10 Best Shortest Online PMHNP Certificate Programs in 2025

Throughout the U.S., there are many communities that don't have sufficient access to mental health professionals. As a result, many advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), also known as nurse practitioners, choose to focus on mental health.

Nurses who have completed a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) can become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) through a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate program. Some schools offer accelerated options for this. Keep reading to discover some of the shortest PMHNP certificate programs.

What Is a PMHNP Certificate Program?

PMHNP certificate programs are short-term, non-degree programs designed to train students to work in psychiatric and mental health clinical practice. These graduate certificates are generally meant for students who have completed at least an MSN program and are working as nurse practitioners, but want to widen their scope of practice or shift their area of care.

How Long Does a PMHNP Certificate Program Take?

PMHNP certificates usually take between one and three years to complete. The length of time depends on the specific program as well as your previous education, whether or not you have transfer credits, and whether you study full-time or part-time.

Fastest PMHNP Programs Online

A handful of colleges and universities across the U.S. offer one-year PMHNP certificates. We've highlighted some of the fastest PMHNP programs online below.

1. California State University, Fresno

California State University, Fresno is a public research university in Fresno, CA. It offers a one-year, 19-credit online PMHNP for licensed nurse practitioners.

The program runs from January through December, and students must appear on campus once at the beginning of the program. They'll also participate in clinical practicum in adult/geriatric, pediatric/adolescent, and psychotherapy.

• Estimated cost: $11,400
• Program length: One year
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC) and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

2. Johns Hopkins University

At Johns Hopkins University, students can earn a PMHNP certificate in three consecutive semesters, or one calendar year. The program is 17 credits and online, and students can complete their clinical experiences at a site near them.

JHU is a private, nonprofit research university located in Baltimore. Courses in its PMHNP certificate program cover topics like psychopharmacology, clinical reasoning, and mental health assessment.

• Estimated cost: $33,915
• Program length: One year
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education and CCNE

3. Mount Carmel College of Nursing

Mount Carmel College of Nursing offers an online PMHNP program that can be completed in as little as three consecutive semesters. MCCN is a nonprofit, private nursing school in Columbus, OH.

The program requires 23 credit hours and 500 clinical hours. MCCN offers summer and fall start dates for this program.

• Estimated cost: $22,540
• Program length: One year
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and CCNE

4. National University

The average student in the online post-graduate PMHNP program at National University finishes within 12 months. This program requires 51 quarter credits (the equivalent of 34 semester credits), but often, licensed nurse practitioners can bypass several course requirements.

National University, based in San Diego, is a private, nonprofit institution. It offers year-round enrollment so students can start right away.

• Estimated cost: $22,950
• Program length: One year
• Accreditation: WASCUC, CCNE

5. New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University is a public research institution in Las Cruces, NM. The School of Nursing offers a post-graduate APRN certificate with a PMHNP track.

This program is online and requires 18 credit hours. It takes three consecutive semesters to complete and includes courses on mental health care across the lifespan, psychopharmacology, and care for diverse populations.

• Estimated cost: $8,881.20
• Program length: One year
• Accreditation: HLC and CCNE

6. Ohio University

Students at Ohio University can earn an online PMHNP certificate within one year. The three-semester program requires 20 credit hours total.

Prerequisites for this program include courses on pathophysiology, pharmacology, and advanced health assessment. The post-master's certificate requires four total courses and 750 hours of clinical experience.

• Estimated cost: $12,860
• Program length: One year
• Accreditation: HLC and CCNE

7. Texas A&M International University

Texas A&M International University offers a PMHNP certificate for those with a master's degree or doctorate in nursing. TAMIU is a public university in Laredo, TX.

The online nursing program requires 29 credit hours. One on-campus learning intensive is required at the end of the first semester.

• Estimated cost: $10,643
• Program length: One year
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

8. University of California

Four University of California schools — Davis, Los Angeles, Irvine, and San Francisco — have collaborated to offer a one-year PMHNP certificate program. This is a hybrid program that combines online education with three immersion sessions and regional clinical training across California.

Courses cover topics like psychopharmacology, clinical reasoning, mental health disorders, and treatment plans. Nursing students often do their clinical placement near where they live or work.

• Estimated cost: $45,925
• Program length: One year
• Accreditation: WASCUC and CCNE

9. University of Miami

The University of Miami is a private, nonprofit research institution in Miami. It offers a post-master's PMHNP certificate online.

The program takes a year to complete and requires 18 credits. Coursework covers psychopharmacology and psychotherapeutic interventions.

• Estimated cost: $27,000
• Program length: One year
• Accreditation: SACSCOC and CCNE

10. University of Michigan-Flint

Through the University of Michigan-Flint, students can advance their nursing career with an online PMHNP certificate. The program requires 17 to 20 credits, depending on prior coursework, and can be finished within a year.

UM-Flint, a public institution, is located in Flint, MI. The PMHNP certificate program here includes clinical practice in pediatrics, adult, and gerontology patient care.

• Estimated cost: $14,178 (in-state); $21,220.25 (out-of-state)
• Program length: One year
• Accreditation: HLC and CCNE

How We Chose These Programs

To choose the nurse practitioner programs listed above, we focused on PMHNP options that lead to board certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). We also looked at:

• Shortest program lengths: All programs listed above can be finished in a year or less for those with a graduate-level nursing degree.
• Accreditation: Every school listed is regionally accredited, and all NP programs are either ACEN or CCNE-accredited.
• Online coursework: All programs have a primarily online modality, though some may require some on-campus visits, and all require in-person clinical practice.

FAQs About the Shortest Online PMHNP Programs

Shifting your practice from being a primary care, adult-gerontology, or family nurse practitioner to focusing on mental health services can be rewarding but nerve-wracking. We've answered some frequently asked questions about online PMHNP programs below.

Can I Complete a PMHNP Certificate in One Year?

If you are a licensed APRN and meet the admission requirements, you can certainly complete a PMHNP certificate in a year. Many programs offer one-year schedules for full-time students.

Do PMHNP Certificate Programs Require Clinical Hours?

Yes, PMHNP programs require clinical hours so that you can gain hands-on experience working in mental health services. Often, programs will require you to complete clinicals working with both children and adults.

Is a Post-Master's PMHNP Certificate Worth It?

If you're interested in meeting the mental health needs of patients, a post-master's PMHNP is absolutely worth it. This allows you to take the PMHNP certification exam and pursue licensure so you can provide mental health services to patients.

Explore Online Certificate Programs

Find the perfect online PMHNP program by exploring the options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to specific schools to learn more about eligibility, tuition costs, and financial aid, such as scholarships and grants.