15 Best Shortest PMHNP Online Programs (Less Than 24-Months) – 2024

Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH

So, you want to be a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Congratulations! This area of healthcare is in high demand right now and is super-rewarding on a personal level.

Once you’ve made up your mind, there are good reasons to pursue your PMHNP degree quickly: You’ll probably end up spending less on tuition and land your dream job that much sooner. If you’ve been wondering, “What are the fastest online PMHNP programs?” we’ve got your answer. Keep reading to find out the inside skinny on the 15 best shortest PMHNP online programs for 2024.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE GOAL OF A FAST-TRACK PMHNP ONLINE PROGRAM?

The shortest online PMHNP programs let you sit for your Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner board certification exam much sooner so that you can begin working professionally in the mental healthcare field more quickly.

HOW MANY CREDITS ARE THERE IN THE SHORTEST ONLINE PMHNP PROGRAMS?

The PMHNP concentrations at most nursing programs have been designed to meet standards for advanced practice education mandated by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, so there isn’t an enormous amount of variation between programs. The PMHNP curricula of the schools on this list range between 40 and 59 credits.

For example, Northern Kentucky University’s short online PMHNP program consists of 46 credits, while Texas State University’s program consists of 40 credits. But the program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions consists of 59 credits because you are essentially enrolling in two programs: a 32-credit MSN program and a 27-credit PMHNC certificate program.

Some fast-track online PMHNP programs use the quarter system rather than the semester system. For example, National University’s PMHNP program consists of 87 quarter credits. You convert quarter credits to semester credits by dividing by 1.5. Eighty-seven quarter credits, thus, equals 58-semester credits.

HOW LONG ARE THE SHORTEST PMHNP ONLINE PROGRAMS?

Fast-track online PMHNP programs take less than two years to complete. The programs’ promotional websites can be a little misleading, though, particularly if they describe completion length in semesters rather than months. “Five semesters” can be a variable length of time because some semesters may be 14 weeks long while others may be 18 weeks long. In the former instance, “five semesters” will equal 70 weeks or 16 months, while in the latter case, “five semesters” will equal 90 weeks or 21 months.

You can complete the online PMHNP program at Saint Thomas University in as few as 18 months, while the program at Texas State University can be completed in as few as 15 months. National University offers the quickest online PMHNP program: You can complete this program in a single year if you put your mind to it.

HOW MUCH DO THE SHORTEST PMHNP ONLINE PROGRAMS COST?

Shorter online PMHNP programs cost about the same amount that longer PMHNP programs cost. Keep in mind, though, that online PMHNP programs are not cheap: Between tuition and add-on fees, they can cost you anywhere between $20,000 and $100,000. If a nursing program knows the tuition it charges is one of its competitive advantages, it will generally publish a tuition estimate on the same page that describes the program. Note, too, that many programs charge higher tuition for out-of-state residents.

There’s a lot of variation in costs between the programs described here. Northern Kentucky University, for example, estimates its total program tuition as slightly more than $27,000, while West Coast University’s tuition is $53,000.

WHAT ARE THE BEST SHORTEST PMHNP ONLINE PROGRAMS IN THE NATION?

(The following 15 best shortest online PMHNP Programs for 2024 are ideal for nurses who wish to become psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners in twenty-four months or less.)

1. University of Mississippi Medical Center - Jackson, MS

Program Length:

5 Semesters

Program Details:

If you’re looking for a way to earn your psychiatric nurse practitioner credential in less than three years, check out the fast online PMHNP program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. UMMC’s program is actually a Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree, but it covers the same syllabus as a more traditional Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree. Its 46-credit curriculum consists of 16 courses, most of which are taught entirely online, using both synchronous and asynchronous learning technologies.

For one full day per semester, however, you’ll need to come to the university’s campus in Jackson, Mississippi, to participate in a live clinical simulation experience that focuses on your mental health specialty. You’ll also be responsible for completing 630 hours of precepted clinical work that’s relevant to the PMHNP specialization, which must be carried out in the State of Mississippi. But you’re not compelled to do your clinical rotations at clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, or correctional settings within the Greater Jackson Metropolitan Area; you can do them in any part of the Magnolia State.

How Short is University of Mississippi Medical Center's Online PMHNP:

Like many of the best shortest PMHNP online programs, the University of Mississippi Medical Center admits students once a year at the beginning of the fall semester. You’ll take three basic MSN courses in the fall and spring of your first year and begin your mental health specialization during summer with a 180-hour clinical rotation, a course on “Clinical Assessment of Persons with Mental Health Problems,” and two more basic MSN classes.

In the fall and spring of your second year, you’ll continue taking a mix of basic MSN classes, practicums, and courses relevant to your PMHNP specialization. You’ll graduate in five semesters at the end of your second spring semester.

