Master of Science in Nursing – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Online
Prepare to make a lasting impact in mental health care. Develop the advanced expertise, hands-on experience, and the confidence to lead in this growing, essential field.
Program Overview
What you’ll want to know about the MSN – PMHNP online program
Become an in-demand specialist with Texas State University's online Master of Science in Nursing – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. This rigorous, accelerated program empowers registered nurses with the advanced clinical skills and knowledge needed to diagnose, treat, and manage mental health conditions across the lifespan. The online curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and patient-centered care.
Engage in a dynamic blend of online course work and hands-on clinical experiences, gaining expertise in psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders. Benefit from our commitment to personalized education with direct access to experienced faculty, giving you a supportive and engaging learning environment. Our CCNE-accredited program boasts a 100% pass on certification exams among recent graduates. The flexible online format allows you to balance your studies with your busy schedule while still receiving comprehensive, immersive training.
As a student of this MSN – PMHNP online program, you will learn how to:
- Provide advanced psychiatric assessment and treatment across the lifespan
- Integrate scientific findings into the delivery of care
- Participate in organizational and systems leadership
- Lead quality improvement processes to improve health outcomes
- Work as a change agent to improve patient outcomes and healthcare systems
- Utilize healthcare technologies and informatics
- Maintain active roles in health policy and professional organizations
- Address healthcare disparities for patients and populations
- Integrate global and social determinants of health into the diverse healthcare needs of patients
- Lead health education
- Provide advanced psychiatric assessment and treatment across the lifespan
- Integrate scientific findings into the delivery of care
- Participate in organizational and systems leadership
- Lead quality improvement processes to improve health outcomes
- Work as a change agent to improve patient outcomes and healthcare systems
- Utilize healthcare technologies and informatics
- Maintain active roles in health policy and professional organizations
- Address healthcare disparities for patients and populations
- Integrate global and social determinants of health into the diverse healthcare needs of patients
- Lead health education
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner career opportunities:
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- PMHNP Clinician
- Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Behavioral Health Specialist
- Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurse
- Telehealth PMHNP
- Addiction Treatment Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- PMHNP Clinician
- Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Behavioral Health Specialist
- Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurse
- Telehealth PMHNP
- Addiction Treatment Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master's degree programs in nursing at Texas State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
"My goal as an educator is to ensure the future of innovative health care delivery by providing quality online instruction that incorporates foundational knowledge, including nursing complexity theory, change management and leadership, political advocacy, and financial acumen required to emerge as nurse leaders capable of impacting health care systems on a larger scale."
Stacey, Cropley DNP, RN, LNCC Graduate Program Director, Clinical Associate Professor
"My courses provide students with the foundational knowledge, concepts, and practice competencies in the role of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, leveraging the current literature and standard of care in this field to support online learning to ensure that students develop the minimum competencies upon graduation to support clients with mental health issues."
Amber, Littlefield DNP, M.Ed., FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, CNE PMHNP Track Coordinator, Clinical Associate Professor
"My courses support student learning in the role of the Family Nurse Practitioner, incorporating foundational knowledge, skills, and competencies in providing primary care services to patients across the lifespan, emphasizing holistic care of the patient and family. Innovative learning experiences empower students to develop critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning, and therapeutic communication skills, preparing them for successful careers as primary care providers who deliver patient-centered, evidence-based care."
Ashley, Walters-Snider MSN, APRN, FNP-C FNP Track Coordinator, Clinical Assistant Professor
"My objective is to combine my expertise in academia, family nurse practitioner practice, and life experiences into the online classroom to educate students, so they come away with a practical understanding of the important role of the family nurse practitioner in patient care equity and advocacy."
Tracey, Smith DNP, APRN, FNP-BC DNP Program Coordinator, Clinical Associate Professor
"My courses support foundational student learning in the family nurse practitioner role in the delivery of primary care, drawing on advanced pathophysiology, health assessment, and primary care interventional modalities by leveraging my knowledge, expertise, and research interests to support the ability of students to translate research into practice, improving care delivery."
Gloria, Park APRN, FNP-C, RN Assistant Professor
"My courses support student learning in the role of the family nurse practitioner, providing foundational and advanced knowledge, concepts, and skills needed to successfully manage patients across the lifespan. My goal is to impart to the family nurse practitioner student, not only medical facts, but the intellectual tools to approach any acute or chronic disease they may encounter."
