Top 10 Direct-Entry Online PMHNP Programs For 2026
Are you interested in becoming a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) but have a non-nursing undergraduate degree? The path to working as a licensed PMHNP may seem like an uphill battle. However, direct entry online PMHNP programs can help you earn your credentials quickly.
We've ranked the 10 best direct-entry PMHNP programs online for 2026 to help you start your advanced practice nursing journey.
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers MSN-NP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Chamberlain's Commitment to Completion Grant helps RNs earn advanced degrees with savings up to $9,100.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
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MSN - Family NP
-
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
-
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
-
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
-
MS-DNP - Adult NP
-
MS-DNP - Family NP
-
MS-DNP Path - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
-
MS-DNP Path - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
-
Postgrad Cert - Family NP
-
Postgrad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Nurse.org’s Top 10 Direct-Entry Online PMHNP Programs
Our ranking criteria are based on factors such as tuition, acceptance rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and accreditation, and we use the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the College Scorecard.
| School | Tuition | Program Length | Accreditation |
| Simmons University | $1,400 per credit hour | 3 years | CCNE |
| Columbia University | $77,964 - $102,806 per year | 39 months | CCNE |
| UMass Chan Medical School | $70,849 - $89,107 total | 4 - 5years | CCNE |
| MGH Institute of Health Professionals | $1,667 per credit hour | 3 years | CCNE |
| Yale University | $75,164 total | 3 years | CCNE |
| Vanderbilt University | $2,057 per credit hour | 6 semesters | CCNE |
| The Ohio State University | $972.50 per credit hour | 3 years | CCNE |
| University of Rochester |
MDE portion: $115,200 total
PMHNP portion: $1,740 per credit hour |
4 years | CCNE |
| University of Cincinnati | $836 - $1,423 per credit hour | 3 years | CCNE |
| University of Pennsylvania | $144,220 total | 3 years | CCNE |
Why We Picked This School
This online direct-entry PMHNP program is unique because students first complete a traditional Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and then earn a post-master's PMHNP certificate. While a portion of the program is online, students will attend more in-person classes than in other programs on this list. They complete all in-person coursework at Simmons' Boston campus.
Program Highlights
- Direct-entry MSN graduates have an NCLEX pass rate of 96.88% (2024)
- 850+ clinical sites in the Boston area
- Direct entry PMHNP program offers students over 1400 total clinical hours total
Requirements
- Non-nursing bachelor of science (BS) or bachelor of arts (BA) from an accredited university
- Completion of all prerequisite courses
- Personal statement and short answer responses
- Current resume/CV
- Two letters of recommendation
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
Program Information
- Application Deadline
- Priority: January 15th
- Final: March 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (617) 521-2000
- Email Address: son-admission@simmons.edu
Why We Picked This School
Columbia's direct entry PMHNP program online combines a Master's Direct Entry (MDE) degree and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The MDE portion takes roughly 15 months to complete, and students move directly from it into the PMHNP DNP. By the end of both portions, students will have earned a PMHNP DNP in about 39 months.
Program Highlights
- One-on-one mentorship from a New York registered nurse or participation in a global integration site for six weeks
- Also offered with three part-time, online semesters, and then transition to a full-time program
- 91.4% NCLEX pass rate for MDE graduates
Requirements
- Non-nursing BS or BA degree from an accredited university
- Official transcripts
- Completion of all prerequisite courses
- Personal interview
Program Information
- Tuition Breakdown:
- MDE Portion: $102,806 per year
- DNP Portion: $77,964 per year
- Application Deadline
- Priority: November 17th
- Final: December 15th
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (212) 305-5756
- Email Address: nursingadmissions@cumc.columbia.edu
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers MSN-NP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Chamberlain's Commitment to Completion Grant helps RNs earn advanced degrees with savings up to $9,100.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
-
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
-
MSN - Family NP
-
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
-
MSN - Health Informatics
-
MSN - Nursing Education
-
MSN - Public Health Nursing
-
MSN - Health Care Quality & Patient Safety
-
MSN - Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems
-
MBA & MSN - Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems
Why We Picked This School
Students first enroll in the 16-month direct entry MSN program. They then move on to the PMHNP DNP portion, which is completable in about three years.
Program Highlights
- 100% NCLEX pass rate and 100% hire rate as an RN after NCLEX
- Clinical placement coordinator helps students find appropriate clinical sites and preceptors
- The only nursing school in Massachusetts that shares a campus with a nationally top-ranked medical school
Requirements
- Non-nursing BS or BA degree from an accredited university
- GPA of 3.0 or higher for all degrees previously earned
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Completion of all prerequisite courses
- Personal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- Current resume/CV
- Supplemental application
- Attestation of the authenticity of the application
- Residency validation form
- Criminal background check
- Video essay
Program Information
- Tuition Breakdown:
- Resident: $70,849 total
- New England Regional: $79,982 total
- Non-Resident: $89,107 total
- Application Deadline
- Early: November 2nd
- Final: March 22nd
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (508) 856-5801
- Email Address: gsnadmissions@umassmed.edu
Why We Picked This School
Students initially apply for the direct entry Master of Science in Nursing (DEN-Masters) program. Then, they select a specialization, which includes PMHNP.
Unlike other PMHNP direct entry programs, students can work part-time or per diem throughout the program after passing the NCLEX. This option allows them to gain valuable experience as they continue their nursing education.
Program Highlights
- Access to 800 clinical sites with 1:1 preceptorships provided by the program
- 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate and 88% first-time NP board exam pass rate
- 92% post-graduation employment rate
Requirements
- Non-nursing BS or BA degree from an accredited university
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
- Personal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
Program Information
- Application Deadline
- Priority: January 15th
- Final: March 20th
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (781) 951-5102
- Email Address: nursing@mghihp.edu
$75,164 total
Why We Picked This School
Yale’s graduate entry pre-specialty in nursing (GEPN) program allows non-nurses to complete an accelerated MSN in three years, which is significantly faster than other online direct entry PMHNP programs. Students complete the GEPN portion in one year and then advance immediately into the PMHNP curriculum.