Admission Requirements:

For admission into this program, you must have a BSN from an accredited nursing program and hold an active unrestricted RN license in Mississippi or one of the compact nursing states. UMMC prefers to admit students into its master’s-level nurse practitioner programs who have at least one year of clinical experience working as an RN.

Interesting Highlights

• The University of Mississippi Medical Center's Online PMHNP is offered in conjunction with the Mississippi Educational Consortium for Specialized Advanced Practice Nursing.
• UMMC is the Magnolia State’s only academic medical center, meaning education, research, and patient care all take place on the same campus.
• U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Mississippi Medical Center 38th on its list of the Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs.

2. Northern Kentucky University - Highland Heights, KY

Program Length:

22 Months

Program Details:

You can complete the academic work needed for a PMHNP credential in less than two years through the online psychiatric mental health NP program at Northern Kentucky University. The 46-credit curriculum consists of 18 classes: eight core MSN classes (24 credits), five concentration courses that focus specifically on psychiatric NP competencies (15 credits), a capstone course (three credits), and 500 clinical hours (four credits.) Your MSN core classes will include courses like “Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice and Research” and “Diagnostic Reasoning and Advanced Physical Assessment,” while your concentration classes will include courses like “Psychopathopharmacology I and II” and “Psychotherapy for Psych-Mental Health NP.”

Your core MSN coursework will include two DNP-level courses (Doctor of Nursing Practice), which will prepare you to continue your academic journey should you wish. You’ll have the option of choosing a clinical site in your local community. Most of your coursework, though, will be delivered via a distance learning platform that uses a blend of synchronous and asynchronous technology. How much time will you have to spend on your studies? Around five hours per credit every week—which means you’ll probably be able to continue working at least part-time if you want to.

How Short is Northern Kentucky University's Online PMHNP:

Northern Kentucky University can offer one of the quickest PMHNP programs online because classes are taught over seven-week terms, and there are two seven week-terms per 16-week semester. This fast PMHNP program has two start dates in the fall, two in the spring, and two in the summer. Full-time students should be able to complete this program in 22 months. Part-time students may take three years or longer to graduate. Northern Kentucky University understands how hectic the lives of working nurses can be and is open to students who need to complete the required PMHNP coursework at their own pace.

Admission Requirements:

This program is only open to students who’ve earned a BSN degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from a nursing program that’s an ACEN, CCNE or CNEA accredited or regionally accredited. You must have an active, unencumbered RN license and worked at least 2,000 clinical hours in a mental health setting. The program is only approved for students in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

Interesting Highlights

• Since this short PMHNP program is nationally accredited, graduation will qualify you to sit for national board exams that will enable you to practice as a nurse practitioner outside Kentucky.
• You may be able to complete your clinical rotations at the healthcare facility where you’re employed so long as that clinical site is outside the unit where you regularly work.

3. Anderson University - Anderson, SC

Program Length:

15 Months

Program Details:

Looking for a speedy way to earn your Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree? Anderson University’s 49-credit PMHNP program is one of the fastest PMHNP programs online around. The curriculum’s 19 courses will blend MSN core classes and courses that will equip you to assess, diagnose, and treat psychiatric and behavioral disorders. Your classes will include “Advanced Physical Assessment (Diagnostics),” “Management of Behavioral Health Populations Across the Lifespan,” and “Management of the Complex Mental Health Client Across the Lifespan.”

Anderson University’s curriculum includes 500 hours of clinical work, which you’ll complete during your third and fourth semesters. You’ll be responsible for identifying your own clinical site and preceptor. Though coursework is delivered online, you’ll need to attend a mandatory two- to three-day campus orientation and skills lab held at the beginning of each of the four semesters.

How Short is Anderson University's Online PMHNP:

This quick online PMHNP program begins each fall. The program only has one completion track. You’ll take four classes during your first fall semester and five classes during your second spring semester. During your third summer semester, you’ll take four classes in addition to beginning your first clinical rotation. During your fourth and final fall semester, you’ll continue with your clinical experiences and take four classes.

Admission Requirements:

Anderson University’s requirements for admission into its PMHNP program are rigorous. You’ll need a BSN from a nationally accredited program with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 for all previous nursing classes. You’ll also need an active, unrestricted RN license. Additionally, you’ll need to include a resume, a personal statement, and two professional references when you submit your application.

Interesting Highlights

• Anderson University’s PMHNP program is one of only two in South Carolina.
• Anderson University is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. While the university admits students of all faiths, Christian principles are incorporated into its academics. One of the courses you’ll be required to take as part of your PMHNP program will be “Faith & Learning Worldviews.”
• Your degree will prepare you for the national accreditation exam, which, if passed, will allow you to become certified to practice in psychiatric mental health in any state.

