Program Description

The Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) prepares advanced practice registered nurses to deliver psychiatric and mental health care across the lifespan. Courses are offered asynchronously online, complemented by synchronous simulation training led by Board-Certified PMHNPs and a certified Gestalt Practitioner. Combined with clinical rotations, this experiential approach builds therapeutic presence, clinical skill, and professional confidence. Guided by evidence-based practice, graduates are equipped to provide psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic care. Housed in the WellStar College of Health and Human Services, the program partners with diverse health agencies to strengthen community connections.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to: 

1. Synthesize knowledge from nursing, related sciences, and humanities in the implementation of advanced nursing roles and specialties to improve healthcare outcomes in all healthcare settings or systems.
2. Integrate social, economic, organizational, ethical, legal, and cultural influences in planning, delivering, managing, and evaluating potential and actual healthcare problems of individuals, families, and diverse populations.
3. Employ strategies for evidence-based practice in the leadership, education, or administration of healthcare settings or systems.
4. Apply collaborative, interprofessional communication skills to improve care delivery systems, safety, quality outcomes, and patient self-care, and to expedite coordination of services across all healthcare settings or systems.
5. Employ informatics and healthcare technologies in the delivery, integration, and coordination of healthcare education, administration, or practice for individuals, families, and diverse populations.
6. Employ leadership and advocacy skills in the implementation of ethical and collaborative policies to improve quality and safety outcomes for individuals, families, and diverse populations in a variety of healthcare settings and systems.
7. Participate in the creation and translation of research and evidence-based knowledge in all healthcare settings to improve care, quality, and safety for patients, families, and diverse populations, as well as for self and the healthcare team.

This program is a part of the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services .

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Admissions, Enrollment, and Graduation Criteria

Admissions Criteria

The following are program-specific criteria beyond the general Graduate Admissions  requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be submitted to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office: 

Additional materials:

• A GPA of at least 3.0 in one of the following degrees: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS), or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing
• Current unencumbered RN license (submit copy)
• Satisfactory completion (B or higher) of three separate, comprehensive, graduate-level APRN Core courses in:
  • 1) advanced physiology/pathophysiology (including general principles that apply across the lifespan),
  • 2) advanced health assessment (which includes assessment of all human systems, advanced assessment techniques, concepts, and approaches), and
  • 3) advanced pharmacology (which includes pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics of all broad categories of agents) as evidenced on transcripts.
• Statement of purpose of approximately 1-2 pages outlining personal goals that the program will support
• One professional letter of reference from faculty or work supervisors with direct knowledge of the applicant who can address the applicant’s potential for graduate study.
• A CV or Resume that provides evidence of at least one year experience in a graduate-level nursing role, excluding orientation

Enrollment Criteria

This program does not have specific enrollment criteria; however, students are expected to meet the requirements of Academic Policy 4.0 ACADEMIC STANDING, DISMISSAL, & REINSTATEMENT .

Graduation Criteria

Each student is expected to meet the requirements outlined in Academic Policy 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION . 

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Program Course Requirements