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Prepare to deliver advanced mental health care and lead change in a growing, high-need field.

Advance your practice and expand access to mental health care. This certificate program prepares you to assess, diagnose and treat psychiatric conditions while helping address critical gaps in behavioral health care.

Build advanced expertise in psychiatric assessment, psychopharmacology and psychotherapy while strengthening your leadership in evidence-based, patient-centered care.

Offered in an online format, the 23-credit-hour program aligns with national standards for advanced practice nursing education, including AACN Essentials and nurse practitioner competencies. Graduates are prepared to pursue national certification as a Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Program Overview

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate prepares advanced practice registered nurses for specialized clinical roles in mental and behavioral health. The curriculum integrates advanced nursing science with clinical practice, leadership and health systems knowledge to prepare you for practice at the highest level.

This program prepares you to:

• Assess, diagnose and manage psychiatric conditions across the lifespan
• Prescribe and manage psychopharmacologic treatments
• Provide individual, group and family psychotherapy
• Integrate evidence-based practice into clinical decision-making
• Lead improvements in health care delivery and patient outcomes

Graduates are prepared to pursue national certification as a Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and to serve as clinicians, leaders and advocates in a wide range of health care settings.

Advanced Practice Preparation

Build the knowledge, clinical experience and leadership skills needed to deliver high-quality mental health care and expand access in high-need communities.

Behavioral Health Practice

Prepare to assess, diagnose and treat psychiatric conditions while leading improvements in behavioral health care.

Eligibility for PMHNP-BC certification

Specialized clinical practice across diverse care settings

Leadership in patient-centered care delivery

Clinical Experience

Build real-world expertise through more than 690 hours of hands-on clinical training.

690 direct patient care hours

Progressive practica across patient populations

Experience in hospital, community and telehealth settings

Practice-Ready Preparation

The program combines flexibility, clinical depth and strong regional partnerships to prepare you for clinical practice at the highest level.

Online format designed for working nurses

Partnerships with leading regional health systems and community providers

Curriculum aligned with AACN Essentials and PMHNP competencies

Focus on rural and underserved populations

Preparing Leaders in Behavioral Health Care

The demand for psychiatric mental health providers continues to grow nationwide, with significant shortages in rural and underserved communities. In North Carolina, only a small percentage of nurse practitioners are certified in psychiatric mental health, contributing to limited access to care.

This program prepares practice-ready clinicians who can expand access, improve outcomes and lead change in behavioral health systems.

Program Highlights

• Advanced clinical preparation
  Build expertise in psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.
• Extensive hands-on experience
  Complete more than 690 clinical.
• Leadership-focused curriculum
  Develop skills in health policy, quality improvement and systems leadership.
• Designed for working professionals
  A flexible format supports your ability to continue working while advancing your education.

Clinical Experience

You will complete more than 690 hours of hands-on clinical and project-based experience, preparing you for advanced practice in varied clinical populations.

• 690 direct patient care hours focused on psychiatric assessment, diagnosis and treatment
• Progressive clinical practicums that build experience across the lifespan and diverse populations
• Experience in psychotherapy and medication management across a range of behavioral health conditions
• Opportunities in hospital, outpatient, community and telehealth settings

This integrated experience strengthens your skills in psychotherapy, psychopharmacology and the delivery of comprehensive, patient-centered behavioral health care.

Students complete clinical experiences with leading regional health systems and community partners, as well as a range of behavioral health organizations.

Certification & Licensure

Graduates are eligible to sit for national certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) through recognized certifying bodies.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate is competitive and designed for registered nurses seeking advanced practice preparation. Visit our graduate admission for specific admission requirements. Talk with an admission counselor regarding your education and career goals.

Accreditation

The university is seeking accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) to add the Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate.