4 Best Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in New Jersey (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Darby Faubion BSN, RN
The demand for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners is high in the Garden State. Like many other parts of the U.S., the COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey exacerbated an existing crisis in access to mental health services. Demand for the services of graduates of PMHNP programs in New Jersey is high and expected to increase by 61 percent in the next decade. Garden State PMHNPs make excellent salaries, too, averaging $152,400 annually. Is this a career track that appeals to you? Learn more about it by reading up on the 4 best psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in New Jersey for 2025.
FOLLOWING ARE THE 4 BEST PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN NEW JERSEY (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the 4 best campus-based and online PMHNP programs in New Jersey.)
1. Rutgers School of Nursing - Newark
About the School: Rutgers School of Nursing is dedicated to preparing nurse practitioners to address mental health care concerns for patients across the lifespan and in various settings in the state of New Jersey. U.S. News ranks Rutgers School of Nursing as one of the Best Nursing Schools for Doctor of Nursing Practice. The school is also recognized as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. So, it is no wonder that the school is an excellent choice if you are searching for one of the best Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner programs in New Jersey.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP PMHNP program in New Jersey at Rutgers School of Nursing is one of only a few DNP-psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in the state available to baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses. The program, which is offered in a hybrid format combining online and in-person classes, admits students once yearly in the fall semester.
The 78-credit program is available in four- and five-year study plans. Some of the topics of study in the program include Principles of Psychopharmacology, theoretical Foundations of Psychotherapy, and Biopsychosocial Assessment & Differential Diagnosis in Advanced Practice Nursing. In this program, you will participate in 720 precepted clinical practicum hours. Additional clinical hours are awarded through completion of the required DNP Scholarly Project. All students must complete a minimum of 1,000 total clinical hours to meet graduation and certification requirements.
2. Fairleigh Dickinson University - Teaneck
About the School: Fairleigh Dickenson University's School of Nursing has educated nursing students since 1952. The school's dedication to professional nursing and the development of skilled nurses is evident as the school is ranked by U.S. News & World Report for Best Nursing Schools: Master's and Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice. The school offers two options for students to pursue the best psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in New Jersey.
MSN Program Details: At Fairleigh Dickinson University, you can pursue a Master of Science in Nursing with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner concentration online or in the classroom. The MSN-PMHNP program includes a 39-credit hour curriculum consisting of nursing core requirements and specialty advanced nursing practice courses, which can be completed in as few as two years. Classes in this pathway include Psychopharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Family Systems. Students in the MSN Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program also participate in at least 555 clinical practice hours.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: If you have an MSN degree and an active, unrestricted RN license, the Post-Master's Certificate PMHNP program in New Jersey at Fairleigh Dickenson University could be a great option. The program, which offers online coursework and in-person clinicals, can be completed in three semesters. The program includes 24 credits earned through courses, including Advanced Practice Role Development, Advanced Psychology I, II, and III (Children, Adults, Geriatrics), and Psychopharmacology. In this pathway, students complete 555 clinical hours.
3. Monmouth University - West Long Branch
About the School: The Monmouth University Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies offers some more excellent Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner programs in New Jersey. The School of Nursing features faculty members with diverse experiences in clinical practice, research, and nursing education. The school is ranked by U.S. News in the Best Nursing Schools: Master's category, indicating it is an excellent choice for pursuing a PMHNP-focused Master of Science in Nursing.
MSN Program Details: The Master of Science in Nursing PMHNP program in New Jersey at Monmouth University prepares students to provide comprehensive mental health care, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders for clients across the lifespan. The program is delivered in a hybrid format and can be completed in as few as two years.
The PMHNP program features a 45-credit hour curriculum with classes such as Pathophysiology & Histology, Diagnosis & Treatment of Psychopathy, and Education & Motivation of Nursing Clients. Students complete at least 700 clinical hours.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: The Post-Master's Certificate PMHNP program is a 33-credit pathway designed for registered nurses with an MSN and at least one year of experience as a registered nurse. The program features online coursework and in-person clinical experiences and can be completed in 18 months.
The Post-Master's PMHNP Certificate pathway includes classes such as Psychopharmacology & Introduction to Therapy, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Practice with Children & Adolescents, and Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. The PMC Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program requires students to complete 700 hours of clinical practicum.
4. Rowan University - Glassboro
About the School: Rowan University offers two pathways for students interested in pursuing psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in New Jersey. The university is known as a Yellow Ribbon School, as it is military friendly. Graduates of the Rowan University Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program have excellent national certification exam pass rates and high employment placement ratings, indicating the school prepares students well for certification and professional practice.
MSN Program Details: The Rowan University MSN-Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program will prepare you to assess and diagnose clients, and provide psychotherapy and psychopharmacotherapy to patients and families across the lifespan dealing with mental health disorders or at the risk for them. The program is offered in a part-time hybrid format, combining online courses, in-person classes, and face-to-face clinical experiences. The program offers three start dates yearly and is offered in part-time and full-time study plans allowing students to graduate in two to three years.
The program features a 53-credit hour curriculum including core nursing courses, nurse practitioner core courses, and PMHNP specialty courses. You will study classes such as Theoretical Foundations of Psychotherapy Across the Life Span, Biopsychosocial Assessment & Differential Diagnosis, and Principles of Psychopharmacology Across the Life Span. The curriculum also includes 600 clinical practice hours in various mental health settings.
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study Program Details: Registered Nurses with at least a Master of Science in Nursing degree can pursue the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program in New Jersey at Rowan University. The program is offered in a hybrid format and can be completed in as little as one year, including a summer semester.
This pathway offers a 27-credit curriculum including classes such as Behavior Therapy: Care of the Adult and the Older Adult and Family, Care of the Child & Adolescent & Family, and Biopsychosocial Assessment & Differential Diagnosis. Students in the Advanced Graduate program complete 600 clinical practicum hours.
Darby Faubion BSN, RN
Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years of experience. She has assisted in developing curriculum for nursing programs and has instructed students at both community college and university levels. Because of her love of nursing education, Darby became a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach and assists nursing graduates across the United States who are preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
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