Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) assess, diagnose, and treat the mental health needs of patients of all ages. They can act as therapists, prescribe certain medications, or work in facilities supporting the mental health needs of patients.
Ohio is one of the larger states in the US, and it’s demand for credentialed mental health providers continues to grow. Many PMHNP’s can work both within the state’s mental health system as well as in hospital settings.
Many of the Ohio-based programs below offer online coursework with in-person clinicals, but on-campus options are also available.
Case Western Reserve
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Online/On-Campus
Modality: Online/On-Campus
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 720
Tuition: Between $1,091 and $2,248 per credit
Program Overview:
The Family Systems Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Case Western takes four semesters to complete for full-time students or three years part-time. The flexible coursework includes intensive and NP core classes that meet on campus, and other courses are available online or in an intensive format on campus. This program also requires 720 clinical hours and has clinical partnerships with Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth Medical Center, and numerous neighborhood and community practices.
Cleveland State University
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 48
Clinical Hours: 780
Tuition: $614.25 per credit for residents; $615.25 for non-residents
Program Overview:
This fully online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program from Cleveland State University can be completed in two years for students attending full-time. It prepares students to provide mental health services to clients of all ages, from assessment to diagnosis and treatment to prescribing and managing psychotropic medication.
Franklin University
- Columbus, Ohio
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 42
Clinical Hours: 600
Tuition: $670 per credit
Program Overview:
The Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Franklin University features 100% online coursework. Clinical hours are built into the coursework so students can apply what they’re learning as they’re learning it. Students are responsible for finding their own clinical sites, but faculty will help get site and preceptor approval and complete all necessary paperwork.
Mount Carmel College of Nursing
- Lancaster, Ohio
- Online/On-campus
Modality: Online/On-campus
Credit Hours: 46
Clinical Hours: 500
Tuition: $779 per credit
Program Overview:
Mount Carmel College of Nursing offers a Psychiatric-Mental Health Practitioner program admits cohorts to begin in the fall and spring semesters. The program takes 18 months, and students take up to two classes at a time. Classes are offered online, but students have to go to campus for immersions for one to two days starting during the third semester. Direct clinical hours also begin during the third semester. This program requires 500 clinical hours total, with a minimum of 25 adult psychiatric encounters, 25 pediatric encounters, 25 geriatric encounters, and 25 direct clinical hours related to clinical rotations.
Ohio State University
- Columbus, Ohio
- Online/On-campus
Modality: Online/On-campus
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 600
Tuition: $972.50 per credit
Program Overview:
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track at Ohio State prepares students to provide clients of all ages with support for mental health, comorbidities, and addiction in both in-patient and out-patient settings. The number of credits varies depending on which specific path the student takes; for example, the traditional MSN degree can be completed in fewer credits than the BSN to DNP option in the specialty. All students complete 600 clinical hours in the final year. The traditional MSN program, BSN to DNP, BSN to PhD, and Post-Master’s study can be completed online. Students in the Graduate Entry MS for non-nurses must complete the program on campus.
Ohio University
- Athens, Ohio
- Online/On-campus
Modality: Online/On-campus
Credit Hours: 40
Clinical Hours: 750
Tuition: $668 per credit for residents, $687 for non-residents
Program Overview:
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Ohio University is 40 credits and can be completed in as little as six semesters. Classes are online, but students are expected to be on campus a few times throughout the program for intensives designed to prepare them for their clinicals. This program can be completed either full- or part-time, and students have up to six years to complete it.
Otterbein University
- Westerville, Ohio
- Online/on-campus
Modality: Online/on-campus
Credit Hours: 66
Clinical Hours: 580
Tuition: $650 to $1,300 per credit
Program Overview:
The Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Otterbein University begins in the summer semester every year. Classes are online, and students arrange approved clinical experiences in their locations. This program has an optional doctorate component, and the university offers a variety of tracks to complete the program: BSN to MSN in two years and a DNP in one year, BSN to MSN in three years and a DNP in one year, and BSN to MSN in three years.
University of Akron
- Akron, Ohio
- On-campus
Modality: On-campus
Credit Hours: 26, plus 14 nursing core credits
Clinical Hours: not available
Tuition: $462.50 per credit for Ohio residents; $782.50 per credit for non-residents
Program Overview:
The Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track at the University of Akron prepares students to provide primary mental health care to families and individuals of all ages. Graduates are qualified to diagnose and manage a range of mental health disorders, manage medications, and provide psychotherapeutic interventions.
University of Cincinnati
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 152 to 158
Clinical Hours: Not available
Tuition: $8,359 per semester for residents, $8,509 per semester for non-residents
Program Overview:
Coursework for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Cincinnati is completed online. The program takes three years, and students graduate with a DNP. Graduates can work in various settings, from schools to acute care environments to prisons to private practice, and provide therapy and medication management.
University of Toledo
- Toledo, Ohio
- Online/On-campus
Modality: Online/On-campus
Credit Hours: 56
Clinical Hours: 780
Tuition: $840.40 per credit for residents; $1,323.29 for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of Toledo’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program offers an MSN and a DNP program. Students complete 780 clinical hours throughout the program to get the hands-on experience they need to practice confidently after graduation. All of the classes for this program are online, but labs and clinicals are completed in person.
Ursuline College
- Pepper Pike, Ohio
- Online/On-campus
Modality: Online/On-campus
Credit Hours: 42
Clinical Hours: Not available
Tuition: $1,274 per credit
Program Overview:
Ursuline College’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program can be completed in seven full-time or ten part-time semesters. This program prepares students to assess and diagnose mental illness in children, adolescents, and adults. Coursework focuses on effective communication when initiating treatment, understanding psychotropic drugs and their interactions, and the roles and responsibilities of this critical role.
Xavier University
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 49
Clinical Hours: 600
Tuition: $704 per credit
Program Overview:
The Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Xavier University offers online classes that prepare students to support mental health by collaborating with patients, their families, and their care teams. This program has 49 credits total, 19 credits of core education, 28 credits of clinical courses (600 clinical hours total), and a two-credit scholarly project. Xavier University is a Jesuit Catholic institution that emphasizes service and community engagement along with academics.
Walsh University
- North Canton, Ohio
- Online/On-campus
Modality: Online/On-campus
Credit Hours: 47
Clinical Hours: 750
Tuition: $745 per credit
Program Overview:
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Walsh University is designed to be flexible. It offers 100% online coursework and only one synchronous online and one on-campus experience. The program prepares students to provide behavioral and mental health care to individuals, groups, and families in various settings. Walsh University also offers a BSN to DNP program for those wishing to further their education.
Wright State University
- Dayton, Ohio
- Online/On-campus
Modality: Online/On-campus
Credit Hours: 46
Clinical Hours: Not available
Tuition: $680 per credit for residents; $1,145 for non-residents
Program Overview:
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse concentration at Wright State University includes 24 credits of graduate nursing coursework and 22 credits specific to the work of a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. All courses are offered online, but there are some times when students are required to be on campus. For example, students must attend a two-day physical assessment course in person, and each practicum has a required on-campus component every Tuesday.