University of California, San Francisco
School of Nursing
nurseweb.ucsf.edu
Apply Now! Psychiatric Nursing Graduate Programs at UCSF!The application period for Master of Science and Post-Master's programs in Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing at UCSF is now open, and applications for the PhD program are due soon!
UCSF School of Nursing offers one of the top-ranked graduate programs in psychiatric/mental health nursing in the U.S. The UCSF program has developed new advanced practice roles to respond to special needs of vulnerable populations in the community, and is noted for faculty research focusing on vulnerable and mentally ill children and adults. For more information, please visit our webpage at http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/www/spec-psy.htm or contact Dr. Beth Phoenix, Program Coordinator, at beth.phoenix@nursing.ucsf.edu or (415) 502-4407.
Master of Science Program: Completed applications for the MS program will be reviewed beginning February 1 and applications will be accepted until August 1, 2008. Instructions for online application for the Master's program are at http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/gateway/online.shtml .
The Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Program offers several options for achievement of your specific goals.
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PMHCNS)
Prepares graduates for leadership roles in direct patient care, staff or program development and consultation. Clinical experience may be tailored to work with adults or children and adolescents.
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Students are prepared to provide primary mental health care, including both psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatment for mental health disorders. You may choose your population focus: Adult or Child/Family.
- Integrated Adult Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric/Mental Health CNS (ANP-PMHCNS)
Students in this track complete an integrated curriculum combining Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing and Adult Primary Care. Graduates are prepared to provide comprehensive health services to individuals with mental health problems.Post-Master's Certificate: If you are a master's-prepared advanced practice nurse and are interested in expanding your knowledge and skill in providing mental health care, or are seeking credentialing as a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist, you may be interested in our post-master's Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing certificate program. This program can take from 3-6 quarters to complete, depending on the applicant's previous education and desired certification. Application packets will be mailed out in February-please contact Sharon Solorio at sharon.solorio@nursing.ucsf.edu or (415) 476-1381 to request a packet. Applications will be due in May for the program beginning in September 2008.
Doctoral Program: The UCSF Nursing PhD program prepares students for careers as nurse researchers and nurse faculty. Faculty profiles for Dr. Linda Chafetz (http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/www/ffchafl.htm) and Dr. Sandra Weiss (http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/www/ffweiss.htm) offer examples of faculty research in psychiatric nursing. You may contact either of these faculty to find out more about the PhD program, including strategies to combine Master's and PhD preparation. Additional information about the doctoral program can be found at http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/www/ps-dc.htm . Instructions for online application are at http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/gateway/online.shtml . Applications are due by March 1, 2008.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I've heard that it's really hard to get admitted to UCSF Nursing programs. How can I find out if I'm qualified for your program?
A: Although admission to the UCSF doctoral program and Master's Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) is very competitive, there are significantly more slots available in the master's and post-master's programs. If you meet the admission requirements for the MS program (see http://nurseweb.ucsf.edu/www/ps-ms.htm), there's a good likelihood that you will be admitted. Starting this year, UCSF no longer requires the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for entry into the MS program. If you have questions about your eligibility for master's or post-master's programs, please contact Dr. Beth Phoenix at (415) 502-4407 or beth.phoenix@nursing.ucsf.edu .
Q: What financial aid resources are available for graduate students in psychiatric nursing?
A: In addition to loans and scholarships available to all UCSF nursing students, there will be funds available for students in master's and post-master's PMHNP programs through the Mental Health Services Act. Although the program has not yet been finalized, it is projected to begin offering stipends in Fall 2008. