Wilkes University PMHNP Programs

The MSN psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner is 15 courses over seven terms, about 2.3 years, with a published maximum tuition of $33,012 not including fees. Nurses with an associate degree take the RN-to-MSN version, 18 courses over nine terms and three years, at $41,658. Nurses who already hold an MSN or DNP take the post-graduate certificate: 29 credit hours at $786 per credit, $22,794 in all, finished in about 1.67 years, with three start dates a year.

All three require 500 clinical hours. Wilkes accepts only nine transfer credits across its graduate programs, so prior coursework shortens the path less than it does at some schools.

Wilkes includes clinical placement support at no extra cost: its Placement Team "will collaborate with you to help you secure quality placement sites and preceptors." Two caveats sit on the same pages. Placement is not guaranteed, and a placement site may be up to 125 miles from where you live, which is worth weighing if you can't travel that far for clinical days.

The MSN asks for a BSN with a 3.0 GPA, an unencumbered RN license, a resume and one year of clinical experience by the start of the NP clinical courses. The certificate asks for an MSN or DNP with a 3.0 GPA, an unencumbered RN license and a current resume. Neither requires the GRE or GMAT.

Students must be located in a state where Wilkes is authorized and be licensed in the state where they complete clinical work; the state authorization list shows which. Wilkes's Master's and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate programs hold CCNE accreditation through December 31, 2029.