Psychiatric-Mental Health NP MSN

Embrace and shape the future of psychiatric care with the #1 mental health nursing master’s program in the country.

Step outside traditional models of psychiatric-mental health treatment and embrace novel forms of mental health care with Duke University School of Nursing’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner MSN program.

The United States has long faced an epidemic of mental illness, which has only been exacerbated by COVID-19. Addressing this critical issue requires skilled and compassionate mental health experts. Our psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program prepares you to meet this demand, equipping you with the requisite knowledge, skills and attitude to safely and competently deliver mental health care across both the lifespan and continuum of care.

Through our innovative hybrid education model, we leverage both synchronous and asynchronous learning activities galvanized by high-quality practicum experiences to ensure you are ready for independent clinical practice on day one. Our program is distinguished by high access to seasoned clinicians and educators who are intrinsically motivated in your success. Each year, we establish a trauma-informed academic environment where learning is active, bidirectional and experiential. We operate from the premise that every moment is rich and sacred with learning potential. In this program, there is no wasted time or effort.

While not required, we recommend obtaining your ANCC PMH nurse generalist certification prior to applying to our psychiatric nurse practitioner program.

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#1

Master's Nurse Practitioner Psychiatric Mental Health

Focusing on developing the expertise and innovative skills necessary to provide comprehensive, integrated, family-centered psychiatric mental health advanced practice nursing for patients of all ages, equipping you for future practice in community-based, rural and urban health care settings.

Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Post-Graduate Certificate

For students who already have a master’s from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing school or in another approved discipline, we also offer a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate. This program allows you to build on your expertise with specialized skills and knowledge, advancing your career potential.

Psychiatric-Mental Health NP Program Highlights

One out of every five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. We’ve designed our psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program with the recognition that addressing such a prevalence of mental illness requires a balance of psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic skills to make meaningful change. To prepare you for success in this challenging field, our program offers:

A Duke nursing student learning from a home environment sits in front of a laptop with a pencil in her hand and smiles.

Distanced-based learning:
We’re committed to providing you with an accessible, relevant psychiatric-mental health learning experience. Hybrid-based courses, with both synchronous and asynchronous strategies, make it easier to balance your studies with personal and professional commitments. Additionally, on-campus intensives provide opportunities to connect with faculty and peers and engage in valuable hands-on training.

Several Duke University School of Nursing students crowd around a clinical table and listen to a faculty member wearing a white doctor coat. Bright overhead lights shine on subject.

Nationwide clinical network:
In Duke University School of Nursing, distance-based learning doesn’t mean sacrificing experiential learning. With more than 2,000 clinical partnerships around the world, we’ll help you find the one closest to you that matches your academic and professional goals.

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Nationally respected:
When you join our program, you’ll be part of the #1 psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program according to U.S. News & World Report. Thanks to our rigorous coursework and expert faculty, our mental health nursing students consistently outperform their peers, both on exams and on the job.

A Duke University School of Nursing Psychiatric Mental Health Care student is smiling among other students in a large classroom setting.

What Can You Do With a Psychiatric-Mental Health NP MSN?

The demand for psychiatric-mental health nursing professionals continues to rise, fueled by the need for innovative treatment methods such as telemental health, integrative care and assertive community treatment. Duke’s psychiatric-mental health NP program equips you with extensive clinical experience in these modern approaches to understanding and treating mental illnesses.

When you graduate from our psychiatric-mental health NP program, you will have developed a new lens for evaluating, treating and caring for others. You’ll also be prepared to advance health equity and social justice through recognizing and addressing systemic, unfair and avoidable differences between population segments.

