The UW–Madison School of Nursing offers this hybrid Post-Graduate Psychiatric Nursing capstone certificate. Nurses who already hold a master's or doctoral degree in advanced practice nursing have the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge to be an expert mental health practitioner.

The capstone certificate begins in summer and takes 18 months to complete. Students spend a full day on campus every other week for class meetings and spend two to three days per week in clinical placements. This blended approach provides access to courses even for those who live outside of Madison, with readings and discussions online.

Students work two full days per week in clinical practice. Faculty will actively seek to secure a clinical placement that provides a balance of skills and breadth of professional experience across the full lifespan of patients while doing their best to accommodate the student's family and professional responsibilities. Students will be expected to travel for their clinical placement.

Further details, including current tuition and costs, are available at the program's website or by contacting the School of Nursing.

UW–Madison School of Nursing
Signe Skott Cooper Hall
701 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53705
Phone: 608-263-5200

How to Get in

Eligibility Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing program
• Master’s degree from an accredited nursing program
• RN license
• Certification as an advanced practice nurse or eligible to apply for certification as an advanced practice nurse
• Completion of prerequisite courses in advanced assessment across the lifespan, pathophysiology, and pharmacotherapeutics prior to starting the certificate

The School of Nursing conducts a holistic review of all application materials. Regardless of experience level, ideal candidates possess a desire to improve their ability to deliver complex care and expand their knowledge and understanding of the specialty. The program seeks candidates who are committed to providing care to underserved populations in need of services. Since the program requires a significant time expenditure for clinical training and coursework, candidates must understand these demands and indicate they are prepared to make time in their schedules accordingly.

Adult Career and Special Student Services (ACSSS) is the admitting office for all University Special students. However, the School of Nursing which offers the capstone certificate program makes the final admission decision upon review of all applicant materials.

Admissions Timeline

• Application opens: Early September
• Application deadline: February 1. All materials, including transcripts, must be received by the deadline.
• Applications reviewed: February-March
• Notification of admission decision: April
• Program start date: The program begins with the summer session.

Review of Applications

We conduct a holistic review of all application materials. Regardless of experience level, ideal candidates possess a desire to improve their ability to deliver complex care and expand their knowledge and understanding of the specialty. We also look for candidates who are committed to providing care to underserved populations in need of services. Our program requires a significant time expenditure for clinical training and coursework, and we look for candidates who understand these demands and are prepared to make time in their schedules accordingly.

To Apply

Note: More guidance regarding application materials is available on the Frequently Asked Questions tab.

1. Apply for this Capstone Certificate as a University Special Student through the Division of Continuing Studies
   • Reason for Applying = Capstone Certificate
   • Program = Post Graduate Psychiatric Nursing Program (UNCS830)
2. Seek three (3) letters of recommendation
3. Submit the following materials:
   • Application Checklist (download from this page)
   • Psychiatric Nursing Transcript Instruction Sheet (download from this page)
   • Official transcripts
   • Postgraduate Education Statement
   • Curriculum vitae or resume
   • Photocopy of nursing license from your current state of residence
   • Photocopy of advanced practice certification (if you are an APN)

Submit Materials to:

PMHC Coordinator/Graduate Admissions
UW–Madison School of Nursing
Suite 1100 Cooper Hall
701 Highland Avenue
Madison WI 53705

Enrollment

Admitted students receive a formal letter of admission to UW–Madison from Adult Career and Special Student Services along with general enrollment information.  Additional detail is provided on the ACSSS enrollment page. 

The Graduate Academic Services Coordinator will send an email to admitted students with specific information pertaining to enrollment in and completion of the capstone program. 

Requirements

The program begins each summer term. All coursework is completed by the end of the fall term in the second year of the program.

NURSING 590 Contemporary Practices in Nursing Pediatric Assessment for Mental Health APNs is a 1 credit course designed to supplement the previously taken assessment content for advanced practice nurses who are not already certified across the lifespan. Those students already certified across the lifespan do not need to complete this course.

Minimum Requirements for Capstone Certificate Completion

• Students must earn a minimum grade of C in each course used to meet Capstone Certificate requirements.
• Courses in which a student elects the pass/fail or audit option will not count toward completion of Capstone Certificate requirements.
• All of the Capstone Certificate credits must be earned "in residence" (which includes on campus and distance-delivered courses) at UW-Madison.
• All of the Capstone Certificate credits must be earned while enrolled in the Capstone Certificate program.

Individual Capstone Certificate programs may have additional requirements for completion, which will be listed above as/if applicable.

Learning Outcomes

1. Conduct a comprehensive and systematic assessment of health and illness parameters in complex situations, incorporating diverse and culturally sensitive approaches.
2. Design, implement, and evaluate therapeutic interventions based on nursing science and other sciences.
3. Develop and sustain therapeutic relationships and partnerships with patients (individual, family, or group) and other professionals to facilitate optimal care and patient outcomes.
4. Demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability in designing, delivering, and evaluating evidence-based care to improve patient outcomes.
5. Guide, mentor, and support other nurses to achieve excellence in nursing practice.
6. Educate and guide individuals and groups through complex health and situational transitions.
7. Use conceptual and analytical skills in evaluating the links among practice, organizational, population, fiscal, and policy issues.

Accreditation

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Accreditation status: Next accreditation review: 2026-2027.

Certification/Licensure

This program prepares students to meet the psychiatric mental health nursing coursework and clinical hour requirements to sit for the ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health NP exam and gain the PMHNP-BC credential.

Professional Certification/Licensure Disclosure (NC-SARA)

The United States Department of Education (via 34 CFR Part 668) requires institutions that provide distance education to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure. The expectation is that institutions will determine whether each applicable academic program meets state professional licensure requirements and provide a general disclosure of such on an official university website.

Professional licensure requirements vary from state-to-state and can change year-to-year; they are established in a variety of state statutes, regulations, rules, and policies; and they center on a range of educational requirements, including degree type, specialized accreditation, total credits, specific courses, and examinations.  

UW-Madison has taken reasonable efforts to determine whether this program satisfies the educational requirements for certification/licensure in states where prospective and enrolled students are located and is disclosing that information as follows.

Disclaimer: This information is based on the most recent annual review of state agency certification/licensure data and is subject to change. All students are strongly encouraged to consult with the individual/office listed in the Contact Information box on this page and with the applicable state agency for specific information.

The requirements of this program meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, District of Columbia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands

The requirements of this program do not meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:

Not applicable

Updated: 1 June 2024