PMHNP Post Master's Certificate Admission Requirements and Deadlines

The St. David's School of Nursing at Texas State University accepts applications for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Post Master’s Certificate program according to the following dates:

EVENT DATES AND DEADLINES
Application Opening January 1
Application Deadline August 31
Mandatory MSN Orientation January
Classes Begin January

 

Applicants are encouraged to meet the Application Deadline listed above.  While the PMHNP Post Master’s Certificate program has a flexible deadline for applications (meaning complete applications received after the posted deadlines may be reviewed), there are no guarantees for admission, and it is highly competitive.  Decision timelines for this program are a firm basis.  For more information and to start an application, please apply through the Graduate College at the "Apply Now" link below. 

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate program starts in the spring semester each year. The program does not admit in fall or summer terms.

Applicants must reside in the state of Texas and hold an active, unencumbered RN license. Applicants must also meet any University or Graduate College requirements.

For additional information about the PMHNP Post-Master's Certificate Program, admissions, or general information, contact our Nursing graduate program admissions team.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND FURTHER DETAILS

Learn about graduate program clinical requirements.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION:

  1. Completed online application with Texas State University and complete the admissions procedures listed on The Graduate College website.
  2. Bachelor of Science in nursing (B.S.N.) degree from a regionally accredited institution and from a nursing program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or other nationally recognized nursing education accrediting bodies. The student's B.S.N. degree must be reflected on the transcript at the time of application.
  3. Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) degree from a regionally accredited institution and from a nursing program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or other nationally recognized nursing education accrediting bodies. The student's M.S.N. degree must be reflected on the transcript at the time of application.
  4. Official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted.
  5. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in graduate (masters) nursing courses from an accredited college or university.
  6. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate graduate nursing courses from an accredited college or university.
  7. Minimum overall 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
  8. Completed college course in statistics with a grade of C or higher. Course must be completed at the time of application and reflected on submitted transcripts.
  9. Current, valid, unencumbered Registered Nurse licensure in Texas. Copy of registered nursing (RN) license with date issued from the BON must be uploaded into the application system. Multistate licenses are accepted as long as Texas is the home state. 
  10. If applicant holds advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) license, applicant must submit copy of current, valid, unencumbered licensure in Texas with date issued from the BON into the application system. 
  11. Resume or CV showing minimum equivalent of one-year full time experience as in the master’s prepared nurse role prepared for (i.e. APRN, nurse educator, nurse leader, etc.) prior to the application deadline for the program.  Employment will be verified.
  12. Resume or CV showing minimum three years full-time experience as a RN prior to the application deadline for the program.  Employment will be verified.
  13. Three (3) professional letters of recommendation from persons competent to assess the applicant's academic capability, clinical expertise, and interest in pursuing a career for this program.  This is a form completed by your identified reference as part of the application system.
  14. Completed written personal essay using guidelines provided for the program.
  15. As part of the application process, applicants are required to participate in and complete an interview.
  16. GRE is not required.

Note:  Applicants who are not licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurses or Nurse Practitioners, will be required to take Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics, and Advanced Health Assessments to meet the foundational pre-requisites and requirements of an APRN degree or certificate program. 

Transfer Credit Information in the Graduate Nursing Programs:

Evaluation of transfer credit will not be considered until an applicant has been accepted and confirmed acceptance to a program. Not all courses are applicable to be transferred and transfer credits are limited by program when accepted. Due to relevancy to clinical practice, some transferable courses are limited by timeframe as well. There are times transfer credit will not be awarded.  Initial review and approval is required by the Graduate Nursing Program Director and Graduate College. Transfer credit is never guaranteed. For the MSN degree programs, a maximum of 6-12 credits can be evaluated for potential transfer credit and varies by program. No transfer credit is awarded for Graduate Nursing Post-Master’s Certificate programs.  More information is available in the Graduate Student Nursing Handbook upon admission.

TOEFL or IELTS SCORES

Non-native English speakers who do not qualify for an English proficiency waiver:

  • official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
  • official PTE scores required with a 52
  • official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
    • minimum individual module scores of 6.0

 This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.

