Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner advanced practice registered nurse certificate prepares licensed primary care nurse practitioners who hold a graduate degree to provide comprehensive mental health care to those who are in need of psychiatric services. Students learn to evaluate, diagnose, manage, and provide specialized treatment to people with mental health disorders.
Millions of Americans are affected by mental health conditions. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness in a given year, and 1 in 5 youth experience a severe mental disorder at some point during their life. These staggering statistics showcase why the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate adds value to any licensed nurse practitioner’s career.
Graduates will be prepared to provide care for patients in primary care as well as assess, diagnose and treat individuals or families with psychiatric disorders.
Completion of this certificate program prepares graduates to sit for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Why Samford?
- Earn a certificate online without having to relocate
- Participate in cutting edge, web-based learning with clinical experiences close to home
- Access all coursework and resources anywhere, anytime and from any internet-connected electronic device
- Complete clinical hours in a variety of settings across the United States
- Receive instruction from experienced nurse practitioners and physicians who are dedicated to excellent patient care and student education
- Receive close, personal attention from highly educated and experienced faculty who are readily available to you
- Experience a rich tradition of high academic standards and quality education practices
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner graduates are eligible to sit for the certification examination for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners through American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Admission Information
Admission Deadline
Spring Entry Month: January
Slate Application Deadline: September 1
Admission Criteria
- Graduate degree in nursing from CCNE, CNEA, or ACEN (formerly NLNAC) accredited program and institutionally accredited college or university
- Active unencumbered nursing license
- Current national certification as a primary care nurse practitioner
- A video submission
- Cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- American citizens or Permanent Residents who learned English as a second language must score at least 575 (paper) or 90 (internet) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
- If accepted, a non-refundable fee of $750 is required to secure admission into the program. This fee is applied to the first semester's tuition
Application Requirements
- Transcripts can be sent electronically to gradnurse@samford.edu or by mail to:
Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing
Graduate Student Services
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229 - Three letters of recommendation – two professional (at least one supervisor) and one academic
- Personal statement indicating career plans and likelihood of success in graduate study
- Professional resume
- California
- Colorado
- Louisiana
- New York
- Oregon
Practicum & Clinical Hours
This program of study requires clinical hours with patients across the lifespan in a psychiatric mental health setting. The minimum number of clinical hours per course are noted in red on each plan of study below. Students should anticipate spending an average of 16-20 hours each week in clinical rotations (clinical courses only).
The Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing has affiliation agreements with several clinical agencies across numerous states, with the majority being in the Southeast. Students may request additional affiliation agreements based on preceptor availability and proximity. Professional and personal connections are essential to help secure clinical placement opportunities close to home.
Clinical placements can be very competitive and similar to obtaining employment. Many facilities require an application, resume and/or interview with prospective clinical students. Professionalism and good communication skills are critical for successful placement. Traveling for clinical opportunities is sometimes needed to meet requirements and/or learning needs. The school does not arrange or provide reimbursement for travel.
Plan of Study
Traditional Plans of Study
Fall Start
No plan of study is available
Spring Start
Summer Start
No plan of study is available
Nurse Faculty Loan Plans of Study
Fall Start
No plan of study is available.
Spring Start
Summer Start
No plan of study is available.
Periodic On-Campus Requirements
The majority of the program is accomplished through asynchronous learning modules provided on-line in Canvas. There are periodic synchronous sessions via Zoom (typically one-two per semester). Students are required to be on-campus in Birmingham, Alabama a total of two or three times depending on the plan of study selected. The campus visits are generally two-three days in length and students are notified of the dates at least three months in advance.
Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for in-state and out-of-state students can be found on our graduate tuition worksheet. Tuition may be paid online or at Samford One Stop, and must be paid by the first day of each semester/term. Policies and methods for tuition and fee payment can be found in the Samford University catalog and the Samford One Stop website.
Fees are automatically generated following registration. For a full list of university, school and course fees please view our graduate fees worksheet.
The following additional fees are applicable for the 2023-2024 academic year:
- Background check – cost varies by state
Financial Aid
A financial assistance program administered by Samford One Stop has been established to aid students in attending Samford University.
To learn more about financial aid options, please visit the Samford One Stop or call 205-726-2905.
*The nursing school offers certificate-only programs, which are not eligible for federal aid. However, educational expenses related to these certificates may be covered by private loans or institutional scholarships. Please contact the financial advisor for nursing students for additional information.
Other options are also available, such as the Nurse Faculty Loan Program. For additional information concerning these opportunities, please contact graduate admission in Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing.
Scholarships
Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing is proud to offer a variety of scholarship opportunities.
Through our Nurse Faculty Loan Program, you could qualify for up to 85% loan forgivness.
The Baccalaureate Degree Program in Nursing, Master's Degree Program in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice Program and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program at Samford University, Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
