Master of Science in Nursing – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Bravely move forward in your nursing career today

• Access coursework 100% online with no campus visits required.
• Apply with no GMAT, GRE, or statistics needed.
• Choose from five concentrations.
• Complete clinicals locally in your preferred setting.
• Get started quickly with no waiting list once you’re accepted.
• Choose from part-time or full-time options, and earn your MSN-PMHNP degree in as few as 20 months.

Why choose the Psychiatric Mental Health NP concentration?

If you want to make a difference in patients’ mental health and well-being, start with Maryville’s online MSN with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) concentration.

This concentration focuses on building the skills needed to assess, diagnose, and manage mental health conditions for patients of all ages. As a psychiatric mental health NP, you’ll have the opportunity to have a meaningful impact by providing therapeutic care, supporting individuals with psychiatric disorders, and promoting mental wellness in a variety of settings.

Through Maryville’s core NP coursework, you can build a graduate-level understanding of advanced nursing practice, equipping you to deliver compassionate and effective care in the growing field of mental health.

Nurse leaders are shaping the future of mental healthcare

Ready to make a real difference for people who live with mental health disorders? Start with Maryville University’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner MSN concentration. Psychiatric mental health is the fastest-growing NP specialization, and we built our program to help you become a PMHNP leader and provide expert care.

In this program, you can gain skills in compassionate leadership, preventive care, and evidence-based decision-making, empowering you to specialize and thrive in one of healthcare’s fastest-growing and most rewarding fields.

Benefits of online MSN degrees

Ready to expand your NP capabilities and open up opportunities to become a psychiatric nurse leader, mentor, educator, researcher, or administrator?

Earn your online MSN-PMHNP and benefit from the flexibility to advance your nursing career while continuing to work. Learn from expert faculty in our accredited program and get the support you need to succeed.

With an MSN from Maryville, you can build the skills and knowledge to take the next step in your career with confidence and provide specialized care.

• Benefit from the flexibility and convenience of 24/7 online learning.
• Complete your PMHNP in about two years of full-time study.
• Gain practical knowledge and skills you can apply dynamically to your nursing practice.
• Experience hands-on learning with expert faculty members who know how to succeed in psychiatric nursing.
• Receive personalized support from application through graduation.
• Study with a university that embraces the values of caring, collaboration, and excellence.

Pursue an MSN-PMHNP that matches your NP career goals.

Pursuing your PMHNP master’s degree is the first step in defining the role you want to have as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Our CCNE-accredited program is designed to equip you with advanced nursing skills and clinical expertise to care for patients facing mental health challenges. Elevate your standard of care or explore opportunities in leadership, advocacy, research, or primary care innovation.

What can I expect from Maryville’s MSN-PMHNP?

Explore advanced psychiatric care diagnosis, treatment, and management concepts while building the skills to become an PMHNP in this 21-credit concentration.

• Study on a schedule convenient for you — part-time or full-time options available.
• Learn crucial skills needed to help treat and care for patients experiencing or exhibiting mental health-related challenges.
• Study with experienced nurses who understand how to excel in psychiatric care.
• Get real-world education that prepares you for success in your NP practice.

What topics are covered in the MSN-PMHNP program?

As a psychiatric mental health NP, you’ll need to have a deep understanding of the complex interplay of physical and mental health. Our PMHNP program is designed to help you build advanced skills in both areas to effectively treat patients in need.

Alongside core NP topics like evidence-based practice, healthcare policy, and health promotion, this concentration focuses on holistic nursing skills to help you provide competent, empathetic, effective care across psychiatric settings.

What can you do with your online MSN degree?

Earning your MSN-PMHNP is the next step toward accomplishing your goals in nursing and advancing in psychiatric mental health care.

The need for NPs in psychiatric mental health is growing rapidly due to factors like increased focus on and awareness of mental health concerns, a shortage of professionals in other psychology- and psychiatry-related disciplines, an aging and shifting NP workforce, and ongoing reform in healthcare. With your MSN, you can gain critical knowledge and skills to help you prepare for new psychiatric nursing opportunities.

