9 Best Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in Pennsylvania (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Darby Faubion BSN, RN
Pennsylvania-based psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners assess, diagnose, and treat patients who are affected by mental, emotional, and behavioral problems. PMHNPs in the Keystone State work in many different practice settings, including hospitals, community mental health agencies, substance abuse clinics, and more. Competition for their services is high and expected to get even higher; within the next 10 years, 33 percent more jobs for PMHNPs are expected to open up. Graduates of PMHNP programs in Pennsylvania earn comfortable salaries of $128,250 annually. Find out what it takes to be a PMHNP by reading these descriptions of the 9 best psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in Pennsylvania for 2025.
FOLLOWING ARE THE 9 BEST PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN PENNSYLVANIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the 9 best campus-based and online PMHNP programs in Pennsylvania.)
1. University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing - Philadelphia
Programs Offered: MSN
About the School: The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing PMHNP program is focused on improving mental health care for an increasingly diverse population. Because of the school's dedication to nursing education and increased access to mental health services, the program is considered one of the best psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in Pennsylvania.
The university is focused on removing common barriers to mental health care, such as misinformation, misdiagnosis, and a lack of focus on an individual’s cultural needs. By training nurses to have a holistic approach to mental health care, the university prepares you with the skills to deliver well-rounded, culturally competent care to people of all ages.
MSN Program Details: The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing MSN-PMHNP program offers full-time and part-time study options. So, you can choose a pathway based on your needs and availability. If you choose the full-time program, you can expect to graduate in around 14 months. If you choose the part-time option, it may take you two to five years.
The MSN-PMHNP curriculum features a
14-course-unit curriculum, which is equal to 84 credits. The program includes classes such as Cognitive Behavior Strategies in Healthcare, Family & Organizational Systems Across the Lifespan, and Mental Health & Aging. You will complete three semesters of clinical practicums that are arranged by the school and also have the chance to work on research projects with select faculty members.
The MSN-Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program in Pennsylvania at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing will prepare you for taking the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
certification examination. You will also be eligible to obtain your Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner licensure in Pennsylvania.
To qualify for this program, you must have completed your BSN and have taken one statistics course. A minimum GPA of 3.0 for your BSN program is also required.
2. Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions - Philadelphia
Programs Offered: MSN and
Post-Master’s Certificate
About the School: Drexel University is home to two of the best psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in Pennsylvania, especially if you are looking for an online option. The programs are designed to provide an interactive online learning experience that encourages you to be active and participate with other students and faculty.
With a focus on providing mental health services to people of all ages over their lifespans, you will be taught how to care for patients on an advanced-practice level. The Drexel University program highlights the importance of using evidence-based care to drive clinical decision-making.
During your time in the program, you will learn new skills and expand on the skills you obtained through your BSN. Graduates are prepared to treat and diagnose patients of all ages in a multitude of psychiatric settings. Upon completion of either program, you will be eligible to sit for the Psychiatric Mental Health Certification Examination administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
MSN Program Details: The MSN-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program offers part-time and full-time program plans, both with online course delivery. Students who enroll full-time can complete the program in 30 months. Part-time students usually graduate in three years.
While this program is offered online, there are two required in-person campus visits, during which you will participate in skills assessments and laboratory-intensive experiences.
The MSN-PMHNP program features a 52-credit hour curriculum with classes including Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan, Confronting Issues in Contemporary Healthcare Environments, and Advanced Clinical Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning. Four clinical courses with corresponding practicum allow you to earn 640 hours of experience providing in-person care to patients requiring psychiatric mental health care services.
The MSN-Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program in Pennsylvania at Drexel University is available to BSN registered nurses meeting all admission criteria. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from their BSN degree program, a current, unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse in the U.S., and one year of psychiatric nursing experience.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: If you are a registered nurse with a master’s degree in nursing seeking a PMHNP program in Pennsylvania, Drexel University could have the perfect option. The university offers an online Post-Master's PMHNP Certificate option. The program can be completed in seven semesters and will prepare you to take the ANCC's Psychiatric Mental Health Certification.
