APPLY TODAY! The Post-Master鈥檚 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate Program is designed for nurses who already hold a master鈥檚 degree in nursing and want to expand their scope of practice into mental health care. Through this specialized certificate pathway, experienced nurses gain the knowledge and advanced clinical skills needed to diagnose and treat psychiatric conditions across the lifespan. PMHNPs conduct psychiatric evaluations, manage psychopharmacology, provide psychotherapy, and collaborate with interprofessional teams to support mental health and wellness. Graduates of this certificate program are prepared to practice in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, community mental health centers, private practices, telehealth services, and integrated care environments. Through rigorous coursework, clinical experiences, and interprofessional collaboration, UAH鈥檚 Post-Master鈥檚 PMHNP Certificate Program prepares you to excel in psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and telemental health鈥攅quipping you to make a lasting impact on mental health care. Program Highlights Comprehensive Psychiatric-Mental Health Focus The PMHNP curriculum prepares you to: Develop pharmacological and nonpharmacological management strategies for complex mental health conditions. Explore evidence-based individual, group, and family psychotherapy models. Respond to psychiatric emergencies and crisis situations with confidence. Use telemental health technology appropriately and effectively. Address mental health needs and comorbidities across the lifespan. Clinical Expertise Through supervised clinical practice with experienced PMHNPs, psychiatrists, and faculty, you鈥檒l apply advanced skills in real-world mental health settings. Training emphasizes diagnostic reasoning, therapeutic interventions, and interprofessional collaboration. Interprofessional Collaboration You鈥檒l work alongside professionals in health systems, hospitals, and community settings to coordinate safe, effective, and person-centered mental health care. The program builds leadership skills for advocating and improving mental health outcomes. Cultural Competence and Patient-Centered Care You鈥檒l use evidence-based practices and cultural awareness to deliver compassionate mental health care to diverse populations. Program Details Spring Plan of StudySummer Plan of StudyFall Plan of Study Admission Requirements Graduation from a Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission of Nursing Education (ACEN), or Commission on Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) accredited program with a masters in nursing. An overall grade-point average minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all Masters of Science in Nursing coursework. Hold a current, unencumbered U.S. registered nurse license. Meet program-specific expectations for psychiatric practice readiness. Licensure State Contacts Authorized States Prerequisites/Co-requisites Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology are required prerequisites/co-requisites. These courses can be taken at UAH or another institution before applying to the program, or they may take them while in the program. All three courses must not be older than two years at the time of admission. Clinical Hour Requirements Once admitted into the program, students will be required to complete 720 clinical hours, including a minimum of 600 direct patient care hours with a physician or nurse practitioner. These hours must include experience caring for adults across the lifespan, from children to geriatricThe remaining hours may include clinical seminars, pre-approved continuing education, simulation experiences, or specialty rotations approved by the Nurse Practitioner Coordinator. Clinical rotations are currently only available in Alabama or Tennessee. Delivery Mode The PMHNP track is a hybrid program with on-campus and online components. Classes typically meet every other Wednesday except where noted. Certificate Program Outcomes Upon successful completion of the certificate program, the graduate will be able to: Integrate theoretical foundations of nursing knowledge, science, humanities, and scholarly inquiry in advanced-level nursing practice. Demonstrate advanced-level nursing practice that is evidence-based and adheres to scientific, ethical, legal, and professional standards in the delivery of compassionate, person-centered care. Evaluate policies, care delivery models, and organizational structures/processes for efficacy in meeting current and future health care needs of diverse communities and populations. Evaluate findings from research to create evidenced-based practice policies and protocols to improve health care delivery and outcomes. Use improvement processes in all health care settings to promote quality and safety principles. Engage in strategies that promote intra-and interprofessional communication and collaboration to deliver advanced care for diverse populations. Evaluate system-based strategies to provide equitable care and improve access to health care. Incorporate informatics principles in the use of current and emerging technologies in advanced-level nursing practice. Exemplify professional practice at the advanced level by promoting ethical values and professional standards. Assume responsibility for life-long learning and continuing personal, professional, and leadership development.