Degree Options
Master of Science in Nursing
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
The advanced practice psychiatric mental health nursing track is a 42-credit-hour program. The program prepares students to meet eligibility requirements for ANCC certification as Adult or Child/Adolescent Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing. The program is designed for either part- or full-time study.
The graduate courses in advanced practice psychiatric mental health nursing offer a wide range of advanced practice learning experiences designed to prepare graduate students in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness. The program also prepares students in case management, professional leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration across a wide range of health care settings.
The core courses provide a solid foundation for advanced practice nurses with a neurobiological emphasis and a community-based focus in a multicultural society. Elective courses enable students to tailor their studies to meet their career goals or emerging employment opportunities.
What is a clinical nurse specialist (CNS)?
Clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice nurses who use theory and research to guide and improve nursing care, and to make important and unique contributions to health care, including:
- Developing innovative, quality patient care that is more cost-efficient
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate health care services in order to restore wellness
- Managing research protocols and developing research utilization projects
Potential employment opportunities for advanced practice psychiatric mental health graduates include:
- Program directors
- Case managers
- Therapists
- Clinical consultants/educators
- Community mental health centers
- Ambulatory care settings
- Government agencies
- Private group practice
- Hospital settings
Curriculum (42 Credit Hours) (Clinical Supervised Hours 500)
(Please note: track courses are taught on a two-year rotation. Consult this specialty track's faculty advisor for information and academic planning.)
Review the list of School of Nursing course descriptions.
| Core Courses (12 credits) | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| N502 | Nursing Theory I | 3 |
| N504 | Leadership for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| R500 | Nursing Research | 3 |
| R590 or R699 | Scholarly Project(3 credit hours) or Nursing Thesis (6 credit ours) | 3 |
*N502, N504 and R500 must be completed before starting the graduate psychiatric nursing major courses.
| Psychiatric core courses (27 credits) | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| P510 | Neuro-Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| P515 | Assessment in Advanced Psychiatric Nursing | 3 |
| Y515 | Pathophysiology | 4 |
| P551 or P558 | P551 Advanced Practice Nursing in Child/Adolescent Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nursing or P558 Adult |
3 |
| C550 or Y550 | C550 Pediatric Health Assessment or Y550 Physical Assessment Adult | 3 |
| P651 | Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing with Families | 3 |
| P654 | Group Interventions in Advanced Psychiatric Nursing | 3 |
| P671 | Advanced Clinical Practice in Psychiatric/Mental HealthNursing I | 3 |
| P672 | Advanced Clinical Practice in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing II | 2-4 |
*P672: Two credits are required. Students may register for more credits if necessary to obtain additional hours of supervised clinical practice required for certification exam eligibility.
Required elective course: 3-credit hours selected by the student
T670 Teaching in Nursing (2-3) (Recommended/ Optional
For specific questions about this track, please contact:
Dr. Sara Horton-Deutsch
1111 Middle Drive, NU 403J
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 274-2425
shortond [at] iupui [dot] edu
For initial contact information, please e-mail:
oesgrads [at] iupui [dot] edu
