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Post-Master’s Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
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Overview
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You already have your MSN. Now, answer the growing call for mental health expertise.
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Xavier University’s online Post-Master’s Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program prepares you to lead with compassion, treating complex disorders—from depression to schizophrenia—across the lifespan.
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Calendar
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Application Deadline
Fall 2026
8/1/2026
Fall 2026
8/1/2026
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Why Choose Xavier Online?
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At Xavier, we don’t just teach nursing; we cultivate leaders. Our program is one of only 17 in the U.S. endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation.
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What Makes Xavier Different
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Curriculum
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Our 20-credit hour program is designed to fit the schedule of a working RN while ensuring you meet the highest clinical standards.
The number of credits will vary depending on your prior coursework, which will be reviewed at the time of application completion to determine if any of the Nurse Practitioner Core (3 ‘P’s) requirements have been met.
Per Ohio law, Advanced Pharmacology must have been completed within the last 5 years unless you are an actively practicing NP.
The number of credits will vary depending on your prior coursework, which will be reviewed at the time of application completion to determine if any of the Nurse Practitioner Core (3 ‘P’s) requirements have been met.
Per Ohio law, Advanced Pharmacology must have been completed within the last 5 years unless you are an actively practicing NP.
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Nurse Practitioner Core Courses
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NURS 658: Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
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This course assumes basic knowledge of pharmacology and focuses on advanced pharmacology and the role of the clinical nurse leader in pharmacotherapeutics. Advanced clinical application of drug therapy and concepts relating to the mechanisms of drug actions, interactions, and adverse reactions, including immunologic-idiosyncratic-allergic drug responses will be explored. Emphasis is on pharmacotherapeutics and cultural/ethnic considerations. Current pharmacologic research is also incorporated in the course.
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NURS 680: Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
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Emphasis is on pathophysiology as it relates to adverse effects and illnesses in persons having acute, chronic and long-term health care problems. Knowledge of pathophysiology is used to predict illness progression and response to therapy, which is used to guide and teach patients and families regarding care.
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NURS 756: Advanced Physical Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
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This course prepares nurses to conduct and communicate accurately comprehensive holistic, health assessments for clients and families across the lifespan. The students will learn how to perform, organize, analyze and document complete physical, psycho-social assessments. As part of health assessment, the student will identify pertinent health and potential health issues including the cultural, occupational, and environmental factors integral to those issues. The student will define appropriate health preventive and maintenance strategies to address common and complex health care concerns within an evidence-based practice framework. In addition to didactic and online discussions, students will practice advanced physical assessment skills in simulation laboratories and clinical settings under the guidance of preceptors.
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NURS 760: Differential Diagnosis and Medical Decision Making (2 credits)
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This course is designed to equip Nurse Practitioner (NP) students with the critical thinking skills and clinical reasoning needed to accurately diagnose and manage a wide range of medical conditions across the lifespan. Emphasizing the process of differential diagnosis, students will learn to systematically evaluate patient symptoms, medical histories, physical exam findings, and diagnostic test results to rule in or rule out potential diagnoses. Through case studies, clinical scenarios, and evidence-based strategies, students will develop the ability to formulate a comprehensive differential diagnosis and determine appropriate interventions. Key topics include understanding common and complex medical conditions, prioritizing differential diagnoses, integrating diagnostic data, and recognizing red flags that require immediate attention. The course will also emphasize the importance of collaboration with multidisciplinary healthcare teams and effective communication with patients regarding the diagnostic process.
Note: NURS 760 will be required for students enrolling FA26 and after.
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PMHNP Core Courses
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NURS 780: PMHNP Core 1 (3 credits)
This is the first and foundational course for the core of the PMHNP curriculum. The focus is on mastering assessment and diagnostic reasoning in the management of individuals and families experiencing transitions resulting in acute and chronic alterations in psychiatric/mental health status across the lifespan. Health promotion, health behaviors, and disease prevention strategies are emphasized with respect to epidemiology, risks, and growth and development. Motivational interviewing, therapeutic communication skills, and cultural competency are emphasized within the context of holistic care.
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NURS 782: Role Development & Ethical Issues for the PMHNP (2 credits)
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This course focuses on the origins and history as well as the evolution of the role of the advanced practice nurse in psychiatry and mental health. Students will begin to explore and understand the scope and standards of practice for the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. Current issues and trends in psychiatric and mental health care will be explored, as well as unique ethical dilemmas confronting all psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. Using a holistic approach, the standards of practice relevant to ethical behavior for the psychiatric mental health nurse will be covered. Issues relevant to how the purposeful use of self, combined with the art and science of psychiatric mental health nursing, come together to develop effective treatment goals and interventions are examined. The key values of respect, compassion and appropriate care are discussed. Self-awareness and knowledge, the personal experiences brought into the nurse patient relationship, along with acute awareness of boundary issues with individuals, families, groups and the community will be investigated. The PMH nurses’ responsibility relevant to the balance of psychiatric patient rights with safety in the areas of guardianship, health care power of attorney, financial power of attorney, restraint or seclusion, court ordered treatment, and involuntary admission for the protection of the individual will be presented and discussed.
