Psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner

University of Missouri-Kansas City
Master of science in nursing
A nurse talking to a patient.
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Overview

A specialized degree as a psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) allows you to provide a full range of psychiatric services to patients. PMHNPs diagnose, conduct therapy, and prescribe medications for patients who have mental health disorders. They may also serve as consultants or as educators.

Top-ranked programs

UMKC's online master's in nursing programs ranked among the nation's finest in U.S. News & World Report 2024.

Quick facts

Official name

Master of science in nursing with an emphasis in psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner

Campus

University of Missouri-Kansas City

Program type

Master's degree

Academic home

School of Nursing and Health Studies

Delivery mode

Blended, some campus visits required

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Credit hours

46

Estimated cost

$41,325.60

*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.

A nurse talking to a patient.

Career prospects

Our graduates work in outpatient mental health clinics, psychiatric emergency services, private practice and hospitals. They also provide primary mental health care that involves continuous and comprehensive services necessary to improve mental health, prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders and health maintenance.

Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
13.64%
employment growth
Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
$74,000
median salary

Program structure

Delivery of this program is blended: You will complete most course work online, but on-campus visits are required. Courses are semester-based. Students typically take two courses each semester and finish in two and a half years.

Course work includes

  • Advanced physiology across the lifespan
  • Ethics in practice and research
  • Health care policy and advocacy
  • Cultural diversity and values
  • Health promotion, across the lifespan

Delivery

Blended, some campus visits required

Calendar system

Semester

Typical program length

2.5 years

Typical course load

2 courses per semester

Accreditation

The University of Missouri-Kansas City is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.

The MS at the School of Nursing and Health Studies is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Faculty spotlight

Nancy Willis-Smith

Nancy Willis-Smith has worked with UMKC since 2003. She started in Joplin, MO with the distance program, became the Joplin Site Coordinator in 2010 and became the family nurse practitioner track coordinator in 2016. She is double certified as a family nurse practitioner and a women's health nurse practitioner and received her doctor of nursing practice in 2011. She was awarded the "Award of Excellence" for the state of Missouri by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners in 2006. Willis-Smith practices 2 days a week for Ozark's Community Hospital clinics in Webb City and Carthage, MO.

Nancy Willis-Smith
MSN Program Director
Dr. Erin Ellington

Erin Ellington joined the School of Nursing and Health Studies in 2009. Since 2011, she has been the Specialty Chair for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. In addition to teaching, Erin is involved in school committees and grant work, most recently as the PI on a HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce grant. She also has a clinical practice in which she provides care via telemental health to children and adolescents. Erin is published and currently serves as Section Editor for the Youth in Mind column of the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing; she has also presented at national and international psychiatric nursing conferences, is actively involved in several nursing organizations and has been recognized with awards for her academic and clinical work in pediatric mental health.

Dr. Erin Ellington
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track Coordinator

Learn more about this program

This program is administered by the School of Nursing and Health Studies