Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program Classes and Requirements

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program curriculum
You need 111 credits to earn your Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner D.N.P. degree. This includes 25 credits from clinical practicum courses (1,000 clinical hours) and 7 credits from D.N.P. project courses.
- Length: 3 years.
- Complete your courses with a B- or better to graduate.
Sample PMHNP classes and program of study
Get a glimpse of the nursing classes you’ll take each year in the program.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program of study
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner student learning outcomes
D.N.P. student learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate readiness to enter clinical practice via specialty competencies with the appropriate scientific knowledge, and considerations for its application to practice.
- Apply ethical principles along with the standards of professional conduct to clinical care, research, and education.
- Evaluate emerging health care systems and policy that influence delivery of cost-effective patient care.
- Generate entry level practice scholarship through the completion of a clinical practice improvement project based on the principles of improvement science.
- Model interprofessional communication and collaboration to improve individual and/or population health outcomes.
- Identify and address gaps in professional knowledge through ongoing reflection to support the principle of life-long learning.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner student learning outcomes:
- Integrate and apply APRN/PMHNP knowledge to diagnostic and clinical reasoning.
- Provide person centered psychiatric mental health care, within the context of the therapeutic relationship, that is developed collaboratively with individuals, families, and groups.
- Utilize evidence based best practices to design, implement, and evaluate psychiatric mental health care to improve health, enhance quality, and minimize risk for individuals and systems.
- Demonstrate effective and efficient use of information technologies and other strategies to communicate within the health care system.
- Demonstrate a reflective practice to establish a foundation for teamwork, life-long learning, and sustainable professional practice.
- Demonstrate systems leadership in the mobilization of strengths and resources as well as the development of partnerships to improve access, promote health, and combat mental health disparity within vulnerable populations.
- Demonstrate a professional identity with fidelity to the scope and standards of PMH nursing that is reflected in interprofessional relationships.
Degree requirements
You need 111 credits to complete the Psych Mental Health program at OHSU.
- Core nursing and PMHNP classes: 79 credits
- Clinical practicum: 25 credits (1,000 clinical hours)
- D.N.P. project: 7 credits
- Electives: 3 credits
PMHNP application requirements
What you need before you apply
Before applying, you must have:
- An RN license. If you don’t have one, you can get conditional admission, but you need a license before your first clinical course.
- A GPA of 3.0 across all undergraduate and graduate courses, including all science courses
The GRE exam is not required.
What you need before you start your program
Before starting your program, you must have:
- A B.S. or B.S.N. in nursing
- Completed a college-level statistics course with a B- or better within 5 years of starting the program. You can submit a time limit waiver form if you completed a statistics course beyond the 5-year time limit.
How to apply
Follow these steps to apply:
Applications will reopen in mid-August.
- Go to Nursing CAS and apply.
- Enter your college courses in Nursing CAS.
- Submit 3 letters of reference, your resume and essays in Nursing CAS.
- Send transcripts to Nursing CAS. Contact Nursing CAS to ensure your transcripts arrive.
Get application details for international students, veterans and current OHSU employees.
View interview dates.
PMHNP D.N.P. class descriptions
NURS 515A: Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology I
3 credits. This course provides in-depth knowledge of physiologic concepts essential for advanced practice nursing. Physiologic processes related to the central and peripheral (including autonomic) nervous systems; cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive, endocrine and reproductive systems; hematopoiesis, innate and adaptive immunity, microcirculation, neural control of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle, and acid-base balance are discussed at biochemical, cellular, organ, system, and organism levels. Exemplar pathologies will be utilized throughout the course to demonstrate disruption of normal physiology in disease. Emphasis is on integration of concepts as a basis for understanding interrelationships among complex physiologic and pathophysiologic processes, throughout the lifespan. This course prepares students for more detailed exploration of pathophysiology in future clinical management courses.
NURS 515B: Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology II
3 credits. This sequel to NURS 515A continues to emphasize in-depth knowledge of physiologic concepts essential for advanced practice nursing. Physiologic processes related to the central and peripheral (including autonomic) nervous systems; cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive, endocrine and reproductive systems; hematopoiesis, innate and adaptive immunity, microcirculation, neural control of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle, and acid base balance are discussed at biochemical, cellular, organ, system, and organism levels. Exemplar pathologies will be utilized throughout the course to demonstrate disruption of normal physiology in disease. Emphasis is on integration of concepts as a basis for understanding interrelationships among complex physiologic and pathophysiologic processes, throughout the lifespan. This course prepares students for more detailed exploration of pathophysiology in future clinical management courses.