Psychiatric-mental health NP graduates are prepared to pursue careers in a wide variety of settings, including:

  • Emergency psychiatry
  • Inpatient psychiatry
  • Consultation liaison psychiatry
  • Partial hospitalization
  • Outpatient mental health
  • Residential treatment
  • Dual diagnosis and substance treatment
  • Community mental health
  • Assertive community treatment
  • The federal health system

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job opportunities for advanced practice registered nurses to grow up to 38% by 2032, making it one of the fastest-growing career fields in the country. While exact figures vary depending on location, experience, practice specialty and other factors, the BLS reports a median annual salary of $129,480 for APRNs, with the highest 10% earning more than $211,820

Explore More MSN Program Outcomes

American Association of Nurse Practitioners’ NP Fact Sheet

Meet Our MSN Faculty

Our internationally renowned AGACNP faculty foster a supportive learning environment that prioritizes your academic and professional success. They bring their real-world experience as nurse practitioners into the classroom, equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in your field.

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Thomas Blodgett, PhD, RN, AGACNP-BC
Thomas Blodgett
PhD, RN, AGACNP-BC
Assistant Professor
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Christina Leonard, APRN, DNP, FNP-C, CNL
Christina Leonard
APRN, DNP, FNP-C, CNL
Assistant Professor
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Shari Rushton, DNP, MSN, MS, RN, CCM
Shari Rushton
DNP, MS, RN, CCM, CNE
Associate Professor
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Margaret (Midge) T. Bowers, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, CHSE, A.A.C.C., FAANP, FAAN
Margaret (Midge) Bowers
DNP, FNP-BC,CHSE, FAANP, FAAN, FACC
Professor
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Devon Noonan, PhD, MPH, FNP-BC
Devon Noonan
PhD, MPH, FNP-BC, CARN, FAAN
Associate Professor
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Kathleen Turner
DNP, RN
Associate Professor
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Tonia Poteat
Tonia Poteat
PhD, MPH, PA-C, AAHIVS, DFAAPA
Professor
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Jamie Lord
Jamison (Jamie) Lord
DNP, MSN, RNC, PMHNP-BC
Assistant Professor
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Lisa S. Lewis, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE
Lisa Lewis
EdD, MSN, RN, CNE
Associate Professor
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Schenita D. Randolph, PhD, MPH, RN, CNE
Schenita Randolph
PhD, MPH, RN
Associate Professor
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Kara McGee
Kara McGee
DMS, MSPH, PA-C, AAHIVS
Associate Professor
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Mitchell Knisely
PhD, RN-BC, ACNS-BC, FAAN
Associate Professor
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Marissa Abram
Marissa Abram
PhD, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, FIAAN
Assistant Professor
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Desi Newberry
Desi Newberry
DNP, NNP-BC
Associate Professor
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Kathryn Trotter
DNP, CNM, FNP-C, CHSE, FAANP, FAAN
Associate Professor
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Kathryn Kreider
Kathryn Kreider
DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Professor
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Jennie De Gagne, PhD, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CNE, ANEF, FAAN
Jennie De Gagne
PhD, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CNE, ANEF, FAAN
Professor
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Malinda Teague
DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC
Assistant Professor
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Alison Edie
Alison Edie
DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Associate Professor
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Anne L. Derouin, DNP, RN, CPNP, FAANP
Anne Derouin
DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS, FAANP, ANEF
Professor
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AnnMarie L Walton, PhD, RN, MPH, OCN, CHES, FAAN
AnnMarie Walton
PhD, RN, MPH, OCN, CHES, FAAN
Term Chair for the Dorothy L. Powell Professorship, Associate Professor
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Stephanie Ibemere
Stephanie Ibemere
PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
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Marilyn H. Oermann, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN
Marilyn Oermann
PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN
Thelma M. Ingles Distinguished Professor of Nursing
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Michael E. Zychowicz
Michael Zychowicz
DNP, ANP, ONP, FAAN, FAANP, FNAON
Professor
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Mary L. Affronti, DNP,  MHSc, RN, ANP, FAAN
Mary Lou Affronti
DNP, MHSc, RN, ANP, FAAN
Professor
