Prepare for a rewarding career as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with a master’s degree from one of the nation’s top nursing schools.
Increase your marketability and professional options with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Master of Science, which trains nurse practitioners in the latest psychopharmacology, counseling and therapy interventions. You’ll gain the tools to assess and manage a diverse range of clients with psychiatric diagnoses—from individuals to families to communities—providing the treatment they need to live healthy, productive lives.
Graduate nursing students enrolled in the Adelphi University College of Nursing and Public Health who are also employees of Northwell Health, NYU Langone Health, or the Nassau County government are eligible for a 15 percent tuition discount on graduate programs, including the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program.
Students should check with their employers to see if they are current participants. Learn more about employer tuition reimbursement and discounts.
Healing encompasses more than simply treating symptoms; it involves recognizing and addressing both underlying intrinsic and extrinsic factors. With this understanding, the PMHNP program is committed to a holistic and comprehensive approach to mental health. PMHNP students are immersed in myriad therapy and medication treatment modalities, equipping them to treat the diverse mental health needs of individuals throughout the lifespan.
Noting that some of his graduate nursing students had barriers to success—like tech skills or communication challenges—Edmund J.Y. Pajarillo, PhD, launched the Equitable, Targeted and Structured Onboarding Program. Read about the success of this program, and how he is now collaborating with four other universities to replicate it.
At Adelphi University in New York, we believe strongly in the power of hands-on learning and the valuable role it plays in advancing our students’ careers. In the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, you’ll complete 500 hours of hands-on clinical experience in a variety of settings, including community health clinics, health maintenance organizations, specialty clinics and private medical practices.
You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to translate theory into practice in Adelphi’s Clinical Education and Simulation Lab (CESiL), which houses a wealth of supplies and equipment in order to effectively simulate a hospital setting. The center’s innovative educational features include:
The priority application deadline for fall admission is March 1. Applications for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program received after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and B or above in all science and nursing classes. They must also submit the following:
Learn about the costs you can expect, and discover how scholarships, grants and financial aid packages can put an Adelphi education within reach.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners have advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) certification as well as graduate-level education specializing in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric and mental health disorders across the lifespan. P-MHNPs prescribe and manage psychotropic medications, may provide psychotherapy, coordinate care, and focus on both medical and psychosocial aspects of mental health.
| Discipline | Difference |
|---|---|
| Nursing | PMHNPs are licensed professionals from a nursing background and assess medical/psychiatric conditions, prescribe medication, and may provide psychotherapy, emphasizing integrated medical and psychiatric care. |
| Medicine | Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD or DO) who completed a psychiatry residency. |
| Social Work | LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) have graduate education in social work and clinical licensure. Unlike PMHNPs, the focus is often on case management, advocacy, connecting clients with social services, though some provide therapy services. LCSWs do not prescribe medications. |
| Counseling | LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) / LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) have a master’s degree in counseling or related field and clinical licensure. LPCs and LMHCs primarily provides psychotherapy and counseling, career/rehabilitation services. Cannot prescribe medications. |
Career options include, but are not limited to:
Yes. Applicants need an unencumbered New York state registered nurse (RN) license issued by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of the Professions.
The program is hybrid with a combination of on-campus and online components.
