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Overview
Psychiatric Nurse Specialists provide psychopharmacology and psychotherapeutic treatment modalities in a variety of settings including community mental health, residential programs and private practice settings. Northeastern University's Psychiatric Mental Health Program focuses on psychiatric nursing care for adults, children and adolescents and families in the Community.

We offer several options for graduate degree programs in adult or child and adolescent sub-specialties:
Masters students prepare to become Clinical Specialists in Adult or Child and Adolescent Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners.
• Students with master's preparation in other nursing specialties may earn a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in either adult or child/adolescent sub-specialty.
• The Dual Nurse Practitioner program builds on the knowledge and practice bases of psychiatric mental health nursing while providing opportunities to incorporate the knowledge and skills of the primary care nurse practitioner.

Both the master's and the CAGS programs can be completed in a flexible full or part-time course of study. Upon completion of their studies, students will be prepared to sit for the appropriate certification exams in their specialties.

Curriculum
The course of study emphasizes skills in diagnostic decision-making, psychotherapeutic interventions and strategies, and program planning and program development to meet the needs of diverse populations with mental health needs. Within a bio-psychosocial framework, a strong emphasis is placed on both the psychobiological etiologies of mental health disorders and the necessary psychopharmacology to treat them.

The 46-semester-hour master’s program includes intensive practicum experiences focusing on the skills required to function in the advanced psychiatric nursing role and prepares students to sit for certification examinations as clinical specialists in Adult or Child and Adolescent Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing or the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner examination for either adult or family focus.

The 32-semester-hour CAGS program prepares students to sit for the certification examinations in Adult or Child/Adolescent Psychiatric/Mental Health or the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner examination for either adult or family focus.

The 76-semester-hour Dual Psychiatric/Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program prepares students to sit for both the advanced practice psychiatric examinations and the primary care nurse practitioner examination in adult or child/adolescent specialty areas. Students have intensive practicum experiences in advanced-practice psychiatric nursing and primary care nurse practitioner practicum focusing on the management of common health problems, and opportunities to integrate the practice bases of both advanced practice roles.

Experiential Learning
You will apply your classroom learning in an array of health care settings or educational settings. Our placements include:
• Children’s Hospital
• Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center
• Cambridge Hospital
• Cambridge School System
• Massachusetts General Hospital
• Statewide Community Mental Health Programs

Faculty
Expert faculty, based in private practice, foster the necessary leadership and mentorship for the advanced practice role.