Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner CERTIFICATE
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OVERVIEW
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.
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.
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
Program Details
Tuition & Fees
Estimated Tuition Cost: $1,995 per credit See Cost of Attendance Details
Financial Aid: There are numerous options for financing your education including grants, scholarships, federal loans, and employment programs. Learn more.
Upcoming Application Deadlines
Fall entry: Nov 1 and Jan 15
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 previous colleges/universities)
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
- Current 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
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 of the course and 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 syllabi for each of the prerequisite courses confirming that coursework was completed as part of an advanced practice program and that Advanced Physical Health Assessment covers the lifespan. If you are unable to secure syllabi for each of the prerequisite courses, please email [email protected] to discuss with an Admissions Counselor.
A Maryland RN license (or licensure from a compact state) is required prior to the start of the term when students begin clinical coursework. Students are required to maintain current licensure throughout the program. Additional RN licenses in surrounding states may be necessary to secure a clinical rotation. Where applicable, a current unencumbered compact (multistate) license will substitute for a single state license. Nursing licensure costs are the responsibility of the student.
State-Specific Information for Online Programs
Students currently cannot conduct clinical activities in Louisiana and New York. Johns Hopkins University is approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing to conduct practice experiences in the state of Washington for Washington residents. 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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No. 1 in the nation for its Doctor of Nursing Practice Program (DNP)
#2
No. 2 in the nation for its Nursing Master’s Program (MSN)
#3
No. 3 nursing school in the world, according to 2024 QS World University rankings
Curriculum
Program consists of 17 credits and 500 total clinical hours that may be completed in as few as three semesters.
Full Curriculum
Neurobiology of Mental Disorders (1)
Clinical Psychopharmacology (2)
Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders (2)
Psychotherapeutic Frameworks and Modalities (2)
- Clinical Reasoning I: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum: Adult/Gero (1)
- Clinical Practicum I: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum: Adult/Gero (3, 250 cl)
- Clinical Reasoning II: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum: Peds/Family (1)
- Clinical Practicum II: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum: Peds/Family (3, 250 cl)
Integrated Care I (1)
Integrated Care II (1)
Sample Part-time Courses of Study
Neurobiology of Mental Disorders (1)
Clinical Psychopharmacology (2)
Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders (2)
Psychotherapeutic Frameworks and Modalities (2)
- Clinical Reasoning I: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum: Adult/Gero (1)
- Clinical Practicum I: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum: Adult/Gero (3, 250 cl)
Integrated Care I (1)
- Clinical Reasoning II: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum: Peds/Family (1)
- Clinical Practicum II: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practicum: Peds/Family (3, 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.
“We are preparing nurse practitioners who will promote the mental, physical, and social well-being of persons with multiple health needs.”
Tamar Rodney, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC, CNE
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Tuition & Other Costs
Financial aid
View the costs for the Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate.
2025-2026
Scholarships & Grants: Grants are awards based on financial need that do not have to be repaid. Many students also benefit from scholarships and awards based on merit. Learn more.
Loans: Many students will avail themselves of loans to help finance their School of Nursing education. If necessary, we encourage you to borrow only what is absolutely essential to cover your educational costs. Learn more.
Employment: Many students locate part-time employment to help pay education expenses. Numerous positions are available on campus and within various community based organizations. These jobs provide students with opportunities to gain practical work experience. Most positions are funded through the Federal Work-Study Program. Learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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
Clinical practicum experiences are determined by the student’s area of focus, student interest/experience, site and preceptor availability, and the student’s programmatic needs. The student works collaboratively with the Track Director and the Clinical Placement Team to request sites and identify preceptors, with final approval by the Track Director. Following an orientation to the electronic software system, the student will be responsible to complete clinical requests and upload required school and site compliance documentation by the due date. The due date is prior to the semester that includes a clinical course. Students will be working with the Clinical Placement Team throughout the course of their program. The Clinical Placement Team participates in orientation, advising sessions, and on-site immersions. The student is encouraged to work collaboratively and proactively with the Clinical Placement Team. An all-hands on approach yields optimal preceptor opportunities. Unauthorized states for clinicals include LA and NY. Admitted students who decide to enroll will be required to sign the “Student Expectations in the Clinical Placements Process” document prior to their first term in the program. For more information on Clinical Placement Services, visit https://nursing.jhu.edu/clinical-placement/.