Beginning in fall 2023, the Peavy School of Nursing (PSON) will offer a new graduate track - Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. This new University of St. Thomas-Houston degree program allows registered nurses to expand their scope of practice to include the care of individuals, families, and groups with psychiatric and mental health needs. 

“The Master of Science in Nursing in Psychiatric Mental Health Program (MSN-PMHNP) track is based on the PSON vision, mission, holistic philosophy and framework that guide the MSN-level curriculum,” Campbell-Law said.

“We are offering this graduate nursing track in response to a call for a growing need for advanced practice nurses to specialize in psychiatric-mental health care,” Division Dean and Professor of Nursing Lucinda Campbell-Law said.

The curriculum covers knowledge derived from nursing science, neuroscience, behavioral change theories, motivational theories, learning theories, and other psychotherapeutic frameworks. These course offerings provide a holistic perspective from which to assess, diagnose, treat, manage, and evaluate acute and chronic mental illnesses. 

This track was designed to prepare nurses who already have a post-baccalaureate in nursing but want to expand their capacity to treat and care for the population of patients with psychiatric illnesses,” Campbell-Law said. “Graduates with this MSN-PMHNP degree will be able to provide care for patients across their lifespan.”

The courses are offered hybrid style (in-person and online) and the degree is accredited by The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The PMHNP program, with 43 hours of coursework and 540 clinical hours, prepares students to treat every facet of patients with mental health needs and to sit for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC™).

The MSN in Psychiatric-Mental Health is one of the highest-paying nurse practitioner specialties, according to the 2019 “Clinical Advisor” Salary Survey, with an average salary of $130,382. 

For additional information, contact Dr. Lucindra Campbell-Law at campbell@stthom.edu.   Learn more about this new program at www.stthom.edu/msn.