How much can you earn with your online MSN degree?

• RNs who earn their MSN and become NPs make about $35,000 more than RNs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
• The median salary for NPs was $129,210 in 2024, according to the BLS.
• Psychiatric NP is ranked as the third highest-paying nursing role, according to Nurseslabs.
• The ongoing shortage of NPs and primary care physicians means newly educated nurse practitioners have more opportunities than ever to make a difference, especially in underserved areas.

Careers for online MSN-PMHNP graduates

PMHNPs can pursue a variety of careers that put them in positions to have a positive impact for patients living with or experiencing mental health conditions and to assist in disease prevention, health promotion, and management of chronic conditions. Some of these include the following.

• Clinical nurse leader
• Clinical research specialist
• Eating disorder nurse
• Forensic nurse
• Infection control nurse
• Nurse manager
• Nursing supervisor
• Primary care nurse practitioner
• Rehabilitation nurse
• School nurse

MSN Career Settings

Psychiatric mental health NPs can work in various settings providing mental health care and services to patients in need. Common workplaces include the following.

• Behavioral health clinics
• Hospitals and clinics
• In-home care
• Long-term care facilities
• Psychiatric mental health facilities
• Nursing research facilities
• Rehabilitation facilities
• Retirement homes
• Schools, colleges, and universities

Learn more on our careers page.

What is the typical salary for MSN-PMHNP graduates?

According to Nurseslab, psychiatric-focused nurse practitioner is the third highest-paid nursing specialty.

As of 2025, the median salary for PMHNP-educated nurses is about $123,000, according to data collected by PayScale, though a wide range of salaries is reported. The top 10% have salaries exceeding $156,000. Salaries may vary depending on factors like location, education, and years of experience.

Online MSN degrees job outlook

The healthcare field is expanding quickly, creating many new opportunities for skilled nurses. Earning your MSN-PMHNP can help you prepare to advance your career and thrive in a growing job market.

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects jobs for nurse practitioners will increase by a tremendous 46% between 2023 and 2033.
• Demand for psychiatric NPs is on the rise in part due to a shortage of professionals in other psychiatric disciplines.
• Psychiatric mental health is the fastest-growing NP discipline, according to Advanced Practice Education Associates.

The changing workforce

As a seasoned RN, you’ve likely seen shifts in the healthcare workforce beyond the ongoing shortages of nurses and physicians. Pew Research Center reports that millennials now make up the largest population group, replacing retiring baby boomers.

These demographic changes, along with an influx of less-experienced workers, have increased demand for skilled NPs who can work independently, especially in areas like mental healthcare. Psychiatric mental health NPs are stepping in to address the gap left by the ongoing shortage of medical and mental health professionals.

The rewards of the profession

While psychiatric nursing can be challenging and may sometimes lead to stressful scenarios, many NPs report high job satisfaction. Factors like the impactful nature of mental healthcare, strong support in the workplace, and flexibility for positive work-life balance contribute.

Amid ongoing nursing shortages and workforce shifts, many employers also provide excellent benefits to attract top psychiatric NPs.

The new model of healthcare

Nurse practitioners are highly sought after in today’s evolving healthcare model, which emphasizes outpatient care over hospital stays to cut costs. NPs are key to this approach, delivering care and wellness education in primary care and community clinic settings.

PMHNPs also play a vital role by providing mental health services, addressing the growing need for accessible psychiatric care in both outpatient and community settings — especially in the face of ongoing shortages in mental health-related fields.

Nurse practitioners are increasingly being recognized as primary caregivers nationwide. Their holistic approach to care focuses on promoting healthy lifestyle choices and informed medical decisions. It’s no wonder that patients choosing the high-quality, patient-focused care of an NP often experience lower healthcare expenses, fewer ER visits, shorter hospital stays, and reduced medication costs.