Nursing Practice (Psychiatric/Mental Health)- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Online)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a doctoral degree for nurses at the highest level of nursing practice. Practice-focused doctoral nursing programs prepare leaders for the highest level of practice and are the terminal practice degree. Courses for this degree are delivered via distance education through NMSU Global Campus (i.e., online), allowing nurses to advance their careers while remaining in their communities. Although the didactic coursework for these programs is offered through distance learning, the clinical component consists of over 1000 contact hours. Anyone interested in pursuing a nurse practitioner doctorate must ensure they can accommodate the intensive time commitment these programs require.

The Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track prepares nurses for advanced practice focusing on mental health issues across the lifespan. The curriculum builds upon four core PMHNP competencies: advanced health assessment (physical and psychosocial); diagnosis (diagnosis of mental disorders, pathophysiology, and neurophysiology); psychotherapy (individual, group, and family); and medication management (pharmacology and psychopharmacology). Other courses develop competencies in healthcare systems, best-practice research utilization and translation, and healthcare quality improvement. Graduates are prepared to sit for the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner national certification exam (ANCC and AANP).

To complete the DNP program, each student is required to generate a project that reflects their advanced coursework in leadership, research translation, and clinical knowledge and skills.

New Mexico State University is a full member of the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) consortium. Students will need to check the NMSU SARA website before applying to determine if NMSU has a reciprocity agreement with their home state.  State Boards of Nursing may regulate NMSU's ability to have APRN students in clinical practice in the home state of out-of-state students. Please refer to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing's APRN Distance Education Requirements website and contact the Nursing Graduate Advisor to confirm eligibility for clinical training in states outside of New Mexico. 

For application information, visit the School of Nursing PMHNP webpage or contact the Nursing Graduate Advisor for more information about application and admission requirements at (575) 646-4007. 

Course Requirements