Online Post-Master's PMHNP Certificate Program
Overview
Earn an online post-master’s NP certificate for your goals, on your schedule
Want to specialize your nursing career or broaden your skill set? Start here. With Maryville University, you can develop the skills and expertise to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), providing care to individuals across the lifespan and making a meaningful impact on their mental health and well-being.
- Access coursework 100% online with no campus visits required.
- Apply with no GMAT, GRE, or statistics needed.
- Complete clinicals locally in your preferred setting.
- Study psychiatric mental health nursing with expert faculty.
- Get started quickly with no waiting list once you’re accepted.
What is the online PMHNP certificate program?
The PMHNP certificate is designed for master’s-prepared nurses who want to expand their skill set or transition to mental health care. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners work with individuals with mental health conditions, helping them achieve better mental wellness.
This concentration focuses on building the skills needed to assess, diagnose, and manage mental health conditions. 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.
Do I need a post-master's NP certificate?
Are you a master’s-prepared nurse looking to specialize your practice or broaden your skill set in psychiatric mental health? Earning your NP certificate can be a quick and valuable route toward achieving this goal.
A post-master's PMHNP certificate allows you to specialize in mental health, take on an advanced practice role, transition into a behavioral health-focused area, or expand your current nursing expertise to provide care for patients with mental health needs. This program helps equip you with the skills and knowledge to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals across the lifespan facing psychiatric and mental health challenges.
Why choose Maryville for your post-master's PMHNP certificate online?
- Earn your certificate with confidence from a CCNE-accredited psychiatric mental health NP program.
- Benefit from a flexible 24/7 online learning model that fits seamlessly into your busy schedule.
- Explore key topics in psychiatric care and develop the expertise needed for advanced practice and leadership roles in mental health nursing.
- Engage in clinical inquiry and hands-on practice to learn how to provide compassionate, high-quality mental health care in real-world settings.
- Learn from experienced faculty and industry experts who bring valuable, practical insights to every course.
Maryville University is also recognized as one of the best online nursing school master’s programs for 2023 by The Princeton Review and one of the best online master’s in nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report.
Program Details
Focus your nursing career on your terms
Our fully online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certificate program offers the flexibility, support, and convenience to help you prepare for certification. With a comprehensive, hands-on curriculum, you’ll have the opportunity to build the practical skills needed to serve patients across all backgrounds by providing specialized mental health care diagnosis, assessment, treatment, and education.
Even better, the program allows you to study at your own pace through an easy-to-use online platform.
Keep working as you continue learning
Our online nursing programs are tailored to fit your busy schedule, allowing you to continue working while earning your PMHNP certificate. This program consists of 38 credit hours, with 21 focused on advanced psychiatric mental health care courses.
Upon completion, you’ll be prepared to explore diverse career opportunities in mental health-focused settings and sit for the PMHNP national certification exam.
Want to explore a different nursing specialization?
If you’re interested in areas of nursing other than psychiatric mental health, we provide four additional certification options you may consider. Earn your PMHNP, or explore our other high-quality offerings.
Careers
Post-master's NP certification job outlook
Becoming a nurse practitioner or switching your specialization gives you a great opportunity to advance in a rewarding, high-impact career. U.S. News & World Report has ranked NP as the No. 1 job on its "100 Best Jobs in America" list for 2025, as well as the top career in both STEM and healthcare.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects strong growth in the field, particularly in psychiatric mental health nursing, driven by rising awareness of mental health issues and an increasing demand for mental health services. Mental health conditions affect millions of people around the nation, and according to a report from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, a shortage of mental health professionals may create even greater demand for PMHNPs with advanced qualifications.
What can you do with your online post-master's NP certificate?
A post-master's PMHNP certificate is an excellent option for nurse practitioners looking to specialize in mental health care or make the transition to a focus on psychiatric care. This certification can open doors to greater career opportunities, higher earning potential, and the ability to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals struggling with mental health challenges.
Earning your post-master's PMHNP certificate online helps prepare you for national board certification in psychiatric mental health nursing, enabling you to help address the growing need for mental health professionals and make a lasting difference in your community.
Post-master's PMHNP certificate work settings
Your Psychiatric Mental Health NP certificate can help you build the proper skills and knowledge to provide compassionate care for people experiencing or living with mental health challenges in a variety of settings. These include:
- 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
What is the typical salary for certified PMHNPs?
