Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate Admission

Admission Requirements

For consideration and admission to the Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate program, applicants should submit the following:

1. A Completed Graduate Application

A $35 non-refundable application fee is required. Submit materials by May 1st for fall admission consideration and October 1st for spring admission consideration.

1. Self-reporting Nursing Science Grades*

*The Self-reporting Nursing Science grades are recorded on the application for graduate admission.

The PMHNP program reviews all science courses as part of the admission criteria. If you took science courses that were not part of the transcript provided for your R.N. or BSN degree please self-report the science course grade. Upon acceptance you will be required to provide the official transcript reflecting the grade provided. If there is any discrepancy in the self-reported grading information your acceptance into the PMHNP program will be retracted.

1. Official Transcripts, reflecting the following:

• Graduation from a nationally accredited baccalaureate program in nursing and nationally accredited master’s program in nursing.
• Scholastic GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Completion of an undergraduate health assessment course, with a grade of “C” or better, or an equivalent continuing education course (Nurse Practitioner concentrations only).
• Current students and/or previous applicants may not need to re-submit transcripts. Please check your Admissions Portal to verify missing documents.
• Transcripts required upon acceptance showing science grades.

Official Transcripts may be sent electronically or by mail, directly from the school of attendance, in a sealed envelope to:

Any transcripts from institutions outside of the United States require an official course-by-course evaluation by a NACES.org approved agency.

1. A Letter of Recommendation

One professional letter of recommendation must be completed by a previous or immediate supervisor and/or a former nursing faculty member who can attest to the applicant’s clinical knowledge, skill and potential aptitude for graduate study.

References will not be accepted from colleagues or family members.

Recommendations are to be requested through your Admissions Portal.

1. A Current Resume

Please upload a current resume in either a word document or PDF in your Admissions Portal.

1. A Current Unrestricted R.N. License

Please upload a current unrestricted R.N. License as a PDF in your Admissions Portal.

1. A Written Statement of Goals

Thoroughly complete your Statement of Goals by answering one of the two Thought Questions below. Please submit your Statement of Goals in either a word document or PDF in your Admissions Portal.

Your answers must be typed and double-spaced. Both the content of your answers and your ability to write are being evaluated, so proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling are important.

Please respond to only one of the following questions in a separate document. The response requires a minimum of two full double-spaced pages (8 ½ x 11) typed.

I. State thoughtfully why you want to further your nursing career as a PMHNP.

II. Discuss how your nursing experiences lead to your desire to become a PMHNP. Identify what impact you can make on the quality of patient care in this new role.

Since we do not require standardized test scores as a criteria for admissions, your responses to these questions will weigh significantly in the initial screening process. Responses must meet the minimum of 2 pages to be considered. Please give careful attention to the quality of the content, writing mechanics, and organization of thought.