4 Best Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in Indiana (Online & Campus) – 2025


Written By: Brooke Schmidt, RN, BSN

Is becoming a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner the right career move for you? Graduates of PMHNP programs in Indiana provide mental health services in a wide range of practice settings, including hospitals, substance abuse clinics, and community mental health agencies. The demand for their services is anticipated to grow by 54 percent within the next decade. Their earning potential is high: On average, they make $129,510 annually. They work with patients of all ages, from kids and adolescents to the elderly. Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out more about the 4 best psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in Indiana for 2025.


FOLLOWING ARE THE 4 BEST PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN INDIANA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025

(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the 4 best campus-based and online PMHNP programs in Indiana.)


1. Purdue University - West Lafayette


Programs Offered: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate

About the School: Purdue University is known as one of the best university’s for nursing education. The School of Nursing emphasizes leadership and is dedicated to preparing you for an advanced level of practice providing evidence-based psychiatric care to people of all ages.

Purdue University developed its Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs with the goal of increasing the number of qualified psychiatric and mental health providers to meet the growing needs of patients with mental or behavioral health disorders. With recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Grad Schools for both Master’s Nursing Degree and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs, it’s no wonder that the school is home to some of the best psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in Indiana.

MSN Program Details: The Purdue University MSN-PMHNP program is designed to be completed in five semesters of full-time study. However, part-time study is available with approval from the Program Director. The program features distance learning technology, with most courses delivered online and clinicals completed in-person.

The program offers a rigorous curriculum that consists of 49 credit hours. Some of the classes included in the program are Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Roles and Therapeutic Modalities, and Qualitative Initiatives Leadership APN.

Through the Purdue University psychiatric nurse practitioner program in Indiana, you will earn a minimum of 630 precepted clinical hours. After graduating, you will eligible for certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Purdue University also offers an option for bachelor's-prepared registered nurses to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice and specialize as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. The BSN-to-DNP program combines a hybrid online learning experience with in-person clinicals. Full-time students can complete the program in three years. Part-time students typically take four years or longer to graduate.

The BSN-to-DNP curriculum includes 78 credit hours earned through classes such as Human Factors in Healthcare Engineering, Principles of Epidemiology, and Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan. You will earn more than 1,000 clinical practicum hours through clinical courses and corresponding practicum experiences and a DNP Residency.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: The Post-Master's Certificate program is an excellent option for nurses who have already earned a Master of Science in Nursing. Study plans are available for both APRNs and non-APRNs and include a mix of online learning and in-person clinical experiences.

Students with an APRN certification, such as Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, may transfer up to 40 credit hours and be required to complete as few as 17 additional credit hours. APRN students can complete the program in as few as three semesters. Non-APRN students complete 49 credit hours of coursework and typically take seven semesters to graduate.

Some classes in the Post-Master’s PMHNP curriculum include Informatics in Nursing, Sociocultural Influences on Health, and Research & Evidence-Based Nursing Practice. The curriculum includes 650 preceptor-supervised clinical hours.


2. Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion


Programs Offered: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post Graduate Certificate

About the School: If you are interested in pursuing your PMHNP credentials at a faith-based college, Indiana Wesleyan University could be an excellent option. The university prides itself on preparing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to step into professional roles and become natural leaders with Christlike characteristics and behaviors.

Indiana Wesleyan University offers some of the best psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in Indiana. The university boasts nationally certified and renowned faculty dedicated to successfully guiding you through the program and preparing you for success.

MSN Program Details: The MSN program at Indiana Wesleyan University has multiple start dates throughout the year, making it easier for you to begin your studies at a time convenient to you. In 28 months or just a little over two years, you can earn a Master of Science in Nursing and eligibility for certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

The MSN-PMHNP pathway features a 16-course, 49-credit-hour curriculum. Most coursework is delivered online, and clinicals are completed in-person at designated clinical sites.

You will learn in classes, including Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Introduction to Interprofessional Practice for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Neuro-Psychopharmacology.

In this program, you will also take classes such as Advanced Health Status Assessment for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Psychotherapeutic Modalities Across the Lifespan I, II, and III, which have corresponding clinical practicums. You will complete 560 clinical hours.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Suppose you have already earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and hold a current, unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse. In that case, the Indiana Wesleyan University BSN-to-DNP program could be a great option. Your BSN puts you at an advantage, allowing you to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice without first earning an MSN. Full-time students can graduate in four years. Part-time students take five years or longer, depending on the course load. The program is featured primarily online with minimal on-campus requirements, including a health assessment course, residencies, and practicum hours.

The BSN-to-DNP program includes a 70-credit hour curriculum made up of 22 courses. In this pathway, you will study topics such as Professional Role Development for the Advanced Practice Nurse, Epidemiology & Population Health, and Critical Inquiry & Data Management.

