Doctor of Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track is a post-MSN Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the University of North Florida. This program is designed for those who already possess, at a minimum, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), is licensed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), hold national certification as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), and wish to obtain their DNP and become certified as a PMHNP. The program will also consider applications from those who are nationally certified as a CNM, CNS, or CRNA with a B or better in graduate-level coursework in pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and assessment (the assessment course must include across the lifespan). The curriculum for the program is based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials for Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice (2006) and the National Organization for Nursing Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs. The program objectives build upon those for the master's in a nursing program.
The PMHNP DNP track is designed to include education and preparation that will assist the student to acquire the advanced knowledge and clinical skills to provide best practices and comprehensive care to clients across the lifespan. This track is 68 credits with 1,100 clinical hours. The clinical component of this program will focus on the mental health care needs of individuals and families whether in outpatient, inpatient, or private practice settings. The program currently offers online studies in this degree track with courses following the traditional full-length semesters. Full- and part-time enrollment options are available, which must be selected on the application form. The seats for this program are combined with the seats for the PMHNP Certificate program for 14 total each spring term beginning in 2024. Note: Those who are only interested in completing the PMHNP Certificate rather than the DNP should apply under the PMHNP Certificate track.
Candidates seeking online, distance learning options who do not reside in Florida are encouraged to first review the State Authorization page for distance learning before making application. Note that per the U.S. Department of Education, effective July 1, 2024, institutions must ensure that distance education programs leading to professional licensure or certification satisfy state educational requirements in the state where the student is located at the time of initial enrollment or where the student attests s/he intend to seek employment. The regulation only applies to students at the time of initial enrollment in a program and does not apply to students enrolled prior to July 1, 2024. Due to this change, UNF will not admit out-of-state students into the PMHNP DNP or Certificate track unless they attest that they intend to be located in or seek employment in Florida.
Below are several tools and resources to review:
Application Deadlines
Spring Term . . . . . . . . July 1
Admission Requirements
For admission requirements and information on how to apply, please visit our Admissions area.
Program Information
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Course Descriptions
For course descriptions and course searches please view the UNF Course Catalog.
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Graduate Academic Learning Compact
Visit the Office of Institutional Effectiveness website to view the Nursing Graduate Academic Learning Compact. -
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree, master's degree, and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs and the post-graduate APRN certificate at the University of North Florida are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.
The UNF Nurse Anesthesiology Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs, which may be reached at 222 South Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068 or at (847) 692-7050.
The University of North Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call (404) 679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of the University of North Florida.
Individual contact to the Commission on Colleges about the University of North Florida accreditation status should occur only if there is evidence that appears to support significant noncompliance with a requirement or standard.
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Estimated Cost of Attendance
Tuition and fee assessments for distance learning may vary. Refer to the UNF Tuition & Fees page for more detail. For information regarding tuition waivers, please see our page on University accepted waivers. -
Important Dates
We encourage all students to view the important dates website.
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Technology Requirements
Visit UNF ITS for Technology Requirements.
Contact the Program
Dr. Beth A. Dibble
