Top One-Year Online PMHNP Programs

Ranked as the top nursing program in Virginia, UVA’s PMHNP certificate program graduates will have a solid educational foundation to build in clinical practice. Despite its high acceptance rate, the program offers guaranteed admission for UVA School of Nursing alumni.

The university tailored this program for post-MSN students with an APRN degree. However, it does accept students without an NP degree who still have an MSN. Students without an APRN degree must take more classes to earn the PMHNP certificate, which may extend the program length.

U.S. News consistently ranks Wilkes University among the top universities nationwide. The university offers several PMHNP pathways. However, the only way to become a PMHNP online in 12 months is through its certificate program. 

With three convenient start dates throughout the year, this will quickly become a top contender for aspiring PMHNPs.

NM State offers an 18-credit-hour PMHNP certificate program with 500 non-waivable clinical hours. Students can earn the certificate in 12 months, making it one of the shortest online PMHNP programs available. 

Once you complete the program, you’re prepared to sit for the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam.

The only downside to this low-cost, fast-paced program is that it only accepts students once a year for a fall start date.

Georgia State offers one of the top 1-year PMHNP programs and sets a high bar for admissions. Applicants must have at least one year of recent psychiatric nursing experience in a hospital or community setting. Alternatively, they may complete 250-500 volunteer hours in a specific psychiatric site.

Additionally, if you already hold an FNP or Adult Gerontology NP degree, you can waive one of the courses. This option may save you time and money as you pursue your advanced nursing credentials.

The post-Masters PMHNP program at Purdue prepares students for the ANCC examination after graduation. The program requires 12 courses, all of which are 100% online.

Because of certain rules and regulations, the program can not accept students from specific states. These states include the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Guam.

The post-masters 1-year PMHNP certificate program at Miami is available to any student with an NP degree. Unfortunately, non-NP MSN holders are not eligible for acceptance. 

All clinical experiences must be within Florida, so applicants must be able to complete their preceptorships within the state.

Students can complete the University of Missouri’s online PMHNP certificate program in as little as 12 months. 

While the program is primarily online, they must attend in-person clinical rotations. By the end of the program, PMHNP students will attend 500 clinical hours with an approved preceptor.

After being accepted to the PMHNP program at DeSales, students will meet with the program director to complete a Gap Analysis to determine an individual study plan. 

Students must complete between 5 and 11 courses, depending on their prior experiences and degrees. They will also complete at least 500 clinical hours regardless of their prior experience.