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NURS 783: PMHNP Clinical Practicum 1 (1 credit*) ~150 clinical hours
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The first clinical practicum for the PMHNP program focuses on the clinical application of the companion didactic course as well as the Ethics and Professional Role courses. In this clinical practicum the student will master interviewing skills and assessment skills along with the use of the DSM V to complete a psychiatric evaluation and use this information to develop an age-appropriate holistic treatment plan based on evidence-based standards of care and practice guidelines. The population focus is the adult and geriatric client. Psychotherapy modalities will be introduced. The clinic setting can be acute or chronic.
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NURS 784: PMHNP Core 2 (3 credits)
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This is the second course for the core of the PMHNP curriculum. The focus is on mastering assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and management of pediatric and adolescent patients experiencing transitions resulting in acute and chronic alterations in psychiatric/mental health status. Health promotion, health behaviors, and disease prevention strategies are emphasized with respect to epidemiology and associated risks. Both evidence-based pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment modalities are explored including psychoeducation, various methods of psychotherapy, cognitive and behavioral therapies, complementary/alternative therapies and somatic therapies to provide holistic care to the pediatric and adolescent populations. Working with the individual patient and their family to create and implement unique and holistic interventions will be a focus of this course.
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NURS 785: PMHNP Clinical Practicum 2 (1 credit*) ~150 clinical hours
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The second clinical practicum course focuses on the clinical application of the companion didactic course and previous core courses including educating individual/family about the risks and benefits of treatment; mastering the art of selecting non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment modalities that fit with the individual/family\2019s lifestyle; and guiding patients in the evaluation and appropriate use of complementary and alternative therapies. Building on the previous clinical practicum students will continue to develop greater expertise in the development of therapeutic use of self and engaging the patient and family in the decision-making processes relevant to the progression of holistic treatment.
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NURS 786: Advanced Psychopharmacology and Neurobiology Across the Lifespan (2 credits)
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This course is designed to provide students with the basic foundational principles of psychopharmacology. Exploring the neurobiological basis of psychiatric mental health disorders and understanding the pharmacological treatment of these disorders is essential to effective treatment. The importance of psychopharmacology as part of the treatment of psychiatric mental health disorders and how medication serves as an adjunct to psychotherapy is analyzed.
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NURS 788: PMHNP Core 3 (3 credits)
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This final core curriculum course focus is on the synthesis of knowledge and implementation of the role of the (PMHNP). Clinical decision making and critical thinking are emphasized in an inter-professional environment with a focus on the PMHNP as a principal provider of holistic care for individuals and families experiencing transitions resulting in acute and chronic psychiatric/mental health disorders across the lifespan.
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NURS 790: Current Issues and Trends in PMH (1 credit)
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In this course students will examine current issues relevant to mental health disorders across the lifespan, health care reform, and the importance of promoting awareness in support of recovery-based practices in the delivery of mental health services. Legislative and economic changes in the area of mental health treatment are explored.
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NURS 793: PMHNP Clinical Practicum 3 (1 credit*) ~150 clinical hours
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The second and third clinical practicum courses focus on the clinical application of the companion didactic courses and previous core courses including educating individual/family about the risks and benefits of treatment; mastering the art of selecting non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment modalities that fit with the individual/family’s lifestyle; and guiding patients in the evaluation and appropriate use of complementary and alternative therapies. Building on the previous clinical practicum students will continue to develop greater expertise in the development of the therapeutic use of self and engaging the patient and family in the decision-making processes relevant to the progression of treatment.
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NURS 795: PMHNP Clinical Practicum 4 (1 credit*) ~150 clinical hours
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The fourth and fifth clinical practicum courses focus on the clinical application of the companion didactic course and previous core courses including the application of supportive psychodynamic principles, and other evidence-based therapies to brief and long-term care across the life span. Incorporates safe prescribing practices for individuals with psychiatric/mental health disorders across the lifespan. Demonstrates increased independence in the evaluation and management of psychiatric mental health patients/families in this clinical practice immersion.
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*Indicates the number of didactic credit hours to practicum credit hour. Each practicum credit hour is 8 clinical contact hours: 1:8. The total number of practicum hours required for the PMHNP is 600.
