The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP program at Rutgers School of Nursing prepares nurses to become advanced practice providers who assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions across the lifespan. Students develop the clinical expertise to provide evidence-based psychiatric care to children, adolescents, adults, and older adults in diverse healthcare settings.
Program Overview
Why Choose the Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Program at Rutgers?
Comprehensive Mental Health Care Across the Lifespan
Develop advanced skills to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions in children, adolescents, adults, and older adults through evidence-based, person-centered care.
Diverse Clinical Training in a High-Demand Specialty
Gain hands-on experience across psychiatric and behavioral health settings while developing the expertise needed to meet the growing demand for highly skilled psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners.
Prepare for a Career That Makes an Impact
Graduate prepared to improve mental health outcomes, expand access to care, and support individuals, families, and communities through advanced psychiatric practice.
Flexible Learning for Working Nurses
Balance your professional and personal commitments through flexible online coursework and hands-on clinical experiences while earning your DNP and preparing for advanced psychiatric-mental health practice.
Graduate Testimonial
“Being a graduate student in the Rutgers DNP Psych-Mental Health program has been an exceptional experience, surrounded by professionals and experts in the field. From the beginning, I have felt supported and inspired by my colleagues and professors.”
Jacqueline Hunterton-Anderson, DNP Student
Curriculum
The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP Program admits students every fall and has the following requirements for graduation:
- 4-year plan of study (11 semesters)
- 73 Credits
- 780 Clinical Hours (min.)
More information about the program:
- Graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- 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).
- On-campus immersions are planned for skills and simulated experiences at the Stanley Bergen Building in Newark, New Jersey. The specific dates and itinerary will be provided in advance.
Four-Year Plan of Study Sample
YEAR 1
Fall (6 credits)
NCOR 6010G Role Development & Foundations of Practice (3.00)
NCOR 6020G Epidemiology & Research for Evidence-Based Practice (3.00)
Spring (6 credits)
NCOR 5010G Advanced Pathophysiology (3.00)
NCOR 6030G Scholarly Inquiry, Appraisal & Writing (3.00)
Summer (6 credits)
NCOR 6040G Health Data, Informatics & Tech (3.00)
NCOR 6050G Strategic Leadership & Partnerships (3.00) (35 Project Hours)
YEAR 2
Fall (9 credits)
NCOR 5020G Advanced Health Assessment (3.00)
NCOR 6060G Healthcare Delivery and Economics (3.00)(35 project hours)
NCOR 6070G Evidence-Based Approaches to Advanced Nursing (3.00)
Spring (6 credits)
NCOR 5030G Advanced Pharmacology (3.00)
NCOR 6080G Advanced Population Health, Policy, & Advocacy (3.00)
Summer (7 credits)
PMH 6100G Principles of Psychopharmacology (3.00)
PMH 6120G PMHNP Introductory Assessment (4.00)***
YEAR 3
Fall (8 credits)
PMH 6010G PMHNP Theory 1 (3.00)
PMH 6015G PMHNP Practicum 1 (3.00) (180 clinical hours)***
NCOR 7000G DNP Project Preparation (2.00) (30 project hours)
Spring (8 credits)
PMH 6020G PMHNP Theory 2 (3.00)
PMH 6025G PMHNP Practicum 2 (3.00) (180 clinical hours)***
NCOR 7010G DNP Project Planning & Proposal Development (2.00) (70 project Hours)
Summer (0 credits)
MM (No fee)
YEAR 4
Fall (8 credits)
PMH 6030G PMHNP Theory 3 (3.00)
PMH 6035G PMHNP Practicum 3 (3.00) (180 clinical hours)***
NCOR 7020G DNP Project Implementation (2.00) (100 project hours)
Spring (9 credits)
PMH 6040G PMHNP Theory 4 PMH (3.00)
6045G PMHNP Practicum 4 (240 clinical hours) (4.00)***
NCOR 7030G DNP Project Evaluation & Dissemination (2.00) (50 project hours)
SUMMARY
Total Program Credits: 73.00
Total Clinical Hours: 780 (minimum)
Total DNP Project Hours: 320 (minimum)*
Total DNP Program Hours: 1,110 (minimum)**
*Please refer to the Division of Advanced Nursing Practice Student Handbook for more details surrounding DNP Project courses, progression, and completion timeline.
**The required minimum number of combined clinical practicum and DNP project experience hours is 1,000. In addition, students must complete all program-specific practicum hours necessary to achieve competency requirements for graduation and national certification.
***This course requires in-person attendance for on-site immersions.
Immersions (On-Campus Experience)
On-campus immersions are a signature learning experience of this program. During these immersive sessions, you’ll strengthen your clinical skills through hands-on training, simulation, and skills assessments while collaborating with expert faculty and connecting with classmates. These experiences help build the confidence, competence, and professional relationships essential for success in nursing. Learn more about immersions.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Immersions | 5 |
| Length | 1-2 days each |
| Location | 3 virtual T/OSCEs 2 held in Newark, NJ |
Immersion Schedule
| Semester | Course | Days & Times |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Year 2 (2028) | PMHNP Introductory Assessment | Week 10 Monday 9 am – 5 pm Tuesday 9 am – 3 pm |
| Fall Year 3 (2028) | PMHNP Practicum 1 | Week 3 Virtual TOSCE |
| Spring Year 3 (2029) | PMHNP Practicum 2 | Week 3 Virtual TOSCE |
| Spring Year 4 (2029) | PMHNP Practicum 3 | Week 9 Virtual OSCE |
| Spring Year 4 (2029) | Final Practicum | Week 9 Thursday 9 am – 5 pm Friday 9 am – 3 pm |
Admissions
Priority Application Deadline: March 1 – Apply by this date for priority consideration.
