Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration
3.5-year part-time hybrid program
The D.N.P. with a concentration in psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program prepares graduates to use outcomes to evaluate practice initiatives, use evidence-based practice to implement change, lead advanced decision-making and strategies to influence health policies and facilitate interprofessional collaboration in health care systems. Graduates earn a D.N.P. in nursing. This program is an option for bachelor's-prepared nurses.
- Proven success: Graduates of the PMHNP program achieve a 100% first-time pass rate on certification exams in 2023
- Clinical placement support: We match students with experienced preceptors for hands-on learning in top-tier settings
- Guaranteed admission: Graduates of VCU’s bachelor’s degree in nursing are guaranteed admission to any VCU nursing graduate program, as long as they meet all admission requirements and space is available
- Experience team-based health care training: Collaborate across VCU’s health sciences campus and train at the Magnet-designated VCU Health
Program Details
In the D.N.P. psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner concentration, your coursework will focus on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders. You will learn about a variety of types of interventions to support and promote mental health and be introduced to topics such as psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, nonpharmacologic interventions and advanced therapeutic communication. You will develop advanced clinical skills to to provide psychiatric care to individuals and populations across the lifespan and across the continuum of care, explore pathways to implement quality improvement and develop leadership skills to prepare you for roles as a nurse practitioner, administrator or educator.
VCU Bulletin is the official source for course and academic program information.
Application Info
| Application Opens | Application Closes | Regular Decision Notification |
|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2024 | July 15, 2025* | Ongoing |
| Application Opens | Application Closes | Regular Decision Notification |
|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2025 | July 15, 2026* | Ongoing |
*In order to be reviewed for admission, all components of the application (personal statements, transcripts, etc.) must be verified by this date. Incomplete applications after this date will not be reviewed for the fall semester start.
Complete the NursingCAS application ($80 fee) and the CAS residency form ($75 fee).
Submit the following materials with your application through NursingCAS, including:
- Official transcripts
- Personal statement
- Resume or a curriculum vitae
- RN license
- Proof of English proficiency (if applicable): Visit VCU's Graduate International Applicants page and see heading 'Application materials --> Proof of English proficiency'
We're here to help! Contact us at VCU_Nurse@vcu.edu with your admissions questions.
Review the functional and technical standards required for participation in the academic programs of the School of Nursing.
Prospective students with a conviction showing on their criminal history record may not be eligible to participate in clinical experiences at selected sites. This may impact the student’s ability to successfully complete program requirements. Applicants with a criminal history record are advised to review eligibility and licensure requirements for states in which they may seek employment (see Virginia eligibility requirements).
Financial Info
Use the following links to understand what your attendance costs will be and how aid and scholarships can help make your degree affordable.
Advancing Your Nursing Career: Your Path to a D.N.P.
Frequently Asked Questions
This program is for registered nurses who have completed a minimum of a bachelor's degree in nursing.
Lecture courses are conducted through a mix of online and hybrid formats. About half are fully online, while the rest require one on-campus day per week. Clinical courses are conducted in-person in a clinical setting.
It is a part-time, three-and-a-half-year program, spanning ten consecutive semesters.
No, students do not need to find their own preceptors. Each semester, students are matched with preceptors based on availability and course needs. Students may request specific preceptors or sites for consideration, though requests are not guaranteed.
It is possible for students to complete this program in another state. Requests to complete the program in another state are handled on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for more information at vcu_nurse@vcu.edu.
No, the D.N.P. degree is practice-focused, not research-focused. D.N.P. students complete a project during which they identify a systemic problem, implement an evidence-based solution and evaluate its impact on health care outcomes. This project showcases their advanced skills in applying research to real-world practice.
Yes, you can complete your D.N.P. project at your place of employment. The project must be approved by your workplace and the school’s project vetting committee, and an organizational sponsor (not your direct supervisor) must oversee it.