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Deirdre K. Thornlow, PhD, RN, CPHQ
Deirdre Thornlow
PhD, RN, CPHQ, CNE
Associate Professor
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Blanca Iris Padilla, PhD, FNP-BC
Blanca Iris Padilla
PhD, MBA, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Associate Professor
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Sean P Convoy, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Sean Convoy
DNP, PMHNP-BC
Associate Professor
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Sophia Smith
Sophia Smith
PhD, MSW, FAOSW
Associate Professor
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Ryan J. Shaw, PhD, RN
Ryan Shaw
PhD, RN, FAAN
Associate Professor
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Debbie Travers
Debra (Debbie) Travers
PhD, MSN, RN, FAEN, FAMIA
Associate Consulting Professor
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Benjamin Smallheer, PhD, RN, ACNP‐BC, FNP-BC, CCRN, CNE
Benjamin Smallheer
PhD, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, CCRN, CNE, FAANP
Associate Professor
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Allison Stafford, PhD, RN
Allison Stafford
PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
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Amie Koch, DNP, FNP-C, RN, ACHPN
Amie Koch
DNP, FNP-C, RN, ACHPN
Associate Professor
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Margaret (Peggy) Bush, PhD, MBA, RPh
Margaret (Peggy) Bush
PhD, MBA, RPh
Professor
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Michael Cary
Michael Cary
PhD, RN
Associate Professor
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Maryellen Kelly, DNP, CPNP, MHSc
Maryellen Kelly
DNP, CPNP, MHSc
Assistant Professor
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Karin Reuter-Rice, PhD, CPNP-AC, FCCM, FAAN
Karin Reuter-Rice
PhD, CPNP-AC, FCCM, FAAN
Associate Professor
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Jacquelyn M McMillian-Bohler, PhD, MSN, BSN, CNM, CNE
Jacquelyn McMillian-Bohler
PhD, CNM, CNE
Assistant Professor
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Carolina (Callie) Tennyson, DNP, ACNP-BC, AACC
Carolina Tennyson
DNP, ACNP-BC, AACC
Assistant Professor
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Rémi Hueckel
DNP, CPNP-AC, CHSE, FAANP
Associate Professor
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Staci Reynolds, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, CNRN, SCRN
Staci Reynolds
PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, CNRN, CPHQ, FAAN
Professor
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Tara Albrecht, PhD, ACNP-BC, ACHPN, RN
Tara Albrecht
PhD, ACNP-BC, ACHPN, RN
Associate Professor
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Kais Gadhoumi, PhD
Kais Gadhoumi
PhD
Assistant Professor
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Valerie Sabol
PhD, MBA, ACNP, GNP, CHSE, CNE, ANEF, FAANP, FAAN
Professor
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Cristina C. Hendrix, DNS, GNP-BC, FNP, FAAN
Cristina Hendrix
DNS, GNP-BC, FNP, FAAN
Associate Professor
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Elaine D. Kauschinger, PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC
Elaine Kauschinger
PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC, FAANP
Assistant Professor
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Ragan Johnson, DNP, MSN, APRN-BC
Ragan Johnson
DNP, FNP-BC, CNE, FAANP
Associate Professor
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Michelle Webb, DNP, RN, CHPCA
Michelle Webb
DNP, RN, CHPCA
Assistant Professor
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Brandon Knettel
Brandon Knettel
PhD
Assistant Professor

The Duke Difference

Graduation Time With Students and Signs To Gather

MSN Admissions

The MSN program employs a holistic admissions strategy. We consider each candidate’s unique life experiences alongside their academic performance, grades and test scores. This ensures that our nurse practitioner students represent the diversity of patients you will care for in your career.

If you need additional assistance, contact our admissions team by email or phone: 877-415-3853.


We offer DROP-iN Chat for virtual Q+A Sessions along with PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS for application help.

Student Testimonials

Student Testimonials

Financial Aid and Scholarships for MSN Students

As part of our mission to meet the needs of nurse practitioners nationwide, Duke School of Nursing offers a variety of financial aid options for MSN students. These include merit- and need-based scholarships up to full tuition for select MSN students. There are also federal student loan options to fully fund your MSN degree.

Learn More About Financial Aid & Scholarships
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Join our nursing community today

Experience the Duke difference. As a top nursing school in the nation, we empower students to become successful nurses who lead with purpose and passion.

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