Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, ADN2(MSN+1)=DNP
The curriculum for Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with MSN included offers associate degree nurses an opportunity to pursue certification as a Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner while earning the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
The Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner major at Otterbein offers the following advantages:
- Online coursework
- Clinical experiences in your community
- Small class sizes
- Expert, caring faculty
- Graduate-level courses early in the program
Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) ADN2(MSN+1)=DNP
Applications for admission will be reviewed once per year by the Nursing Admission Review Committee. The most qualified applicants will be selected on a space-available basis. It may be necessary for some students to take undergraduate courses to meet prerequisites of selected graduate courses.
Candidates that do not meet all the admission criteria, but who wish to be considered for admission must submit a petition requesting special consideration along with their application materials.
Admission Criteria
- Associate’s degree in nursing from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency, and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), or the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- A current valid and unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse in the state where you will do your clinical experiences. In addition, an applicant must not have had a previous revocation, denial, suspension, or restriction of their license from any state or country.
- Demonstrate that the following prerequisite courses have been completed with a grade of C or better prior to the application deadline.
- Composition & Literature (2 courses)
- Chemistry 1
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Nutrition
- Introduction to Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Anthropology or Sociology (either course)
- Statistics
- Minimum of one (1) year paid clinical work experience within the past three years as a Registered Nurse before the application deadline, documented on the submitted resume. Clinical work experience must include direct care in a public health, community, hospital, or ambulatory care setting that serves patients across the life span.
- Evidence of capacity for graduate.
- A blended cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all previous course work on the submitted transcripts;
- A Science GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale comprising grades in anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, statistics, and chemistry courses.
- Positive professional recommendations.
- Ability to articulate one’s professional goals, evidenced by the Admission Essay and faculty interview, with applicant’s goals congruent with the objectives and resources of the Otterbein University Department of Nursing. The essay should:
- summarize the applicant’s professional background;
- describe the role of the Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and clinical areas of interest;
- discuss professional and career goals, and how these goals can be achieved in the educational program, including the applicant’s ideas for the final scholarly project; and
- describe past experiences and reflections that have influenced these goals.
The essay should be carefully planned, written, and edited by the applicant.
After review of the written materials, a selected pool of applicants will be required to participate in an interview with the Graduate Nursing Programs Recruiter.
The following experiences are not criteria for selection, but are highly recommended:
- Demonstrated facility with computer-based office productivity tools, including word processing, electronic mail, and spreadsheet manipulation. This may be achieved by completing one or more of several online tutorials and face-to-face workshops; and
- Demonstrated facility with the most recent version of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (aka APA style). This may be achieved by taking one of several available tutorials, including the APA Tutorial available at the APA Website.
Application Process
- Complete the online application. Indicate Fall Semester 2021 as your start date.
- Submit to gradadmit@otterbein.edu following documents, preferably as an ms word or a pdf file:
- A resume with all professional experience documented. Also include leadership activities, scholastic awards, nursing organizational memberships, and community service, as applicable.
- The Admission Essay.
- Request from all institutions of higher education where you have earned credit, irrespective of number of courses taken, that an individual, official transcript be sent to The Graduate School, Otterbein University. They may be sent directly from the institution electronically to gradadmit@otterbein.edu.
- Request from two individuals who can support your potential academic ability, clinical competency, and personal character that they complete and submit a recommendation form. At least one should be from a clinical preceptor or person who has evaluated your clinical ability. Otterbein University reserves the right to contact persons providing recommendations and to acknowledge receipt of recommendations. Request that they be sent electronically to gradadmit@otterbein.edu.
Students must submit documentation of meeting health requirements – including completion of the American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) curriculum – prior to starting classes, and must submit documentation of keeping health requirements current throughout their course of study.
Curriculum Requirements
Total of 13 undergraduate and 77 graduate credit hours (51 MSN). All courses are required.
Note: A minimum grade of B minus (B-) is required in all courses. Students must also maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 throughout the program.
