Program of Study: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP

Learn more about the courses you will take in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP program.

  1. Testing123
  2. Shandell
  3. Program of Study PMHNP

Curriculum Overview

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) DNP is a three-year, full-time program for registered nurses entering with a bachelor's degree, as well as students in the Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion (APNI) to DNP pathway—designed for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor's degree—who have successfully completed the APNI prelicensure coursework. This program also offers an entry pathway for master's-prepared nurses—students entering with a master's degree will work with a DNP advisor to develop an individualized program of study.

Below are the programs of study for both the 2026–27 academic year (quarter calendar) and the 2027–28 academic year (semester calendar).

Program of study is listed as proposed to WABON, and currently subject to their review and approval. Nursing programs of study may change periodically to address state regulations, national accreditation, professional standards, licensing and certification requirements, and quality improvements to the curriculum. All nursing courses begin with prefix NURS.

2026-2027 Academic Year Program of Study

Below is the program of study for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP program for the 2026-2027 academic year. 

Note: During the first year of advanced practice coursework, APNI-DNP and RN-DNP students follow different course sequences. Beginning in the second year, students in both pathways complete the remainder of the program together.

Students in the APNI-DNP program have a 4-year program of study (164-168 total credits). During the first five academic quarters of graduate study, students complete 67 credits of pre-licensure coursework. After successful completion of the pre-licensure coursework and RN exams, students begin their first year of advanced practice study—listed below.

Fall Quarter Year 1 (14 credits)

6020 Epidemiologic Analysis of Populations at Risk

6024 Advanced Pathophysiology

6130 Foundations of Nursing Knowledge for Advanced Practice

6160 Leadership in Health Care Systems

Winter Quarter Year 1 (12 credits)

6004 Pharmacology for Registered Nurses

6075 Clinical Reasoning

6111 Health Informatics

6190 Quality Improvement Process and Methodologies

Spring Quarter Year 1 (9 credits)

6010 Health Care Policy for a Just and Humane World

6017 Health Care Economics and Finance

6502 Neurobiology of Psychiatric Disorders and Addictions

Students entering the PMHNP program with an RN have a 3-year program of study (107-111 total credits) that includes advanced practice and doctoral coursework. First year courses are listed below.

Summer Quarter Year 1 (11 credits)

6004 Pharmacology for Registered Nurses

6024 Advanced Pathophysiology

6110 Ethical Care for Social Justice

Fall Quarter Year 1 (13 credits)

6020 Epidemiologic Analysis of Populations at Risk

6075 Clinical Reasoning

6130 Foundations of Nursing Knowledge for Advanced Practice

6190 Quality Improvement Process and Methodologies

Winter Quarter Year 1 (12 credits)

6017 Health Care Economics and Finance

6111 Health Informatics

6120 Population-Based Health Care

6160 Leadership in Health Care Systems

Spring Quarter Year 1 (9 credits)

6010 Health Care Policy for a Just and Humane World

6014 Theory Informed Critical Inquiry I

6502 Neurobiology of Psychiatric Disorders and Addictions

Summer Quarter Year 2 (0 credits)

No courses

Fall Quarter Year 2 (13 credits)

6001 Advanced Health Assessment Lab

6101 Advanced Health Assessment Theory

6022 Advanced Pharmacological Applications for Primary Care

6504 Advanced Psychiatric Diagnosis and Management

Winter Quarter Year 2 (10 credits)

6015 Critical Inquiry II

6506 Psychopharmacology and Complementary Therapeutics I

6508 Assessment and Management of Substance Disorders and Addictions Across the Lifespan

Spring Quarter Year 2 (12 credits)

6018 Health Program Planning, Development and Evaluation

6500 Motivational Interviewing Theory and Practice

6501 Theory-Guided Psychotherapy and Health Promotion Theory

6510 Psychopharmacology and Complementary Therapeutics II

Summer Quarter Year 3 (5 credits)

6503 PMHNP Clinical Diagnosis and Management Practicum I

Fall Quarter Year 3 (8 credits)

