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  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate

    The Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate is designed for those who have earned a Master’s degree in nursing and seek nurse practitioner certification, or for certified nurse practitioners who would like to specify their patient population focus.

    A biopsychosocial model is used to examine issues relevant to adult mental health and illness, and prepare you to provide a wide range of mental health services across the lifespan. It includes the study and application of diagnostic and treatment modalities, theories and approaches to practice. You'll learn collaborative skills to work with other healthcare professionals to provide mental healthcare services in all settings. Upon graduation, you'll be able to deliver direct (assessment, intervention) and indirect advanced practice services (consultation, case management and supervision) to individuals who are at risk for and/or require mental health services.

    Program Features

    • Ranked #6 in 2020's Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs: Psychiatric Mental Health NP by U.S. News & World Report
    • Ranked #16 in 2020's Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report
    • An experienced and board certified faculty from Drexel's acclaimed College of Nursing and Health Professions
    • Synchronous online lectures offer a highly interactive learning format that challenges and engages
    • Upon completion of the program, you will become eligible for Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification through ANCC
    • The post-graduate APRN certificate at Drexel University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

    On-Campus Requirements

    This is a high-quality program that demands a major time commitment. Because you're being trained to diagnose and treat patients, this program was designed to combine the convenience of online learning with the necessary rigor to become a highly competent, confident and advanced nurse practitioner upon graduation. Thus, while most courses are offered online, some facets of the program do require on-campus visits and a clinical practicum rotation. During your time in the program, you will participate in mandatory on-campus and/or virtual intensives. The required intensives will be held during clinical courses. Exact dates and times will be confirmed with students prior to the term.

    Pennsylvania RN licensure will be required prior to the start of your clinical components. While this is not a requirement for admission, we recommend starting the process immediately after admission.

    Clinicals

    The nurse practitioner programs in the Department of Advanced Practice Nursing at Drexel University provide you the flexibility of finding and coordinating your own clinical site and preceptor. The department also offers resources to assist you in this process. Accessibility to clinical sites and preceptors varies from state to state, and you may be required to travel to access clinical sites/preceptors and achieve the necessary clinical hours.

    Online Open Houses

    Learn more about this and other nursing programs during our upcoming online open house webinar series.

    Questions? We're here to help!

    For application related questions:
    enroll@drexel.edu

    For program related questions:
    College of Nursing and Health Professions Program Team
    CNHPGraduateDivision@drexel.edu


    *Online Nurse Practitioner programs are offered only on a part-time basis.
    *State restrictions may apply to some programs.
    *The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate program at Drexel University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

    Curriculum

    This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year (as opposed to the traditional two semester system) which means you can take more courses in a shorter time period. One semester credit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter credits.

    Support Courses  
    NURS 548 Advanced Pathophysiology 3.0
    NURS 549 Advanced Pharmacology 3.0
    NURS 550 Advanced Clinical Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning 4.0
    NURS 664 Professional Issues for Nurse Practitioners 1.0
    Concentration Courses  
    NURS 555 Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan 3.0
    NURS 592 PMHNP I: Advanced Mental Health NP Theoretical Foundations and Psychopathology I 5.0
    NURS 593 PMHNP II: Advanced Mental Health NP Theoretical Foundations and Psychopathology II 5.0
    NURS 594 PMHNP III: Advanced Mental Health NP Theoretical Foundations and Psychopathology III 5.0
    NURS 595 PMHNP IV: Advanced Mental Health NP Management and Care of Clients in Diverse Pop Across the Lifespan. 5.0
    Total Credits 34.0

    View a Sample Plan of Study [PDF]
    View Course Descriptions

    Admissions Criteria

    • Master of Science in Nursing and/or Doctorate of Nursing Practice from program fully accredited by National League of Nursing (NLN) and/or American Association Colleges of Nursing (AACN.) The accrediting body for NLN is ACEN and the accrediting body for the American Association Colleges of Nursing is CCNE.
      • BSN degrees must be from an institution accredited by CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education), ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing), or NLN CNEA (NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation)
    • GPA of 3.0 or above  
    • Current, unrestricted United States RN license
    • Minimum 1 year of psychiatric nursing experience

    Required Documents

    With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our Completing Your Application Guide.

    • A completed application
    • Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
    • Two professional letters of recommendation from either previous or immediate supervisors or former nursing faculty members who can attest to your clinical knowledge, skill and potential aptitude for graduate study
      • References will not be accepted from colleagues or family members
    • Personal statement (800 to 1,600 words) that will give the admissions committee a better understanding of:
      • Why you are choosing this particular track
      • How your current work experience will enhance your experience in this program, and
      • Your plans upon completing the degree
    • Resume including specific details of your responsibilities and job experiences
    • A copy of your United States RN license (License verification from your nursing license registry website is acceptable)
    • Additional requirements for International Students

    Tuition

    The tuition rate for the academic year 2023-2024 is $1101 per credit. (A 10% tuition savings off Drexel's regular tuition rate of $1223 per credit)

    For the academic year 2023-2024, students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.

    • This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
    • Special tuition rates available for Drexel University AlumniMilitary members, and members of our Partner Organizations.
      • These rates apply only to new online students and students being readmitted.
      • These rates apply only to fully online courses. Hybrid or on-campus courses may have different rates.
      • Tuition rates are subject to increase with the start of each academic year in the fall term.
      • All students must contact applyDUonline@drexel.edu within the first two weeks of the term to request tuition savings for which they qualify.
      • Special rates cannot be combined. If you qualify for more than one special rate, you'll be given the one with the largest savings.
      • When receiving special tuition plans with Drexel University Online, you may not combine them with other tuition benefits that may be available from Drexel University.

    Additional Equipment/Lab Fees

    Scholarship Opportunities

    At Drexel, we understand that developing a plan to finance your education is a critical step in your decision-making process. That's why we encourage students who require financial aid to fill out the FAFSA as early in the application process as possible. Learn more about Drexel's financial aid policies. In addition, nursing students are encouraged to visit the AACN to review the many scholarship opportunities that exist through the organization.

     

    Academic Calendar

    2023-2024 Academic Year

    Term

    Classes Begin

    Classes End

    Exams Begin

    Exams End

    Fall 2023

    September 26, 2023

    December 9, 2023

    December 11, 2023

    December 16, 2023

    Winter 2024

    January 8, 2024

    March 16, 2024

    March 18, 2024

    March 23, 2024

    Spring 2024

    April 1, 2024

    June 8, 2024

    June 10, 2024

    June 15, 2024

    Summer 2024

    June 24, 2024

    August 31, 2024

    September 3, 2024

    September 7, 2024

     

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