Program Highlights
- 100% PMHNP certification pass rate
- Nursing school with a 100+ year legacy of leadership and innovation
- Top-ranked Ivy League university
Requirements
- Non-nursing BS or BA degree from an accredited university
- Current CV/Resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
- Personal essay
- Asynchronous video and timed writing assessment
- Completion of all prerequisite courses
- GRE score for students with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Program Information
- Application Deadline: February 15th
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (203) 785-6437
- Email Address: ysn.admissions@yale.edu
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers MSN-NP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Chamberlain's Commitment to Completion Grant helps RNs earn advanced degrees with savings up to $9,100.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
-
MSN - Family NP
-
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
-
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
-
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
-
MS-DNP - Adult NP
-
MS-DNP - Family NP
-
MS-DNP Path - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
-
MS-DNP Path - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
-
Postgrad Cert - Family NP
-
Postgrad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
$2,057 per credit hour
Why We Picked This School
Vanderbilt's program starts with three semesters of undergraduate nursing classes before continuing with the PMHNP courses. During the three semesters of pre-specialty courses, students complete 700 hours of clinical experience in various settings. After the pre-specialty year, students begin advanced courses within the PMHNP program to earn an MSN.
Program Highlights
- #4 Top Graduate MSN program according to U.S. News & World Report
- 98% NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate
- Highly competitive, roughly 5% acceptance rate
Requirements
- Non-nursing BS or BA degree from an accredited university
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Three letters of recommendation
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
- Completion of all prerequisite courses
- Academic history
Program Information
- Application Deadline
- Spring: July 15th
- Fall: October 15th
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (615) 322-4400
- Email Address: vusn-admissions@vanderbilt.edu
$972.50 per credit hour
Why We Picked This School
Students interested in OSU's direct-entry PMHNP program online must complete prerequisite courses before starting the MSN program. The OSU graduate entry program is an intensive, full-time, year-round, three-year program. Students must choose the PMHNP specialization at the time of application.
Program Highlights
- Prelicensure portion requires students to attend campus at least twice a week, alongside online coursework
- Specifically designed for students to earn licensure and certification in Ohio
Requirements
- Non-nursing BS or BA degree from an accredited university
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Completion of all prerequisite courses
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
- Current resume/CV
- Purpose and goals statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- Supplemental application for current or former OSU graduate students
- Recorded online video interview
Program Information
- Application Deadline
- Round 1: October 16th
- Round 2: March 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (614) 292-4041
- Email Address: nursing@osu.edu
MDE portion: $115,200 total
PMHNP portion: $1,740 per credit hour
Why We Picked This School
When students apply to the program, they also have to apply to the PMHNP specialization and declare their intentions. The MDE portion of this program takes 16 months of full-time attendance and combines online and in-person coursework. After completing the MDE portion, students move on to PMHNP specialty courses.
Program Highlights
- In-person simulation and laboratory training at the UR School of Nursing
- On-site clinical rotations at UR Medicine hospitals
- 100 years of leading nursing education in New York
Requirements
- Non-nursing BS or BA degree from an accredited university
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Completion of all prerequisite courses
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
- Current resume/CV
- Personal question essay
- Two letters of recommendation
Program Information
- Application Deadline
- Spring: July 1st
- Summer:
- Early: September 15th
- Regular: November 1st
- Fall: March 1st
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (585) 275-2375
- Email Address: SON_Admissions@urmc.rochester.edu
$836 - $1,423 per credit hour
Why We Picked This School
Students will first complete their general MSN degree at Cincinnati and then seamlessly transition into a PMHNP post-master’s program. Cincinnati has educated nurses for over 130 years through immersive learning and research.
Program Highlights
- Low- and high-fidelity manikins at a state-of-the-art simulation center
- Clinical partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, one of the country’s best children’s hospitals
- Partnered with the region’s only Level I Trauma Center
Requirements
- Non-nursing BS or BA degree from an accredited university
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Three letters of recommendation
- Current resume/CV
- Application and associated fees
- Personal statement
- Faculty interview
- Completion of all prerequisite courses with a C grade or higher
Program Information
- Tuition Breakdown:
- Resident: $836 per credit hour
- Non-Resident: $1,423 per credit hour
- Application Deadline
- Spring: September 15th
- Summer: February 15th
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (513) 558-5500
- Email Address: nursingbearcats@uc.edu
$144,220 total
Why We Picked This School
The MPN program at Penn is a four-semester, full-time, in-person program that allows students to be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination and obtain RN licensure. Students can not attend the MPN program part-time, and some students must complete in-person clinicals on the weekends. Then, students move to the online PMHNP program.
Program Highlights
- Top-ranked Ivy League university
- Four convenient start dates throughout the year
- Internationally recognized faculty
Requirements
- Non-nursing BS or BA degree from an accredited university
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- All official transcripts from post-secondary institution(s)
- Current resume/CV
- Three letters of recommendation
- Goal statement
- Official application
- Application fees
- Completion of all prerequisite courses with a B- grade or higher
Program Information
- Application Deadline:
- Priority: November 3rd
- Final: February 2nd
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (215) 898-4271
- Email Address: mpnprogram@nursing.upenn.edu
What to Expect in a Direct-Entry PMHNP Program Online
Direct-entry PMHNP programs are specifically for students who have a bachelor’s degree in another discipline. Most programs will start with students earning a general MSN and then moving to a post-master's or certificate PMHNP program. This option is the most time and cost-effective option for those without a BSN.
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