Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners provide mental health care for patients of all ages. At OHSU, you learn to assess, diagnose and treat mental health conditions. You'll also gain skills to provide therapy in a variety of clinical settings.

Earn your Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree from OHSU

• Learn from top faculty. You’ll learn from experienced clinicians and educators dedicated to helping you succeed and grow.  
• Quality clinical experiences. Gain more than 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice in community-based settings, including inpatient and outpatient care, with a focus on patients who have serious mental illnesses. 
• Clinicals set up for you. OHSU handles your clinical placements, so you can focus on learning. 
• Flexible distance option. Rural students can attend some courses online and in-person at one of our campuses in Ashland, La Grande, Monmouth or Klamath Falls. 
• Proven success. Nearly all graduates pass their certification exam on their first try. 

Classes and degree requirements

You need 111 credits to earn your Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree. This includes 25 credits from clinical practicum courses (1,000 clinical hours) and 7 credits from D.N.P. project courses. 

Learn more about classes and requirements.

Why earn your Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree at OHSU?

During OHSU’s PMHNP program, you’ll learn from leading mental health experts and graduate with a degree from Oregon’s only academic health center.

• Dual-focus training. Develop expertise in psychotherapy and psychopharmacology to address mental health needs across the lifespan.
• Diverse clinical settings. Gain hands-on experience in hospitals, public health departments and community clinics. 
• Small class sizes. Learn in classes with a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:15.

Still have questions? Contact an admission counselor to schedule a call.

What does a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner do?

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) assess, diagnose and treat mental health and substance use challenges. They use evidence-based care to provide medication management and therapy for a wide range of psychiatric conditions.

PMHNPs collaborate with primary care providers, specialists and other team members to deliver holistic, patient-centered care. They educate families and caregivers, equipping them with tools to navigate mental health challenges.

Their expertise and compassionate care improve mental health outcomes and reduce the stigma around mental illness.

Can I enroll in the PMHNP program if I don’t live in Portland?

Yes. OHSU’s PMHNP program is offered both on the Portland campus and statewide in Oregon. For distance students, you’ll complete most coursework online. You’ll travel to a regional campus in Ashland, La Grande, Monmouth or Klamath Falls for some in-person classes and clinicals. You may also need to travel to Portland for clinical experiences if they aren’t available in your regional community.

Some terms require no travel, while others may need up to two visits per month. Winter term travel is less frequent to avoid weather issues. Schedules are shared two to three months in advance to help you plan.

What will I study in the PMHNP program?

In the PMHNP program, you’ll learn how biological, psychological, developmental, social and environmental factors shape mental health across the lifespan. The curriculum focuses on holistic, patient-centered, trauma-informed care.

You’ll build skills through coursework, clinical practice and interdisciplinary collaboration. The program prepares you to provide compassionate care that treats symptoms and addresses root causes of mental health and substance use disorders.

What kind of clinical experience will I get in the PMHNP program?

In the PMHNP program, you’ll gain hands-on experience in a variety of community-based settings, such as: 

• Community mental health clinics 
• Public health departments 
• Hospitals and outpatient mental health clinics 
• Health maintenance organizations 
• Government facilities 
• Independent private practices 

You'll also complete a long-term clinical placement to build deeper practice skills while working with patients across the lifespan. 

How long does it take to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner?

The OHSU PMHNP program takes three years to complete, including clinical training and coursework. 

Are scholarships available to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner?

OHSU offers a variety of scholarships to help fund your degree. Loan repayment options are available for D.N.P. students. 

Explore scholarships.
View loan repayment options. 

Still have questions? Contact an admissions counselor.