Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate

The Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate is designed for those who have earned a Master’s degree in nursing and seek nurse practitioner certification, or for certified nurse practitioners who would like to specify their patient population focus.

A biopsychosocial model is used to examine issues relevant to adult mental health and illness, and prepare you to provide a wide range of mental health services across the lifespan. It includes the study and application of diagnostic and treatment modalities, theories and approaches to practice. You'll learn collaborative skills to work with other healthcare professionals to provide mental healthcare services in all settings. Upon graduation, you'll be able to deliver direct (assessment, intervention) and indirect advanced practice services (consultation, case management and supervision) to individuals who are at risk for and/or require mental health services.

Program Features

• Ranked #6 in 2020's Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs: Psychiatric Mental Health NP by U.S. News & World Report
• Ranked #16 in 2020's Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report
• An experienced and board certified faculty from Drexel's acclaimed College of Nursing and Health Professions
• Synchronous online lectures offer a highly interactive learning format that challenges and engages
• Upon completion of the program, you will become eligible for Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification through ANCC
• The post-graduate APRN certificate at Drexel University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

On-Campus Requirements

This is a high-quality program that demands a major time commitment. Because you're being trained to diagnose and treat patients, this program was designed to combine the convenience of online learning with the necessary rigor to become a highly competent, confident and advanced nurse practitioner upon graduation. Thus, while most courses are offered online, some facets of the program do require on-campus visits and a clinical practicum rotation. During your time in the program, you will participate in mandatory on-campus and/or virtual intensives. The required intensives will be held during clinical courses. Exact dates and times will be confirmed with students prior to the term.

Pennsylvania RN licensure will be required prior to the start of your clinical components. While this is not a requirement for admission, we recommend starting the process immediately after admission.

Clinicals

The nurse practitioner programs in the Department of Advanced Practice Nursing at Drexel University provide you the flexibility of finding and coordinating your own clinical site and preceptor. The department also offers resources to assist you in this process. Accessibility to clinical sites and preceptors varies from state to state, and you may be required to travel to access clinical sites/preceptors and achieve the necessary clinical hours.

Online Open Houses

Learn more about this and other nursing programs during our upcoming online open house webinar series.

Questions? We're here to help!

For application related questions:
enroll@drexel.edu

For program related questions:
College of Nursing and Health Professions Program Team
CNHPGraduateDivision@drexel.edu

*Online Nurse Practitioner programs are offered only on a part-time basis.
*State restrictions may apply to some programs.
*The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate program at Drexel University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.