 

Once a student has been offered admission, additional criteria must be completed and met prior to admission and the required due date. The following list is a requirement for admission and starting the program.

  1. Students must pass a criminal background check (in addition to that on file at the Texas Board of Nursing) and drug test.
  2. Student liability insurance paid to Texas State University.
  3. Health Certificate and exam completed and signed by a healthcare provider.
  4. Provide currency and proof of all required immunizations.
  5. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers.
  6. Documentation of health insurance for each semester you are attending Nursing School. If you do not have health insurance, there are many resources on the Internet. You may also want to explore Texas State University's Domestic Student Health Insurance Plan. 
  7. Meet laptop requirements for the program (will be posted in pre-orientation class).
  8. Meet Essential Competency Requirements and attestation.
  9. Attend New Student Orientation as scheduled.
  10. Attend On-Campus Intensives as scheduled in Round Rock.

 

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS (PMHNP Post-Master's Certificate):  REQUIRED SKILLS AND SKILL DESCRIPTIONS

 

MOTOR SKILLS

Motor skills to include sufficient motor function able to execute movements required to provide general care and treatment to patients in all healthcare settings. This includes the ability to perform basic life support (CPR) and function in a crisis situation. The applicant/student must have the ability within reasonable limits to safely assist patients in moving through exams and interventions and demonstrate competence to safely engage in the practice of nursing. 

SENSORY, OBSERVATION, AND NEUROLOGICAL FUNCTIONS

Sensory and observation skills to acquire the information presented through demonstration and clinical experience in nursing sciences. The applicant/student must be able to observe a patient accurately, both near and from a distance, for nonverbal communications and cues for accurate nursing assessments and interventions. The applicant/student must be capable of performing neurological and physical functions to assess for signs of altered health and illness. Assessment includes: visual examination; palpation of skin, organs, and tissues; and listening and processing auditory information, including heart, bowel, and lung sounds. Applicant/student must possess the ability to meet program expectations for written work.

COMMUNICATION

Communication from the applicant/student must be effective and appropriate taking into consideration the audience being addressed, such as colleagues,  patients, staff, faculty, and other healthcare professionals. The applicant/student must demonstrate willingness and ability to give and receive feedback in both oral and written forms, and to process and communicate information about a patient’s healthcare status accurately and timely to other healthcare team members.  Additionally, the applicant/student must have basic skills in information technology consistent with effective communication in an online program. 

COGNITIVE

Essential cognitive and judgement skills to include the ability to identify, assess, and synthesize conditions surrounding patient situations for purposes of clinical reasoning and determination of appropriate course of action. The applicant/student must be able to read and comprehend extensive written material to be able to apply the information in classroom and clinical settings.

EMOTIONAL/BEHAVIORAL

The applicant/student must possess sound emotional and behavioral health required for full utilization of intellectual ability, exercising of good judgment, and emotional coping skills, to demonstrate safe engagement in the practice of nursing as determined by professional standards of practice. Due to the nature of sensitive information and highly stressful situations in nursing and healthcare, the applicant/student must be able to maintain mature and effective relationships with patients, students, faculty, staff, and the healthcare team. The applicant/student must be able to function effectively under stress and adapt to rapidly changing environments. In addition, the applicant/student must be able to experience and communicate empathy and be willing to examine their own behaviors when it interferes with productive relationships. The applicant/student must possess experience and skills necessary for harmonious relationships in academic and working environments. 

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

The applicant/student must possess the ability to morally reason and practice nursing in an ethical manner, as evidenced  through professional conduct. In addition, the applicant/student must learn and abide by professional standards of practice, including attributes of compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, honesty, and responsibility, to provide quality nursing care in all settings and across all populations, including vulnerable populations. 

The applicant/student must engage in activities consistent with safe nursing practice without demonstrated behaviors of addiction, abuse, or dependence on substances that impair behavior or judgement. Any change in an applicant/student’s healthcare status that would impact any of these essential competency requirements must be reported to the program director immediately.

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