Shortest Online PMHNP Certificate Programs 2025
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who care for patients with mental diseases and disorders, as well as substance abuse problems.
One route to becoming certified is through an accredited PMHNP certificate program. Learn more about these programs and explore our list of the shortest online PMHNP certificate programs for 2025, including one-year programs.
Popular Online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Programs
Learn in-depth practices in how to provide comprehensive psychiatric mental health care at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Grow your skills in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of a variety of psychiatric mental health disorders across the lifespan of patients.
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.
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 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
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE-accredited, nonprofit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, with the additional distinction of being named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Join a trusted, accredited online university to accelerate your nursing career on your schedule. Scholarships and financial aid are available.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
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 Shortest Online PMHNP Certificate Programs
| School | Nurse.org Total Tuition Estimate** | Program Length |
| Liberty University | $15,300 | 18 credits - 1 year |
| University of Virginia |
In-state: $17,366 Out-of-state: $28,367 |
19 credits - 1 year |
| New Mexico State University | $8,881.20 | 18 credits - 1 year |
| Georgia State University | In-state: $13,110 Out-of-state: $35,680 |
28 credits - 1 year |
| Ohio University | In-state: $12,860 Out-of-state: $13,300 |
20 credits |
| Hawai’i Pacific University | $30,159 | 27 credits |
| Wilkes University | $21,779 | 29 credits |
| Marymount University | $42,075 | 33 credits |
**Total program tuition is calculated by multiplying the program's cost per credit by the total number of credits needed for the course, as reported by the university website. Because of this, total program amounts are approximate and may not be exact.
Liberty University boasts one of the shortest post-master's PMHNP online programs, with students finishing in one year or three semesters. The program allows students to start practicing quickly, which can be an advantage. Additionally, its courses are only eight weeks long, allowing for multiple start times throughout the year. Students are required to complete one in-person clinical rotation at an approved clinical site prior to graduation.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (800) 424-9596
- Email Address: luograd@liberty.edu
- Website*
>> Explore Liberty's Online PMHNP Program*
2. University of Virginia
- In-state: $17,366
- Out-of-state: $28,367
Ranked as the top nursing program in Virginia, UVA’s PMHNP certificate program graduates will have a strong educational foundation to build upon in clinical practice.
Currently, classes are offered one day each week via online synchronous seminars that are also streamed live. This is ideal for the working professional, because that is less time off during the week to attend classes. While the acceptance rate is already high, the program offers guaranteed admission for UVA School of Nursing alumni.
- Application Deadline: January 5th
- Contact Information:
- Phone: (434) 924-0141
- Email Address: nursing-admissions@virginia.edu
- Website
3. New Mexico State University
$8,881.20
The PMHNP certificate program at NM State is 18 credit hours and a minimum of 500 clinical hours that cannot be waived; however, it can be completed quickly – in as little as one year.
The only downside to this low-cost, fast-paced program is that students are only accepted once per year for a fall start date.
Once you have completed the program, you’re prepared to sit for the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam.
- Application Deadline:
- Priority: February 15th
- Final: April 1st
- Contact Information:
- Phone: (575) 646-2772
- Email Address: rcastro@nmsu.edu
- Website
4. Georgia State University
- In-state: $13,110
- Out-of-state: $35,680
Students attending the GSU PMHNP certificate program are expected to have a minimum of one year of recent psychiatric bedside experience in the hospital or the community setting or 250 - 500 volunteer hours in a specific psychiatric site.
If you only have volunteer experience, it is important to discuss your experience with admission counselors to ensure it meets the admission requirements.
Additionally, if you already hold an FNP or Adult Gerontology NP degree it is possible to waive one of the courses. This will save you both time and money.
- Application Deadline: April 1st
- Contact Information:
- Phone: (404) 413-1000
- Email Address: cnhpoaa@gsu.edu
- Website
- In-state: $12,860
- Out-of-state: $13,300
Students attending Ohio University’s online PMHNP program will benefit from low-cost tuition and a relatively fast-paced program. The school offers one of the shortest PMHNP certificate programs, starting twice a year with no GRE required. In addition to a low tuition cost, students at Ohio University have access to multiple scholarships and financial aid options.
