Best Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in West Virginia (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Darby Faubion BSN, RN
Looking for a way to level up your nursing career in West Virginia? As a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, you’ll earn $124,910 a year to diagnose, treat, and manage psychiatric and behavioral conditions. Many residents of the Mountain State live in rural areas where mental health services are hard to come by, and graduates of PMHNP programs in West Virginia often serve as primary mental healthcare providers. Demand for their services will increase by 52 percent within the next decade. If you’re an RN with a passion for understanding the human mind, this could be the career trajectory for you. Find out more by reviewing the list below of the best PMHNP programs in West Virginia.
FOLLOWING ARE THE BEST PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN WEST VIRGINIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the best campus-based and online PMHNP programs in West Virginia.)
1. West Virginia Wesleyan College - Buckhannon
Programs Offered: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and MSN-to-DNP
MSN Program Details: In collaboration with Shenandoah University, West Virginia Wesleyan College offers one of the top PMHNP programs in West Virginia. The program is available in three pathways, one of which is the Master of Science in Nursing. The PMHNP program is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses who are academically and clinically prepared to provide a wide range of psychiatric services.
Classes are online with limited campus residencies required. After completing graduate core courses at West Virginia Wesleyan College, you will enroll at Shenandoah University to complete specialty courses. Clinical practicum experiences are arranged in your hometown. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a Master of Science in Nursing degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a post-graduate APRN certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health NP from Shenandoah University and be eligible to sit for national certification.
The MSN PMHNP program requires students to complete 51 to 54 credits. The curriculum features classes, including Human Diversity & Health Promotion for Advanced Practice Nursing, Group, Family, & Community Theory, Geriatric Primary Mental Health Nursing, and Applied Pharmacology & Therapeutics. In this program, you will complete a minimum of 600 precepted clinical hours. Clinicals will occur in various settings, including inpatient, outpatient, community health, and veteran’s health facilities, when available. You will have opportunities to provide care for patients of all ages during your practicum experiences.
MSN Admission Requirements: Prospective students desiring admission to the MSN Psychiatric Mental Health NP program must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited nursing program and a current, unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse. You must complete a Graduate Nursing Application. The application includes sections to upload proof of your current, unrestricted RN license, a curriculum vitae, three professional references, an admission essay, and official college transcripts from all post-secondary schools you have attended with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and want to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at the highest level of clinical practice, the BSN-to-DNP program at West Virginia Wesleyan College is an option worth considering. The post-baccalaureate program admits students in the fall annually and takes four years to complete on a part-time basis.
The program features a 79-credit hour curriculum consisting of online coursework, limited campus-based residencies, and clinical practicums in your home region. The plan of study includes DNP core courses, Advanced Practice Foundation courses, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty courses, and Practicum and Capstone Project courses. All students are required to complete at least 1,000 preceptor-supervised clinical hours. Clinical hours are earned through direct patient care and completion of your Capstone Project, which is required of all students in this pathway.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Applicants for the BSN-to-DNP program at West Virginia Wesleyan College must be graduates of an accredited BSN program and have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Candidates are required to complete a Graduate Studies Admission Application and submit a 300–500-word statement regarding a topic of interest for a DNP project, official undergraduate transcripts, a current curriculum vitae or resume, three letters of professional reference, and proof of an unencumbered RN license. An interview with West Virginia Wesleyan College and Shenandoah University may be required.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The MSN-to-DNP program at WVWC offers the opportunity for master’s-prepared registered nurses to earn a terminal nursing degree and specialize as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. New classes are admitted annually in the fall. The program features online coursework complemented by one-on-one attention from faculty and clinicals close to your hometown.
