Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (DNP)

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) provide mental health care for individuals across the lifespan, from infancy to old age. They also work with families and populations at risk for developing and/or having a diagnosis of psychiatric disorders or mental health problems.

PMHNPs provide mental health treatment, preventive services, consultation and leadership in hospitals, clinics, community settings and private practice. They offer a range of continuous and comprehensive services to meet patients’ needs and promote optimal mental health. This includes:

  • Building relationships with patients for ongoing care.
  • Promoting mental well-being through preventive strategies.
  • Assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health and psychiatric disorders across the lifespan.
  • Maintaining mental health through ongoing management plans.

Graduates of the PMHNP track are eligible for New York State NP certification and meet the educational requirements for national certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Course of Study

The program is open to nurses with a baccalaureate or master’s degree in nursing and may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Admitted students without a prior master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program complete 90 credits and 1130 supervised clinical practicum hours.

Students with a prior master’s degree in nursing may be eligible for advanced standing, based on an assessment of the student’s prior graduate record. Up to 42 credits for master’s courses completed with a grade of ‘B’ or better, including relevant clinical hours completed for the master’s degree, may be counted toward the 90 credits required for the DNP degree. Those eligible for advanced standing generally begin the program starting at the post-master’s plan of study. DNP Capstone courses require a total of 500 clinical practicum hours.

Course descriptions are available in the Hunter College Graduate Catalog.

Total credits for degree: 90

Sample Program Plans

PMHNP Post-Baccalaureate Plan of Study

DNP Post-Master’s Plan of Study – All Tracks

How to Apply

First, please carefully review our DNP program admission requirements. Information on the application process is available from the Office of Graduate Admissions.

For questions about the DNP program, please complete our program inquiry form.