Discover One of the Top Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in SC

If you are pursuing a career in psychiatric mental health, you may be aware of the national need for mental health professionals. In fact, AU’s graduate program in mental health is one of only two such programs in South Carolina. Our program is distinctive because it will prepare you both professionally and spiritually for the challenging and rewarding field of mental health.

Our professors are all practicing nurses, who view their work as more than a job; it’s a mission field and a calling. In our Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, you will learn a holistic approach to patient care. You will learn to ask good questions, notice important aspects of patient appearance, and read body language to find the root cause of symptoms.

Our MSN programs enable you to start your program with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Follow the link below to review the course sequence you’ll need to earn your degree.

Coursework and Training

In the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, you will take 49 hours of coursework. Your classes will include Advanced Assessment, Processes in Mental Health, Psychopharmacological Therapies across the Lifespan, Care of Aging Adults, and Management of the Complex Client. These classes will equip you to assess, diagnose, and treat psychiatric and behavioral disorders.

Course Sequence

For your hands-on training, you will do 500 hours of clinical work during your third and fourth semesters. While it is your responsibility to find a clinical preceptor, AU works hard to establish relationships with clinical partners, to aid you in your search.

Your clinical and in-class experiences at AU will also prepare you for the national accreditation exam you must take to become certified to practice in psychiatric mental health.

Your Future

The Psychiatric Mental Health concentration will prepare you to serve as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in clinics, communities, or hospitals. In addition to the rewarding work you can accomplish, compensation is excellent. Salaries typically range from $95,000 to $115,000.