The post-master’s plan of study requires a minimum of 37 credits. After a review of your previous transcripts, an individualized plan of study, including any required PMHNP specialty courses, will be developed to determine the total number of credits you need to complete the PMHNP program. DNP students are required to complete 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. An analysis of the clinical hours you completed in your master's program will determine the number of clinical hours you must complete in this MSN-to-DNP pathway.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates seeking admission to the MSN-to-DNP program must be graduates of an accredited Master of Science in Nursing program who hold a current, unrestricted RN license. In addition to completing a graduate application, applicants are asked to provide three letters of professional recommendation, an admission statement, proof of current, unrestricted RN license, and official transcripts reflecting an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The West Virginia Wesleyan College School of Nursing boasts a state-of-the-art simulation lab with cutting-edge technologies designed to prepare students for diverse nursing opportunities.• At West Virginia Wesleyan College, you will have support from dedicated faculty and staff, including a Clinical Placement Coordinator. Faculty, staff, and other support personnel will collaborate with you and provide guidance throughout the program to ensure you have the tools you need to succeed in the program and beyond.
• West Virginia Wesleyan College believes education should be an option for every nurse. In an effort to make the dream of earning a degree achievable, the school reduced tuition rates for graduate nursing programs. The new rate is now one of the lowest tuition rates in the state!
2. West Virginia University - Morgantown
Programs Offered: Post-Graduate Certificate
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: West Virginia University offers an opportunity for currently licensed and certified advanced practice nurses to earn a Post-Graduate APRN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate. This PMHNP program in West Virginia is an excellent option for nurses who want to add a new specialty and wish to broaden their professional reach and scope of practice. The program can be completed in three semesters.
The Post-Graduate Certificate program is a 21 to 25-credit program. The curriculum includes five didactic courses and two variable credit clinical courses. All didactic coursework is delivered in an online format. Courses focus on the application of advanced, evidence-based, and therapeutic psychiatric mental health nursing practice across the lifespan. In this program, you will take classes such as Neuro-Psychopharmacology, Psychotherapy Modalities, PMHNP Management of Child & Adolescent, and PMHNP Management of Adults.
The program requires students to complete a minimum of 540 clinical hours. Students work with faculty to identify preceptors for clinical practicum courses. In the fall term, you will complete 30 observational hours with a licensed and credentialed therapist. You will complete the remaining 510 clinical hours in the following spring and summer semesters. Clinical practicums include care of patients, children, and adolescents.
Post-Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements: Eligible applicants for the Post-Graduate Certificate program at WVU hold a Master of Science in Nursing degree or higher from a nationally accredited nursing program and a regionally accredited college or university and have an active, unrestricted RN license in the state where clinical hours will be completed and national certification and licensure as an APRN.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until July. The entry term varies from student to student. Candidates must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Transcripts should reflect a cumulative college GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and evidence of completion of graduate-level courses in advanced pharmacotherapeutics, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced physical assessment.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• At West Virginia University, the PMHNP program is taught by advanced practice nurses with years of experience in clinical nursing and nursing education. Their valuable insight and dedication to the nursing profession will help guide you through the program, helping to promote your success.• As a nurse educator, I encourage potential students to check program outcomes and student success rates when choosing a school. The PMHNP program at West Virginia University has excellent retention and completion rates. The school also reports high national certification pass rates and job placement rates. Each of these is an excellent indicator that the program is strong and prepares students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed while in the program and after graduation.
• West Virginia University is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in categories, including Best Nursing Schools.
3. Marshall University - Huntington
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Program Details: If you are searching for a PMHNP program that offers in-person learning, Marshall University has the perfect option! The MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is a cooperative effort between Marshall and Shenandoah University. The program admits students in the Fall and Spring of each year.
Coursework for the program combines classroom, laboratory, and clinical learning modalities. The MSN PMHNP program requires completion of at least 54 credits. You will complete the first 25 credit hours at Marshall University and then transfer to Shenandoah University to complete the remaining 29 credits of specialty psychiatric mental health specialty courses. The curriculum features classes, including Behavioral Neuroscience & Psychopharmacology, Management of Complex Mental Health Across the Lifespan, Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Adults, and Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Geriatrics.
The program includes 600 hours of precepted clinical practicum. Although you are required to identify clinical sites and preceptors, program faculty and coordinators will collaborate with you to ensure you have adequate experiences.