Students in the PMHNP Post-Master's Certificate program complete between 24 and 34 credits, depending on GAP analysis results. You can expect to take classes such as Psychopharmacology, Professional Issues for Nurse Practitioners, and Theoretical Foundations and Psychopathology during the program.
During the course of study, you will attend five on-campus visits to facilitate laboratory simulations and skills assessments. Before beginning any clinical rotations, you will need to have an active Pennsylvania RN license. All students in the Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate program complete a minimum of 640 clinical hours.
Admission criteria include the following. You must possess a Master of Science in Nursing degree earned at an accredited school of nursing, have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, submit all official post-secondary transcripts, provide a CV or resume, and letters of professional/academic recommendation. Candidates must possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as an RN and have at least one year of work experience in psychiatric nursing.
3. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP,
MSN-to-DNP, and
Post-Graduate Certificate
About the School: The University of Pittsburgh has a mission to prepare nurses in a way that incorporates science, health equity, and inclusion for people of all ages. The school is home to more of our featured psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in Pennsylvania. The program will help prepare you for advanced levels of practice focusing on patients with psychiatric disorders that require complex care.
University of Pittsburgh faculty strives to instill leadership skills and economic awareness into their graduates so they can make a positive impact on the patients they treat. The university offers three pathways for mental health nurse practitioner study, the BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, and Post-Graduate Certificate programs.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details The BSN-to-DNP option is a highly-ranked PMHNP program in Pennsylvania and is designed to help you become an expert in your clinical field. You can expect to complete your degree in about three years. While classes are offered in person, you can apply for distance learning if you live 50 miles or more from their Oakland campus.
The BSN-to-DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner pathway features a 93-credit hour curriculum. Some of the courses you will take in this program include Neurobiology of Psychiatric Disorders, Differential Diagnosis Theory Across the Lifespan, Psychiatric Diagnosis Theory. All BSN-to-DNP students complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours.
If you are interested in applying for this program, you will need a BSN degree earned at an accredited school of nursing, three letters of professional recommendation, a CV or resume, and a valid, unencumbered Pennsylvania RN license before starting any clinical.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The MSN-to-DNP concentration is another option for a psychiatric nurse practitioner program in Pennsylvania offered at the University of Pittsburgh. The program is designed to be completed in as few as two years, depending on the number of transferable credits and clinical hours you have. The program is available in campus-based and online formats. The online pathway is only available to candidates with a master's degree in a psychiatric focus.
The MSN-to-DNP Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program features a 36 to 45-credit-hour curriculum. In this pathway, you will study subjects including Human Genetics & Clinical Applications, Health Informatics, and Applied Statistics for Evidence-Based Practice. The program will help prepare you to be a leader in your advanced practice.
Clinical experiences are designed to give you experience providing comprehensive health management to clients with a variety of mental health diagnoses. Clinical practicum hours are completed in various healthcare settings. Students in the MSN-to-DNP PMHNP program in Pennsylvania at the University of Pittsburgh complete 640 clinical hours.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: The Post-Graduate Certificate program is a great option for nurses who have their MSN degree and are looking to further their education as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. The post-graduate PMHNP pathway includes foundational and psychiatric specialty coursework, providing you with the knowledge needed to transition to clinical courses and professional practice.
The program is available part-time or full-time and can be completed in as few as three semesters. The curriculum includes classes such as Psychopharmacology, management of Acute Health Problems of Psychiatric Patients, and Management of Chronic Health Problems of Psychiatric Patients. Students in this pathway complete a minimum of 640 clinical hours.
A GAP analysis is used to help determine the amount of time it will take you to complete your certification. Applicants must possess an MS or MSN as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist and must have earned their degree from an ACEN, ACICS, CCNE, or NLN-accredited nursing program. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required. If your GPA is 3.5 or higher, the GRE requirement may be waived. Candidates must complete a prerequisite Statistics course with a grade of "B" or higher and have at least one year of professional nursing experience as a registered nurse.