4. East Tennessee State University - Johnson City, TN

Program Length:

5 Semesters

Program Details:

East Tennessee State University offers a flexible Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program that will work for RNs who want to earn their PMHNP degrees in a hurry as well as for RNs who need more time to complete their studies. The curriculum consists of 11 lecture courses and five clinical rotations (540 hours) for 48 credits. You’ll take MSN core classes like “Advanced Clinical Pharmacology” and “Health Assessment Throughout the Lifespan” as well as courses specific to your psychiatric-mental health concentration like “Advanced Family Psychiatric Nursing Care” and “Interpersonal Treatment Modalities.”

You’ll begin clinical rotations in your first semester. Clinical placements scheduled outside Tennessee are subject to approval by ETSU’s faculty and administration. Apart from clinical rotations, the majority of your coursework will be taught online, but you may be required to visit the campus in Johnson City, Tennessee, for skills labs associated with clinical assessment courses.

How Short is East Tennessee State University's Online PMHNP:

This short online PMHNP program begins in the fall. Though it’s one of best shortest PMHNP programs online for full-time students, it also offers a track for part-time students.

Full-time students will be able to graduate in five semesters by taking three courses and a 60-hour clinical rotation their first (fall) semester, two classes and a 120-hour clinical rotation their second (spring) semester, two classes and a 120-hour clinical rotation their third semester during the summer, two classes and a 120-hour clinical rotation their fourth (fall) semester, and two classes and a 120-hour clinical rotation their fifth (spring) semester. Part-time students will be able to graduate in eight semesters.

Admission Requirements:

To be accepted into this program, you’ll need a valid, unencumbered RN license in the state where you’ll be completing your clinical assignment. You’ll also need a BSN from a nationally accredited nursing program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. You’ll also need to write a personal essay.

Interesting Highlights

• East Tennessee University’s PMHNP program is known for its focus on delivering psychiatric and mental health services in rural areas.
• ETSU accepts RNs into its PMHNP program who’ve earned bachelor’s degrees in subjects other than nursing, but these students will need to complete four bridge courses before starting the program at East Tennessee State University.

5. Union University - Jackson, TN

Program Length:

16 Months

Program Details:

In less than a year and a half of study, the PMHNP program at Union University can give you access to a broad range of career options in the psychiatric-mental health nursing field. The 46-credit curriculum consists of 15 lecture courses and 560 clinical hours.

Some of your lecture courses, like “Advanced Nursing Statistics for the Health Sciences” and “Role Development and Collaborative Strategies in Advanced Nursing Practice," will focus on the core curriculum common to all MSN programs, while others, like “Mental Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning Across the Lifespan” and “Models and Theories for Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing," will zero in on your mental health specialty.

Many of the classes in the psychiatric-mental health concentration have a clinical component. This fast online PMHNP program uses a hybrid-teaching format where online offerings are supplemented by campus classes.

How Short is Union University's Online PMHNP:

Union University admits students into its PMHNP track once a year in the fall. Only full-time students are admitted into this short PMHNP program. You’ll take six classes in the fall semester of Year 1, three classes and a clinical rotation in the spring semester of Year 1, three classes and a clinical rotation during the summer, and one class and two clinical rotations in the fall semester of Year 2. At the end of four semesters (16 months), you’ll graduate.

Admission Requirements:

Union University only admits RNs with Tennessee licensure or licensure in a compact state. You’ll need a BSN from a nationally accredited and state-approved nursing program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in your most recent 60 undergraduate class credits. You’ll also need to submit three professional references and a personal statement, and you’ll be asked to sign the university’s Community Values Statement.

Interesting Highlights

• Union University is affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. The university describes its Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program as a “faith-based MSN-PMHNP program.”
• This is one of the shortest PMHNP online programs that admit RNs with bachelor’s degrees outside nursing. These nurses must prove they’ve taken classes in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathophysiology, and statistics.

6. Old Dominion University - Virginia Beach, VA

Program Length:

5 Semesters

Program Details:

Looking for a fast way to jumpstart a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner career? You can complete Old Dominion University’s 42-credit PMHNP program in two years. The curriculum for this fast PMHNP program consists of 13 classes and two clinical rotations (504 hours.) Your classes will be a mix of core MSN classes, like “Introduction to Healthcare Disparities, Vulnerable Populations, and Epidemiology” and “Physical Assessment for Advanced Practice Nursing," as well as PMHNP specialty classes, like “Psychopharmacology & Neurobiology” and “Managing Psychiatric Disorders across the Lifespan.”