The PMHNP program at OU is ranked one of the top programs for active duty and veteran students. In addition to low tuition rates, there are services specifically designed for students’ families.
- Application Deadline:
- Spring: July 5th
- Fall: April 18th
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (740) 924-5725
- Email Address: nursing@ohio.edu
- Website*
>> Explore Ohio University's Online PMHNP Program*
6. Hawai’i Pacific University
$30,159
Hawai’i Pacific University (HPU) offers one of the fastest post-masters PMHNP programs because of its generous transfer policy. Students at HPU may transfer up to 12 eligible credits from another college into the program. While this program is entirely online, students can still access the many benefits of HPU.
The program at HPU is mobile-friendly, which means students can take advantage of classes and submit coursework on the go via their smartphone.
- Application Deadline: December 5th
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (866) 525-2280
- Email Address: admissions@online.hpu.edu
- Website
Popular Online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Programs
Learn in-depth practices in how to provide comprehensive psychiatric mental health care at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Grow your skills in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of a variety of psychiatric mental health disorders across the lifespan of patients.
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.
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 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
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE-accredited, nonprofit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, with the additional distinction of being named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Join a trusted, accredited online university to accelerate your nursing career on your schedule. Scholarships and financial aid are available.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
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
7. Wilkes University
$21,779
Also among the easiest PMHNP programs to get into, Wilkes tailors the clinical experience to each nursing student. While the didactic coursework is entirely online, students do have to complete 500 hours of in-person clinical coursework.
The team at Wilkes works with students to find clinical placements and mentors that align with the program's goals. In addition, they offer three start dates, allowing for increased flexibility for interested students.
Students interested in the Wilkes program will need to confirm their state of primary residence is authorized for the online graduate certificate program. For example, students residing in Washington, Missouri, Louisiana, and Alabama are not eligible to apply to the program due to state regulations.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (888) 413-5633
- Email Address: admissions@onlinenursingdegrees.wilkes.edu
- Website*
>> Explore Wilkes University's Online PMHNP Program*
8. Marymount University
$42,075
Students may attend Marymount's short online PMHNP certificate program without stepping on campus. However, they still have the option to meet on campus and connect with classmates and instructors.
The team at Marymount also works with students to guarantee clinical placement. This is not always the case with PMHNP certificate programs, and finding clinical placements can be stressful. Consider this when determining which program is right for you.
- Application Deadline: July 28th
- Contact Info:
- Phone Number: (703) 522-5600
- Email Address: gadmissi@marymount.edu
- Website
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What Is a PMHNP Certificate Program?
PMHNP certificate programs are for nurse practitioners (NPs) with advanced degrees who want to specialize further and become psychiatric nurse practitioners.
Certificate programs are specifically designed for individuals who have completed an MSN or DNP program and have the appropriate bedside experience in the field. Upon completion of the PMHNP certificate program, you will be able to work directly with these patients. A PMHNP certificate is not always required to work in the field, but you will most often need this specific certificate.
Depending on the program and your availability to complete the clinical portions, these programs may take one to three years. However, completing your PMHNP post-master's certificate online can help streamline your education to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
One–Year Online PMHNP Certificate Programs
While all of the PMHNP programs in this guide are fast, and most can be completed within two years, the next three are one-year online PMHNP certificate programs.
This can be crucial, especially for working individuals who are excited to start their journey in psych. It is important to remember that even though the programs can be completed in one year, all of them do require significant in-person clinical hours that can be completed at a slower pace if needed. The recommended and average length of time for certificate completion is 12 months.
Comparing Online PMHNP Certificate Program Tuition
We know how hard it can be to track down tuition information, let alone compare costs between programs since everyone lists tuition costs a little bit differently. To make it easy to compare tuition between PMHNP certificate programs, we've calculated the total program cost for you by multiplying the programs cost per credit, as listed on each school's website, by the total number of credits needed for the course. Because of this, total program amounts are approximate and may not be exact.
Popular Online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Programs
Learn in-depth practices in how to provide comprehensive psychiatric mental health care at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Grow your skills in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of a variety of psychiatric mental health disorders across the lifespan of patients.
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.
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 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
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE-accredited, nonprofit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, with the additional distinction of being named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Join a trusted, accredited online university to accelerate your nursing career on your schedule. Scholarships and financial aid are available.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
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
