Last reviewed March 4, 2021 by PSY Staff

Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Master’s Degrees

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Psychiatric Nursing Practice Explained

Psychology is an incredible field that expands into many different specialized fields in society. One field that blends aspects of psychology with that of nursing is psychiatric nursing practice. This specialized field focuses on providing students with skills that can be helpful when working with people that have been diagnosed with psychiatric illnesses, individuals that struggle with addiction or substance abuse, and even clients that are experiences negative emotional effects within their personal lives.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners can work for hospitals or mental health agencies that provide preventative, acute, and long-term care to patients in need. A master's in nursing (MSN) can lead to certification and licensure within this field, providing you with what you need to diagnose and prescribe medication to the people that you serve. This type of program could be excellent for individuals that have already completed their BSN and are seeking options to advance their career. As you read more about this field in the guide below, you should consider what type of school and programming you would require for your current lifestyle.

Learn more about Psychiatric MSN programs.

Benefits to Studying Online

Completing your program in the online domain could seem like a dream come true for professionals already working in the field. The online Psychiatric NP Master's program can be a great follow-up degree program for current registered nurses in the field, making flexible scheduling and convenience a necessity for students enrolled. There are several added benefits to pursuing a degree in this setting, which are outlined in the following sections. You should choose a degree program that offers the maximum flexibility for your investment.

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University of West Alabama Online Psychology and Counseling Degrees
Multiple programs: Bachelors in Psychology, Master's in Experimental Psychology (Clinical, Healht & Sports Psych), Family Counseling, Guidance and Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and more.
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Pepperdine University Online Master of Psychology
Choose your path at Pepperdine: pursue licensure as either an LMFT or LPC and serve diverse clients with our online master’s in clinical psychology.
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Butler University Online Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
Cover topics like fundamental counseling theory, trauma and crisis response, and psychopharmacology. No GRE Required.
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Concordia University - Saint Paul MAHS in Forensic Behavioral Health
Get the skills you need for a career at the intersection of behavioral health, criminal justice and the legal system.
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University of Southern California Master's in School Counseling Online
Prepare to become a school counselor in grades K–12 with a Master of Education in School Counseling online from the USC Rossier School of Education. No GRE required.
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Flexible Degree Programs

Students choosing to enroll in online Psychiatric NP Master's degree programs can exercise overwhelming convenience as part of their degree program. The interest in online education springs from flexible programs that are suited for students with busy schedules and little time for additional responsibilities. With flex scheduling, students can choose the amount of credit hours that they take each semester, as well as adjust their schedule to graduate within the time frames that they desire.

Students can complete online Psychiatric NP Master's programs anywhere between 2-5 years depending on their needs. Most online degree programs provide their own unique flexibility options to students interested in maximizing their potential. Some schools allow students to take shorter duration courses one-at-a-time, while others provide students with the option to take 2-4 classes per semester but have more time from start to finish. Courses at some universities can be completed in 7-10 weeks while other colleges offer standard 5 month semesters for their programs. Either could have benefits for busy students depending on their individual needs.. You should research these different options at each school that you review.

Convenient Log-In Options

Aside from the flexibility of these online programs, you may also be interested to hear about the log in options that you can take advantage of once enrolled. One of the biggest difficulties present within traditional degree programs is managing a busy schedule alongside weekly classes. Since online programs are accessed through a university's website, students can log in to their classes from anywhere with an internet connection. Some students may choose to do the majority of their school work from home, while other students may take advantage of this option by logging in while on breaks at work or even while on vacations with their families.

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Comparable Quality

The Online Psychiatric Nurse Practioner Master’s degree program is a pathway to licensure for most students enrolled. Most programs in this field are listed under the Master of Science in Nursing curriculum, which means accreditation is required from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Online universities such as Walden University currently have online Psychiatric NP programs that hold accreditation from this agency. This means that you can seek out your license as a nurse practitioner once you have completed your degree program, became certified, and completed your clinical experience.

Your Online Experience

Completing your degree in the online domain can be an experience unlike traditional education programs. Students can take part in research assignments that can encourage independent exploration and learning, as well as discuss topics with other students and their instructor all from the same online course room.

As part of the licensing requirements, students must also take part in a work experience requirement that can teach them more about how nurse practitioners within their field apply their skills each day. This online degree program can prepare students to sit for a certification exam in psychiatric nursing practice that set them on their way to success.

Example Programs

One of the most important choices you can make during your collegiate education is the college you choose to attend. Online colleges can provide you with programs that are of a comparable quality to traditional programs – online without many of the headaches associated with traditional education. Our team wanted to provide you with a solid starting point by giving you a few example schools to review. In the list below, take a look at 2 schools that offer programs to get you started on your goals.

Walden University

$710 per credit hour – 2 years to complete for most students

The online MSN in Psychiatric Nursing Practice at Walden University can be a great way to combine the aspects of psychology and nursing during your career. This fascinating 63 credit hour program can help you learn skills in diagnostics, psychiatric disorders, and counseling topics related to your field. Most students can complete this program within 2 years, but time within your program can change depending on specific practicum requirements.

Maryville University

$797 per credit hour – 48 months to complete

Maryville University can be a great resource for students that wish to work with a population focusing on great mental health. This 100% online program could be ideal for current RNs in the field seeking higher paying positions or adults transferring from other similar degree programs. As a result of this degree program, professionals can become diagnostic professionals in the mental health and nursing fields.

List of Programs

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