The Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialty prepares graduates for advanced practice promoting mental health and providing therapeutic interventions across the lifespan to individuals living with mental health and substance use disorders. Coursework focuses on integrating theory and evidence-based practice into clinical applications including mental health assessment, risk prevention, differential diagnosis, treatment planning, and outcome management. Both pharmacologic and psychotherapy-based interventions are explored over a series of courses, acknowledging the importance of both in this specialty program. PMHNPs serve vulnerable populations through the core values of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in identifying and addressing structural and sociocultural determinants of health. They also evaluate systems of care, design evidence-based practice solutions, and work in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. 

PMHNPs provide care to children, adolescents, adults, and older adults in a wide range of clinical settings, including acute emergency psychiatric services, community mental health centers, private practice, school- or home-based care, integrated psychiatric and primary care, substance abuse and forensic sites, and acute and long-term care facilities. Many sites utilize a combination of in-person care and telepsychiatry to enhance accessibility.  

Upon completion of the required curriculum, students are prepared to apply for certification as a psychiatric–mental health nurse practitioner across the lifespan through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The PMHNP curriculum is offered in two formats, a residential and an online program.