Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Post-Master's Certificate

At Saint Louis University, future family psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners learn to apply the nursing process and medical/medication management to promote optimal mental health while engaging in active, ongoing collaboration with clients, their families, significant others and the interprofessional team.

Students pursuing the family psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program at SLU work with children, adolescents and adults of all ages with acute or complex mental health needs or psychiatric diagnoses. SLU's family psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program encourages evidence-based, culturally sensitive, recovery-oriented and holistic care.

At Saint Louis University, we partner with our students on clinical placement. Besides being paired with a faculty mentor with expertise in students' desired field of study, SLU helps students obtain preceptors for their clinical rotations.

The Valentine School of Nursing is renowned for excellence in nursing education. U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks our MSN-NP program as a top program in their Best Graduate Schools survey.

Curriculum Overview

Saint Louis University's post-master's nurse practitioner certificate programs are conducted almost completely online, requiring only two visits to the St. Louis campus.

A minimum of 15 credits is required for completion of a post-master's nurse practitioner certificate program. The total number of credits varies, depending on the particular certificate pursued.

At the Valentine School of Nursing’s discretion, students may transfer three to six credits of graduate-level coursework to be applied toward their post-master's certificate program of study.

Student files are individually reviewed. Students may be able to petition for advanced standing in courses such as “Advanced Health Assessment,” “Advanced Pathophysiology” and “Advanced Pharmacology.”

Careers

Upon completion of the post-master's nurse practitioner certificate program, you will qualify to take the certification exam through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

According to a U.S. News & World Report ranking, the median salary of nurse practitioners in 2022 was $120,680. The best-paid 25% of NPs made $129,680 that year; the lowest-paid 25% made $99,540. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 52.2% employment growth for nurse practitioners between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 114,900 jobs are projected to open up in the NP profession.

Admission Requirements

• A master's degree in a nursing specialty, preferably from a program accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency
• A college cumulative grade point of 3.20 or higher
• Completion of a graduate-level physiology or pathophysiology course and a beginning health assessment course, or the equivalent thereof
• Experience in an advanced practice role in nursing is preferred
• Proof of completion of an American heart care provider course is required after acceptance.

The Valentine School of Nursing adheres to the principles of a holistic admission process in which selection criteria are broad-based and linked to our University’s and school’s mission and goals. While we do consider academic metrics we also look at applicant experiences, attributes, potential for success, and how applicants may contribute to the school’s learning environment and to the profession.

The curriculum for this program meets the educational requirements for licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the State of Missouri. Note that the Missouri Board of Nursing may impose additional requirements on candidates prior to granting a license; we encourage you to investigate these requirements.

The Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing has not determined whether the curriculum for this program meets the educational requirements for nursing licensure in any other states or territories. However, graduates of our APRN programs are eligible to sit for National Board Certification Exams in all states and territories. We encourage you to investigate the requirements in your state or territory prior to accepting an offer of admission.

Saint Louis University School of Nursing accepts applications to the pediatric primary care post-master's certificate program from students living in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

Application Requirements

Please follow the five steps outlined below to apply:

• Step 1 - Application: 
  Submit the application form and pay the associated fee through NursingCAS. Select Saint Louis University. 

• Step 2 - Transcripts
  • Please submit your official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended directly to NursingCAS. They will provide details when the application is initiated.
• Step 3 - Resume or Curriculum Vitae:
  Attach your CV/résumé documenting your education, clinical nursing experience, and service to the nursing profession/community within the NursingCAS application.
• Step 4 - Professional Goal Statement: 
  Attach your professional goal statement within the NursingCAS application. The goal statement should outline your short- and long-term goals as a nurse practitioner and include an explanation of why you've decided on that path. The statement should be one-to-two pages and double-spaced.
• Step 5 - RN License: 
  Attach a copy of your unencumbered registered nurse license in the state in which clinical experience will be done within the NursingCAS application.

Requirements for International Students

International students on F1 or J1 student visas are not eligible for admission, as these programs are conducted entirely online. For additional information, contact the Office of International Services.

Application Deadlines

• Fall admissions: Priority admission is April 15 with an application deadline of June 1.
• Spring admissions: Priority admission is October 15 with an application deadline of December 1.
  
  If the application deadline has passed for your semester of interest, please contact gradnurse@slu.edu. Late applications may be accepted.

Tuition 

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Financing for this program may be available through grants, scholarships, loans (federal and private) and institutional financing plans.  For price estimates, please review the SLU Cost Calculator.  

The Valentine School of Nursing offers scholarship and graduate research assistantship opportunities to eligible graduate students.  Additionally, most nursing students will participate in a tuition assistance program provided through their employer.

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

1. Graduates will be able to implement collaborative strategies to provide ethical, high-quality, safe, effective, patient-centered care. 

2. Graduates will be able to use scholarly inquiry including evidence-based practice and research application to improve decision-making and health outcomes.

3. Graduates will be able to integrate advanced competencies, skills, theories, and cultural sensitivity in relationships with patients and professionals.

4. Graduates will be able to design culturally sensitive patient care that includes health promotion and disease prevention.

5. Graduates will be able to facilitate the improvement of health care through leadership within health care systems and communities.

6. Graduates will be able to demonstrate competence in a specialized area of advanced practice nursing that builds on foundational nursing knowledge.

7. Graduates will be able to utilize health care informatics and technologies to support practice.

8. Graduates will be able to advocate for policies that improve the health of the public and the profession of nursing.

†

May be waived for post‐M.S.N. students who are already nurse practitioners depending on the experience and time since relevant course content.  Will be required of an NP post‐M.S.N. certificate student if the student’s clinical experience is not current or the specialty is not primary care or adult‐gerontological acute care.  

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions, please contact the Valentine School of Nursing's recruitment and enrollment staff:

Undergraduate Inquiries
314-977-8995 
slunurse@slu.edu 

Graduate Inquiries
314-977-8976 
gradnurse@slu.edu