6505 PMHNP Clinical Diagnosis and Management Practicum II

6901 DNP Internship I

Winter Quarter Year 3 (7-9 credits)

6507 PMHNP Clinical Diagnosis and Management Practicum III

6903 DNP Project Internship II

Spring Quarter Year 3 (7-9 credits)

6509 PMHNP Transition to Professional Practice, Clinical Practicum IV

6905 DNP Internship III

DNP Project Presentation and Program Synthesis

2027-2028 Academic Year Program of Study

Below is the program of study for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP program under Seattle University's semester calendar, beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year.

Note: The total program length is three years for RN-DNP students and four years for APNI-DNP students. APNI-DNP and RN-DNP students follow the same plan of study throughout the three years of advanced practice coursework. For APNI-DNP students, advanced practice coursework begins after successful completion of all prelicensure coursework. The program of study below reflects only the three years of advanced practice coursework.

Summer Semester Year 1 (0 credits)

No courses

Fall Semester Year 1 (12 credits)

6XXX Professional Roles and Ethics in Advanced Practice (course code TBD)

6020 Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

6022 Advanced Pharmacology

6024 Advanced Pathophysiology

Spring Semester Year 1 (7 credits)

6XXX Healthcare Informatics and Financial Management for Advanced Practice (course code TBD)

6XXX Population Health and Health Policy (course code TBD)

6001 Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning Across the Lifespan Theory

6101 Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning Across the Lifespan Lab

Summer Semester Year 2 (9 credits)

6XXX Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement in Healthcare (course code TBD)

6550 Neurobiology for Psychiatric Practice

6552 Psychiatric Evaluation: Assessment to Diagnosis

6553 Psychiatric Evaluation: Assessment to Diagnosis Lab

6555 Advanced Physical Assessment in Psychiatric Care Lab

Fall Semester Year 2 (10 credits)

6XXX DNP Project Planning and Preparation (course code TBD)

6560 Advanced Psychopharmacology in Psychiatric Care I

6561 Assessment and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Lab

6562 Psychotherapeutic Modalities for PMHNP Practice

Spring Semester Year 2 (8 credits)

6901 DNP Internship I - Implementation and Evaluation

6563 Applied Psychotherapeutic Modalities: Motivational Interviewing Lab

6565 Psychiatric Care in Pediatric and Perinatal Populations Lab

6570 Advanced Psychopharmacology in Psychiatric Care II

Summer Semester Year 3 (6 credits)

6580 PMHNP Advanced Clinical Practicum I

6581 Simulation-Based Clinical Assessment I Lab

Fall Semester Year 3 (9 credits)

6903 DNP Internship II - Analysis and Dissemination

6582 PMHNP Advanced Clinical Practicum II

6583 Simulation-Based Clinical Assessment II Lab

Spring Semester Year 3 (8-10 credits)

6905 DNP Internship III - Elective

6584 PMHNP Advanced Clinical Practicum III

6585 Simulation-Based Clinical Assessment III Lab

Transition to Semester Calendar

Beginning in summer 2027, Seattle University’s graduate programs will shift from a quarter system to a semester calendar. As the transition takes place, the university is committed to minimizing impact on your time to completion and program cost as you progress toward your degree. Learn more about the Graduate Programs Move to Semesters.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Attend an Info Session

Attend a virtual information session to meet a member of our admissions team, learn more about our nationally ranked DNP and get answers to all your questions about the program, the application process and more.

Start Your Application

We are currently accepting applications for the 2027-2028 academic year. Start your application now (for free!) and take the first step toward your future career as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner.

Explore DNP Programs

Not sure if this is the right DNP program for you? We offer flexible entry paths for RNs, BSNs and even non-nurses, as well as five distinct advanced practice specializations. Find the best fit for your career goals.

Get in Touch

We’re here to help. For information about DNP degrees at Seattle University, contact:

Oz Sener, MEd

A woman in a black shirt smiling for the camera.