Post-Master's PMHNP Certificate
journey today.
Build Expertise in Psychiatric Assessment and Treatment
The online1 post-master's psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to deliver comprehensive mental health care across the lifespan. In your program, you’ll study and apply diagnostic tools, treatment methods and evidence-based approaches to practice. Through collaborative learning, you’ll work with other healthcare professionals to provide compassionate, effective care in diverse clinical settings with the goal of preparing you to support individuals in need of mental health services.
Integrate Mental Health Support Across Diverse Healthcare Settings
Expand your expertise in nursing mental healthcare and prepare to make a greater impact in patient outcomes with a post-master’s certificate (PMHNP). Our program can equip you to integrate psychiatric and mental health services into a variety of healthcare settings, from hospitals and private practice to community and telehealth.
At GCU, you can pursue your psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner post-master's certificate with flexibility and convenience through online¹ coursework. Our intuitive learning platform and robust online support resources make it possible to earn a quality advanced nursing education while balancing professional and personal commitments.
Our PMHNP certificate option builds on your previous knowledge of nursing practice to help you refine your skills and knowledge and focus your studies specifically toward psychiatric mental health care.
PMHNP Post-Master's Certificate Online1 Coursework
This post-master’s program consists of advanced coursework designed to deepen your expertise in psychiatric mental health care and prepare you for the role of a nurse practitioner.
Course topics in this program include:
You will also exercise your hands-on, practical skills through labs and in-person, on-campus experiences. These experiences are crucial to building your understanding of advanced practice skills and immersing yourself in different areas of integrated care and interprofessional collaboration.
Career Paths for PMHNP Certificate Holders
This certificate provides advanced, specialized education that can prepare experienced nurses to qualify to become certified as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Through focused coursework and clinical practice, nurses gain the skills to assess, diagnose and treat patients with mental health conditions across the lifespan. The program builds on existing nursing knowledge, offering the additional education and competencies needed to deliver holistic, evidence-based psychiatric care and expand professional opportunities in mental health settings.
Estimated median annual wage for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners as of May 20242
Estimated job growth for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners from 2024 to 20343
Earn Your Certificate From an Accredited University
Grand Canyon University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a distinction we have proudly maintained since 1968. The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions reflects this same dedication, continually upholding the high standards and values set forth by the university’s accrediting organizations.
The baccalaureate degree programs in nursing, the master’s degree programs in nursing, the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs and the post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Grand Canyon University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation). For more information on the accreditation of nursing programs and other university approvals, please visit our University Accreditation and Regulations page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read through some commonly asked questions and answers to gain more insight into earning your PMHNP post-master's certificate online.1
A post-master’s PMHNP certificate is a specialized academic program for nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing and want to expand their scope of practice into mental health care. This program offers advanced coursework and in-person training, providing the necessary skills to assess, diagnose and treat individuals struggling with mental health disorders.
This certificate can enable MSN-educated nurses to study advanced nursing material in psychiatric and mental health care, which can aid them in seeking certification to practice as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. Becoming a certified PMHNP can allow you to provide comprehensive mental health care, including assessing, diagnosing and treating patients with mental disorders. You may also provide psychotherapy, prescribe medications and collaborate with other teams to deliver holistic mental health care.4
Yes. Post-master’s nursing certificates are for MSN-prepared nurses who are seeking the opportunity to specialize in psychiatric mental health care. It builds on graduate-level nursing knowledge, focusing on consulting, assessing, diagnosing and prescribing to treat and manage psychiatric disorders. The main differentiating factor between a post-master’s certificate and a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner MSN emphasis program is that post-master's certificates focus on the main specialization area.
Take the next step in your nursing career and make a lasting impact in psychiatric care.
Clinical, practicum and immersion hours completed locally.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives and Nurse Practitioners, as of May 2024, retrieved October 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives and Nurse Practitioners retrieved October 2025.
- Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). PMHNP (Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner). Retrieved October 2025.