Contact Us
SCHOOL OF NURSING
Brownsville Office:
Life and Health Science Bldg (LHSB) 2.720
956-882-5070
Fax: 956-882-6827
Edinburg Office:
Health Affairs Building East (EHABE) 2.201
956-665-3491
Fax: 956-665-5253
General Information and Program Inquiries:
Maria Pilar Pedraza, BS
Administrative Assistant I SON Office
956-665-2194
Karina Gutierrez
Program Specialist-Student Services
(956) 882-5072
Carmen Vela, BS
Program Specialist-Student Services
956-665-2204
Graduate Programs:
MSN-FNP, Post Master's PMHNP and FNP
Certificates, MSN-Education, MSN-Administration and DNP
Meagan Banks, BS
Program Coordinator-Student Services
956-665-3499
Undergraduate Programs:
BSN Generic, 2nd Degree BSN, and RN to BSN
Alma Castillo
Program Coordinator-Student Services
956-665-7082
OR
Lourdes Sanchez, BAAS-IS
Program Coordinator-Student Services
956-882-5070
Admission Criteria
Post-Master's Certificate in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
Admission Criteria: www.utrgv.edu/grad
Step #1: Submit a UTRGV Graduate Application at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply. The university application fee of $50 ($100 for International Applicants) can be paid online by credit card or electronic check (in the online application). All application fees are nonrefundable.
Step #2: Request your official transcripts to be sent electronically to gradapps@utrgv.edu or mailed to:
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The Graduate College
Marialice Shary Shivers Bldg. 1.158
1201 W. University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999
*Please Note: If you are a graduate of UTPA, UTB, or UTRGV you do not need to request an official transcript to be sent to the Graduate College.
Review and submit all Program Requirements
New Admission Criteria:
All Current Program Requirements with the addition of the following bullets:
- Master of Science in Nursing: Active Licensed Nurse Practitioner with at least one year of direct patient care practice in a psychiatric/mental health nursing specialty.
- Master of Science in Nursing (other than Nurse Practitioner): successful completion of 3 separate courses in graduate/advanced level Advanced Physical Health Assessment, Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics, and Advance Pathophysiology with at least five (5) years of direct patient care practice in a psychiatric/mental health nursing specialty.
- These 3 advanced graduate courses including physical assessment, pharmacotherapeutics, and pathophysiology course must be recent within 3 years of application.
A “live” or “virtual” interview with PMHNP Program Admission Committee is required.
Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume is required
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
- Official transcripts from each institution attended (must be submitted directly to UTRGV).
- Successful completion of graduate‐level courses in physical assessment, pharmacotherapeutics, and pathophysiology.
- Licensed as a Registered Nurse in your state of residence.
- Cleared Criminal Background Check
- Evidence of current immunizations required by the Texas Department of Health for students in health-related programs. Immunization Compliance Form
Students whose native language is not English or who studied at a University outside the U.S.:
- TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on Internet-based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years. For additional information, visit the English Proficiency Exam section of our website.
- Certified English translation of educational records.
Students in fully online programs are not eligible for I-20 or student visas
| Fall | Spring | Summer I | Summer II | |
| Application Deadline | N/A | N/A | October 1* | N/A |
*This program only has a Summer Session 1 start every year