MSN Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the PMHNP program in West Virginia at Marshall University, you must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing program and hold a current, unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse in a U.S. jurisdiction. Candidates must complete a University Graduate School Application and MSN Application. You are required to provide college transcripts reflecting an overall college GPA of 3.0 or higher and evidence of completion of a 3-credit undergraduate Basic Statistics course and a 3-credit undergraduate Basic Research course, with a grade of "C" or better in each class. It is strongly preferred that MSN students have at least two years of full-time nursing experience prior to beginning the program. Additionally, all PMHNP program applicants must interview with Shenandoah University faculty before the application deadline.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Marshall University has a record of preparing graduates for success! The PMHNP program at Marshall University boasts a 100% pass rate on national certification exams, which is a crucial factor to consider when choosing the school where you want to earn your degree.• At Marshall University, students have access to several scholarship opportunities. Merit-based and private scholarships can help significantly reduce the cost of earning your degree. Financial aid advisors are available to answer questions and guide you through the application process.
• The PMHNP program at Marshall University is taught by doctorally-prepared faculty with decades of combined experience. As a student in this program, you can feel confident that you will receive the guidance you need to prepare to become an effective Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
HOW MUCH DO PMHNP GRADUATES MAKE IN WEST VIRGINIA?
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF PMHNP PROGRAMS IN WEST VIRGINIA EXPECT?
| Hourly | $44.18 |
| Weekly | $1,767 |
| Monthly | $7,660 |
| Annual | $91,900 |
HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF PMHNP PROGRAMS IN WEST VIRGINIA EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $44.18 | $1,767 | $7,660 | $91,900 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $49.99 | $2,000 | $8,670 | $103,980 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $59.01 | $2,360 | $10,230 | $122,740 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $65.72 | $2,629 | $11,390 | $136,690 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $78.53 | $3,141 | $13,610 | $163,350 |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PMHNP SALARY IN WEST VIRGINIA?
| Hourly | $60.05 |
| Weekly | $2,402 |
| Monthly | $10,410 |
| Annual | $124,910 |
HOW MUCH DO PMHNPS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF WEST VIRGINIA?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Beckley | $59.60 | $2,384 | $10,330 | $123,970 |
| Charleston | $57.02 | $2,281 | $9,880 | $118,610 |
| Huntington-Ashland | $60.31 | $2,412 | $10,450 | $125,440 |
| Morgantown | $62.71 | $2,508 | $10,870 | $130,440 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna | $58.81 | $2,353 | $10,190 | $122,330 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | $58.90 | $2,356 | $10,210 | $122,520 |
| Wheeling | $62.59 | $2,503 | $10,850 | $130,180 |
PMHNP SALARY IN WEST VIRGINIA VS. OTHER SALARIES
PMHNP SALARY IN WEST VIRGINIA VS. PMHNP SALARY IN THE NATION
| Average West Virginia PMHNP Annual Salary | Average National PMHNP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $124,910 | $141,470 | -$16,560 | -11.71% |
PMHNP SALARY IN WEST VIRGINIA VS. PMHNP SALARIES IN OTHER STATES
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $177,860 | -$52,950 | -29.77% |
| Nevada | $163,690 | -$38,780 | -23.69% |
| Washington | $160,090 | -$35,180 | -21.98% |
| New Jersey | $159,680 | -$34,770 | -21.77% |
| Oregon | $159,590 | -$34,680 | -21.73% |
| Massachusetts | $158,560 | -$33,650 | -21.22% |
| New York | $157,260 | -$32,350 | -20.57% |
| Connecticut | $150,820 | -$25,910 | -17.18% |
| New Mexico | $150,590 | -$25,680 | -17.05% |
