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Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Lifespan Certificate
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Program Overview
MUSC’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Lifespan Certificate (PMHNP) program prepares experienced nurses to provide expert, evidence-based mental health care across diverse populations and settings. Designed for working professionals, this program blends online coursework with in-person clinical experiences, fostering the confidence and clinical reasoning needed to meet complex behavioral health needs. Through close mentorship and collaboration with distinguished faculty, students gain advanced assessment and therapeutic skills that extend across the lifespan, empowering them to promote mental wellness and resilience in individuals, families, and communities.
Application Timeline
Spring Enrollment
Jul 1 – Oct 31
Learning Experience
Students experience a learning model that combines flexible online learning with immersive clinical practice guided by experienced faculty committed to clinical excellence and compassionate care.
Curriculum
Year 1, Spring (1/5/26–5/1/26)
| Course | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRDNP 861 | Neuroscience of Psychotherapeutic Interventions & Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| NRDNP 868 | Neuroscience for Advanced APRNs | 2 |
| Semester Total | 5 | |
Year 1, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26–8/14/26)
| Course | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRDNP 864 | Advanced Care Management I | 6 |
| Semester Total | 6 | |
Year 1, Fall B (8/25/25–12/12/25)
| Course | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRDNP 865 | Advanced Care Management II | 6 |
| Semester Total | 6 | |
Year 2, Spring (1/5/26–5/1/26)
| Course | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRDNP 866 | Advanced Care Management III | 6 |
| Semester Total | 6 | |
Curriculum Total: 23 Credit Hours
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.
Engage With Our Community
Students connect with a collaborative network of peers, faculty, and alumni dedicated to advancing mental health practice and shaping meaningful conversations that strengthen the nursing community.
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Your Path to Admission
Discover key information about application steps and required documentation to help you move forward with confidence.
Eligibility Requirements
All applicants must:
- Possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited program.
- Possess a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from a nationally accredited program.
- Hold an unencumbered, active advanced practice nursing (APRN) license in the state where practicums will be conducted.
- Provide evidence of national certification as a nurse practitioner in acute or primary care or as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) in psychiatric mental health nursing.
- Preferred graduates are those with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and graduate coursework, and a nursing GPA of 3.0.
Note
- Acute care or primary care nurse practitioners (NPs) or clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) in psychiatric mental health can apply for the certificate program.
- CRNAs and non-psychiatric mental health CNSs are not eligible for this program.
- GRE scores are not required for this program.
Minimum Abilities
At MUSC, we actively support all students to ensure their success in both academic and clinical settings. To support this goal, the university outlines the essential qualities and functional abilities required for participation in its educational programs. These include a range of observational, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioral skills necessary for safe and effective practice. You can view the full list of minimum abilities by visiting the Minimum Abilities page.
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.
- 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.
- Review the MUSC admissions process.
- Complete the MUSC Supplemental Application.
- 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.
Why MUSC is the right choice
Our program goes beyond textbooks. You’ll be immersed in rich, real-world experiences and learn from faculty who are passionate about mentoring the next generation of mental health leaders.
Learn to treat the whole person, not just the diagnosis through a holistic, integrated framework.
Our curriculum offers specialized training in psychiatric medication management as well as psychotherapy training opportunities in modalities including trauma-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing and Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment (COPE).
Students benefit from an integrated curriculum within an interprofessional learning environment that exposes them to a variety of disciplines and specialty areas such as telemedicine, primary care, school-based care, substance use disorders and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Funding Your Path Forward
Prospective students learn how MUSC makes advanced nursing education accessible through tuition, costs, and scholarships.
Tuition
| Fee Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application Fee (per application) | $50 |
| Matriculation Fee (upon applicant acceptance) | $485 |
Tuition and fees listed below are per semester unless otherwise noted.
Part-time
| Tuition/Fee Type | Fall | Spring | Summer | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition (per credit hour) | $835 | $835 | $835 | - |
| Out-of-state Tuition (per credit hour) | $1,120 | $1,120 | $1,120 | - |
| Part-time Student Fee | $861 | $861 | $861 | - |
| Program Fee | $285 | $285 | $285 | - |
Cost of Attendance
| Item | Year 1 | Year 2 | Est. Total* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs | |||
| Tuition - In-state/Out-of-state | $10,020/$13,440 | $10,020/$13,440 | $20,040/$26,880 |
| Health Insurance | $2,184 | $3,780 | $5,964 |
| Fees | $3,632 | $3,632 | $7,264 |
| Direct Costs Subtotal | $15,836/$19,256 | $17,432/$20,852 | $33,268/$40,108 |
| Indirect Costs | |||
| Housing/Food | $15,834 | $18,096 | $33,930 |
| Personal | $1,680 | $1,920 | $3,600 |
| Transportation | $1,890 | $2,160 | $4,050 |
| Books/Required Expenses | $5,503 | $3,855 | $9,358 |
| Indirect Costs Subtotal | $24,907/$24,907 | $26,031/$26,031 | $50,938/$50,938 |
| Total - In-state/Out-of-state | $40,743/$44,163 | $43,463/$46,883 | $84,206/$91,046 |
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.
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.
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.
Click here to visit our scholarship application system to view a complete listing of MUSC scholarships.
Career Outlook
As an experienced APRN, adding a PMHNP certification allows you to expand your scope of practice into one of the most essential and rewarding areas of health care. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners assess, diagnose, and treat individuals with mental health and psychiatric conditions using a comprehensive, evidence-based approach. This advanced credential offers you the opportunity to broaden your impact and diversify your clinical expertise.
With a PMHNP certificate, you can:
- Focus on children, adolescents, adults, or all age groups
- Provide psychotherapy, medication management, or a combination of both depending on your interests and clinical setting
- Practice in diverse settings including hospitals, private practices, specialty clinics, schools, telehealth, or community health settings
- Specialize in high-demand areas such as trauma recovery, addiction treatment, developmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, or perinatal and reproductive psychiatry
A specialized focus on relationship-building makes this a unique and rewarding specialty.
You will often be seen as an educator — advancing recognition of mental health as a fundamental component of an individual’s well-being and assisting in health care reform and policy development.
Program Faculty
Experienced nurse practitioners and educators dedicated to mentoring students and advancing excellence in psychiatric mental health care.
Hannah Robidoux, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Assistant Professor
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Should Apply to the Program?
This post-graduate certificate program is designed for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who are already certified in another population focus (e.g., FNP, AGNP, PNP) and seek additional certification as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
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Stories Worth Sharing
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Accreditation & Recognition
The program upholds the highest standards of academic quality and professional preparation, recognized for its commitment to excellence and its role in shaping trusted mental health nurse practitioners.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Lifespan Certificate program at the Medical University of South Carolina is currently under review for initial accreditation.