Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Degree Granted
DNP
Degree Level
Doctoral
Location
Garden City

Become a leader at the highest level of nursing practice with a doctorate from the Adelphi University College of Nursing and Public Health, one of the nation’s top nursing schools.

Why Earn Your DNP?

The United States is facing a shortage of mental health providers. Meet this critical demand by earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, which will prepare you to develop comprehensive, evidence-based solutions to increasingly complex patient needs and industry requirements. You’ll gain the knowledge, skills and training to translate research into practice at local, state and national levels, effecting change and improving health outcomes across the healthcare system.

Why Earn Your Doctor of Nursing Practice at Adelphi in New York?

  • The DNP degree opens opportunities to advance to the next level of your career.  Our hybrid format and part-time plan of study is designed for working professionals.
  • Benefit from our school’s 75-year history of successfully preparing nurses to advance into leadership roles.
  • We offer two points of entry into the program:
    • Advanced Standing DNP Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Program: for applicants who have a master’s in nursing and PMHNP national board certification.
    • BS to DNP Psychiatric-Mental Health DNP Program: Applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree will be eligible to take the exam for national board certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)
90%* * based on Adelphi University Career Outcomes Survey: Class of 2022
of our master’s graduates say that Adelphi University increased their understanding of the roles and responsibilities of professionals in their field
based on Adelphi University Career Outcomes Survey: Class of 2022

A career as a DNP-prepared psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner will place you at the forefront of innovation. Embrace this journey with purpose, knowing that your education at Adelphi University will prepare you to lead in efforts to uplift human well-being and growth.  

Adrial A. Lobelo, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Four young women in their doctoral robes are flanked by two female faculty members, both with light blonde hair and sunglasses. They are standing in front of a Performing Arts Center.

CNPH’s four latest DNP graduates, (l. to r.) Suzette Powell, Gurpreet Kaur, Luisa Remponi and Roopneet Kaur, were hooded at Adelphi in May 2024. They are flanked by Clinical Associate Professors (l.) Marie Cox ’02, MS ’04, DNP, and (r.) Dorothy Ferraro, DNP.

Exceptional Hands-On Learning

At Adelphi University in New York, we believe strongly in the power of hands-on learning and the value it plays in advancing our students’ careers. In the BS to DNP Psychiatric-Mental Health NP program you will complete 1,000 hours of clinical experience (500 hands-on clinical hours in a variety of settings, including community health clinics, health maintenance organizations, specialty clinics and private medical practices, and 500 residency hours). In the Advanced Standing DNP Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, you will complete 500 residency hours.

You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to translate theory into practice in Adelphi’s Clinical Education and Simulation Lab (CESiL), which houses a wealth of supplies and equipment in order to effectively simulate a hospital setting. The center’s innovative educational features include:

  • A 22-bed lab, with one fully functioning community health room set up as a one-bedroom studio apartment
  • Advanced patient care manikins and simulators
  • Seven clinical exam rooms and one pediatric exam room
  • Two classrooms fully wired for testing and web conferencing

Where Do DNP-Prepared Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners Work?

According to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for all nurse practitioners is poised to grow by 40 percent by 2033. With a DNP degree, you’ll be highly qualified to hold positions such as:

  • Chief PMHNP
  • Clinical faculty in higher education
  • Clinical science liaison for professional associations, private industry and nongovernmental organizations
  • Vice President of Advanced Practice Providers for healthcare systems
  • PMHNP expert witness for the judicial system
  • Policy adviser to legislative and thought leaders
A young woman with dark hair pulled back and wearing eyeglasses stands, smiling, before her poster presentation in a bright auditorium.

Luisa Remponi, DNP. ‘24, presented her DNP project at the New York Academy of Medicine.

Program Info

Admission Requirements & Criteria

Applicants must submit the following application requirements for the Doctor in Nurse Practice Programs:

  • Completed graduate application and $60 fee
  • Master’s degree with a focus in psychiatric mental health as a nurse practitioner or post-master’s certificate
  • National board certification as a psychiatric mental health NP
  • One year of clinical experience as a PMHNP
  • GPA of 3.0 and a B grade or higher in all nursing and science courses
  • Three letters of reference from doctorally prepared nursing faculty or colleague (at least two of these references should be from a supervisor or faculty member)
  • Interview with faculty teaching in program
  • Curriculum vitae
  • 500-word written essay addressing the applicant’s vision of his/her future role with a DNP degree
  • Completed graduate application and $60 fee
  • Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited program by either CCNE or CNEA
  • GPA of 3.0 and a B grade or higher in all nursing and science courses
  • Three letters of reference from doctorally prepared nursing faculty or colleague (at least two of these references should be from a supervisor or faculty member)
  • Interview with faculty teaching in program
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Minimum of one year working experience as a post-baccalaureate registered nurse
  • 500-word written essay addressing the applicant’s vision of his/her future role with a DNP degree

Awards & Recognition



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