Transition Courses | ||
INST 220x | 3 UG hrs | Philosophy (select from 2201, 2, 3, 4 or 5) |
NURS 3300 | 3 UG hrs | Evidence-Based Practice |
NURS 3500 | 5 UG hrs | Professional Practice and Communities |
NURS 5000 | 3 hrs | Transition to Graduate Studies in Nursing |
Advanced Practice Core Courses | ||
NURS 6810 | 3 hrs | Advanced Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Nurse |
NURS 6820 | 3 hrs | Advanced Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Nurse |
NURS 6830 | 3 hrs | Advanced Physical & Health Assessment for the Advanced Practice Nurse |
Doctor of Nursing Practice Core Courses | ||
NURS 7210 | 3 hrs | Knowledge Building for the Doctor of Nursing Practice |
NURS 7220 | 3 hrs | Evidence-Based Practice & Informatics for the Doctor of Nursing Practice |
NURS 7230 | 3 hrs | Biostatistics & Epidemiology for the Doctor of Nursing Practice |
NURS 7240 | 3 hrs | Quality Practice for the Doctor of Nursing Practice |
NURS 7250 | 3 hrs | Policy & Politics for the Doctor of Nursing Practice |
NURS 7260 | 3 hrs | Leadership for the Doctor of Nursing Practice |
Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialty Courses | ||
NURS 7310 | 3 hrs | Psychopharmacology & Prescribing |
NURS 7320 | 3 hrs | Neurobiology & Psychopathology |
NURS 7330 | 3 hrs | Psychiatric Diagnosis & Management: Adults |
NURS 7340 | 3 hrs | Systems Interventions: Individuals & Families |
NURS 7350 | 3 hrs | Psychiatric Diagnosis & Management: Children |
NURS 7410 | 4 hrs | Advanced Practice Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing: The Role in Health Delivery & Promotion |
NURS 7420 | 3 hrs | Clinical Psychiatric Internship I |
NURS 7430 | 6 hrs | Clinical Psychiatric Internship II |
NURS 7440 | 5 hrs | Clinical Psychiatric Internship III |
Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Courses | ||
NURS 7920 | 2 hrs | Final Scholarly Project for the Doctor of Nursing Practice – Supervised Study Note: NURS 7920 is taken multiple times for variable credit. |
NURS 7940 | 3 hrs | Doctor of Nursing Practice I |
NURS 7950 | 5 hrs | Doctor of Nursing Practice II – Advanced Practice Nurse |
NURS 8000 | 3 hrs | Doctor of Nursing Practice III |
Students seeking undergraduate financial aid must take 6 credit-hours per semester to qualify. For example taking NURS 3300 for 3 credit hours and NURS 3500 for 5 credit hours.
Sample Plan of Study Grid
First Year ADN2(MSN+1)=DNP Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Major
Fall Semester | |||
Previous | Current | Course Title | Hours |
New | INST 220X | Philosophy Select from 2201, 2202, 2203, 2204, and 2205 | 3 hrs |
New | NURS 5000 | Transition to Graduate Nursing Practice | 3 hrs |
Semester Hours = 6 | |||
Spring Semester | |||
Previous | Current | Course Title | Hours |
New | NURS 3300 | Evidence-Based Practice, Research, & Informatics | 2 hrs |
New | NURS 3500 | Professional Nursing in the Community Writing Intensive | 5 hrs |
Semester Hours = 7 | |||
Total Year Hours = 13 |
Second Year ADN2(MSN+1)=DNP Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Major
Summer Semester | ||
Course Number |
Course Title | Hours |
NURS 6810 | Advanced Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Nurse | 3 hrs |
NURS 7220 | Evidence-Based Practice & Informatics for the Doctor of Nursing Practice | 3 hrs |
Semester Hours = 6 |
||
Fall Semester | ||
Course Number | Course Title | Hours |
NURS 6820 | Advanced Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Nurse | 3 hrs |
NURS 7230 | Biostatistics & Epidemiology for the Doctor of Nursing Practice | 3 hrs |
Semester Hours = 6 |
||
Spring Semester | ||
Course Number | Course Title | Hours |
NURS 6830 | Advanced Physical & Health Assessment for the Advanced Practice Nurse | 3 hrs |
NURS 7260 | Leadership for the Doctor of Nursing Practice | 3 hrs |
Semester Hours = 6 |
||
Total Year Hours = 18 |
Third Year ADN2(MSN+1)=DNP Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Major
Summer Semester | ||
Course Number |
Course Title | Hours |
NURS 7310 | Psychopharmacology & Prescribing | 3 hrs |
