Be Someone They Turn to
Helping others is in your DNA. Your effortless ability to care is your superpower. It’s time to channel that innate passion into making a real difference.
Bring change by earning your Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) M.S.N.-A.P.R.N. clinical degree. Learn to diagnose symptoms, develop a treatment plan and even prescribe medication. Classes, like Neurobiology Psychopharmacology and Psychiatric Management, will make you a well-rounded care provider in only seven semesters.
Your patients won’t be the only ones who benefit from your education; as a Shark, you’ll stand out to employers when opportunities come knocking. Invest in your future, and become a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at NSU.
Why Earn a Nursing Degree at NSU?
Quick Facts
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Curriculum
Postgraduate Certificate Curriculum
**Requires 170 Practicum Hours
***Requires 255 Practicum Hours
For those with a B.S. or B.A. in a field other than nursing, an overall GPA of 3.0 is required and satisfactory completion of NSG 5000B, Transition to Advanced Nursing Practice, prior to beginning the M.S.N. program. NSG 5000B course is only offered in the fall term.
In order to meet graduation requirements applicants must have or obtain the three separate, comprehensive graduate-level course in:
- Advanced physiology/pathophysiology, including general principles that apply across the life span
- Advanced health assessment, which includes assessment of all human systems, advanced assessment techniques, concepts, and approaches
- Advanced pharmacology, which includes pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics of all broad categories of agents
Content in:
- Health promotion and/or maintenance
- Differential diagnosis and disease management
For a full list of all course descriptions, visit coursewizard.nova.edu.
Go Further
You’re already ahead of the game. Now add more focus to your work with a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate. If you have an accredited M.S.N. degree, apply to the postgraduate certification track and watch as the NSU edge transforms your career for the better.
Ready for the Next Step?
Here's how to apply. Nursing students must submit the NursingCAS application.
The Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing participates in the centralized applications service called NursingCAS.
NursingCAS allows applicants to use a single online application and one set of materials to apply to multiple programs at participating schools. It is used for document verification but does not take part in the student selection.
The Office of Admissions works on a rolling basis. Applications are accepted year-round.

Professional Licensure Disclosure/Notification Statement Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing Nurse Practitioner Program(s) | ||
---|---|---|
Degree Title | Level | Degree |
Master of Science in Nursing | Master | M.S.N. APRN |
At this time, we cannot confirm that the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing (ACON) Master of Science in Nursing (MSN APRN) program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories outside of Florida. Students who plan to take the licensing exam outside of Florida must check with the state in which they are seeking licensure for any additional requirements.
ACON’s Nurse Practitioner graduates seek certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, or as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner upon completion of the APRN program. These exams are offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP.)
Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC)
- https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/family-nurse-practitioner/
- The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (aanpcert.org)
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC)
- https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/adult-gerontology-acute-care-nurse-practitioner/
- https://www.aacn.org/certification/verify-certification
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP)-BC)
Students may also apply for a multi-state license if their home state is part of the nurse licensure compact. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows a nurse to have a multistate license to practice in their home state and other approved compact states https://aprncompact.com/index.htm#map
Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing, MSN Program is a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited program.
PROGRAM MEETS EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS | PROGRAM DOES NOT MEET EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS | CANNOT BE CONFIRMED IF PROGRAM MEETS EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
---|---|---|
Florida | All States (Except Florida) the District of Columbia and the US protectorates, as defined in 34 CFR §600.2. |
For all students, applicants, or prospective students seeking licensure in any state listed in the “Program Does Not Meet Educational Requirements” or “Cannot Be Confirmed If Program Meets Educational Requirements” columns, please see the chart below detailing these states’ licensing boards and contact information.
To access nurse practice acts and administrative codes by state please visit the National of State Boards of Nursing NCSBN website (NCSBN) https://www.ncsbn.org/npa.htm
If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact Timothy O'Connor R.N., Ph.D., L.N.H.A. toconnor@nova.edu.