Final Application Deadline: July 1 – Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until this date.
Ready to take the next step? Here’s what you need to apply to the DNP Psychiatric-Mental Health program at Rutgers School of Nursing:
Admissions Requirements
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program
- Preferred GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Current unencumbered RN license. A New Jersey or Compact State RN license will be required after acceptance to the program and within the first semester of study. Students are required to maintain current licensure throughout the program.
- Resume/CV
- Official transcript(s) of all prior college work
- Fully submitted online application, including paid application fee
- Personal and Goal statements ‐ Applicants are expected to submit a concise essay (no more than 2 pages) addressing the following:
- How have your personal qualities and experiences influenced your career choice and how will they contribute to attaining this degree?
- Discuss your reasons for choosing this specialty in relation to your career goals. How will this degree impact your care of the population you expect to serve after graduation?
- Two letters of reference that speak to the candidate’s skills, abilities and experiences that support their success in this program. Personal and/or character references from friends and family are not accepted.
- One reference must be provided by a former faculty member or a professional colleague.
- At least one letter should be from an individual in a supervisory role.
- If necessary, an interview may be offered to qualified applicants.
*Please note that GRE testing is not required.
Transcripts
Applicants are required to submit official transcripts for all previous college work.
- Electronic transcripts (recommended) can be sent to transcripts_nursing@gradadm.rutgers.edu
- Paper transcripts can be sent to Office of Admissions & Recruitment – School of Nursing, 65 Bergen St. (Room 601), Newark, NJ 07107
Newly admitted students must submit updated official transcripts/documents verifying completion of all “in progress” degrees, coursework, or licensure before starting the program. Failure to comply will result in admission being rescinded.
For Rutgers Graduates Only: The School of Nursing Admissions Office will automatically obtain your Rutgers academic transcript after you submit your online application. You do not need to provide it yourself. However, you must still submit transcripts from any non-Rutgers schools you attended.
Application Tips
- Applicants can view their most current admissions status through the online application system.
- The online application contains an admissions checklist, which must be completed in order to be considered for admission to the program.
- Applicants are required to submit admission documents through the online application system (the applicant checklist).
- Once the admissions process begins, applicants with fully completed applications (all supporting documentation received) generally receive their admissions decision within 2-3 weeks.
Graduate Testimonial
“Rutgers gave me the knowledge, preparation and confidence to turn my passion for psychiatric nursing into a career dedicated to helping others. My journey wasn’t always easy, but Rutgers helped me see that challenges do not have to define what we can achieve. If I can reach my goal of becoming a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, so can others.”
Jacqueline Lopez, DNP
Tuition, Fees, and Scholarships
Learn more about Rutgers University tuition and fees – refer to “School of Nursing (Graduate)”.
Rutgers School of Nursing is proud to offer a variety of scholarship opportunities to support our undergraduate and graduate students.
International Applicants
The School of Nursing’s Division of Advanced Nursing Practice welcomes applications from international students. We encourage you to explore the resources available through Rutgers Global – International Students and Scholars. Please note: Our programs do not qualify for F-1 or J-1 visa sponsorship. Applicants should ensure that they hold or are eligible for another visa type before applying. View info for international applicants.
Licensure Disclosure for Psychiatric-Mental Health DNP
- View Professional Licensure Disclosures for the Psychiatric-Mental Health program.
- Distance and Experiential Learning Disclosures and Approvals
Licensure & Clinical Compliance for Nursing Programs
At Rutgers School of Nursing, we are dedicated to preparing ethical and skilled nursing professionals. To be licensed in most states, a criminal history background check is a prerequisite for licensure as a registered professional nurse (RN) per the state’s Board of Nursing. Since eligibility criteria may vary, applicants should check with the Board of Nursing of the state in which they plan to apply for licensure to determine the eligibility criteria.
See our Nursing Licensure Requirements page for more information
All nursing students in clinical courses are required to complete a criminal history background check. Depending on your program, clinical sites may require additional screening, such as drug testing and/or fingerprinting, to ensure compliance with their policies and standards. Please review Clinical Clearance Requirements for individual Rutgers nursing programs. These practices reflect the nursing profession’s commitment to trust, accountability, and community safety. If you have questions or need support, our team is here to help guide you on your journey.
Accessibility Accommodations
Many students have questions about disclosing their disability needs when they apply to Rutgers Health programs. The short answer is you don’t have to disclose if you’re not comfortable sharing that information with us at the application stage. Some examples of accommodations needed may include, but are not limited to, sign language interpreters, interviewing accommodations, or accommodations during visitation. If you need accessibility accommodations during the application or interview process for admissions at Rutgers Health, you can explore your options by contacting the Rutgers Health Office of Disability Services or by calling 973-640-0058.
Rutgers Health doesn’t discriminate against students with disabilities, and students are not required or expected to disclose disabilities when they apply to Rutgers Health Programs, unless accommodations are needed during the application process. You can rest assured that we are committed to creating an equal-access environment and supporting your needs during your time at Rutgers.
Meet the Program Director
Dr. Mamilda Robinson is the specialty director for the psychiatric mental health program and a clinical associate professor. She has a passion for patients and “paying it forward.” She has been working in in- and out-patient psychiatry since 2006 and as a Psychiatric Mental Health NP since 2014.