NURS 517A: Advanced Health and Physical Assessment
3 credits. This course focuses on the development of clinical decision-making skills in the process of health assessment across the lifespan. The course provides advanced theory in the assessment of an individual within the context of the family, psycho-social-cultural considerations, functional ability, presence of health risk factors and developmental stage. The concepts of diagnostic reasoning and differential diagnosis will be introduced. The lab component includes hands-on advanced practice health assessment skills.
NURS 519: Principles of Pharmacology & Prescribing for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
4 credits. This course applies the principles of pharmacology, including pharmacogenomics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, by analysis of common drug classes prescribed by advanced practice nurses across the life span. Factors influencing successful therapy such as effectiveness, safety, acceptability, cost, genetic/environmental influences, alternative regimens, and patient behaviors will be integrated into patient decision-making exercises and discussion.
NURS 720: Roles, Responsibilities and Concepts for APN
3 credits. The purpose of this course is to explore key components that are essential to advanced practice nursing roles. Ethical and legal responsibilities are emphasized related to patient outcomes and safety. Professionalism, scope of practice, leadership and policy are explored within advanced practice work environments.
NURS 721: Ethics for APN
3 credits. The purpose of this course is to explore ethical theories and principles and how they influence various dimensions of health care. Professional responsibilities of advanced practice registered nurses in clinical care, research, and healthcare organizations will be explored. Ethical principles are applied to delivery of care, scholarly inquiry and leadership.
NURS 722: Informatics and Technology for Health Care
3 credits. The purpose of this course is to explore the organization, collection, analysis and dissemination of information in health care. This course will serve as an introduction to clinical informatics with a focus on the electronic health record, telemedicine, and technological approaches to quality and safety. Ethical and legal dimensions of health care technology are examined. Students learn the basics of database design for the collection and analysis of patient outcomes data.
NURS 723: Critical Appraisal of Evidence
3 credits. This course is the first in a series to prepare students to deliver patient-centered care that emphasizes evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement (QI). The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the different types of evidence and the critical appraisal process. The philosophical underpinnings and methods of knowledge development are introduced. Descriptive and inferential statistics are reviewed. The key steps in the EBP process and its importance to advanced nursing practice are highlighted.
NURS 724: Application of Evidence to Clinical Practice
3 credits. This course is the second in a series to prepare students to deliver patient-centered care that emphasizes evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement (QI). The purpose of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to evaluate evidence in the context of practice-based decision making. Students will identify a clinical problem and apply the clinical inquiry process. The focus is on critiquing evidence for practical application. Implementation science, models and change theories used in translating knowledge into action are highlighted.
NURS 725: Improvement Science
3 credits. This course is the third in a series to prepare students to deliver patient-centered care that emphasizes evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement (QI) focusing on improvement science (IS) methodologies. The purpose of this course is to utilize improvement science to eliminate discrepancies between identified standards of care and clinical practice. Students will build core competencies in improvement science, including appraising the IS literature, differentiating IS methodologies, testing and measuring change, displaying findings and participating in continuous improvement activities.
NURS 726: Health Care Economics and Finance
3 credits. This course will provide the foundation for assessing the financial impact of practice policies, procedures, and initiatives when meeting the health needs of the practice populations. The course will emphasize principles of economics and finance, the analysis of practice quality, and cost effectiveness of care. Strategies to design effective and realistic care delivery or practice initiatives are examined.
NURS 727: Leadership & Health Systems
3 credits. This course is designed for the practical and integrated application of leadership and system theories to real-world problems in health care. Upon completion of this course, students will be prepared to understand and engage in health care leadership at the entry level.
NURS 728: Health Policy and Population Health
3 credits. This course will provide an overview of health care policy at the state and national level and provide a foundation for evaluating its impact on health outcomes. Basic principles of population health will be explored within the context of epidemiology, determinants of health, health equity, and health disparities. Social, political, legal, and economic factors are used to understand the relationship between health policy and population health.
PMH 750: Foundations for PMHNP Practice
2 credits. The purpose of this course is to build a foundation for practice as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. The role of the PMHNP is discussed with attention to development of the role, ethics and legal considerations. Health promotion is emphasized as a critical aspect of care delivery in mental health practice. Students will analyze the social and contextual factors that have influenced mental health systems of care, psychiatric-mental health nursing and inform current practice.
PMH 755: Professional Practice for PMHNP
4 credits. The purpose of this course is to engage in interprofessional learning about community mental health systems and policy including legal and ethical issues impacting care. Students participate in campus and community activities related to mental health promotion, advocacy, emerging treatment and models of care. Students appraise and integrate learning using self-reflection. Professional communication skills are developed through presentations and/or other scholarly activities.
