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USJ’s Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.)-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program prepares registered nurses for advanced practice and board certification. Focusing on evidence-based practice and hands-on clinical training, the PMHNP program increases your competencies in delivering psychiatric mental health care to populations across the lifespan and empowers you to make a positive impact in your community.
Providing weekly courses, USJ’s M.S.-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree program enables you to balance your work schedule and your school commitments.
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The University of Saint Joseph is proud to offer a 20% discount on select graduate programs, to our valued alumni, beginning in Summer 2025. This offer is available to all USJ alumni who enroll in a graduate program* at USJ for the first time in the Summer 2025 semester or later.
Click here to learn more about the program.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program has strengthened my clinical confidence, sharpened my critical thinking, and deepened my commitment to compassionate, evidence-based mental health care. I am not just earning a degree — I am becoming the provider my community deserves.
Richard Mireku M’28
Upon completion of USJ’s Master of Science in Nursing-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree, you gain the confidence and ability to:
by U.S. News
Read MoreThe USJ PMHNP graduate program empowers compassionate, skilled nurse practitioners through comprehensive academics, dynamic teaching, expert faculty knowledge, and a holistic education. Students gain immersive practicum experiences that prepare them to address the growing mental health needs across diverse communities.
Emily Malo, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Assistant Professor
At USJ, we recognize that many of our students are working nurses who have busy work schedules. Our plans of study are designed with two courses per semester and both courses are held on one day per week. Students starting our program in the fall will have classes on Thursdays and students starting our program in the spring will have classes on Tuesdays.
During the M.S.-PMHNP program, you can acquire hands-on clinical experience and practice assessing, diagnosing, and treating in various health care settings. Through the clinical practicum, you also strengthen your skills in advanced practice psychiatric mental health nursing. Working alongside other experienced health care professionals, you learn to work as an integral part of the health care team and develop your leadership potential.
The master’s degree in nursing psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program at the University of Saint Joseph is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
The robust M.S.-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program provides a comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide range of key areas in advanced practice nursing such as population health, person-centered care, informatics, and health care technologies.
With 28 credits of core courses and 19 credits of PMHNP concentration courses, the PMHNP program curriculum enables you to administer, consult, educate, and research as part of the advanced practice role in nursing. You are also prepared for leadership and change-agent roles in health promotion and therapeutic clinical practice.
Emphasizing hands-on clinical training, the M.S.-PMHNP program curriculum encompasses 750 direct patient care hours with a variety of health care agencies. Students are prepared for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification examination upon graduation.
Learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program curriculum.
By completing the Master of Science in Nursing-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree, you are well equipped with the advanced nursing knowledge to elevate your career and increase your earning potential.
You are ready to provide high-quality psychiatric mental health care to patients of all ages with confidence in various health care settings including inpatient and outpatient settings, long-term care facilities, and community health care clinics.
Graduates of the PMHNP program are entering a fast-growing field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners are in high demand. Advanced practice registered nurse roles including psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners are projected to grow by 45% through 2030. As an APRN/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, you can expect a median annual salary of $117,670, which is 56% higher than RNs with a bachelor’s degree.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is the advanced practice nursing specialty focused on diagnosing and treating both acute and chronic psychiatric disorders across the lifespan—from children and adolescents to adults. Graduates are prepared to make a difference in areas including: academia, community mental health, acute care, outpatient programs, juvenile and criminal justice, and private practice. Graduates have found employment locally in the Hartford Healthcare System, Trinity Health of New England, Institute of Living, CT Valley Hospital, academia, and in private practice.
Applications to the M.S.-PMHNP program are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Please submit your application and required documents to the Graduate Admissions Office by:
USJ’s Master of Science in Nursing-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is designed for working nurses who are ready to take leadership nursing roles and achieve career advancement. Apply to the M.S.-PMHNP program today to increase your competencies in diagnosing, assessing, and treating patients across the lifespan.
Contact:
Karen Corcoran, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CHSE (she/her/hers)
Associate Professor of Nursing
Director of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Programs
Email: [email protected]
Office: McDonough 318
September 17, 2026, 6-7 p.m.
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