NURS 7320 | Neurobiology & Psychopathology | 3 hrs |
Semester Hours = 6 | ||
Fall Semester | ||
Course Number | Course Title | Hours |
NURS 7330 | Psychiatric Diagnosis & Management: Adults | 3 hrs |
NURS 7340 | Systems Interventions: Individuals & Families | 3 hrs |
Semester Hours = 6 | ||
Spring Semester | ||
Course Number | Course Title | Hours |
NURS 7350 | Psychiatric Diagnosis & Management: Children | 3 hrs |
NURS 7410 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing: The Role in Health Delivery & Promotion | 4 hrs |
Semester Hours = 7 | ||
Total Year Hours = 19 |
Fourth Year ADN2(MSN+1)=DNP Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Major
Summer Semester | ||
Course Number | Course Title | Hours |
NURS 7420 | Clinical Psychiatric Internship I | 3 hrs |
Semester Hours = 3 |
||
Fall Semester | ||
Course Number | Course Title | Hours |
NURS 7430 | Clinical Psychiatric Internship II | 6 hrs |
Semester Hours = 6 |
||
Spring Semester | ||
Course Number | Course Title | Hours |
NURS 7440 | Clinical Psychiatric Internship III | 5 hrs |
Semester Hours = 5 |
||
Total Year Hours = 14 |
||
Total MSN Hours = 51 | ||
Receive Master of Science in Nursing Degree |
Fifth Year ADN2(MSN+1)=DNP Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Major
Summer Semester | ||
Course Number |
Course Title | Hours |
NURS 7210 | Knowledge Building for the Doctor of Nursing Practice | 3 hrs |
NURS 7920 | Final Scholarly Project for the Doctor of Nursing Practice – Supervised Study | 2 hrs |
NURS 7940 | Doctor of Nursing Practice I | 3 hrs |
Semester Hours = 8 |
||
Fall Semester | ||
Course Number |
Course Title | Hours |
NURS 7240 | Quality Practice for the Doctor of Nursing Practice | 3 hrs |
NURS 7920 | Final Scholarly Project for the Doctor of Nursing Practice – Supervised Study | 2 hrs |
NURS 7950 | Doctor of Nursing Practice II | 5 hrs |
Semester Hours = 10 |
||
Spring Semester | ||
Current | Course Title | Hours |
NURS 7250 | Policy & Politics for the Doctor of Nursing Practice | 3 hrs |
NURS 7920 | Final Scholarly Project for the Doctor of Nursing Practice – Supervised Study | 2 hrs |
NURS 8000 | Doctor of Nursing Practice III | 3 hrs |
Semester Hours = 8 |
||
Total Year Hours = 26 |
||
Receive Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree |
Total Program Hours = 90
Clinical Hours:
- APRN Clinical Hours = 585 preceptor approved hours = 540 hrs direct with patients + 45 hrs faculty supervision
- Population Distribution = 125 hrs Pediatric + 125 hrs Adult + 125 hrs Geriatric + 210 hrs Unspecified
- Topic Distribution = 125 hrs Therapy + 125 hrs Inpatient + 125 hrs Outpatient + 210 hrs Unspecified
- Semester Distribution = Summer 3: 150 hrs, Fall 3: 150 hrs; Spring 3: 285 hrs
- DNP Clinical Immersion Hours = 415 adviser approved hours
Application Deadlines
Program of Study | Annual Deadline | Starting Term |
Associate’s Degree to Doctor of Nursing Practice, MSN Included | ||
Family Nurse Practitioner Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner |
Rolling, until August 1st * | Fall Term (yearly) |
Master’s Degree to Doctor of Nursing Practice | ||
Advanced Practice Focus Nurse Executive Focus |
Rolling, until April 1st * | Summer Term (yearly) |
Family Nurse Practitioner | ||
BSN to DNP (MSN included) Post-Master’s Certificate |
Rolling, until April 1st * | Summer Term (yearly) |
Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | ||
BSN to DNP (MSN included) Post-Master’s Certificate |
Rolling, until April 1st * | Summer Term (yearly) |
Nurse Anesthesia | ||
BSN to DNP | September 1st | Summer Term (yearly) |
*Applications will be reviewed monthly; while seats remain available.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Program Tuition Estimates
The following fees are for tuition only. Additional lab, resource, and technology fees can be found on the fee schedule on the Business Office website. Acceptance deposit fees that are credited towards tuition are: BSN-to-DNP Nurse Anesthesia $1,000; all other degrees and certificates $500. Costs subject to slight increases each academic year.
