The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner option requires a minimum of 41 credit hours for degree completion. The curriculum includes 15 credit hours of MSN core courses and 26 credit hours of specialized coursework in psychiatric-mental health nursing.

This program prepares graduates to assess, diagnose, and manage the mental health needs of individuals across the lifespan. Students receive advanced clinical training and theoretical knowledge necessary for the delivery of evidence-based psychiatric and mental health care.

Course content is delivered in a fully virtual format. A maximum of six credit hours may be transferred from another accredited institution, subject to approval (See “Transfer Admission”).

Admission to MSN Program

All applicants to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program must meet the general admission requirements for graduate study at the University of North Alabama (see General Regulations and Procedures). All required application materials must be submitted by the published deadline.

In addition to UNA’s graduate admission requirements, applicants to the MSN program must meet the following criteria:

• A completed application to the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions (ACONHP) graduate program (available online at https://www.una.edu/graduate/ 
• A cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on the transcript from the BSN degree-granting institution transcript.
• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a professionally accredited nursing program in the United States.
• A written statement of professional goals, including how graduate education will support the achievement of those goals.
• A current, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license. Applicants with restrictions, reprimands, or participation in any disciplinary alternative program are not eligible for admission.
• Clinical nursing experience is preferred but not required.
• Completion of a criminal background check and drug screen.

Track-Specific Requirements

Applicants to the Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner tracks must also submit a minimum of two completed recommendation forms.

Conditional Admission – Leadership and Teaching-Learning Tracks

Applicants to the Leadership and Teaching-Learning tracks may be considered for conditional admission if they partially meet the admission criteria. Conditionally admitted students must have at least one year of full-time clinical experience as a registered nurse. To continue in the program, conditionally admitted students must earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher after the first nine credit hours. Students who fall below a 3.0 GPA after nine hours will not be permitted to continue in the program.

International Applicants

International students must meet all University and ACONHP graduate admission requirements. In addition, they must achieve a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL or 213 on the computer-based TOEFL.

Admission Review and Selection

All applications are reviewed by the graduate nursing administration and/or faculty. Admission decisions are made by the ACONHP graduate administration and/or faculty. Admission to the MSN program is competitive, and meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
MSN Core Courses		15
NU 502	Health Policy, Social Issues, and Theory
NU 508	Advanced Health Assessment
NU 509	Diversity, Ethics, Health Promotion and Informatics in Person-Centered Care
NU 607	Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology
NU 614	Advanced Pharmacology for Nurses
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Option Discipline Specific Courses		26
NU 615	Evidenced Based Practice and Nursing Scholarship
NU 650	Introduction to Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
NU 651	Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) I
NU 652	Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) II
NU 653	Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) III
NU 654	Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) IV
NU 655	Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) V
Total Hours		41

Enrollment Status and Course Scheduling

To maintain full-time enrollment status, students must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters, and 6 credit hours during the summer semester, unless otherwise specified. Students requiring full-time status may need to enroll in an elective course to meet the minimum credit hour requirement.

The fall and spring semesters are divided into two 8-week sessions. The summer semester consists of one 8-week session. Course schedules are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid

Year One
Fall Term		Hours
NU 509	Diversity, Ethics, Health Promotion and Informatics in Person-Centered Care	3
NU 607	Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology	3
NU 614	Advanced Pharmacology for Nurses	3
	Hours	9
Spring Term
NU 615	Evidenced Based Practice and Nursing Scholarship	3
NU 502	Health Policy, Social Issues, and Theory	3
NU 508	Advanced Health Assessment	3
	Hours	9
Summer Term
NU 650	Introduction to Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (with 50 clinical hours)	3
	Hours	3
Year Two
Fall Term
NU 651	Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) I (with 75 clinical hours)	4
NU 652	Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) II (with 75 clinical hours)	4
	Hours	8
Spring Term
NU 653	Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) III (with 75 clinical hours)	4
NU 654	Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) IV (with 75 clinical hours)	4
	Hours	8
Summer Term
NU 655	Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) V (with 125 clinical hours)	4
	Hours	4
	Total Hours	41