Nursing (D.N.P.) - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialization

Program Outcomes

• To prepare graduates as clinicians and leaders with a special focus on rural and underserved populations. 
• To prepare graduates to deliver evidence-based direct patient care to individuals across the lifespan in primary care settings. 
• To prepare graduates to produce and implement scientific evidence to guide practice. 
• To prepare graduates to work collaboratively with frontier, urban, and rural communities in an effort to reduce health disparities.

Student Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the program, the graduate will successfully demonstrate the following competencies: 

• Integrate theoretical and scientific underpinnings of nursing and other disciplines to address emerging healthcare and practice issues.
• Engage in health policy at all levels to influence healthcare delivery concerns, such as health disparities, cultural sensitivity, ethics, access to care, health finance, and quality of care.
• Demonstrate leadership at the organizational and/or systems level to address health outcomes of individuals and populations though evidence-based initiatives.
• Utilize advanced nursing knowledge and information systems/technology related to clinical prevention and health promotion to address gaps in healthcare.
• Collaborate with the interprofessional team in the translation, implementation, analysis, and dissemination of evidence-based practice to improve healthcare outcomes.
• Employ evidence-based practice and advanced clinical judgment to comprehensively assess, design, and deliver mental health care for individuals across the lifespan.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Core Requirements

Additional Admissions Requirements

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

Additional Admissions Requirements for Post Master’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice

In addition to meeting the Graduate School admission requirements, applicants for graduate study for the Post Master’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner must have:

• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course.
• 1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to taking NURS 631/631L.
• Completed and verified application to the Graduate Nursing program via NursingCAS website.
• Interview assessment reviewed by graduate faculty.
• 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 Admission Requirements for Bachelor’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice

In addition to meeting the Graduate School admission requirements, applicants for graduate study for the B.S.N. to Doctor of Nursing Practice - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialization must have:

• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course.
• 1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to taking NURS 631/631L.
• Completed and verified application to the Graduate Nursing program via NursingCAS website.
• Interview assessment reviewed by graduate faculty.
• 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.

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.

General Requirements

Graduate students must consult with their advisor before registering for graduate coursework. For additional information, refer to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree Requirements .