Like many of the other best fastest online PMHNP programs, Old Dominion University’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program will require you to spend some time on campus. Classes that involve simulation instruction will require visiting ODU’s campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, at least once a semester. Most of your coursework, though, will be delivered online using a blend of synchronous and asynchronous technology.

How Short is Old Dominion University's Online PMHNP:

Old Dominion University admits students into its PMHNP program once a year in the fall. You’ll take three lecture classes in the fall and spring semesters of your first year and two lecture classes in the summer. You'll do clinical rotations in the fall and spring semesters of your second year and carry two lecture classes. You’ll graduate at the end of your second spring semester.

Admission Requirements:

This PMHNP program is open to nurses with a current, unrestricted RN license. The university prefers applicants who have graduated from an NLNAC- or CCNE-accredited nursing program. This short PMHNP program is not open to residents of Washington State.

Interesting Highlights

• One of the required PMHNP courses is “Business of Practice,” a DNP-level class that could prove to be very useful for future nurse practitioners who will go on to be licensed in states where NPs can work autonomously and set up their own practices.
• Old Dominion University does accept RNs who don’t have BSNs so long as their bachelor’s degree is in a related field.

7. Texas State University - Round Rock, TX

Program Length:

15 Months

Program Details:

Searching for a top-notch online psychiatric-mental health NP program you can complete in just five semesters? Look into Texas State University’s PMHNP program. The 40-credit program consists of 12 lecture classes evenly divided between MSN core courses and psychiatric-mental health specialization courses; it also includes 605 clinical hours. You’ll take courses like “Theoretical Foundations and Role Development in Advanced Integrative Nursing,” “Clinical Prevention and Population Health,” “Psychiatric Mental Health Integrative Clinical Management Across the Lifespan,” and “Psychiatric Mental Health Diagnostics & Clinical Management for Adult/Geriatric Clients.”

Although most of the program is delivered online, you’ll be required to attend a campus orientation session at TSU’s St. David’s School of Nursing in Round Rock, Texas, as well as campus learning intensives approximately twice a semester. These intensives allow your instructors to assess whether you’ve met the standards for advanced practice nursing competencies.

How Short is Texas State University's Online PMHNP:

TSU offers both a full-time track and a part-time track, but the sequence in which you take required courses for both tracks is identical and inflexible. Classes begin in August.

If you enroll in the full-time track, you’ll take three lecture courses your first fall semester, three classes and a practicum your second spring semester, two classes and a practicum during the summer, two classes and a practicum your second fall semester, and three classes and a practicum your final spring semester.

Full-time students will graduate from this short online PMHNP program in five semesters; part-time students will graduate from the program in eight semesters. As per the college website full-time students can complete the program in as few as 15 months.

Admission Requirements:

This fast PMHNP program only admits students who hold an RN license in Texas, reside in the Lone Star State, and have at least one year of working experience as an RN. You’ll also need a BSN with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from a nationally accredited nursing program. Additionally, you must submit a resume or curriculum vitae, a personal essay addressing your professional goals, and three professional references.

Interesting Highlights

• While TSU only admits RNs with Texas licensure into its PMHNP program, the program meets the educational requirements for national certification in all states, so graduates should experience few problems relocating outside the Lone Star State if they wish.
• Though this program starts in the fall, TSU accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. As it is a competitive program, it’s best to submit your application as soon as possible.

8. National University - San Diego, CA

Program Length:

12-18 Months

Program Details:

If you want to earn your psychiatric-mental health NP degree as quickly as you can, National University’s PMHNP program may be the program for you: It’s possible to complete this degree in a single year. It won’t be an easy year, and you’ll be under a lot of pressure. But it is possible. Unlike many of the shortest online PMHNP programs, National University uses a quarter system and, thus, quarter credits. Your total course load will be 87 quarter credits.

You’ll complete six core MSN courses (27 quarter credits) before you start your PMHNP specialty classes. The PMHNP specialization itself consists of 12 classes (60 quarter units.) Three of these classes (15 quarter credits) are preparation for the specialization classes; the remaining 45 quarter credits include “Psychopharmacology in Mental Health Care,” “Mental Health Care: Adults/Aging Adults,” and “Mental Health Care: Children/Adolescents.”

During your studies, you’ll complete 540 hours of clinical rotation. Program practicums can only be completed in clinical settings approved by National University faculty. You’ll also participate in a capstone project that involves writing a scholarly paper and successfully passing an examination that mirrors the PMHNP board certification exam. Apart from practicums, all coursework can be completed online.