| Minnesota | $148,650 | -$23,740 | -15.97% |
| District of Columbia | $148,470 | -$23,560 | -15.87% |
| Rhode Island | $146,940 | -$22,030 | -14.99% |
| Hawaii | $146,010 | -$21,100 | -14.45% |
| Arizona | $145,950 | -$21,040 | -14.42% |
| Delaware | $144,350 | -$19,440 | -13.47% |
| Iowa | $144,040 | -$19,130 | -13.28% |
| New Hampshire | $143,950 | -$19,040 | -13.23% |
| Texas | $143,140 | -$18,230 | -12.74% |
| Wisconsin | $141,290 | -$16,380 | -11.59% |
| Maryland | $140,920 | -$16,010 | -11.36% |
| Utah | $140,730 | -$15,820 | -11.24% |
| North Dakota | $140,670 | -$15,760 | -11.20% |
| Pennsylvania | $140,320 | -$15,410 | -10.98% |
| Illinois | $139,720 | -$14,810 | -10.60% |
| Alaska | $138,920 | -$14,010 | -10.08% |
| Vermont | $138,840 | -$13,930 | -10.03% |
| Montana | $137,230 | -$12,320 | -8.98% |
| Idaho | $137,130 | -$12,220 | -8.91% |
| Oklahoma | $136,890 | -$11,980 | -8.75% |
| Wyoming | $136,040 | -$11,130 | -8.18% |
| Indiana | $135,780 | -$10,870 | -8.01% |
| Maine | $135,360 | -$10,450 | -7.72% |
| Ohio | $135,280 | -$10,370 | -7.67% |
| Colorado | $134,310 | -$9,400 | -7.00% |
| Nebraska | $133,970 | -$9,060 | -6.76% |
| North Carolina | $133,870 | -$8,960 | -6.69% |
| Georgia | $133,390 | -$8,480 | -6.36% |
| South Dakota | $133,200 | -$8,290 | -6.22% |
| Virginia | $133,080 | -$8,170 | -6.14% |
| Michigan | $132,870 | -$7,960 | -5.99% |
| Florida | $131,800 | -$6,890 | -5.23% |
| Kansas | $131,320 | -$6,410 | -4.88% |
| Louisiana | $130,660 | -$5,750 | -4.40% |
| Mississippi | $129,360 | -$4,450 | -3.44% |
| South Carolina | $128,750 | -$3,840 | -2.98% |
| Missouri | $128,470 | -$3,560 | -2.77% |
| West Virginia | $124,910 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Arkansas | $124,870 | +$40 | +0.03% |
| Kentucky | $121,520 | +$3,390 | +2.79% |
| Alabama | $121,130 | +$3,780 | +3.12% |
| Tennessee | $114,200 | +$10,710 | +9.38% |
PMHNP SALARY IN WEST VIRGINIA VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN WEST VIRGINIA
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $232,410 | -$107,500 | -46.25% |
| Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | $124,910 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary | $81,800 | +$43,110 | +52.70% |
| Registered Nurse | $75,990 | +$48,920 | +64.38% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $50,090 | +$74,820 | +149.37% |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,340 | +$89,570 | +253.45% |
PMHNP SALARY IN WEST VIRGINIA VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN WEST VIRGINIA
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $181,980 | -$57,070 | -31.36% |
| Optometrist | $135,680 | -$10,770 | -7.94% |
| Veterinarian | $128,570 | -$3,660 | -2.85% |
| Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | $124,910 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Physician Assistant | $121,790 | +$3,120 | +2.56% |
| Pharmacist | $121,000 | +$3,910 | +3.23% |
| Physical Therapist | $94,130 | +$30,780 | +32.70% |
| Occupational Therapist | $87,460 | +$37,450 | +42.82% |
| Radiation Therapist | $80,660 | +$44,250 | +54.86% |
| Chiropractor | $79,660 | +$45,250 | +56.80% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $75,260 | +$49,650 | +65.97% |
| Audiologist | $73,010 | +$51,900 | +71.09% |
| Dental Hygienist | $68,820 | +$56,090 | +81.50% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits PMHNP Programs In West Virginia?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Accredited PMHNP Schools Are There In West Virginia?
| 3 |
3. On Average, How Much Does A Psychiatric NP Make Per Hour In West Virginia?
| $60.05 |
4. On Average, How Much Does A Psychiatric NP Make Per Week In West Virginia?
| $2,402 |
5. On Average, How Much Does A Psychiatric NP Make Per Month In West Virginia?
| $10,410 |
6. On Average, How Much Does A Psychiatric NP Make Per Year In West Virginia?
| $124,910 |
7. What Is The Job Outlook For PMHNPs In West Virginia?
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
| +52.35% |
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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