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is consistently ranked among the highest-paying NP roles, and highly qualified PMHNPs are in demand amid a continuing shortage of mental health professionals across disciplines.
Nursing salaries can differ significantly based on factors such as location, education, and experience. According to PayScale data from April 2025, the median salary for PMHNP-certified professionals in the U.S. is approximately $123,000, with the top 10% reporting annual pay exceeding $156,000.
Prepare for further NP certification
Our Psychiatric Mental Health NP certificate program is designed to help prepare you to pursue certifications like the Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Certification (PMHNP-BC™) offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Maryville’s graduate nursing students consistently surpass national average pass rates for certification exams across various specialties.
What is the career outlook for NPs?
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 46% increase in job opportunities for NPs from 2023 to 2033, making it one of the fastest-growing professions across all industries.
- In 2024, the BLS reported a median salary of $129,210 for NPs, reflecting the high value placed on their skills and expertise, particularly in specialized fields like psychiatric care.
- Psychiatric, pediatric, family, and gerontological nurse practitioners rank among the 11 best-paying nursing specialties, according to career resource Indeed.
- Shortages across fields like nursing, primary care, and psychiatric care mean there’s plenty of opportunity for highly qualified psychiatric mental health NPs to make a difference and fill an important need.
If I’m already NP certified, should I pursue a second specialization?
Already certified as a nurse practitioner in a different specialty through an MSN or previous post-master's certificate? Expand your expertise and career potential by specializing in a new area. A post-master's NP certificate can help you go further and do more in nursing.
At Maryville, we offer five online NP certificate programs, including a PMHNP designed to help you broaden your credentials, boost your value to employers, and deliver high-quality mental health care to a diverse patient population.
Post-master's NP certificate careers
Want to explore NP opportunities beyond your current certification? With five online post-master's certifications in nursing, we have options to help you broaden your skills and pursue specialization in nursing. In addition to PMHNP, you can also consider these options:
Testimonials
“With the price, program, and flexibility, Maryville really stood out — they had the exact program I wanted. After talking with enrollment advisors from each of the schools about how long it would take, how much it would cost, how much of my time is invested — Maryville came out on top.”
— Krystal D., Maryville NP Certificate Grad (PMHNP)
“Maryville offered a variety of learning methods ... I found it a much more interactive online experience. I worked full time the entire time. So even as a nurse practitioner student, I worked two jobs. Still, I work full time for the Department of Health and I work part time for the Joint Commission, and I was able to keep those up while still going to Maryville.”
— Kathryn F., Maryville NP Certificate Grad (AGACNP)
Move forward in your nursing career
Curriculum
Online Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate Curriculum
If you already hold a master’s degree in nursing and want to advance your career, specialize, or focus on psychiatric mental health care, a post-master’s certificate could be your ideal next step.
At Maryville University, we understand the growing need for highly skilled, specialized nurses in areas like psychiatric mental health. That’s why we offer five post-master’s certificate programs, including a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track designed to equip you with the expertise needed to provide comprehensive mental health care across diverse patient populations.
Our online programs are designed with working nurses in mind, offering the flexibility to enhance your skills, apply them directly to your practice, and balance your professional and personal commitments seamlessly.
Graduate Nursing and Nurse Practitioner Core Courses
Post-NP Certificate | Credits by Concentration
The PMHNP certificate comprises a total of 38 credit hours, including 6 credit hours of graduate-level nursing courses, 11 of general NP coursework, and 21 of psychiatric mental health NP concentration coursework.
Graduate nursing core courses (6 credit hours)
Nurse practitioner core courses (11 credit hours)
This course explores focused and comprehensive health assessments in a variety of settings and patients across the lifespan. This includes development of health promotion strategies and prioritization of care.
Prerequisite: Online - NURS 611, NURS 615
Corequisite: On Ground - NURS 615
This course focuses on the pharmacological foundation for safely prescribing medical regimens of illnesses for individuals across the lifespan. Also included are illness prevention, non-pharmacological and legal implications for prescriptive authority for the nurse practitioner.
Note: Selection of appropriate therapies, patient education and evaluation parameters are stressed.
PMHNP concentration curriculum (21 credit hours)
This course will cover assessment and identification of discrete aspects of cognition, psychopathology, affect and behavior in the diagnosis and treatment planning of psychiatric illness across the life span. Also included is the appropriate use, monitoring and evaluation of prescribing psychotropic medication, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612 and NURS 615
In this course theories and models will be used to develop an understanding of the etiologies of acute and chronic mental health disorders among adults and older adults. Selection of appropriate treatment strategies including individual and group psychotherapies will be discussed.