How Short is National University's Online PMHNP:

Alone among the best shortest online PMHNP programs, National University accepts students into its PMHNP program all year round. Classes are taught over four-week terms, and students take one class per term. If you’ve already completed your MSN core classes, you can complete the required psychiatric-mental health NP specialization courses in 48 weeks (11 months.) If you need to take your MSN core classes, you can complete your required course load in 72 weeks (18 months.) Of course, you can also complete this fast online PMHNP program far more slowly if you wish.

Admission Requirements:

Admission into the National University’s MSN program and PMHNP specialty are separate processes. For admission into this program, you’ll need an active RN license and a BSN from a nationally accredited nursing program. If you graduated from a BSN program other than the one at National University, you’ll also have to submit a personal statement and two professional references from individuals who hold graduate or doctoral degrees.

Interesting Highlights

• All applicants must meet with an Admission Advisor to review the process for applying to National University’s nursing program before being admitted.
• PMHNP students at National University must carry their own malpractice and liability insurance before they will be permitted to start their clinical rotations.

9. Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions - Provo, UT

Program Length:

20 Months

Program Details:

Are you an RN with a strong interest in mental health looking for a quick way to turn that interest into a lucrative career opportunity? Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions takes a unique approach to its PMHNP program. In this short PMHNP program, you will complete your MSN requirements simultaneously as you complete the university’s PMHNP Certificate program requirements.

The 32-credit core MSN program consists of 10 classes, such as “Health Policy & Finance,” “Organizational Behavior Management & Informatics,” and “Health Promotion & Prevention in Populations,” and culminates with a capstone project. The 27-credit Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program consists of nine courses and 540 clinical hours. You’ll be taking classes like “PMHNP Focus I: Adults & Older Adults,” “PMHNP Focus II: Children, Adolescents, Families,” and “PMHNP Focus III: Setting & Population Based Care.” You can complete your clinical rotation at a healthcare facility in your own community. Apart from your clinical rotations, your coursework will be delivered entirely online.

How Short is Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Online PMHNP:

This program has three start dates a year in spring, summer, and fall. It will take you five semesters (approximately 20 months) to earn both your MSN and PMHNP credentials.

Admission Requirements:

This program is only available to RNs who hold active, unrestricted licenses in their state of residence. You’ll also need a BSN with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited nursing school and at least one year of experience as a working RN.

Interesting Highlights

• Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionals also offers a unique 77-credit MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)/PMHNP dual certification that takes six semesters (two years) to complete.
• In addition to its combination MSN/PMHNP certificate program, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions also offers three other MSN/certificate programs: FNP, Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP), and FNP/ENP dual certification.

10. Georgia State University - Atlanta, GA

Program Length:

5 Semesters

Program Details:

Looking for a fast PMHNP program that will increase your professional nursing employment opportunities? You can complete the PMHNP program at Georgia State University in just 20 months (five semesters.) The 48-credit curriculum consists of eight core MSN classes (22 credits) and six psychiatric-mental health specialty courses (26 credits.) Classes you’ll be taking include “Advanced Pathophysiological Concepts in Nursing,” “Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Nurse,” “Theories of Advanced Psychiatric Nursing,” and “Advanced Psychopharmacology.”

Most of your psychiatric-mental health specialty courses have a clinical component. You’ll complete 500 practicum hours with a preceptor. You’ll collaborate with your instructors and Georgia State University administration on the clinical site and preceptor choice. Apart from that, you’ll access your coursework online. Your instructors will be the same faculty members who teach at the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions on campus.

How Short is Georgia State University's Online PMHNP:

Georgia State University is among the shortest online PMHNP programs that only admit new students to its Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program once a year in the fall. The university offers both full-time and part-time PMHNP completion tracks. Full-time students can complete the program within five to eight semesters (20 to 30 months), while part-time students can complete the program within three to four years.

Admission Requirements:

You’ll need a valid, unencumbered registered nursing license for admission into this program and a degree from an accredited nursing program with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. Preference is given to candidates with one or more years of professional experience in a mental health-related setting. You’ll also need to submit two professional letters of reference, a resume, a writing sample, and a statement that speaks to your professional goals.

Interesting Highlights

• Georgia State University is one of the few PMHNP programs that admit RNs prepared at the associate or diploma level if they can demonstrate outstanding practice experience and professional involvement. These RNs will be required to complete additional undergraduate coursework as prerequisites to master’s coursework.
• Georgia State University’s Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions is the only nursing school in the Peach State that offers the full spectrum of nursing education from Associate Degrees in Nursing (ADN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees.

11. West Coast University - Irvine, CA

Program Length:

20 Months

Program Details:

Flexibility is what makes West Coast University’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program one of the best shortest PMHNP online programs. This short online PMHNP program offers an accelerated track for nurses prepared to power through their studies and a longer track for nurses who need to take more time.

