About this Program

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program has been developed to address a growing demand from advanced practice nurses for programming that enables them to obtain a DNP and an additional national certification as a nurse practitioner in psychiatric mental health. This Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health DNP program is targeted to licensed, registered nurses with an APRN MSN who wish to gain new skills and knowledge for board certification to provide psychiatric care services as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

Program Highlights

  • Learn advanced diagnostics and practice skills in psychiatric mental health.

  • Incorporate emerging care technologies into practice.

  • Prepare for a career in a growing and in demand field.

  • Full-time students complete in 7 semesters.

At a Glance
Degree Level
Graduate
Degree Earned
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Delivery Modes
Online
On-Campus

Careers

Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the . A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

$143,703 Median Salary

Provide advanced nursing care for patients with psychiatric disorders. May provide psychotherapy under the direction of a psychiatrist.

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary

$77,360 Median Salary

Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Registered Nurses

$73,550 Median Salary

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

Nurse Practitioners

$121,610 Median Salary

Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Psychiatric Mental Health DNP at ODU?
Students entering the Doctor of Nursing Practice program in Psychiatric Mental Health DNP should meet the minimum university admission requirements Graduate Admission.

In addition to meeting 91¶ÌÊÓƵ requirements, applicants must meet the admission criteria below.

  • Current, unencumbered license as a registered nurse (RN)

  • Master's degree in nursing or a related field from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of 3.0 grade point

  • Baccalaureate degree in nursing or related field from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average

  • Three letters of recommendation, with at least one from a former faculty member and at least two from former employers

  • A 500-700 word essay that should speak specifically to the concentration area to which you are applying

  • Current Resume

For Admission to the Psychiatric Mental Health DNP Program

Application Deadline

September 1

Cost of Attendance

We believe in providing students with transparent and accessible information about the cost of attendance. 

Review the estimated tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year (subject to change). Non-resident rates are charged for anyone who is not a current Virginia resident, including international students.

Virginia Resident
Cost Per-Credit $620
Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United 91¶ÌÊÓƵs
Cost Per-Credit $642
Non-Resident
Cost Per-Credit $1,486

Ways to Fund Your Degree

There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Old Dominion 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.

Contact

Professor & Eminent Scholar

169C VIRGINIA BEACH CENTER 1881 UNIVERSITY DR
VIRGINIA BEACH, 23453