Prerequisite: NURS 660
Corequisite: NURS 662 or NURS 662C
This practicum course is designed to synthesize advanced practice knowledge relevant to adult and older adult patients with psychiatric illness. A variety of psychotherapeutic strategies will be explored.
Prerequisite: NURS 660
Corequisite: NURS 661
This is the first of two didactic courses designed to assist the student in development of the advanced practice nursing role with the care and management of individuals with a mental health disorder across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: NURS 661 and NURS 662 or NURS 662C
Corequisite: NURS 664 or NURS 664C
This practicum is designed to synthesize advanced practice knowledge relevant to patients with psychiatric illness across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: NURS 661 and NURS 662
Corequisite: NURS 663
This is the second of two didactic courses designed to assist the student in development of the advanced practice nursing role with the care and management of individuals with a mental health disorder across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: NURS 663 and NURS 664 or NURS 664C
Corequisite: NURS 667 or NURS 667C
This practicum is designed to synthesize advanced practice knowledge relevant to patients with psychiatric illness across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: NURS 663 and NURS 664
Corequisite: NURS 665
Admission Requirements
- MSN degree from a regionally accredited institution and CCNE/ACEN/CNEA accredited nursing program
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all college work
- At least one year of professional nursing experience
- Current, unencumbered licensure as an RN in the U.S.
- Official transcripts from every post-secondary school where you earned a degree or completed any graduate-level coursework
- Transfer credit request form
Admission notes
Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement will be required to submit a personal statement explaining the low grades and outlining plans for improvement.
The acceptance of transfer credit is at the discretion of Maryville University. View our transfer credit policy here.
Maryville’s online MSN and BSN-DNP programs require students with an international education background to have their BSN from a CCNE/ACEN accredited program. Please reach out to an enrollment advisor for more information.
Interested in earning your PMHNP certificate?
University details
Founded in 1872 — top-rated today
Maryville University is proud to be recognized as one of America’s best colleges by U.S. News & World Report and Forbes.
At Maryville, we invite future nursing leaders to be brave and expand their potential. Let’s be brave together.
Online NP Certificate Programs: Meet Our Faculty
In your opinion, what are the benefits of earning a post-master’s certificate online?
A post-master’s NP certificate allows for expansion of career opportunities and further training to better prepare students for areas they may already be practicing in that are outside of their original role.
Why should students choose to complete this program online at Maryville?
An online NP certificate program gives students more flexibility than in-person programs, which is especially beneficial to practicing nurses and NPs.
What can post-master's nursing students do to ensure that patient-centered care is at the forefront of their practice?
Students can continue to learn and educate themselves to stay up to date with the latest evidence-based practices, which will help ensure better patient outcomes.
In your opinion, what are some of the trending areas of focus in the nursing industry?
With COVID-19, we have a rising need for nurse practitioners in acute care and psychiatric mental health settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) who earn an online post-master’s NP certification can pursue roles in various settings, providing specialized mental health care to individuals across the lifespan. This program focuses on skills tailored to mental health care, preparing you to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions, promote wellness, and support the long-term mental health of your patients.
Find out more about career opportunities for post-master's NP graduates.
Our PMHNP concentration program is designed for master’s-prepared nurses seeking to expand their expertise or make the career transition into mental health-focused care.
This program prepares nurses to deliver comprehensive psychiatric care to patients of all ages, with an emphasis on managing mental health challenges, building strong therapeutic relationships, and using evidence-based practices to provide counseling and treatment.
Graduates of our Psychiatric Mental Health post-master's certificate program are well-prepared to pursue certifications like the Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Certification (PMHNP-BC™) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Maryville’s NP program graduates consistently exceed the national average pass rates for certification exams across all specialties.
Yes. Maryville’s online post-master’s NP certificate programs, including the PMHNP concentration, are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a trusted organization that ensures nursing programs meet high-quality standards.
Maryville University has also been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1941.
We offer five post-master's certificate concentrations for nurses hoping to advance in their careers, broaden their nursing knowledge, or specialize in a particular discipline. In addition to the PMHNP, we can help you advance with concentrations in the following areas.
Online Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certification Careers