WCU’s PMHNP program consists of six core MSN classes (18 credits) and 13 psychiatric-mental health specialization courses (35 credits) for a total of 53 credits. You’ll be responsible for completing 500 hours of clinical rotation, and you can be proactive in your choice of clinical site and preceptor, although all sites and preceptors will have to be approved by West Coast University. You’ll also spend two weekends either at the West Coast University campus in Irvine, California, or the West Coast University campus in Dallas, Texas, participating in hands-on training intensives designed to sharpen your skills in assessing and treating patients. Apart from clinical rotations and intensives, all your coursework will be delivered online using asynchronous technology.

How Short is West Coast University's Online PMHNP:

This quick online PMHNP program has six start dates throughout the year. Courses are taught over eight-week sessions, with two eight-week sessions per semester. You have your choice of two PMHNP completion tracks: You can complete the accelerated MSN/PMHNP program in 20 months and the MSN/PMHNP program for working professionals in 36 months.

Admission Requirements:

This program is open to nurses with current, unencumbered RN licenses who are graduates of accredited nursing programs.

Interesting Highlights

• West Coast University’s PMHNP program is among the very few that offers training in telehealth consultations, assessments, and treatment.
• West Coast University’s distance learning platform can be accessed on mobile devices like smartphones.
• One of the factors that put West Coast University among the top ranks of the best shortest PMHNP programs online is the extensive career services help it offers students after they graduate.

12. Saint Thomas University - Miami Gardens, FL

Program Length:

18 Months

Program Details:

Multiple start dates throughout the year mean that you can complete Saint Thomas University’s PMHNP program in as little as a year and a half if you put your mind to it. The 50-credit program consists of seven core MSN classes (21 credits) and 11 psychiatric-mental health specialization courses (29 credits), and includes 500 clinical hours. You’ll take courses like “Role to Transition to Advanced Practice Nursing,” “Influencing Health Policy,” and “Psychiatric Management I-IV.”

You’ll be responsible for finding your own clinical sites and preceptors with assistance from STU. You may complete your clinical hours at a healthcare facility where you’re employed but not in the unit where you work or under the supervision of a current manager. Apart from your clinical rotations, all your coursework will be delivered online.

How Short is Saint Thomas University's Online PMHNP:

This short PMHNP program offers two start dates in the fall, two in the spring, and two in the summer. Online classes are taught over a single term. The fall and spring semesters have two seven-week terms, while the summer has two six-week terms. Full-time students should be able to complete the curriculum in 18 months. Saint Thomas University also offers a completion track for part-time students.

Admission Requirements:

For admission into this program, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additionally, you must possess a current, unrestricted RN license.

Interesting Highlights

• Although Saint Thomas University is affiliated with the Roman Catholic religion, it admits students of all faiths, and Catholicism plays no role in its educational process.
• Before participating in clinical rotations, you’ll need to submit a criminal background check and a drug screen. You’ll also need to carry your own professional malpractice insurance.
• Saint Thomas University in Miami Gardens is often confused with the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, which also has a nurse practitioner MSN program.

13. South College - Knoxville, TN

Program Length:

21 Months

Program Details:

South College’s short online PMHNP program will enable you to earn your Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree in less than two years. Of all the shortest PMHNP online programs, South College’s course load is the heaviest; you’ll take 21 courses in all. South College operates on a quarter system rather than a semester system, and the PMHNP curriculum entails 75 quarter credits: 10 MSN core courses (38 credits) and 11 psychiatric-mental health specialization credits (37 credits.) Your courses will include “Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice,” “Role Development in Leadership,” “Psychiatric Theory & Assessment,” and “Models of Counseling & Psychotherapy.” Your final course will involve an MSN practicum and a scholarly capstone project.

You’ll be responsible for completing 510 clinical hours within the PMHNP specialization. Students are encouraged to be proactive in investigating potential preceptors and practicum sites near their homes or workplace. Apart from your practicums, all your coursework will be delivered over a distance learning platform, utilizing an asynchronous online format.

How Short is South College's Online PMHNP:

South College only accepts students into its PMHNP program at the beginning of the fall semester. A full-time student can expect to graduate from South College’s PMHNP program in 21 months.

Admission Requirements:

Admission into this program requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited institution of higher learning with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. You’ll need an active, unrestricted RN license and a two-page statement addressing your personal goals. Before you begin practicum courses, you’ll need to have completed 2,000 hours of work as a professional RN.

Interesting Highlights

• South College’s PMHNP curriculum has been specifically designed to accommodate the needs of working nurses.
• South College’s distance learning platform includes discussion forums so that PMHNP students can engage with faculty members and one another.