All DNP students complete a specialized DNP project, which awards nine of the 70 required credits. Additionally, you will earn a minimum of 1,000 practicum hours, as outlined in The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice Nursing designated by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: If you are looking for a psychiatric nurse practitioner program in Indiana that offers a postgraduate certificate option, Indiana Wesleyan University could be the school for you. The Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate program can be completed in 16 months.

In this pathway, you will take nine courses and earn 27 credit hours. The curriculum is designed to expand upon the knowledge and experience you gained in your graduate nursing degree program. You will complete 525 psychiatric-relevant clinical hours.


3. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis - Indianapolis


Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate

About the School: Indiana University Purdue University offers two options for a PMHNP program in Indiana. The nursing school boasts two Center of Excellence in Nursing Education designations from the National League for Nursing. The university is known for its consistent record of preparing students for advanced-level nursing careers providing innovative and quality care across the lifespan.

The university offers excellent opportunities for nurses desiring to become Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. Renowned faculty with diverse experiences spanning many years of practice utilize their knowledge and skills to deliver the most up-to-date content to deliver a learning experience conducive to success for all PMHNP students.

MSN Program Details: Whether you’re looking to earn your degree as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner part-time or full-time, Indiana University-Purdue University has options. The MSN-PMHNP program is one of the best psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in Indiana. The program has one start date yearly and is available in a two-year full-time plan or a three-year part-time option. You will complete most of your coursework online and come to campus a few times throughout the program for laboratory intensives, skills checks, and collaboration with faculty and peers.

The program consists of 42 credit hours. You will take classes, including Substance Use/Abuse & Co-Morbid Disorders Across the Lifespan, Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan, and Measurement & Data Analysis. Clinicals begin in the second year and continue until graduation. You will complete at least 525 supervised clinical hours.

As a graduate, you will be able to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center certification as a PMHNP. You will also be able to apply for prescriptive authority through the Indiana Licensing Board.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: Indiana University Purdue University also offers a Post-Master's Certificate option, another leading PMHNP program in Indiana. This program is only available for part-time study and takes an average of two years to complete.

The Post-Master's PMHNP Certificate program features a 20-credit hour curriculum. In this pathway, you will learn in classes including Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Advanced Clinical Practice Family PMHNP Across the Lifespan. The program includes clinical courses with corresponding clinical practicum experiences through which you will earn a minimum of 525 clinical practice hours.


4. University of Southern Indiana - Evansville


Programs Offered: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate

About the School: The University of Southern Indiana is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Online Master’s Nursing Programs and Best Online Programs for Doctor of Nursing Practice. Additionally, the school reports excellent pass rates on national PMHNP certification exams for graduates of the PMHNP programs. These accolades indicate the school is an excellent choice for nurses desiring careers as Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners.

The School of Nursing at USI also boasts PMHNP faculty with a vast array of academic and clinical practice experience and a fervent dedication to student success.

MSN Program Details: The Master of Science in Nursing Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is a three-year online PMHNP program. With multiple start dates yearly, you can choose a time to begin studies that works best for you without interfering with other obligations.

In this pathway, you will earn 44 credit hours earned through PMHNP Core courses, clinical courses, and specialty courses. You will take classes such as Psychopharmacology, Healthcare Informatics, and Advanced Pathophysiology.

In addition to online classes, you will complete 655 clinical hours. It is important to note that, in this program, you are responsible for locating potential preceptors and getting pre-approval for preceptors and clinical sites.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The University of Southern Indiana also offers an online psychiatric nurse practitioner program in Indiana tailored for baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses seeking a doctoral nursing degree. The program can be completed in two to three years, depending on whether you enroll part-time or full-time.

The BSN-to-DNP program is an 80-credit hour pathway that includes graduate nursing courses, DNP Project courses, nursing clinical core courses, and specialty clinical courses. Some of the courses required to earn your degree are Evidenced Based Practice for Advanced Nursing, Cultural Diversity, and Clinical Pharmacology. All students in the BSN-to-DNP PMHNP program complete at least 1,000 clinical hours.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: If you are a registered nurse with a master’s degree, you may be eligible to pursue the Post-Master's Certificate program at the University of Southern Indiana and specializing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The program includes 26 credit hours earned through clinical core courses and PMHNP specialty courses. Some of the classes in this pathway include Advanced Concepts of Pathophysiology and Advanced Health Assessment. Like the MSN-PMHNP program, students who pursue the Post-Master's PMHNP program complete 665 specialty-relevant clinical hours.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY


Brooke Schmidt, RN, BSN
Brooke Schmidt is a registered nurse with 10 years of clinical experience. She is currently living in Oregon and enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest with her family. Brooke graduated from The University of Portland with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. During her time in school, Brooke developed a passion for geriatrics and chose a specialized practicum to gain further experience with this population.



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