Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMNNP) track prepares advanced practice nurses to provide pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies to meet mental health needs of individuals and families across the lifespan. Special focus includes opportunities to practice in interdisciplinary settings providing behavioral health and psychiatric services.

Curriculum content includes pathophysiology and pharmacology, health assessment, biomedical ethics, health policy, and management of common primary care health concerns, providing the theoretical and practical foundations for nurses to expand their scope of practice. While this is an online program, there will be 2-3 in-person learning days each semester.

What Can I Do With This Degree?

Completion of the track will allow students to take the certification exam to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). PMHNPs are advanced practice registered nurse specialists who assess and diagnose mental health conditions, and who offer treatment by means of psychotherapeutic and pharmacotherapeutic interventions. PMHNPs work in clinical settings that include private, state or Veterans Administration in-patient or outpatient psychiatric facilities, private psychiatric practices, and community mental health centers. PMHMPs also provide services in settings such as correctional facilities, domestic violence shelters, residential substance abuse facilities and schools. These practitioners are in high demand, and the University receives frequent inquires about graduates.

Professional License Disclosure

The School of Nursing anticipates that graduates of this program will seek the following professional state licenses or certifications: Certification as an APRN (Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner [depending on which program they completed]) and licensure as an APRN.

For required disclosures on whether this program satisfies the license requirements of all states and territories for APRN license visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (www.ncsbn.org).

The School of Nursing has determined that the required classes and educational activities of this online academic program will qualify a graduate of this program to take the exam for certification as an APRN in Georgia and other states as listed on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (www.ncsbn.org). 

For all Online Programs:

Federal Law requires colleges and universities to make certain disclosures to prospective students of these programs. These disclosure include information on the University’s authority to operate outside of Georgia, complaint processes, adverse actions, and refunds.

For required disclosures in general with regard to online programs offered by the University, visit the Office of Legal Affairs website.

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*This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,588,794 with 0 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

Last updated: 2/21/2023