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Psych Mental Health NP Certificate

Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate

Close the Gap

In Maryland alone, some 62,000 children live with serious mental health conditions. One in five older adults has psychiatric issues, and returning veterans have significant needs, but there is a shortage of mental healthcare providers, especially in rural areas of the state. Graduates of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing’s one-year accelerated Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate will help close the gap.

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With a focus on integrated mental health care, delivered online and with preceptors at clinical sites near you, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certificate program option gives primary care nurse practitioners the knowledge and skills to evaluate and treat mental health needs from inpatient hospital to outpatient primary care settings.

Get Certified

Students who complete this program have the educational preparation to sit for the ANCC certification in this role and population. Applicants must also meet any additional eligibility criteria in effect when they apply for certification

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Lead Role in Mental Healthcare

Those who earn a Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate will have the knowledge and competence to:
  • Provide integrated mental healthcare for persons with mental health, substance use, and co-morbid mental and physical conditions
  • Provide a range of brief prevention, treatment and recovery services, as well as longer-term treatment and support for persons with persistent illnesses
  • Collaborate with other healthcare professionals and community organizations to provide integrated healthcare
  • Work in a variety of settings ranging from specialty behavioral health centers to primary care settings
  • Advocate to reduce inaccurate and hurtful representations of mental illness
  • Apply for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam


Additional Information

View the recording of the Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate virtual information session.

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Elizabeth Golderg helps patients overcome addictions to pain medications and opioids. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate is delivered online and with preceptors at clinical sites near you.

Not A Nurse Practitioner Yet?

Learn More About the Doctor Of Nursing Practice Psychiatric Mental Health NP Program.

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Priority Application Deadlines

Fall Entry
November 1, January 15

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Request Information

Speak with an admissions officer to learn more about our program.

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Disclosure

Gainful Employment

State Authorization

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Tamar Rodney, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC, CNE
Tamar Rodney
PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC, CNE
Track Coordinator, Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate
We are preparing nurse practitioners who will promote the mental, physical, and social well-being of persons with multiple health needs.
Meet the Track Coordinator
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Requirements

Admission Criteria

  • MSN or doctoral nursing degree from an ACEN or CCNE accredited college or university or an equivalent degree from a comparable foreign institution
  • Scholastic GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited college or university.
  • Official transcripts (from all post-secondary schools)
  • Three letters of recommendation (both academic and professional references; check FAQs for detailed guidance on completing this requirement)
  • Goal statement
  • Current Resume /CV (check FAQs for detailed guidance on completing this requirement)
  • Current RN licensure from an authorized state
  • Evidence of completion of at least 500 clinical hours in NP role and population
  • Licensure and certification as a nurse practitioner
  • One year of nurse practitioner experience by the start of the program
  • Interview with faculty (if moved forward by admissions committee)
  • Demonstrated commitment to nursing practice and scholarly pursuit
  • Community service and professional commitment
  • TOEFL or IELTS if English is not your native language

Information for applicants with international education

Admissions Application

Prerequisites

  • Advanced (Lifespan) Physical Health Assessment *
  • Advanced Pharmacology *
  • Advanced Pathophysiology *

* Must be listed as separate course on the transcripts and part of an advanced practice licensure program.

The title or course description/course syllabus must have specific language that the course is both graduate level and part of an advanced practice licensure program.

Must upload documentation to your application that includes course description and syllabi for each of the prerequisite courses or a letter from your advanced practice program confirming that coursework was completed as part of an advanced practice program and that Advanced Physical Health Assessment covers the lifespan.

State-Specific Information for Online Programs

Students currently cannot conduct clinical activities in Louisiana and New York. For more information, please contact an admissions representative. Students should be aware of additional state-specific information for online programs.

Student Sponsorship

This program does not qualify for F-1 or J-1 student sponsorship. Legal Permanent Residents and non-immigrants who are otherwise physically present in the U.S. and in a status that allows for full or part-time study, may pursue this program.

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Curriculum

Program consists of 17 credits and 500 total clinical hours that may be completed in as few as three semesters.
 

Full Curriculum

  • Specialty Courses (17 credits)
    • Neurobiology of Mental Disorders (1)
    • Clinical Psychopharmacology (2)
    • Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders (2)
    • Psychotherapeutic Frameworks and Modalities (2)
    • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum: Adult/Geriatric (4, 250 cl)
    • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum: Peds/Family (4, 250 cl)
    • Integrated Care I (1)
    • Integrated Care II (1)
 

Sample Part-time Courses of Study

  • Fall (7 credits)
    • Neurobiology of Mental Disorders (1)
    • Clinical Psychopharmacology (2)
    • Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders (2)
    • Psychotherapeutic Frameworks and Modalities (2)
  • Spring (5 credits)
    • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum: Adult/Geriatric (4, 250 cl)
    • Integrated Care I (1)
  • Summer (5 credits)
    • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum: Peds/Family(4, 250 cl)
    • Integrated Care II (1)
 

Note: The effort needed to complete the program requires approximately 30 hours per week for each of the three semesters.

Course Schedules and Descriptions     Academic Catalog
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Tuition & Other Costs

View the costs for the Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who should I ask to complete my letters of recommendation?
    • At least one letter should come from a recent or current direct supervisor/manager (the person who is responsible for your performance evaluation)
    • At least one letter should come from an academic faculty member who can speak to your ability to successfully complete a demanding graduate level academic and clinical program.
    • The third letter can come from a second academic faculty member or an individual in a leadership position who can speak to your clinical abilities.
    • Personal references from colleagues, friends, or family members do not meet the requirement.
    • If you are unable to provide one of the reference letters above, please upload a statement of explanation to your application.

       
  • What information should I include in my resume/CV?
    Please include the following information in your resume or CV:
    • Work experience (include dates, sites and locations; paid and unpaid; any residency participation)
    • Education Background
    • Scholarly activities (research, presentations, publications, honors, awards)
    • Professional activities (leadership, certifications, professional organization membership, service on committees)
    • Community Service/Volunteerism
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