2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate

Location(s): Online


Program Coordinator/Contact

Heidi Mennenga, Associate Dean for Academic Programs
Department of Graduate Nursing
Wagner Hall 255, Box 2275
605-688-6924 or 1-888-216-9806 Ext. 3

Program Information

Advanced nursing practice in psychiatric mental health covers both outpatient and inpatient care, children through elderly individuals, and mild depression and anxiety to significantly disabling conditions including substance abuse, bipolar disorders and schizophrenia. This certificate prepares graduates to provide much needed high-quality mental health care to all populations and conditions in a variety of rural and urban settings. All courses are online and include 540 clinical hours. Graduates are prepared to sit for ANCC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam.

Program Outcomes

To prepare clinical nurse leaders, nurse educators, family nurse practitioners and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners who:

  • apply knowledge of evidence-based practice,
  • engage in life-long learning, and
  • serve South Dakota, the region, the nation, and the world in urban, rural, and frontier health care settings.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Assess, diagnose, and treat patients appropriately throughout the lifespan who present to psychiatric mental health settings for acute and chronic health conditions.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the professional and legal aspects of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner role.
  • Develop age-appropriate treatment plans for patients with mental health problems and psychiatric disorders that incorporate psychosocial and physical assessment, pharmacologic standards, are based on therapeutic relationship strategies, and integrate cultural, socioeconomic, and spiritual factors.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Accreditation

The post-graduate APRN certificate at South Dakota State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-6791.

Certification

After completing the program of study, graduates are eligible to complete certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

National Certification Eligibility Certifying Body
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC) American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Course Delivery Format

The program coursework is delivered online and includes a field-based practicum.

Total Required Credits: 18


Notes


For additional information, refer to the Graduate Nursing Department webpage.

Additional Admission Requirements


GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Score of 81 Internet-based
TOEFL Essentials: 8.5
IELTS: 6.5 total band
Duolingo: 110

In addition to meeting basic requirements for admission to the Graduate School, applicants for graduate study in nursing must have:

  • Current licensure as a Registered Nurse (and if applicable, APRN and licensure) in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course.
  • 1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to the first clinical course.
  • Completed graduate level courses in Advanced Physical Assessment (Lifespan), Advanced Pathophysiology (Lifespan), Advanced Pharmacology / Pharmacotherapeutics (Lifespan) with a course grade of 3.0 within the last 5 years.
  • Completed and verified application to the Graduate Nursing program via NursingCAS website.
  • Completed an approved statistical methods course within 5 years of enrollment in the designated research course within the DNP program coursework.
  • Interview assessment reviewed by graduate faculty.
  • Applicants who have begun but not completed a graduate nursing program at another college or university must submit a letter to the College of Nursing indicating their reason for leaving that said program.  A letter of recommendation must also be submitted to the College of Nursing from the dean/director of their former program that includes the applicant’s standing in that program upon exit.
  • Completed Compliance requirements: Clear Background check, clear FBI rolled fingerprint, clear drug screen, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, ACLS certification for FNP specialization, professional liability insurance, influenza vaccine, and TB test.

For applicants who completed their higher education within the United States:

  • Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
  • Master’s degree in nursing (from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.

For applicants who completed their higher education outside the United States:

  • A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
  • A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Master’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system. 

Additional Information


Students enrolled in SDSU certificate programs are not eligible for federal student financial aid. The non-federal alternative loan programs may be used for students meeting the lender criteria as found at www.sdstate.edu (search alternative loans). For further information, please contact the SDSU financial aid office at 605-688-4695 or finaid@sdstate.edu.