PMH 760: Mental Health and Illness Foundations
1 credit. The purpose of this course is to build a foundation for practice as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. The role of the PMHNP is discussed with attention to development of the role, ethics and legal considerations. Health promotion is emphasized as a critical aspect of care delivery in mental health practice. Students will analyze the social and contextual factors that have influenced mental health systems of care, psychiatric-mental health nursing and inform current practice.
PMH 761: PMHNP Practice Foundations
2 credits. The purpose of this course is to build a foundation for practice as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. The role of the PMHNP is discussed with attention to development of the role, ethics and legal considerations. Health promotion is emphasized as a critical aspect of care delivery in mental health practice. Students will analyze the social and contextual factors that have influenced mental health systems of care, psychiatric-mental health nursing and inform current practice.
PMH 762: Therapy Foundations
1 credit. The purpose of this course is to build a foundation for psychotherapeutic practice as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Students will analyze, compare and contrast models of human development, personality development, attachment, and family systems. The course examines the tenets of holistic, collaborative, and trauma informed care as students develop a foundational knowledge of therapeutic modalities, group therapy, and basic therapeutic communication skills.
PMH 774: Psychopharmacology across the Lifespan for PMHNP
6 credits. The purpose of this course is to provide a foundation in the principles and practices of prescribing psychotropic medications across the lifespan. Students will apply knowledge of neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic principles to develop individualized psychopharmacologic treatment plans across the lifespan. Issues including informed consent, disordered substance use and other risks impacting diverse patient populations will be explored.
PMH 775: PMHNP Professional Development and Engagement
6 credits. The purpose of this course is to integrate multiple therapeutic modalities for the provision of mental health care to diverse populations. Students focus on complex care delivery with individuals across the continuum of care. Students design interventions for complex patient presentations including medical and psychiatric co-morbidities and substance use.
PMH 781A: Assessment and Diagnosis-PMHNP-Adult
4 credits. The purpose of this course is to utilize knowledge of psychopathology, neuroscience and diagnostic classification to evaluate mental health problems and psychiatric disorders in adults for clinical decision making. Students focus on assessment structure, data gathering and documentation, as well as diagnostic reasoning and formulation with attention to social and cultural perspectives. Students learn to critically appraise and apply appropriate standardized measurement tools as part of the assessment process. Communication, education and collaboration are emphasized.
PMH 781B: Assessment and Diagnosis-PMHNP-Child and Adolescent
2 credits. The purpose of this course is to evaluate mental health problems and psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence for clinical decision making. Students focus on biopsychosocial formulation and family systems with attention to social and cultural perspectives. Students learn to evaluate and apply appropriate standardized measurement tools as part of the assessment process. Communication, education and collaboration are emphasized.
PMH 783: Adult Psychotherapy
3 credits. The purpose of this course is for the student to implement selected therapies for the adult and older adult populations. Students establish therapy goals, develop and document comprehensive treatment plans. Students incorporate therapeutic interventions that support mental health in treatment planning and monitor progress with respect to diagnosis, personality, presentation and unique environmental factors.
PMH 785: Child and Family Therapies
3 credits. This purpose of this course is for the student to implement selected therapies for adolescents, children, and families. Students establish therapy goals, develop and document comprehensive treatment plans. Students incorporate therapeutic interventions that support mental health in treatment planning and monitor progress with respect to diagnosis, personality, family system, presentation and unique environmental factors.
NURS 703A: DNP Project Planning
2 credits. The purpose of this course is to plan an improvement science project for the terminal DNP benchmark. Students will work with course faculty and the specialty chairperson to design a project to meet program expectations. Students will write a project proposal and plan for Institutional review board (IRB) submission. At the end of this course students will submit the project proposal for faculty approval. Students move to the implementation and evaluation of the project in 703B. Alternate projects in program development/evaluation or centered on policy may be developed with specialty program faculty approval.
NURS 703B: DNP Project
5 credits. The purpose of this course is to implement, evaluate and disseminate an approved DNP Project within the advanced nursing practice specialty. The project takes place within the context of the student’s practicum experience. It provides an experience that can be the foundation for future clinical scholarship.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program faculty
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Contact us
- Ask admissions
- Attend an information session
- Call us at 503-494-7725 or 866-223-1811 (toll free)
Hear from students
“I can’t speak highly enough of the PMHNP program at OHSU. It offers a comprehensive curriculum that helped me develop a clinical practice that is both person-centered and evidence-based.”
— Jean Sterry, 2023 PMHNP graduate
Technical standards policy
OHSU requires all students to have a set of basic skills, called 'technical standards,' to successfully complete their program. Review OHSU’s technical standards policy.

Accreditation
OHSU is accredited by the NWCUU and OHSU School of Nursing is accredited by the CCNE.