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
Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health
The Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing is designed as a specialty within graduate nursing education to include programming that will assist a student to acquire advanced knowledge and clinical skills to provide best practice and comprehensive care to clients across the lifespan. The coursework and practicum will focus on a range of mental health care needs of individuals and families whether in outpatient, inpatient or private practice settings. The foundation for advanced practice is focused on content included in core courses in physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, and health assessments.
On September 1, 2015, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate was launched with the inauguration of UTRGV.
*This program is 100% ONLINE
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Specialty Role Objectives:
Graduates of the Psychiatric Mental Health Post-Master's Program will:
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 visa
Students who need to process an affiliation agreement can find the appropriate form here: Student Clinical Request form
FAQ’s for Post Masters Certificate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program