Top 5 Dual FNP/PMHNP Programs for 2025

Choosing a nurse practitioner (NP) specialty can be a difficult decision, especially if you want to help a broad patient population. But what if we told you that you don’t have to select just one specialty? Though less common, you can pursue dual NP degrees.

A dual family NP (FNP) and psychiatric mental health NP (PMHNP) degree bridges the gap between traditional health care and mental health issues. These programs are a little harder to come by, but we’ve rounded up the 5 best dual FNP/PMHNP programs!

Top 5 Dual FNP/PMHNP Programs

Our ranking criteria is based on factors such as tuition, acceptance rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and accreditation, and uses the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard. 

 

 

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Dual FNP/PMHNP Program Overview

 Nurse practitioner programs are difficult and time-consuming regardless of your specialization. Dual NP programs are even more challenging because you must study advanced topics in two disciplines, focusing on how to treat patients in each.

Admission Requirements & Prerequisites

While each school has its own set of admission standards and prerequisites, several dual FNP PMHNP programs have similar requirements, which may include:

• A BSN or MSN from an accredited university
• RN licensure
• Undergraduate statistics
• At least 1 year of relevant experience
• Professional liability insurance coverage
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Letter(s) of recommendation
• Current Resume/CV
• Personal statement
• Official transcripts
• Admission interview
• GRE, if applicable

Classes & Coursework

While most traditional FNP and PMHNP programs have overlapping coursework, students must still complete all of the specific classes for both specialties. Each program will differ, but generally, you can expect to take some version of these classes: 

• Advanced Pharmacology
• Advanced Health Assessment
• Translating Evidence into Practice
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics
• Advanced Pathophysiology
• Ethics for APRN
• Organizational Leadership and Administration
• Professional Practice
• Evidence-Based Research
• Information Technology
• Psychopharmacology
• Health Care Law, Policy, and Analysis
• Psychiatric Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management of Adults and Geriatrics
• Psychiatric Assessment, Diagnosis & Management of Children & Adolescents
• Nursing of Children Theory 
• Family Focused Primary Care of the Middle-Aged and Older Adult
• Advanced Concepts in Primary Care
• Clinical Management of Primary Care with Adults
• Family and Organizational Systems Across the Life Span

The school may even combine some of these courses. So, it's important to review your chosen program's curriculum to best understand which classes you'll take.

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How to Choose a Dual FNP/PMHNP Program

Choosing a dual nurse practitioner program can be overwhelming because there are even more factors to consider when enrolling in a dual program. The first and most important factor to consider is school accreditation. Students should avoid non-accredited schools at all costs, as they do not qualify you to sit for national examinations. 

The two main accreditation bodies for nursing programs  in the United States are:

• The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

After narrowing down your options, consider the following factors,

• Cost – loans, scholarships, tuition reimbursement
• Class location (online vs. in-person vs. hybrid)
• Program length
• Program flexibility
• Degree outcome - MSN vs DNP?
• Attrition rate
• Job placement rate
• Certification pass rate
• Clinical placement assistance
• Curriculum

FAQs

• Can you work as a psych NP with an FNP?
  • It’s possible but unlikely – most PMHNP jobs require a certification in psychiatric mental health. While FNPs typically have some knowledge of mental health diseases and disorders, they do not complete specific courses and clinicals in this specialty.
• Do FNPs or PMHNPs make more money?
  • PMHNPs are one of the highest-paid nurse practitioner specialties. ZipRecruiter reports that PMHNPs earn an average annual salary of  $141,112. FNPs earn slightly less, bringing home around $127,976 annually.
• How many credits are required for a Dual FNP/PMHNP Program?
  • Dual FNP/PMHNP programs require between 60 and 125 credits plus a minimum number of in-person clinical hours. DNPs require more overall credit hours than MSN programs.
• How long are Dual FNP/PMHNP Programs?
  • Dual FNP/PMHNP programs are generally 3 to 6 years, depending on the degree. Students can earn an MSN in 3-4 years,  while DNP programs take 4-6 years.
• How much do Dual FNP/PMHNP Programs cost?
  • Dual programs can cost between $21,000 and $75,000, depending on a variety of factors.

 

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