4. Robert Morris University - Moon Township
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and
Post-Master’s Certificate
About the School: Robert Morris University is a highly regarded school for preparing advanced-level practitioners. The school is nationally ranked and known for preparing students for professional practice and life after graduation. Robert Morris University offers education and training for BSN- and Master’s-prepared nurses focusing on leadership, clinical reasoning, and patient-centered care. This is accomplished through specialized courses and projects overseen by qualified faculty. They highlight the importance of clinical reasoning to ensure their PMHNP graduates are capable of providing high-quality evidence-based care.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Robert Morris University offers one of the best psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in Pennsylvania at the doctoral level, through its BSN-to-DNP pathway. The program is offered in distance learning and in-person, campus-based formats. The program can be completed in three-and-a-half to four years. An individualized plan of study will be developed with your academic advisor to meet your specific needs.
The BSN-to-DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program features an 86-credit curriculum. Coursework for the program includes classes such as Psychotherapeutic Interventions with Individuals, Management of Psychiatric Disorders Across the Lifespan, and Psychiatric Considerations in the Geriatric Population. Students in the BSN-to-DNP PMHNP pathway complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours, as per guidelines established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in the
DNP Essentials.
Candidates seeking admission to the BSN-to-DNP program must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree earned from a fully accredited nursing program and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from the BSN degree program. A current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse and at least one year of psychiatric nursing experience is also required.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: The Post-Master’s Certificate program with PMHNP focus is designed for students who have already completed a primary care nurse practitioner or adult psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program and are looking to further their education. This program requires 31 credits taken over five semesters to graduate. The classes are held one day a week either online or in person.
Coursework in the Post-Master’s PMHNP program includes classes such as Principles of Biological Psychiatry, Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan, and Psychotherapeutic Interventions with Families. The program includes 616 hours of hands-on clinical practice under the direct supervision of a faculty member or approved clinical preceptor.
Admission to the Post-Master’s PMHNP pathway requires you to have a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing earned at an accredited school of nursing, national certification as a nurse practitioner, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 in the last degree granting program. Candidates must submit a curriculum vitae or resume, an essay describing goals and expectations for their education and career. Additionally, applicants participate in an admissions interview with program faculty.
5. DeSales University - Center Valley
Programs Offered: MSN,
BSN-to-DNP, and
Post-Master’s Certificate
About the School: DeSales University is home to some of the best Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner programs in Pennsylvania. The school prides itself on preparing graduates capable of providing healthcare services to clients with a variety of mental health concerns. As a student at DeSales, you will learn to focus on patient wellness by promoting health and disease prevention and educating clients about their diagnoses and ways to manage and promote good mental health.
At DeSales University, your education will be guided by a foundation of Christian morals and ethical principles, which serve as a framework for your career as a PMHNP. Highly qualified faculty will help guide you through the program, including mentoring you through a variety of clinical experiences focused on mental health and wellness.
MSN Program Details: The MSN PMHNP program in Pennsylvania at DeSales University is available online or through a hybrid/flex format. The program is offered with a part-time study option that can be completed in three years. You may opt to pursue the degree full-time and graduate in two years.
The MSN Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program combines a blend of theoretical instruction and applied learning to prepare you for clinical practicum and professional practice. The program features a rigorous curriculum consisting of 54 credits. Classes include Psychotherapy with Individuals and Groups, Role Development with Special Populations in Psychiatry, and Behavioral Neuroscience.
As a student in the MSN-PMHNP program, you will experience clinical rotations in nationally ranked facilities. Students in the hybrid/flex pathway complete clinicals at several clinical locations throughout the Lehigh Valley. If you choose the online program, you will choose clinical placements based on where you live. All students in the MSN-Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner pathway complete a minimum of 675 clinical practicum hours.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP program was developed to save you time and provide flexibility. The BSN-to-DNP Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program in Pennsylvania at DeSales University is offered in several formats, including hybrid, face-to-face, synchronous, and online. The program, which admits students once yearly in the fall, is designed to be completed in four years of full-time study.
The curriculum consists of
85 credits. You will study in classes, including Foundations of Psychopathology, Applied Psychopharmacology, and Principles of Epidemiology & Biostatistics. In addition to coursework, students in the BSN-to-DNP program complete 675 clinical hours and 525 DNP residency hours.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: Master’s-prepared registered nurses wishing to add a new specialty or transition their practice role to psychiatric nursing care can pursue the Post-Master’s Certificate program with PMHNP focus. The program offers one start date yearly, in the fall semester and can be completed in as few as three semesters of full-time study.
