ELM-MSN: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Specialty
This specialty master’s program prepares students for roles as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners for clients with psychiatric and mental health problems across the lifespan. Students learn to work respectfully and collaboratively with clients/consumers who are experiencing severe or chronic mental illnesses to determine biopsychosocial healthcare needs within a complex and changing environment. Theory and clinical coursework focuses on assessment; differential diagnosis and disease management; intervention planning; individual, family, and group psychotherapy; health promotion; and disease prevention. Mental-health-related policy, and the application of research and evidence-based practice, informs the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
The inherent equality and worthiness of those who are vulnerable and disenfranchised; the role of spirituality; the value of diversity; and the ability to engender hope, empowerment, self-responsibility, and a meaningful role in life are threaded throughout the program. Graduates are eligible to apply to the California Board of Registered Nursing for certification as a nurse practitioner, and may apply for national PMHNP certification through examination.
Contact the School of Nursing for specific program availability and locations. Prelicensure coursework must be completed prior to beginning advanced practice nursing coursework.
Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Core Courses | 10 | |
| GNRS 506 | Spiritual Concept Analysis in Health Care | 3 |
| GNRS and/or GSPH XXX Electives | 7 | |
| Academic and Advanced Practice Core Courses | 14 | |
| GNRS 510 | Family Theory in Health Care | 2 |
| GNRS 513 | Advanced Nursing Practice Role | 2 |
| GNRS 610 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| GNRS 611 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| GNRS 612 | Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning 1 | 4 (3/1) |
| Advanced Practice Specialty Courses | 29 | |
| GNRS 533 | Psychiatric Theories across the Life Span | 2 |
| GNRS 534 | Integrated Psychiatric and Health Assessment across the Life Span | 2 |
| GNRS 535 | Psychiatric Interventions and Health Promotion across the Life Span | 6 (3/3) |
| GNRS 536 | Psychiatric Mental Health Care with Adults and Older Adults | 6 (3/3) |
| GNRS 537 | Psychiatric Mental Health Care with Children and Adolescents | 6 (3/3) |
| GNRS 538 | Psychiatric Mental Health Care with Selected Populations | 5 (2/3) |
| GNRS 539 | Psychopharmacology | 2 |
| Concluding Course(s) | 1-3 | |
| GNRS 597 | Comprehensive Examination Directed Study | 1 |
| - or - | ||
| GNRS 598 & GNRS 514 | Thesis and Research Proposal Writing | 3 |
| Total Units | 54-56 | |
- 1
Units in parentheses are classroom/clinical units.
Admission
University graduate admission and program-specific requirements must be met before an application is complete (see Admission to the University). Program-specific application requirements are available online.
International students should contact Graduate and Professional Admissions for application procedures.