

This post-BSN degree is broken down into core nursing courses, advanced practice courses, project and practicum classes, and the PMHNP specialization. In addition to completing extensive DNP and PMHNP practicums, you will research, write, and defend a scholarly project. You’ll also select an elective course so you can explore further topics of interest in the field of nursing.

Throughout the program, you can train to work at the highest level of clinical practice and help improve quality, safety, cost, and patient care in nursing. You can also prepare to lead multidisciplinary nursing initiatives, translate evidence into practice, and work as a PMHNP in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings.

Liberty’s core DNP courses provide a solid foundation in advanced nursing research, applications of evidence-based care, clinical prevention, healthcare operations, and interprofessional collaboration. You’ll also receive advanced training in health assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. Our goal is to help you approach nursing from an ethical perspective so you can make medical decisions that are morally and scientifically sound.

Within the PMHNP specialization, you’ll study methods for treating and supporting patients with mental health problems. You will analyze the most common causes of mental disorders, including injury, trauma, infection, disease, and genetics. You can also learn how to approach psychiatric diagnoses using tools like behavioral assessments and diagnostic tests.

Our program also invites you to take a closer look at the broader context in which psychiatric mental health care takes place. You can examine how cultural, legal, ethical, and socioeconomic factors shape the experiences of individuals and families seeking support, and you can practice developing treatment plans that reflect both clinical knowledge and compassionate care. This approach encourages you to think critically about the diverse challenges patients face and the many variables that influence their access to effective mental health services.

As you move deeper into the material, you can learn how to make client-centered prescriptive decisions with attention to outcomes, safety, quality, and cost. You can also explore the complexities of advocacy, policy, health promotion, and disease prevention as they relate to advanced psychiatric practice. In addition, the program provides opportunities to apply psychopharmacology across the lifespan so you can better understand how medication fits into holistic mental health treatment.

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Practicum Experience Requirements

Practicum Placement Process
Our Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs’ practicum placement process is designed to be a collaborative partnership between the student and our dedicated practicum team. We believe that this cooperative approach ensures the best possible learning experience for our students.

Collaborative Partnership
The practicum team is committed to assisting students in identifying suitable preceptors and practicum sites. While we provide support in this process, we also encourage students to take an active role in finding potential placements, as they are more familiar with their local areas and potential opportunities.

Preceptor and Site Matching
Our goal is to match each student with a preceptor and site that aligns with their educational needs. However, please note that the assigned term may not always meet the student’s initial preferences. Due to the limited availability of preceptors, and the need for sites that offer specialties, students may need to travel longer distances to complete their practicum requirements. If a student declines a site provided for them based on distance, they will be asked to identify a new site that meets the requirements for the practicum course needed.

Travel and Restrictions
Students should be prepared for the possibility of additional travel or other restrictions as part of their practicum placement. Flexibility and adaptability are key to ensuring a successful practicum experience.

Telehealth Sites
For students in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, telehealth sites are permitted for up to 50% of their practicum hours. However, telehealth sites are not allowed for students in the Family Nurse Practitioner program.

Compliance and Requirements
Students must complete all required steps in the placement process and become fully compliant with all requirements to be eligible to move forward with their practicum experience.

Fees and Costs
Any fees or costs required by a practicum facility and/or preceptor are the responsibility of the student and should be negotiated directly between the student and the site. Liberty University is unable to control additional onboarding requirements or fees charged by a practicum facility.

We are dedicated to supporting our students throughout their practicum journey and ensuring they receive the best possible clinical education. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team at APRN.DNPPracticum@liberty.edu.

Additional Information

Disclosures

RN Licensure

Students must hold a current and active RN license within the United States.

Non-Discrimination Statement

View the School of Nursing Non-Discrimination Statement.

For advising, please contact dnp@liberty.edu.

Disclosure Statement

Enrollment in one of Liberty University’s licensure programs does not guarantee a degree from Liberty or qualification for licensure. Students are responsible for meeting all academic and professional requirements for graduation. Further information regarding these academic and professional requirements is outlined on this program page and on the full admission page linked on the Admission Requirements tab. Students enrolled in a licensure program are responsible for knowing the material outlined for their program. Further, it is the sole responsibility of the student, not the institution, to obtain information regarding prerequisites for licensure as outlined by their particular state Board of Nursing.

Licensure requirements for any state are subject to change without notice. Liberty University is not responsible for knowing when changes occur. Additionally, there might be other states with unique licensure requirements. Please reference our State Requirements for NP and APRN Licensure page and contact your State Board of Nursing for further information.

Liberty University Online State Approval Disclosure

Practicum Sites

Degree Completion Plan

State Licensure Requirements

Individual state licensure requirements may vary and are subject to change without notice. View your state’s requirements here: licensure/certification requirements.

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

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Tuition & Aid

PMHNP Programs	$850/Credit

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for Liberty’s BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program Online

Admission Requirements

At this time, our DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree is limited in certain states. Please view the licensure/certification requirements for your state. International students can contact the School of Nursing for questions about admission to their specific degree of interest.