The Post-Master’s PMHP Certificate program requires students to complete between 23 and 41 credits and at least 500 clinical hours. Examples of required courses include Psychotherapy with Individuals & Groups, Psychiatric Evaluation & Treatment, and Foundations in Psychopathology.
6. Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences - Lancaster
Programs Offered: MSN and
Post-Master’s Certificate
About the School: Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences is home to two of the leading online psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in Pennsylvania. With programs delivered almost entirely online, the MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate PMHNP programs are a good choice for working professionals.
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences boasts nationally renowned faculty members dedicated to student success and promoting the specialty of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. With low student-to-faculty ratios, you can expect individualized attention, in both in-person clinicals and online synchronized classes.
MSN Program Details: The MSN-PMHNP program at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences is available to nurses residing in the state of Pennsylvania. The program is geared toward registered nurses with a BSN and an active, unrestricted license to practice as an RN in Pennsylvania. Candidates seeking admission to this pathway must have two years of relevant clinical nursing experience.
The Psychiatric Mental Health NP program consists of a 51-credit curriculum, including MSN core courses, PMHNP specialty courses, clinical courses, and clinical practicum experiences. Some of the included classes you’ll take include Epidemiology and Public Health, Neuroscience of Mental Health, and Advanced Psychopharmacology. Classes are delivered through a combination of online and in-person meetings. The curriculum also has three clinical courses each with a corresponding clinical practicum. All MSN-PMHNP students complete at least 720 clinical hours.
The MSN-PMHNP program can be completed part-time or full-time. Part-time students usually complete the program in three years. Full-time students can graduate in as few as two years.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences also offers a PMHNP program in Pennsylvania designed in a Post-Master’s Certificate format. This pathway is available to registered nurses who have a Master of Science in Nursing and who possess an active, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in the state. Candidates seeking admission to the Post-Master’s PMHNP pathway must have two years of relevant psychiatric nursing experience.
The Post-Master’s Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Certificate program offers a 36-credit hour curriculum with classes such as Advanced Psychopharmacology, Neuroscience of Mental Health, and NP Role Development. Like the MSN pathway, students in the Post-Master’s PMHNP program complete three clinical courses and 720 clinical hours. Most students complete the program in two years.
7. Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre
Programs Offered: RN-to-MSN,
MSN, and
Post-Graduate Certificate
About the School: Offering some of the best Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner programs in Pennsylvania, Wilkes University has impressive pass rates for exams and offers an online experience to meet your needs. Depending on your current level of nursing education, you may choose from the RN-to-MSN, MSN, and Post-Graduate Certificate program options.
To meet the growing need for psychiatric mental healthcare providers, the university offers multiple start dates throughout the year. and strives to offer affordable tuition. By making this program readily available they want to help meet the growing need for psychiatric and mental healthcare providers.
The program will give you the foundation to provide advanced, practice-level care in psychiatric settings through critical thinking and evidence-based care practices across all ages. You will graduate from the program prepared with the skills you need to join this high-demand field.
RN to MSN Program Details: The RN-to-MSN program is for nurses who have completed their associate degree and want to pursue an MSN degree through one of the online PMHNP programs in Pennsylvania. The Psychiatric Mental Health NP-MSN track takes 36 months to complete.
In this pathway, you will complete 54 credits, 39 core course credits, and 15 specialty course credits. Classes in the RN-to-MSN PMHNP pathway include Clinical Modalities in Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice, Psychopathology, Theories, & Advanced Clinical Modalities, and Psychopharmacology.
Coursework is delivered online, and clinical hours are earned at approved clinical sites near your home. All students in the RN-to-MSN pathway complete at least 584 clinical hours to meet graduation requirements.
MSN Program Details: In a little over two years, you can earn a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Psychiatric Mental Health nursing. This pathway is an option for BSN-prepared registered nurses desiring a graduate degree and a career as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. The program takes 28 months to complete and is offered in an online format.
