This option prepares nurses for advanced practice roles in assessing, diagnosing, and managing mental health and substance use disorders across the lifespan. The curriculum emphasizes comprehensive mental health care, equipping students with the skills to provide individual and family psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, medication management, and other evidence-based interventions to diverse populations. Through 59 credits and 1,031 practice hours, students gain the expertise to deliver holistic, patient-centered care. Upon successful completion of all degree requirements, graduates are eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner examination (Across the Lifespan).
Sample Plan of Study
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 1 | NURS 590 Colloquium – 1 credit NURS 803 Patho – 3 credits NURS 510 Theoretical & Scientific Foundations – 3 credits Credit total – 7 | NURS 587 Ethics – 1 credit NURS 588 Policy – 3 credits NURS 804 Pharm – 3 credits Credit total – 7 | NURS 802 Health Assess (18 DPH) – 3 credits NURS 831 EBP II (75 DPH) – 4 credits NURS 802M Int Bps – 2 credits Credit total – 9 |
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 2 | NURS 870M NP ROLE – 3 credits NURS 872M PMHNP PRACT (225CPH) – 3 credits NURS 810 Theo Found & App of Psychotherapy – 4 credits Credit total – 10 | NURS 871M NP ROLE – 3 credits NURS 873M PMHNP PRACT (150 CPH) – 2 credits NURS 837 EBP III (75 DPH) Methods – 3 credits Credit total – 8 | NURS 877M PRACT SYN (38 DPH) – 3 credits NURS 874M PMHNPNP PRACT (225CPH) – 3 credits NURS 835 DNP Project (75 DPH) – 2 credits Credit total – 8 |
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | May | |
| Year 3 | NURS 835 DNP Project (75 DPH) – 2 credits NURS 808 POP HEALTH– 3 credits Credit total – 5 | NURS 835 DNP Project (75 DPH) – 2 credits NURS 836 HC INFORMATICS – 3 credits Credit total – 5 | Commencement |
DPH – Doctoral Practicum Hours | CPH – Clinical Practicum Hours
Learn more about program’s courses by visiting the University Bulletin »
DNP–NP Practicum
A total of 1,031 hours of post–B.S. practicum is required in the hybrid DNP nurse practitioner program. Your required hours will be accomplished through courses in the DNP curriculum that include practicum hours as part of the course work.
Practicum hour plans will be developed in consultation with the course’s faculty member and with the approval of the DNP faculty adviser.
- Development of the plans for practicum experiences begins with your admission to the program.
- The practicum planning process involves establishing a site affiliation agreement with the practicum site and identifying a preceptor(s).
- You will be responsible for identifying potential practicum sites and preceptors and working with the program director to accomplish the affiliation agreement process.
- Some students choose to complete practicum requirements at their place of employment and other students identify alternate practicum sites.
- Please note that practicum sites must be in Pennsylvania.