Disclosure Statement

Enrollment in one of Liberty University’s licensure programs does not guarantee a degree from Liberty or qualification for licensure. Students are responsible for meeting all academic and professional requirements for graduation. More information about academic and professional requirements can be found below. Students enrolled in a licensure program are responsible for knowing the material outlined for their program. Further, it is the sole responsibility of the student, not Liberty University, to obtain information regarding prerequisites for licensure as outlined by their particular state Board of Nursing.

Licensure requirements for any state are subject to change without notice. Additionally, there might be other states with unique licensure requirements. Please reference our State Requirements for NP and APRN Licensure page for further information.

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree or a Master of Science in Nursing degree accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
- Transcripts must include a Master of Science degree in Nursing with an advanced practice specialty (Nurse Practitioner only – family, gerontology, adult, neonatal, pediatrics, women’s)
Admission to this program requires the following additional items to be submitted:
- Current and Active RN License Issued in an Approved State. Applicants must hold RN license in the state that the practicum will occur within one of the 50 United States. RN licensure number and state where license was issued will be required in the application. If a past sanction or disciplinary action exists on a professional license, the applicant may be contacted by the Nursing Admission Review Committee for further explanation.
- Documentation of Active APRN License and Active National Certification for Nurse Practitioner (if applicable). Note: APRN licensure is not required for the DNP-PMHNP program; however, if an applicant is currently licensed in another advanced practice nursing specialty (i.e., Clinical Nurse Specialist), applicants must submit an APRN license and certification.
  - If a past sanction or disciplinary action exists on a professional license, the applicant may be contacted by the Nursing Admission Review Committee for further explanation.
  - A copy of the certification form must also be provided, in addition to the license. Please submit a copy of your license and certification to luoverify@liberty.edu.
  - Maryland students may submit a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) license in place of an APRN.
- Clinical Education Prerequisites: Must have bachelor’s-level courses in statistics, research methods, and health assessment.
- Consent to contact recent employers to verify 1 year of professional nursing experience. This form is part of the CV template.
- Curriculum Vitae
- American Heart Association BLS CPR Card for Healthcare Providers with AED. Copies must be submitted to luoverify@liberty.edu.
  - Military students may submit their CPR certification from the American Red Cross. This is only for Military students.
- 1 Academic, 1 Professional, and 1 Personal Reference: Your references should be able to speak to your work ethic and academic abilities. They should also be able to be reached via phone or email.
- Writing Sample
  - A document using APA rules of grammar. First person is permitted; APA formatting (i.e. title page, headers) is not needed. Return completed writing sample to luoverify@liberty.edu. Entire document should be 1,500 words minimum and 3,000 words maximum.
    - A document discussing introduction and world view, professional experience/ goals, and vision for professional practice including scholarly project.
  - Please also provide the following:
    - Name of present or most recent employment and position
    - Length of Employment (Indicate in MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YY. If still employed, write ‘current’ as the end date)
- Department Admission Review approval required – upon all documents being received on the checklist, the application will be sent for admission review by the department. An interview will be extended to selected applicants. Please note that not all applicants will be requested to interview with the Nursing departments. Interviews can be conducted remotely, as needed. Review times can vary due to several factors but they will be completed as soon as possible.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Students must have bachelor’s-level courses in statistics, research, and health assessment. A graduate-level biostatistics course is also required as a prerequisite to NURS 832, but this course may be completed after acceptance into the program.

Supplemental Acceptance Steps

After reviewing applications, the School of Nursing will contact selected applicants for an interview. Please note that not all applicants will be requested to interview with the School of Nursing. Interviews can be conducted remotely as needed. If an acceptance offer is extended to an applicant, there will be additional application steps needed before attending courses.

Included in these steps is the purchase of a standardized background check and submission of immunization records. More information will be provided to selected applicants.

Additional Requirements

Students who are accepted and offered a seat each semester will be required to submit a $500 deposit,* which will be applied to your student account to be used towards tuition, fees, etc. If accepted to our program, you will receive additional information via your Liberty email regarding your next steps and payment of the deposit.

If you have any questions, you may reach the School of Nursing at DNP@Liberty.edu or by calling (434) 592-6505.

*Deposit refund deadlines apply. Contact the School of Nursing for specific semester refund dates.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your BSN or master’s degree.
Complete a Master’s or Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term.The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree, within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree, or show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours for a bachelor’s degree.
Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Submit your application online or over the phone.

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Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Frequently Asked Questions About Our PMHNP Program

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Will this program provide any hands-on experience?

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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DNP – Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (Post-BSN) Aligning Mental and Physical Wellbeing

Help Your Patients Overcome Mental Health Challenges with Liberty’s Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program Online

Accreditation

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose Liberty’s BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Degree?

What Will You Study in Our BSN to DNP – PMHNP Program Online?

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Practicum Experience Requirements

Additional Information

State Licensure Requirements

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Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for Liberty’s BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program Online

Admission Requirements

Supplemental Acceptance Steps

Preliminary Acceptance

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

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Frequently Asked Questions About Our PMHNP Program

Does this program have any additional accreditation?

Will this program provide any hands-on experience?

What is the goal of this program?

Are you ready to change your future?

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