The program features a 43-credit hour curriculum with classes, including Diagnostic Reasoning for Nurse Practitioners, Health Policy & Politics for Advancing Nursing Practice, and Health Perspectives of Culturally Diverse, Rural & Underserved Populations. The MSN-PMHNP program consists of two clinical courses, each with a residency requirement. Students in this pathway complete at least 584 clinical practice hours.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: Wilkes University offers another PMHNP program in Pennsylvania, the Post-Graduate Certificate program with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner concentration. This online program features three start dates yearly and can be completed in as few as three semesters. The program is available to registered nurses with an MSN or DNP who have an active, unencumbered RN license.
The 24-credit Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate program includes classes such as Psychopharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology. Coursework is delivered online and clinicals take place in-person near your home. Post-Graduate PMHNP students complete at least 500 hours of hands-on clinicals.
8. La Salle University - Philadelphia
Programs Offered: MSN and
Post-Master’s Certificate
About the School: To meet the growing demands in the community for qualified mental health professionals, La Salle University proudly offers two options for a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program in Pennsylvania, the MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program and Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate program. With three start dates yearly, you can begin your studies at a time best suited to meet your academic needs.
MSN Program Details: The LaSalle University MSN-PMHNP program is one of the leading online psychiatric nurse practitioner programs in Pennsylvania. The online program features a curriculum of 46 credits. Students take core courses, advanced core courses, and Psychiatric Mental Health NP track courses. Some classes in this pathway include Psychopharmacology, Family Systems Concepts for Primary Care, and Advanced Pathophysiology.
The program includes three clinical courses each with a corresponding clinical practicum. By the time you graduate, you will have earned at least 704 hours of direct patient care practice.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: Master’s-prepared registered nurses have the option of pursuing the La Salle University Post-Master’s Certificate program with PMHNP concentration. The program can typically be completed in 18 months of full-time study. However, the amount of time it takes students is determined on a case-by-case basis according to the results of a GAP analysis.
Coursework in the Post-Master's PMHNP Certificate curriculum includes Family Systems Concepts for Primary Care, Advanced Health Assessment, and Advanced Pathophysiology. Like the MSN program, students in this pathway complete three clinical courses and 704 clinical hours.
9. York College of Pennsylvania - York
Programs Offered: MSN and
Post-Master’s Certificate
About the School: To meet the growing demand for mental health care providers, York College provides another excellent option for PMHNP programs in Pennsylvania. The university is dedicated to training nurses to provide specialized care to patients with a multitude of mental health disorders and offers an MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate program, both with the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner concentration.
York College of Pennsylvania highlights the importance of having a theoretical foundation and exposing students to varied healthcare settings to prepare them for their future careers. Flexible online classes, in-person clinicals, and personalized mentoring throughout the program are a few reasons the college is considered one of the best for PMHNP students. If you want an academic experience that prepares you to impact the health and wellness of others, York College of Pennsylvania is a great choice!
MSN Program Details: The MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is an option available to registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a valid Pennsylvania RN license, and an undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.0. The program offers six start dates yearly and can be completed in 24- 36 months.
The MSN-Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program in Pennsylvania at York College of Pennsylvania offers a 48-credit hour curriculum with classes such as Advanced Diagnosis & Psychopathology Across the Lifespan, Advanced Psychotherapeutic Treatment Modalities Across the Lifespan, and Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan. You will complete 672 clinical hours.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: If you are a registered nurse with an MSN and an active, unrestricted license to practice as an RN in Pennsylvania, the Post-Master’s Certificate program at York College of PA could be a great option. The program offers six start dates and flexible class scheduling and can be completed in as few as 12 months.
The Post-Master's PMHNP Certificate program offers a five-course, 22-credit hour curriculum. Some of the classes you'll take in this pathway include Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan, Advanced Diagnosis and Psychopathology Across the Lifespan, and Advanced Psychotherapeutic Treatment Modalities Across the Lifespan. Four of the courses in this pathway include a corresponding clinical practicum. Students complete at least 672 clinical hours to meet graduation requirements.
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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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