Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Mission Statement

The mission of the School of Nursing is to be Christ-centered, people-focused, student-oriented, quality-driven, and future-directed in preparing qualified persons to serve a diverse population through the holistic profession of nursing.

Components for Learning

At AU, we offer a flexible program catered to you, the working nurse. If you are a RN with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, you can apply directly to the MSN program.

All classes are offered online, so you can learn anywhere. You will still meet your cohort and professors in person during a 2-3 day session, held once per semester.

In addition to coursework, you will complete hands-on clinical training. Your clinical and in-class experiences at AU will prepare you for the standardized national examinations you must take to become certified to practice in your field.

Special Requirements for Admission

Minimum requirements:

• Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 averaged from all nursing degree programs.
• Active and unencumbered RN license
• CPR certification
• Current immunization record by start of program

Application Process

• Complete online application and pay application fee
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Statement
• Official Transcripts from all former academic institutions
• Resume

The MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track is a 51 credit hour program designed to train nurses to function at the level of an Advanced Practice Nurse and be eligible to test with the American Nurses Credentialing Center to obtain board certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).  This mostly online program can be completed in five semesters if full time, or eight semesters if part-time and incorporates 750 clinical hours in all populations (pediatrics, adolescents, adults, older adults) and are well positioned to assume roles in a variety of settings that treat those with mental illness, addictions, or other emotional problems.  Students come to campus 2-3 days mid semester to meet faculty, interact with their classmates, and learn new skills to help them to be successful in their field. 

Graduation Requirements

Anderson University School of Nursing Graduate Programs are cohort based. Student must have an overall GPA of a 3.0. In addition, students must have a B or higher in Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Assessment Processes in Mental Health Across the Lifespan, Management of Behavioral Health Populations Across the Lifespan Psychopharmacological Therapies Across the Lifespan, and Management of the Complex Mental Health Client Across the Lifespan.

Limitation in Completion of Requirements

A student in the MSN program must complete all degree requirements within five (5) years. A student in the DNP program must complete all degree requirements within seven (7) years. Time limits are computed from and include the first semester of credit applied to the degree program. Students who do not enroll for three (3) consecutive semesters are subject to all program policies, guidelines, and requirements in place at the time of re-enrollment. This guideline does not mean the student has the option of taking five (5) or seven (7) years to complete the degree if their track is a full-time cohort model.