Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Curriculum

The postbaccalaureate doctor of nursing practice (DNP) psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program is one of few programs in New Jersey preparing Post B.S. to DNPs in the area of psychiatric-mental health across the life span. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Curriculum: The postbaccalaureate DNP psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program is 78-credits with 720 precepted practicum hours. The program can be completed in either full-time or part-time graduate study and is a hybrid of online and in-classroom courses.

The following are the required courses for this program:

Core Courses

NURS 5104 - Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
NURS 5105 - Advanced Clinical Pharmacology (3)
ADHA 5107 - Advanced Health Assessment (3)

D.N.P. Core Courses

NURS 6010 - Clinical Scholarship (2)
NURS 6060 - Clinical Inquiry for Evidence-Based Practice (3)
NURS 6930 - Information Technology for Evidence-Based Practice (3)
NURS 6040 - Determinants of Health (3)
NURS 6780 - Healthcare Economics and Business Practices for Advanced Practice Nurses (3)
NURS 6880 - Leadership for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (3)
NURS 6980 - Epidemiology and Population Health (3)
NURS 6033 - Quality and Safety for Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
NURS 6020 - Management and Analysis of Health Data for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (3)
NURS 6940 - Evidence Translation and Implementation Science (3)
NURS 6030 - D.N.P. Project Planning and Proposal Development (3)
NURS 6031 - D.N.P. Project Implementation (2)
NURS 6032 - D.N.P. Project Evaluation and Dissemination (2)

Specialty Courses

MHP 6090 - Principles of Psychopharmacology (3)
MHP 6110 - Theoretical Foundations of Psychotherapy (3)
MHP 6310 - Biopsychosocial Assessment and Differential Diagnosis in Advanced Practice Nursing (3)
MHP 6140 - Human Behavior Theory 1: Care of the Adult and the Older Adult and Family (3)
MHP 6150 - Human Behavior Practicum 1: Care of the Adult and the Older Adult and Family (3) (180 clinical hours)
MHP 6160 - Human Behavior Theory 2: Care of the Adult and the Older Adult and Family (3)
MHP 6170 - Human Behavior Practicum 2: Care of the Adult and the Older Adult and Family (3) (180 clinical hours)
MHP 6180 - Human Behavior Theory 3: Care of the Child and Adolescent and Family (3)
MHP 6190 - Human Behavior Practicum 3: Care of the Child and Adolescent and Family (3) (180 clinical hours)
MHP 6210 - Human Behavior Theory 4: Care of the Specialty Populations (3)
MHP 6220 - Human Behavior Practicum 4: Care of the Specialty Populations (3) (180 clinical hours)

In addition to the successful completion of the above course requirements, all DNP students must meet all the DNP project requirements set forth by the program.

A student who does not complete their DNP project during the project-related courses will be registered for a 1-credit project continuation course in subsequent semesters until the project is complete.

The minimum number of combined clinical practicum and DNP project experience hours is 1000. Students, however, may be required to complete more than 1000 hours to meet minimum competency requirements for graduation and certification (when applicable).