Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Lifespan Certificate

Curriculum

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Lifespan Certificate curriculum consists of 23 credits and is designed to be completed in four semesters. Below is the standard plan of study outlining the structured progression of coursework as you advance through the program.

Year 1, Spring

Year 1, Summer

Year 1, Fall

Year 2, Spring

Clinical Education

Clinical training at MUSC is where knowledge becomes practice and your future comes to life. We support your placement efforts whether you're in South Carolina or out of state, and our network continues to grow.

PMHNP students are required to complete clinical hours at approved sites.

Our current students are gaining hands-on experience in a wide range of clinical settings, including EMDR therapy, telehealth, school-based mental health, trauma recovery programs, substance use treatment centers, and opportunities to work with diverse and specialized populations.

A portion of your clinical time may be spent conducting psychotherapy with a PMHNP, Psychologist, or Licensed Counselor.

Out-of-State Clinical Experiences

Out-of-state applicants and students are responsible for contacting their State Board of Nursing to determine any requirements that are needed in order to complete clinical rotations as a distance student. The NCSBN provides a quick search of Prelicensure Distance Education Requirements per state . Students should notify their Program Director upon entry if there are requirements that our school must complete for Board of Nursing approval.

Currently, we cannot accept applications from students from Washington, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oregon.

Prerequisite Coursework

Applicants must have completed Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment courses for the lifespan to qualify.

Frequently Approved Prerequisites

Before applying, it's essential to ensure that any prior coursework meets the admissions requirements. MUSC provides a helpful reference list of frequently approved prerequisite courses to guide you in understanding which classes may satisfy your program's requirements. To explore the list, visit our Frequently Approved Prerequisites page.

Application Process

The following process outlines how and when your materials will be reviewed.

1. Submit the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) NursingCAS application as early as possible. After fee payment and official transcripts are received, it usually takes four to six weeks to process and verify the application. The application must be verified by the application deadline to be eligible for review.
2. Review the MUSC admissions process.
3. Complete the MUSC Supplemental Application.
4. Once both applications are complete and the AACN NursingCAS application has been verified, your application will be reviewed. Selected applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Note: Admissions decisions for the program are made approximately one month after the application deadline.

Application Requirements

• NursingCAS Application: All applicants must submit the NursingCAS application. You do not need to send any of the following information directly to MUSC.
• Letters of Recommendation: All applicants must provide three letters of recommendation from professionals knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic and nursing leadership potential.
• Official Transcripts: Applicants must provide official transcripts from all institutions attended.
• Personal Essay: All applicants must submit a personal essay.
• Resume: Applicants must provide an updated resume detailing relevant academic and professional experiences. It is highly recommended that applicants have work or volunteer experience in a health care setting.
• MUSC Application: All applicants must submit the MUSC Application.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Scores: The score report of the TOEFL is required for all applicants whose native language is not English. A TOEFL score of at least 80 is required.

International Applicants

MUSC College of Nursing degree programs are unable to admit international students requiring an F-1 visa. Applications will only be accepted from U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or those holding other valid nonimmigrant visa classifications that allow participation in lawful study while in the United States.

Cost of Attendance

Disclaimer: The Estimated Total listed above reflects an approximation of educational costs for planning purposes only. Actual expenses may vary based on individual circumstances, program requirements and annual changes in tuition, fees and other costs. The Medical University of South Carolina reserves the right to adjust tuition, fees and other charges at any time without prior notice.

Scholarships

MUSC offers scholarships for which you may be eligible. Some are awarded based on academic achievement; others are awarded based on community service, for example. However, the majority of scholarships awarded at MUSC are based on financial need. This means that these scholarships are only awarded to students who need some financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition and fees. If you would like to be considered for a financial need-based scholarship, you must have an up-to-date Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Make sure you list the Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC's code: 003438. We encourage you to submit your FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit your FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the fall.

Federal Aid

Due to federal funding guidelines, federal financial aid is unavailable to students who participate in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Lifespan Certificate program.