Graduate Nursing Program | MSN Tuition Estimate | DNP Tuition Estimate |
ADN2(MSN+1)=DNP | ||
Family Nurse Practitioner, ADN2(MSN+1)=DNP | $35,210 | $47,280 |
Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, ADN2(MSN+1)=DNP | $43,020 | $55,090 |
BSN2(MSN+1)=DNP | ||
Family Nurse Practitioner, BSN2(MSN+1)=DNP | $27,680 | $39,750 |
Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, BSN2(MSN+1)=DNP | $35, 490 | $47,560 |
BSN to DNP | ||
Nurse Anesthesia (Click here for more cost info for the NA major) | $100,680 | |
Master’s Degree to DNP | ||
Advanced Practice Nurse Focus | $24,850 | |
Nurse Executive Focus | $24,850 | |
Post-Master’s Certificate | ||
Family Nurse Practitioner | $22,000 | |
Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | $29,100 | |
Graduate Nursing Tuition Fees per Credit Hour | ||
5000- and 6000-Level Courses | $630 per cr hr | |
7200-, 7300-, 7400-, 7500-, 7900-, and 8000-Level Courses | $710 per cr hr | |
7600-, 7700-, and 7800-Level Courses | $1,052 per cr hr |
Payment Options
To help you manage your graduate school expenses Otterbein offers the ePay payment system and resources you may research for scholarship opportunities (see non-Otterbein Sources of Aid below). We recommend that you speak with the graduate financial aid counselor at 614-823-1379. See the Business Office site for information about ePay.
Graduate Nursing Financial Aid Options
Graduate students are eligible for consideration for a variety of scholarships and loans.
Non-Otterbein Sources of Aid
National Scholarship Opportunities
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
National organization with multiple scholarship and financial aid opportunities. - American Association of Nurse Anesthetist Foundation (AANA)
By joining AANA, members are eligible for multiple scholarship opportunities specific to pursuing a CRNA degree. - American Cancer Society
Scholarship and living stipend to support a master or doctorate level nurse practitioner student interested in pursuing a career in oncology. - Doctors of Nursing Practice
Resource of national scholarship opportunities for nurses pursuing an advanced degree. - Nurses Educational Funds Etc.
National organization dedicated to providing scholarships for nurses seeking an advanced degree. Application opens annually in the fall and closes early February the following year. - American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society offers scholarships to support the training of advanced practice nurses, specializing in cancer and DNPs ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 per year. - Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation (NPHF)
National organization dedicated to providing financial aid to nurses pursing an advanced degree. Scholarship applications open in late August/early September annually.
Ohio Scholarship Opportunities
- Ohio Board of Nursing
The website lists multiple sources. - Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses
Master’s level and doctorate level opportunities available. Due annually in August, presented in October at annual conference. - Ohio Nurses Association- Ohio Nurses Foundation
The Ohio Nurses Foundation awards thousands of dollars annually in research grants and scholarships to notable nurses and future nurses. - Mid-Ohio District Nurses Association
Annual scholarship for members of the Mid-Ohio Nurses Association. Scholarship is due the 3rd Friday of February annually and announced mid-April annually. - Kappa Lambda Chapter Sigma Theta Tau
By joining the Kappa Lambda chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau Honors Society, students will have the opportunity to apply for scholarships. - Columbus Foundation
Check the Columbus Foundation web page periodically for additional scholarship opportunities!- Jane Tschappat Nursing Advancement Scholarship
Local scholarship for a Columbus nurse pursuing an advanced degree with documented financial need. - Dorothy A. Cornelius Scholarship
Local scholarship for a Mid-Ohio Nurses Association nurse pursuing an advanced degree
- Jane Tschappat Nursing Advancement Scholarship
- City of Westerville Chamber of Commerce Otterbein University Master’s Degree Scholarship
Scholarship opportunity available for a member of WACC or is an employee of a WACC business enrolled in a master’s degree program at Otterbein University.
Loan Repayment Opportunities
- The Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP)
- Ohio Substance Use Disorder Professional Loan Repayment Program
- Army Healthcare
Additional options available if joining the army reserves. - National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
Provides for the repayment of educational loans for APRN & DNP students made in exchange for a commitment to work in a medically underserved area. - Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA)
Health professions faculty from disadvantaged backgrounds can receive repayment of their student loans in exchange for educating tomorrow’s clinicians. - Hospital system education repayment – check with your employer human resource department on tuition reimbursement opportunities.
Otterbein Financial Aid
For information about financial aid available from Otterbein, see the Office of Financial Aid site.