Sep 17, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate


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The PMH nurse practitioner graduate certificate program is designed for MSN and DNP-prepared nurses who desire an additional certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Graduates are prepared to care for people with both acute and chronic mental health problems. Students examine mental health theories in the classroom and work with preceptors in the clinical setting to develop reasoning, patient assessment, and patient management skills. Home unit: College of Nursing.

Distance Education (DE) programs in the College of Nursing that lead to professional licensure or require clinical placements or clinical coursework must abide by board and state regulations in the state where the student resides and/or will be completing the clinical experiences. Before applying to and beginning a program, you should become familiar with your state’s licensing and professional requirements and that of the state in which you plan to reside as a practitioner.

It is the responsibility of the graduate student to ensure the University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Nursing has a state authorization with their state of residence. Students who reside outside of Tennessee who plan to complete a clinical placement in a state other than Tennessee, will need to take additional steps to comply with the requirements of that state. Graduate students may only complete clinical practicum in the state of their official residence (as noted in MyUTK) and licensure. If the student moves from the state of residency after admission to the program, continuation in the program will depend on the availability of the program within the new state where the student physically resides. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the College of Nursing Graduate Programs at congrad@utk.edu of a change in physical residence.

Students may complete clinical practicum in states other than their official residence if they are unable to obtain authorization in their state of residence and it is agreed upon among the student, Concentration Coordinator, Graduate Clinical Coordinator, and Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs. If it is necessary to complete clinical practicum in a state other than their official residence due to being unable to obtain state authorization in the student’s state of official residence, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that their RN and APRN licensure is valid in the state of clinical practicum. Students should obtain a multi-state license or temporary licensure (as applicable by state). Clinical practicum cannot be completed in any state where the student is not authorized to practice as an RN and APRN (if applicable).

You may also reach out to the College of Nursing Graduate Programs at congrad@utk.edu.

Distance Education programs in the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, cannot currently admit students from the states of Alaska, Arizona, and California.

To find additional information about pre-licensure distance education requirements in individual states, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

Campus Code


Distance Education

Graduate Certificate Type


Add-On (concurrently with another degree in rare cases)

Stand-Alone

Admissions Standards/Procedures


  • A graduate degree in nursing is required for admission.
  • RN license in the state in which you intend to complete clinicals.
  • APRN license if applicable.
  • Complete prerequisite courses (advanced pathophysiology, advanced physical assessment, and advanced pharmacology) within the past five years.
  • Apply for the certificate by submitting an online application through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
  • Submit an essay addressing College of Nursing essay prompts.
  • Provide 2 references from previous nursing faculty, supervisors, or health care providers with a Master’s degree or higher.

Academic Standards


The College of Nursing will observe the following grading scale:

A   =  92 – 100 4 quality points
B+ =  88 – 91 3.3 quality points
B   =  83 – 87 3 quality points
C+ =  78 – 82 2.3 quality points
C   =  75 – 77 2 quality points
D   =  67 – 74 1 quality point
F   =  66 or below 0 quality points

 

Credit Hours Required


Minimum of 12 graduate credit hours

Required Courses


The courses listed below are required, and additional credit hours will be determined by the college and chosen in consultation with the certificate advisor.

Non-Course Requirements


To receive the certificate, students must:

  1. complete the Graduate Certificate Course Verification Form and
  2. through MyUTK, apply to graduate from the certificate program.

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