14. Lincoln Memorial University - Harrogate, TN

Program Length:

17 Months

Program Details:

Any RN interested in completing a PMHNP program in less than a year and a half would do well to check out what the Caylor School of Nursing at Lincoln Memorial University has to offer. This short PMHNP program consists of 13 MSN core and psychiatric-mental health specialization classes for 44 credits. Your MSN core will include classes like “Advanced Health Assessment” and “Theoretical Foundations & Research Methods,” while your psychiatric-mental health specialization classes include the course sequence “FPMHNP I and II.”

Lincoln Memorial University’s PMHNP program includes 660 hours of clinical rotations. Clinical placements are made by the university and include healthcare facilities throughout the Cumberland Gap area in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia.

How Short is Lincoln Memorial University's Online PMHNP:

Lincoln Memorial University offers two tracks for students pursuing a PMHNP degree. Full-time students can graduate in four semesters (17 months) by taking three classes their first semester, three classes plus a practicum their second semester, and two classes plus a practicum their third and fourth semesters. Part-time students can graduate in seven semesters (28 months.)

Admission Requirements:

Admission into this program requires an active, unrestricted Tennessee RN license or an active, unrestricted license from a compact state (since clinical rotations may be assigned in neighboring states.) You must be a graduate of an accredited BSN program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. You’ll need to carry your own health insurance while you’re enrolled at Lincoln Memorial University, and you’ll need to submit a letter to the Admissions Committee describing your personal goals as well as three professional references.

Interesting Highlights

• The Caylor School of Nursing’s PMHNP concentration shares Lincoln Memorial University’s mission to serve the population of the nation’s Appalachian region.
• During your final semester in Lincoln Memorial University’s PMHNP program, you’ll be required to take a comprehensive exam that mirrors the exam you’ll need to pass to be certified as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

15. Mount Carmel College of Nursing - Columbus, OH

Program Length:

18 Months

Program Details:

Mount Carmel College of Nursing’s short online PMHNP program consists of four MSN graduate core courses (12 credits), four MSN direct care classes (12 credits), and four psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner specialization classes (22 credits) for a total of 46 credits. Classes include “Nursing Research and Evidenced Based Practice,” “Advanced Health Assessment for Nurse Practitioner,” and “Assessment and Management of Mental Health Disorders 1-3.” You must complete 500 clinical hours. Additionally, you’ll participate in three immersive experiences on the Mount Carmel College of Nursing Campus in Columbus, Ohio, starting in the third semester of the program. Apart from that, all your coursework will be taught online.

Clinical rotations start at the beginning of your third semester, but you should complete all the necessary work to identify a preceptor and a clinical preceptor during your second semester. Mount Carmel College of Nursing will assist you in your search, but the primary responsibility will be yours.

How Short is Mount Carmel College of Nursing's Online PMHNP:

Mount Carmel College of Nursing admits students into its PMHNP program in the fall and in the spring. Each semester is divided into two eight-week terms; some classes are taught over a single term, while some are taught over an entire semester. The college only offers one 18-month, five-semester completion track.

If you begin in the fall, you’ll take three classes your first (fall) and second (spring) semesters, one class and one practicum your third (summer) semester, two classes and one practicum your fourth (fall) semester, and one practicum your fifth (spring) semester.

If you begin in the spring, you’ll take three classes your first (spring) semester, two classes your second (summer) semester, two classes and a practicum your third (fall) semester and fourth (spring) semester, and a practicum your fifth (summer) semester.

Admission Requirements:

You must have a BSN with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for admission into this program and a current unencumbered Ohio RN license or Ohio licensure eligibility. You’ll have to submit a resume or curriculum vitae, two professional references, and a statement of purpose.

Interesting Highlights

• Mount Carmel College of Nursing also admits students with MSN and DNP degrees into its PMHNP program. These students can waive the MSN core and direct care classes.
• During your clinical rotations, you must log 25 adult psychiatric encounters, 25 pediatric psychiatric encounters, 25 geriatric psychiatric encounters, and at least 25 direct clinical hours. You must also log telehealth hours.
• In the interests of maintaining a mentally healthy life/school balance, Mount Carmel College of Nursing will not allow you to take more than two classes at a time.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY

WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF THE FASTEST ONLINE PMHNP PROGRAMS EXPECT?

The starting salary for graduates of the fastest online PMHNP programs is $38.21 an hour, which works out to $1,528 a week, $6,620 a month, or $79,470 a year.

Hourly	$38.21
Weekly	$1,528
Monthly	$6,620
Annual	$79,470
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

WHAT AVERAGE SALARY CAN EXPERIENCED GRADUATES OF THE FASTEST ONLINE PMHNP PROGRAMS EXPECT?

