Post Masters Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Program Overview

This post-master’s certificate program has a focus on advanced practice psychiatric mental health nursing as a specialty area. A multi-theoretical model is used to examine issues relevant to mental health and illness throughout the life-span. The program prepares students to provide comprehensive and integrative psychiatric mental health care to those in need of psychiatric services, as well as those who are at risk. The program has 18 graduate level academic credits of mental health theory, psychopharmacology, and supervised clinical experiences in three psycho-therapeutic treatment modalities (individual, group and family) and encompasses treatment across the life-span, from childhood through senescence.

Admission Requirements

1. Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from regionally-accredited institutions (Note: This must be able to be obtained prior to Orientation)
   • Degrees in nursing from NLN or CCNE accredited programs are preferred.
   • A nurse practitioner (NP) track within the Master’s program is required.
   • Official transcripts for each institution attended must be mailed from the issuing institution’s Registrar directly to NursingCAS. NursingCAS cannot process transcripts that are stamped “Issued to Student.”  To expedite the process be sure to include the Transcript Request Form from the “Colleges Attended” section in “Academic History.”
   • Applicants are required to list all institutions attended in the “Colleges Attended” section under “Academic History” even if no degree was awarded.
   • Applicants with international transcripts should refer to the “Additional Requirements for International Transcripts” section below. International degrees must be equivalent to those in the U.S.
2. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
3. Minimum prerequisite coursework
   • Applicants must have at least three credits of graduate-level coursework in each of the following areas:
     • Advanced Pathophysiology
     • Advanced Pharmacology
     • Advanced Physical/Health Assessment
4. Two letters of recommendation, preferably from individuals with doctorates in nursing
   • At least one reference from an academic source.
   • Complete the "References" section to request electronic recommendations.
5. Statement of professional goals
   • Discuss the reasons for applying to the Post-Master’s PMHNP Certificate program at the University of Miami and how it fits into personal, educational, and professional goals.
   • Upload in the “Documents” tab under “Personal Statement.”
6. Current CV/resume
   • The CV/resume should include work and volunteer activities, licensures and other certifications, awards, professional organizations, and academic experiences.
   • Upload in the “Documents” tab under “CV/Resume.”
7. Current, unrestricted RN license to practice nursing in the State of Florida (Note: This must be able to be obtained prior to Orientation)
   • Upload in the “Documents” tab under “License.”
   • International students must have a United States Social Security number to obtain a Florida RN license.
8. National certification in a nursing specialty
   • Upload in the “Documents” tab under “Certification."

Degree Requirements

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is a lock-step program.  Students must complete the coursework as specified in the Plan of Study for the specific track under which they were admitted and as listed in the Academic Bulletin and the Student Handbook.  Students must also successfully complete the courses in each semester to progress to the next.  Questions related to degree requirements should be directed to the appropriate Associate Dean or Program Director, or staff member in the OSS.

Curriculum Requirements

Mission

The mission of the program is to educate students and support faculty committed to excellence in the art and science of nursing and health care studies through creating and disseminating health knowledge and developing culturally competent leaders to provide safe service to our community, the nation, and the world.

Goal

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner students will apply the advanced knowledge and clinical skills in psychiatric mental health diagnosis and treatment which includes prescriptive practice of psychotropic medications to individuals with mental disorders across the life span.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to appropriately assess, diagnose, treat and evaluate individuals across the lifespan with mental health disorders.