The Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing  offers a postmaster’s Certificate in family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP) for nurses who have a master’s degree in Nursing and who would like to take existing courses within the Master of Science degree in Nursing. The FPMHNP program prepares the nurse in a variety of roles including independent psychotherapy practice and management of psychiatric and mental health conditions in a variety of settings. Such management includes furnishing of psychiatric medications. Students receive detailed supervision of cases to understand the incorporation of mental health sciences theory into practice. The program builds on the rich history and tradition of practice in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing. The educational preparation includes courses in nursing research and theories, as well as in working with clients at all levels of the health-illness continuum.

This post-master’s certificate has different requirements for students admitted with a Master’s degree with a nurse practitioner specialty and who is certified as a Nurse Practitioner compared with those students who hold other nursing master’s degrees. At the completion of the course work, individuals who are not currently Nurse Practitioners and complete one of the Nurse Practitioner certificates will qualify to apply to the California Board of Registered Nursing for state certification as nurse practitioners.  All who complete a Nurse Practitioner certificate program will be eligible to sit for a national certification examination in that Nurse Practitioner specialty.  

Admission Requirements to the Program

• Current California Registered Nurse License
• Master’s degree in Nursing  (MSN or MN)
• Completion of a second application to the School of Nursing including 2 references and an essay
• Completion of a basic recent (within five years) physical assessment course unless currently certified and practicing as a nurse practitioner
• Completion of the program prerequisites: NURS 5280, NURS 5660, NURS 5720, NURS 5730, total 12 units.
• BRN requires Pharmacology to be completed within 5 years prior to the time of completing the furnishing number application.

Requirements for the Certificate

This program consists of 20 units of specialty theory and clinical practice. Students successfully completed the program courses with a 3.0 or higher GPA are qualified for the certificate.

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