Dixie, Andelman DNP, APRN, FNP-C, BC-ADM Clinical Assistant Professor
Tuition
Plan ahead with pay-as-you-go tuition
Tuition for the online MSN – PMHNP program is affordable and paid by the course, so you can achieve your academic goals while remaining within your budget.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN – PMHNP | $499 | $1,497 | $19,960* |
*Tuition and fees are subject to change by legislative or Board of Regents action; changes become effective on the date of enactment. For more information, please visit https://onestop.txst.edu/cost-payments/cost-attendance.html.
Tuition breakdown
Ready to take the next step
toward earning your degree?
Calendar
Stay on top of important dates and deadlines
The Texas State MSN – PMHNP is delivered in a convenient online learning format that offers maximum flexibility for working adults like you. Choose the start date that fits your goals.
| Term | Start Date | App Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Class End Date | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 1 2025 | 8/25/25 | 8/15/25 | 8/20/25 | 8/25/25 | 8/25/25 | 10/13/25 | 8 weeks |
Now Enrolling
Admissions
Review the requirements for your MSN – PMHNP online program
Apply to the online MSN – PMHNP program quickly and easily with our streamlined admission process. Review the admission requirements below and take the next step toward your professional goals.
To be eligible to earn your MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner online from Texas State University, you must have the following:
- Completed online application
- Nonrefundable application fee of $55 ($90 for international*)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a regionally accredited institution and from a nursing program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or other nationally recognized nursing education accrediting body. The BSN degree must be reflected on the transcript at the time of application.
- Official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted
- Minimum 3.0 overall GPA on a 4.0 scale in nursing courses from an accredited college or university (plus any completed graduate courses)
- Completed college course in statistics with a grade of C or higher. Course must be completed at the time of application and reflected on submitted transcripts.
- Current, valid, unencumbered Registered Nurse licensure in Texas with date issued from the Board of Nursing and NURSYS report uploaded into the application system. Multistate licenses are accepted.
- One year of full-time experience as a Registered Nurse (RN) based on the licensure issue date prior to the application period
- Applicant should be prepared to respond to short answer responses on the application identifying the candidate’s interest in the program, chosen advanced practice nurse role, and professional experience leading to desire to seek an advanced practice role
- Note: GRE is not required
International Students must meet all standard admission requirements as well as the following:
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on Texas State University's exempt countries list.
- Official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- Official PTE scores required with a 52
- Official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- Official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
- Official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Once a student has been offered admission, the following additional criteria must be completed and met prior to the start of classes.
- Clear, current criminal background check (in addition to that on file at the Board of Nursing) and drug test
- Student liability insurance fee paid to Texas State University
- Health Certificate and exam completed and signed by a healthcare provider
- Currency and proof of all required immunizations
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers
- Documentation of health insurance for each semester in the MSN-FP program. Many resources are available on the Internet to obtain health insurance. It may also be obtained through the Texas State University Domestic Student Health Insurance Plan.
- Laptop requirements for the program (posted in pre-orientation class)
- Essential Competency Requirements and attestation
- Completion of New Student Orientation as scheduled
Transfer Credit Information in the Graduate Nursing Programs:
Evaluation of transfer credit will not be considered until an applicant has been accepted and has confirmed acceptance to a program. Transfer credit is not guaranteed. The Graduate Nursing Program Director and The Graduate College must review and approve all transfer credit. A maximum of 6-12 credits can be evaluated for potential transfer credit and varies by program. More information is available in the Graduate Student Nursing Handbook upon admission.
Electronic transcripts can be sent to Texas State University graduate admissions at [email protected].
Official transcripts can be mailed to:
TXST One Stop
Texas State University – Graduate Admissions
601 University Dr.
San Marcos, TX 78666
*Texas State defines an on-campus international student as anyone with a nonimmigrant visa status, including H-1B visa holders, or those seeking a visa to enroll. If you are not a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, you will be classified as an international applicant.
An online international student is someone who holds citizenship in another country, is not a U.S. permanent resident, and resides outside the U.S. while enrolling in an online program.
Students who are not on a visa but are graduating from a Texas high school after three years in residence are considered domestic applicants.
If you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, you are considered a domestic applicant.
Admission Requirements
- Unencumbered RN license and CPR certification
- No GRE required
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
Courses
Take a closer look at the online MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner courses
To graduate with your MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, you must complete a total of 40 credit hours, including 21 credit hours of core courses, and 19 credit hours of specialty courses.
The St. David's School of Nursing at Texas State University is recognized among the "Top 30 Affordable Nursing Programs in the Southwest" by Mometrix, 2022