Pre/Co-requisites: NURS 770 is pre/co-req for NURS 775/776 and is a pre-req for NURS 773/774 and NURS 771/772.
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Admission
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Xavier accepts applications to our certificate programs on a rolling basis. Once admitted into the program, you may start online classes in the fall or spring semesters.
Application Deadline: August 1, 2026
Start: Fall 2026
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Admission Requirements
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Applicants to the Post-Master’s Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program must meet the following requirements:
- Be a registered nurse with an unencumbered United States RN license in the state where practicum experiences are to be completed. A minimum of 1 year of nursing experience is required, a strong candidate will have a minimum of 2 years of nursing experience.
- Hold an MSN and be a graduate of an accredited college or university’s nursing program (the College of Nursing will verify accreditation to ensure it meets requirements). Transfer credits are accepted only from regionally accredited institutions.
- An undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or better is required for admission.
- A strong applicant will have a 3.0 GPA.
- GPA Requirements
- 3.0 out of 4.0 in the last two years of undergraduate matriculation; or,
- 2.7 cumulative GPA in undergraduate matriculation; or,
- 2.5 cumulative in the last 2 years of undergraduate matriculation with 5 years of work experience in a nursing or related field.
- GPA Requirements
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Admission Materials
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- Free Online Application
- Get Started on Xavier University’s free online application. You can begin the process in just a few clicks.
- Official Transcript
- One official transcript directly from all colleges or universities that you have attended for any undergraduate and graduate course work. Applicants must have a degree from a regionally accredited university. Send transcripts to:
- Xavier University
ATTN: Admission Processing Center
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45207-5131 - For electronic transcripts, send to:
xuadmit@xavier.edu
- Xavier University
- One official transcript directly from all colleges or universities that you have attended for any undergraduate and graduate course work. Applicants must have a degree from a regionally accredited university. Send transcripts to:
- Letters of Recommendation
- Three letters of recommendation from professional references who are able to assess your potential for success in this program.
- Official Test Scores (if needed)
- Applicants not meeting the GPA requirements can submit official test scores for the GRE, MAT or LSAT.
- GRE (Graduate Record Exam): The minimum score requirements is 143 on the verbal section and 3.0 of the analytical section
- MAT (Miller Analogies Test): The minimum scoring requirement for the MAT is 390
- LSAT (Law School Admission Test): The minimum scoring requirement for the LSAT is 138
- Call (513) 745-3360 or email xuadmit@xavier.edu to request a MAT or GRE test booklet. If you have previously taken the GRE and want to have your scores sent to Xavier, please contact GRE at 888 GRE-SCORE. Visit the LSAT website for more information.
- Applicants not meeting the GPA requirements can submit official test scores for the GRE, MAT or LSAT.
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State Authorization
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Due to state regulations regarding the delivery of distance education, as well as requirements of each individual state board of nursing, Xavier is not currently able to accept applications from all states into all of its online programs.
View the complete list of approved states on the State Authorization page.
View the complete list of approved states on the State Authorization page.
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International Admission
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Xavier welcomes students from outside the United States to enroll in its online programs. However, some countries do not formally recognize foreign online degrees. This may have implications for enrolling in subsequent degree programs or for securing employment requiring these credentials. It is students’ responsibility to determine whether the online degree will be recognized in their country of residence or in any country in which they plan to work. Additionally, students should inquire in their country of residence how the collection of student data may be used and whether they will be subject to additional withholding taxes in addition to the cost of tuition.
- All international students are strongly encouraged to submit an official third-party course-by-course evaluation of their high school and/or college transcripts from an international credential evaluation service accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
- International students must pass either the TOEFL or IELTS exam if English is your second language.
- International students may have additional application requirements. Find more information on the International Admission page.
Note: International students in the U.S. cannot enroll in an online degree program to fulfill the legal requirement for an F-1 or J-1 visa.
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Tuition and Fees
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Get More from Your Graduate Education with Xavier
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At Xavier, we understand that no two graduate programs and no two students are alike. Therefore, we structure every online degree and certificate program to address the unique needs of individual students and have created unique fee structures for each program as well.
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Tuition
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MSN: $739
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Fees
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- Student ID Fee: $15
- Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking full-time: $15 (per semester)
- Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking part-time: $10 (per semester)
Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 7 semesters.
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The amounts listed are for the 2026-2027 academic year, and include classes from Fall 2026 through Summer 2027. Tuition cost is per credit hour unless otherwise stated. For the full, official listing, please visit xavier.edu/costs.
Xavier University reserves the right to correct any computational or clerical errors.
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