Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, DNP
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program prepares registered nurses with a baccalaureate or master's degree as Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners in the PMHNP role.
Move Forward in Your Nursing Career
Complete the program in four years with a BSN and three years with a master's degree. You can also earn a Master of Public Health along the way, saving time by streamlining coursework for both degrees. If you’re a doctoral-prepared nurse who wishes to specialize as a PMHNP, you can add the certificate to your degree.
Master's Entry DNP
If you hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), you can earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in just three years.
Bachelor's Entry DNP
If you hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), you can earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in four years.
Master of Public Health Dual Degree
If you hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), you can can take the Master of Public Health (MPH) dual degree — and earn a master's and doctorate degree in five years.
Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate
If you are an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (ARPN) with a doctorate degree, you can earn a certificate in as little as one year.
Take Hybrid Classes
Earn a degree while working full-time. You'll remain active in your nursing career while engaged in a curriculum thoughtfully balanced between online and classroom learning.
Equipped for the Future
As a PMHNP, you'll be:
- Equipped to provide a wide range of services to adults, children, adolescents, and their families in primary care facilities, outpatient mental health clinics, psychiatric emergency settings, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, private practices, or in hospital or community health centers.
- Trained to diagnose, conduct therapy, and prescribe medications for patients who have psychiatric disorders, medical organic brain disorders or substance abuse problems. Licensed to provide emergency psychiatric services, psychosocial and physical assessment of their patients, treatment plans, and manage patient care.
- Serve as consultants or as educators for families and staff.
- Focused on psychiatric diagnosis, including the differential diagnosis of medical disorders with psychiatric symptoms, and on medication treatment for psychiatric disorders.
USF Preceptor Program
The USF Preceptor program helps our mission to provide students with the academic and personal skills necessary for success. Preceptors play a vital role in the education of our students and the continued development of the profession.
Sara Hamilton ’24
I’m focusing on addressing substance use disorders among college students, specifically community college students. Drawing from my experience growing up, I’m inspired and fueled to make a difference in young people’s lives."
Sara Hamilton ’24
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master's degree program in nursing, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Students who graduate from the program are also eligible to receive the California Public Health Nursing Certificate.
Each DNP degree concentration (Family Nurse Practitioner, Population Health Leadership, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) is included in the accreditation of the DNP degree program in the School of Nursing and Health Professions.
Graduates meet the outcome competencies and practice standards of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) for the DNP. In the program, students complete 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice, complete the DNP qualifying examination, and complete an evidence-based practice project.
State Authorization
Please check our State Authorization Status List for the states and territories from which we can enroll students in specific online degree programs.
Take the Next Step
Admissions & Aid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, DNP
San Francisco, CA 94117
Monday–Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.