The Hunter College School of Nursing offers a 36-credit post-graduate advanced certificate program to prepare nurses for roles as advanced practice registered nurses delivering psychiatric and mental health services. Psychiatric/mental health practitioners provide mental health treatment, preventive services, consultation and leadership in hospitals, clinics, community settings and private practice. Through classwork and 630 hours of supervised clinical experience, students learn to provide these services autonomously and in collaboration with other mental health professionals.

Graduates of this program meet the educational requirements for national board certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. They are also eligible for New York State NP certification.

Course of Study

The program includes core courses in nursing and specialization courses that combine advanced knowledge with 630 hours of supervised clinical experience. NURS 717, 750, and 751 may be waived based on prior graduate coursework.

Course descriptions are available in the Hunter College Course Catalog.

Required Courses (27-36 credits)

NURS 784    Theoretical Foundations of Adv. PMH Nursing Care and Practice (1 cr.)

NURS 737    Mental Health Policy and Advocacy: The Role of the PMHNP (1 cr.)

NURS 746    Epidemiology of Behavioral Health and Community Mental Health (1 cr.)

NURS 717    Advanced Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice* (3 cr.)

NURS 747    Advanced Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of the Brain (1 cr.)

NURS 751    Advanced Health Assessment* (3 cr.)

NURS 777    Advanced PMH Assessment and Intervention (3 cr.)

NURS 778    Advanced Child/Adolescent PMH Assessment and Intervention (2 cr.)

NURS 750    Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics* (3 cr.)

NURS 719    Psychopharmacology (3 cr.)

NURS 748    Therapeutic Counseling Modalities (3 cr.)

NURS 779    Family & Group Theories & Therapeutic Modalities (2 cr.)

NURS 781    Comprehensive Psychiatric Mental Health Assessment (1 cr.)

NURS 782    Clinical Practicum in Advanced PMHNP I (4.5 cr., 315 hrs practicum)

NURS 783    Clinical Practicum in Advanced PMHNP II (4.5 cr., 315 hrs practicum)

*May be waived based on prior graduate coursework

Program Plan

• PMHNP-ac Program Plan (PDF)

Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Advanced Certificate fact sheet (PDF)

How to Apply

This program is open to registered nurses who already possess a master's degree in nursing. Review our admission requirements for all nursing master's specializations. Information on the application process is available from the Office of Graduate Admissions.

For more information, please contact Dr. Jennifer DiPiazza, PMHNP Specialization Coordinator, at jd1297@hunter.cuny.edu.