As an experienced graduate of one of the fastest online PMHNP programs, you can expect to earn $56.75 an hour, equivalent to $2,270 a week, $9,840 a month, or $118,040 a year.

Hourly	$56.75
Weekly	$2,270
Monthly	$9,840
Annual	$118,040
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

BONUS! 3 TIPS TO FURTHER ACCELERATE YOUR FAST-TRACK PMHNP ONLINE PROGRAM EVEN MORE

The more time you spend getting your Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree, the more you’re likely to spend on tuition and the longer it will take you to realize your dream of providing mental health care at the advanced practice level. Here are three tips for accelerating your fast-track PMHNP program.

1. Take some of your MSN core classes before you enroll:

Some PMHNP programs will allow you to transfer MSN core credits, though this isn’t something they publicize. Ask the admissions counselors if this is the case with the fast-track PMHNP programs you’re interested in pursuing. If it is, arrange to take some MSN classes before officially enrolling in your program. The good news? You may even be able to arrange for your current employer to pay for those MSN classes since tuition reimbursement is an employment benefit that many working RNs enjoy.

2. Choose a fast-track PMHNP program that doesn’t sequence:

Many fast-track online PMHNP programs are inflexible regarding the order in which you must take them. Others will let you determine that order and take as many (or as few) classes in a semester as you think you can handle. Obviously, the more control you have over your own course load, the faster you can finish a program.

3. Look for a school that either uses the quarter system or has short semesters:

Schools that use quarter systems typically allow you to take more classes in a single year than schools that use semester systems. And schools with shorter semesters also allow you to take more classes. Taking more classes allows you to expedite the curriculum—and graduate sooner.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

What are the fastest online PMHNP programs? This article has presented you with a comprehensive look at the 15 best shortest PMHNP online programs for 2024. Your interest in completing your studies so you can start your professional career as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is laudable: The U.S. right now is in the grips of a major mental health crisis, and you’ll be positioned to do something about that. There’s never been a better time to be a PMHNP.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY OUR EXPERT

1. What Is The Best Fastest Online PMHNP Program In The Nation?

The best fastest online PMHNP program in the nation is the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, which combines speed with a reputation for academic excellence.

University of Mississippi Medical Center - Jackson, MS

2. Do Employers Respect Fast-Track Online PMHNP Degrees?

For the most part, employers do not distinguish between campus PMHNP degrees or online PMHNP degrees, whether those degrees are earned quickly or over a more traditional three to four years. Employers care about your board certification—which you will earn after successfully passing the ANCC examination.

3. Are The Shortest PMHNP Online Programs Hard To Complete?

Yes, the shortest PMHNP online programs can be hard to complete because they involve absorbing an enormous amount of knowledge in a relatively short period. Your own time management skills and prioritization skills will be critical here: You must stay on top of your workload and not allow yourself to fall behind.

4. Do The Shortest PMHNP Online Degree Programs Allow Work-Life Balance?

If you can stay organized and not fall behind, the shortest PMHNP online programs will allow you to maintain a work-life balance. But discipline is key here.

5. Is It Hard To Get Into The Shortest PMHNP Online Programs?

Yes, most of the shortest online PMHNP programs are competitive.

6. What Is The Minimum GPA Required To Get Into The Shortest PMHNP Online Programs?

Most of the fastest online PMHNP programs require a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the academic work you completed to attain your BSN.

7. Do The Shortest PMHNP Online Programs Have Lesser Credits?

No. Quick PMHNP online programs contain approximately the same number of credits as more extended online PMHNP programs or campus-based PMHNP programs because the basic curriculum is the same. Note, however, there will be some variation from program to program that depends upon the way the basic curriculum is divided into courses.

8. Are The Shortest PMHNP Online Programs Part-Time Or Full-Time?

The shortest PMHNP online programs are always full-time.

9. Can I Work Part-Time And Successfully Complete Fast-Track PMHNP Online Programs?

Yes! Many fast-track PMHNP online programs are designed to accommodate RNs who choose to work full-time while attending school.

10. Can I Work Full-Time And Successfully Complete Fast-Track PMHNP Online Programs?

You can, but it’s not advisable. Fast-track PMHNP programs require a lot of time and effort. You are courting burnout if you work full-time and go to school full-time.

11. Are The Shortest PMHNP Online Programs Cheaper Than The Regular PMHNP Online Programs?

No, online PMHNP programs all tend to charge approximately the same tuition. Tuition for the shortest PMHNP online programs is not cheaper than tuition at slower-paced online PMHNP programs, but neither is it more expensive.

12. Do The Shortest PMHNP Online Programs Offer Scholarships?

Yes, many fast-track online PMHNP programs offer scholarship opportunities.