Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, PMC

The Post-Master of Science in Nursing Certificate Program is offered through an affiliation with the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing.

Nurse Practitioner to Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

This program is fully approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and is accelerated, offering completion of the Post-Master’s Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate in 4 semesters. Nurses currently holding a master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited graduate nursing program and a national certification as an Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, are eligible to apply to the Post-Master’s Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certificate program. The Post-Master’s Certificate Program will prepare completers as Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) and make them eligible to apply for an advanced practice PMHNP license and to take the National PMHNP certification exam. Formal application to the University is required.

Requirements for admission to the Post Master’s Certificate Program- Nurse Practitioner to Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Students are admitted to the Post Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMC) in the spring and fall semesters. 

Admission Requirements

1. A completed application form and payment of the application fee submitted on or prior to the application date.

2. A master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited graduate nursing program and a national certification in one of the following:

a. Adult Nurse Practitioner

b. Family Nurse Practitioner

c. Geriatric Nurse Practitioner

d. Acute Care Nurse PractitionerWomen’s Health Nurse Practitioner

1. Receipt of official transcripts from each degree-granting college or university previously attended. Applicants must be in satisfactory academic standing and eligible to re-enroll at all former graduate institutions

2. Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate work including courses repeated as indicated by transcripts. 

3. Evidence of valid, unencumbered Louisiana Registered Nurse licensure 

4. Two recommendations from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s capacity for master’s course work.

5. Current resume’ or vitae.

6. A document, prepared by the applicant, that addresses the rationale for pursuing study in the selected concentration and includes a statement of intent/purpose for the degree.
   The document must be typewritten, double-spaced, in 12 point, Times New Roman font and should be no longer than three pages in length.

7. Upon enrollment, students will be required to submit to background checks, drug and alcohol screening, and must meet program health requirements. These screenings will be conducted at the student’s expense.

8. Students should be proficient with methodologies utilized in distance education and must possess computer equipment and technology which is compatible with University learning management systems such as Canvas.

9. Transcript analysis and evaluation of prerequisite courses (advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacotherapeutics and advanced pathophysiology) to determine adequacy of the full lifespan content. Course syllabi may be requested at the discretion of the graduate coordinator. 

The didactic courses are offered online and practicum courses have an online didactic component plus a clinical experience component in which the student works with an approved advanced practice preceptor guided by a graduate faculty. The curriculum for Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners includes: