Mental Health NP Concentration Overview for MSN Students - JMU School of Nursing

MSN Program

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Option

Completed applications for all NP and Nurse Midwifery programs are due on December 1. Select applicant interviews will be held in January. PMHNP & NMW interviews will be scheduled in conjunction with Shenandoah University.

A JMU Master of Science in Nursing Program prepares graduate nurses to meet the challenge of rapidly changing and increasingly complex health care environments.

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner option is offered in conjunction with Shenandoah University. Students complete the first year of study (22 credits) at James Madison University, and the second year of study at Shenandoah University (29 credits). The JMU credits may be taken part-time or full-time. The second year of psychiatric mental health courses is taken in full-time study at Shenandoah University. Upon completion of the full curriculum, the student will graduate with an MSN degree from James Madison University and a Post Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health from Shenandoah University.

For specific information on this program option specialty see Shenandoah University’s School of Nursing website: https://www.su.edu/nursing/certificate-programs/certificate-in-post-masters-psychiatric-mental-health/

Courses taken at JMU for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration
Graduate Core Courses Taken at JMU Credits
NSG 520 Advanced Health Assessment 3
NSG 521 Advanced Concepts in Pathophysiology 3
NSG 522 Advanced Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics 3
NSG 611 Research for the Advanced Health Professional 3
NSG 612 Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing 3
NSG 634 Role of The Advanced Practice Nurse 1
NSG 690 Epidemiology and Population Assessment 3
NSG 692 Health Care Policy for Practice and Advocacy 3
Total Credits at JMU 22

NOTE: The first year may be taken part-time over 2 years, but the second year at Shenandoah University is only offered full time.

Courses taken at Shenandoah University for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration
Courses Taken at Shenandoah University Credits
Summer 1
PMH 635 Foundations of Psychotherapy 3
Fall 1
NP 525 Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology          3
PMH/L 641 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Adult with Practicum (120 clinical hours) 2/2
N 532 Advanced Practice Roles, Ethics and Policy      3
Spring 1
PMH/L 680 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Child and Adolescent with Practicum (120 clinical hours) 2/2
PMH 685 Management of Psychiatric Mental Health: Geriatrics 2
Summer II
PMH/L 661 Management of Complex Mental Health Across the Lifespan with Practicum (120 clinical hours) 2/2
Fall II  
NP 690 Advanced Nurse Practitioner Role Development 2
PMH/L 695 Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum (240 clinical hours) 4
Total Credits at Shenandoah 29 credit hours/600 clinical hours

Refer to Shenandoah University's Graduate Catalog for most recent information on their course listing and course descriptions for the PMHNP Post Masters Certificate.

JMU Core Full-Time Plan of Study

Year One

Fall (10 credits)

  • NSG 611 Research for the Advanced Health Professional (3)
  • NSG 520 Health Assessment (3)
  • NSG 521 Pathophysiology (3)
  • NSG 634 Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse (1)

Spring (12 credits)

  • NSG 522 Advanced Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
  • NSG 692 Health Policy (3)
  • NSG 690 Epidemiology and Population Assessment (3)
  • NSG 612 Theoretical Foundation of Advanced Practice Nursing (3)

JMU Core Part-Time Plan of Study

Year One

Fall (6 credits)

  • NSG 521 Advanced Concepts in Pathophysiology (3)
  • NSG 611 Research for the Advanced Health Professional (3)

Spring (6 credits)

  • NSG 522 Advanced Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
  • NSG 690 Epidemiology and Population Assessment (3)

Year Two

Fall (4 credits)

  • NSG520 Advanced Health Assessment (3)
  • NSG 634 Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse (1)

Spring (6 credits)

  • NSG 612 Theoretical Foundation of Advanced Practice Nursing (3)
  • NSG 692 Health Policy (3)