DNP – Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program Online Elevating Mental Health with Advanced Nursing Skills
59
Credit Hours
100% online,* 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Care for the Full Spectrum of Patient Needs with Liberty’s DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Degree
There is a critical shortage of mental health professionals in the United States and around the world. Regular nurse practitioners are qualified to address many health problems, but they lack expertise in the area of mental health.
That’s where Liberty’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) degree comes in. This program can help you develop a holistic approach to patient care so you can pursue a wider variety of nursing jobs.
If you are a nurse practitioner seeking specialized mental health training, Liberty can help. In this DNP program, you can learn how to assess, diagnose, and treat the mental health needs of your patients. Our program can also help you pursue state licensure and national certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
To qualify for this program, you must be a licensed nurse practitioner with an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) degree. We can help you develop the skills needed to provide mental health services to patients in a variety of settings. You’ll also receive advanced training in nursing administration, healthcare research, and best nursing care practices.
Partner with us and prepare to take your nursing career to the next level.
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).
Why Choose Liberty University’s PMHNP Degree?
As pioneers in distance education since 1985, we’re committed to offering high-quality programs that fit your schedule. At Liberty, you’ll benefit from flexible courses, affordable tuition rates, and practical training that can help equip you for the real world.
Our psych DNP program is available online. You can complete your coursework from the comfort of your home without needing to relocate to attend classes on campus. The best part? You can stay invested in your family and career while earning your degree!
Liberty’s online DNP – psychiatric nurse practitioner program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This degree can help you prepare to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner national certification exam. By completing our rigorous curriculum, you can pursue state licensure and national certification as a PMHNP.
Our PMHNP professors have years of experience working in the field of nursing. With their guidance, you can develop marketable skills that could help set you apart from the competition. For some of your courses, you’ll have weekly online meetings with your professors, allowing you to further benefit from their mentorship.
As a Christian university, Liberty’s goal is to help you lead with integrity in the workplace. Our courses seek to integrate ethical principles with professional knowledge. That way, you can make medical decisions that are clinically and biblically sound.
What Will You Study in Our MSN to DNP – PMHNP Online Program?
This post-MSN degree is broken down into 3 main parts: core nursing courses, project and practicum classes, and the PMHNP specialization. Throughout the program, you will explore the theoretical, clinical, and administrative aspects of nursing. We can help equip you to develop innovative solutions to healthcare challenges and become a leader in the industry.
Our core DNP courses provide a solid foundation in translational research, evidence-based care, leadership and policy, clinical prevention, healthcare operations, and interprofessional collaboration. You can learn how to approach nursing from an ethical perspective so you can make medical decisions that are morally and scientifically sound.
Learn how to treat patients with mental health disorders. The PMHNP specialization dives into the essentials of psychiatric mental health nursing. You will analyze the various causes of mental disorders, including injury, trauma, disease, and genetics. You can also learn how to conduct diagnostic tests, treat disorders using methods in psychopharmacology, and help patients overcome acute psychiatric issues.
Before graduating, you will complete extensive practicums, allowing you to gain practical experience in your field. You’ll also write and defend a scholarly project based on original research so you can contribute to the base of knowledge in your field.
Potential Career Opportunities
- Behavioral health clinics
- Correctional facilities
- Domestic violence shelters
- General practitioners’ offices
- Hospitals
- Inpatient or outpatient psychiatric facilities
- Mental health agencies
- Private practices
- Residential treatment centers
- Veteran psychiatric facilities
Featured Courses
- NURS 700 – Advanced Nursing Research
- NURS 721 – Leadership, Policy, and Ethics
- NURS 752 – Clinical Psychopharmacology
- NURS 753 – Psychotherapeutic Theories, Frameworks, and Modalities
Course guides available upon request
Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Nursing.
- View the Graduate Nursing Course Guides (login required).
- Please review our FAQ sheet for more information.
- Some courses have synchronous login times.
- Please note: This program contains some full-semester courses.
Additional Information
Disclosures
RN Licensure
Students must hold a current and active RN license within the United States and current APRN license.
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
Licensure requirements for any state are subject to change without notice. View the licensure/certification requirements for your state.
Practicum Sites
Licensure requirements for any state are subject to change without notice. View the licensure/certification requirements for your state.
For additional questions related to practicums, please reach out to the School of Nursing at dnp@liberty.edu.
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.
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
PMHNP Programs | $1,200/Credit |
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All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Liberty’s Psych DNP 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. 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 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 (sealed, unopened copies, or via a direct electronic transcript system). Transcripts must be regionally or nationally accredited, show all post-secondary schools and must show a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing with an advanced practice specialty as a nurse practitioner focused on family, adult, geriatric, neonatal, pediatrics, or women’s health. Transcripts must show a 3.0 GPA or higher in all previous graduate work and the master’s degree must be accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Please note: upon admission, if official transcripts do not show successfully passed graduate coursework in the following areas, students may be required to take additional courses as prerequisites to NURS 751: advanced physical health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology.
- Admission to this program requires the following items to be submitted:
- Current and active RN license issued in one of the fifty United States. (If a past sanction or disciplinary action exists on a professional license, the applicant may be contacted by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee for further explanation.)
- Active APRN license and Active National Certification for Nurse Practitioner. If a past sanction or disciplinary action exists on a professional license, the applicant may be contacted by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee for further explanation.
- American Heart Association BLS CPR Card for Healthcare Providers with AED.
- One Reference (requires login): We require one reference contact from a professional or academic reference. Your reference should be able to speak to your work ethic and academic abilities. This contact should also be able to be reached via phone or email.
- Writing Sample
- Answer the following prompts 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 not to exceed 3,000 words.
- Part I: In 1,000 words, please describe your professional nursing career. In addition, please include how you incorporate your worldview in your current profession.
- Part II: Please describe your vision for your scholarly project and post-doctoral practice in 1,000 words.
- Answer the following prompts 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 not to exceed 3,000 words.
- 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)
- 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.
Supplemental Acceptance Steps
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 master’s degree.
- Complete a Master’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 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 or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’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
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a psychiatric nurse practitioner?
Mental health nurse practitioners help patients overcome and cope with various psychiatric disorders. They can identify, treat, and manage symptoms resulting from many different mental illnesses, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, schizophrenia, trauma, and personality disorders.
PMHNPs are also trained in regular nurse practitioner (NP) duties, so they can offer a holistic approach to healthcare — one that integrates physical and mental health concerns. By pursuing certification in psychiatric nursing, you can learn how to provide even better care to your patients.
Can a mental health nurse practitioner prescribe medication?
You’ll want to check the requirements in your state — but in general, mental health nurse practitioners can prescribe medications and other controlled substances.
What is the difference between a psychiatric nurse practitioner and a psychiatrist?
While psychiatric NPs hold nursing degrees, psychiatrists must attend medical school. Both PMHNPs and psychiatrists typically perform many of the same duties.
However, different states have different laws governing the responsibilities of psychiatric NPs. Depending on where you work as a PMHNP, there may be some restrictions on the types of treatment or care you can provide. Be sure to check the exact requirements of the state you want to work in.
What accreditations does this program have?
Our MSN to DNP – psychiatric nurse practitioner degree is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
What accreditation does Liberty University have?
Liberty is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
What is this program designed to lead to?
This program can help equip you to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner exam.
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