We designed this program for practicing nurses, and it requires in-person engagement in NUR 680, as well as engagement in direct patient care environments. Our Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) postgraduate certificate prepares you to deliver psychiatric mental health care to underserved rural populations. You will also be eligible for state certification in Arizona, for application for prescribing and dispensing privileges in Arizona, and for application for national certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (across the lifespan).
This program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Graduates may apply for American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) national certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). As a board-certified PMHNP, the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) will engage in assessing, ordering labs/diagnostics, diagnosing psychiatric illnesses, prescribing pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions, providing psychotherapy, and evaluating the efficacy of the treatment regimen. For successful patient and population outcomes, it is essential that the PMHNP have strong therapeutic communication skills.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner (PMHNP) will be prepared to promote the well-being of vulnerable populations, patients, and their families across the lifespan from a holistic, trauma-informed, and culturally competent perspective. The PMHNP will be prepared to work independently as part of the interprofessional team in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, corrections, outpatient behavioral health/integrated health clinics, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, substance use rehabilitative hospitals, general medical or rehabilitative hospitals as a consultant, and in education.
Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program). See the “Details” tab for additional information.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 23 - 36 |
| Major GPA | 3.0 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Fieldwork Experience/Internship is required. |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| Licensure | This program may lead to licensure. |
Purpose Statement
The philosophy of the School of Nursing at Northern Arizona University is based on an ethic of caring that embraces students, faculty, staff, and the university community and the global community within which we live and work. We also believe that caring is a conscious, intentional discipline that is part of nursing’s unique body of knowledge and is practiced in interdisciplinary contexts. Caring includes the creation and nurturing of an environment that recognizes that students, staff, and faculty have unique ways of viewing the world. This philosophy promotes excellence in nursing education and practices in an environment of constant change and emerging healthcare trends.
The faculty believes the transition to the role of the competent professional nurse is a major developmental achievement. We believe that nursing is an art and science that is an integral component of health care. Applying the discipline of nursing to practice depends on a foundation of natural and human sciences, humanities and arts, the application of research, and the diverse backgrounds of learners. Societal influences in the evolving healthcare system challenge all involved in nursing education.
Education is a dynamic, life-long collaborative process by which an individual pursues life goals, broadens human potential, develops thinking, and clarifies values. The faculty believes that learning is the intentional acquisition, application, and integration of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Learning is shaped by the environment and developmental level of the learner and is ultimately the responsibility of the learner. Faculty plan, guide, and facilitate learning while supporting the learning needs of a diverse community of students. We believe that learning-centered experiences with rigorous expectations and actively engaged students to result in higher-level thinkers and graduates prepared for real-world practice. We value incorporating rural and global healthcare into a variety of educational experiences. Thus, education not only expands the thinking of the learner but increases opportunities for application.
The faculty has developed a philosophy that values diverse people, environment, health, and nursing, and their interrelatedness. The following meta-paradigm concepts guide the implementation of the organizing framework for the curriculum.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner post-graduate certificate was designed for the MSN nurse with a broad base of experience who wants to expand their skills to provide advanced practice care to people experiencing acute and chronic mental health issues. The graduate of the PMHNP post-graduate certificate will be prepared with the skills and knowledge to mitigate the disparities that many people with mental illness living in rural areas may face. The advanced practice nursing role as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner includes the components of knowledge and management of mental health care for the client and family, professional relationships, and health care delivery systems. Upon completion of the PMHNP post-graduate certificate, the graduate qualifies for seeking both national and state certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (across the lifespan).
Student Learning Outcomes
Outcomes align with Standards from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Critical Reasoning
Leadership
Professionalism and Professional Values
Global Health
Diversity Education
Environmental Sustainability
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
For the Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Practitioner Student, take the following 23 units:
*This course requires in-person engagement.
Students enrolled in this certificate may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:
This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Federal financial aid cannot be used if the certificate is completed as a stand-alone certificate.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.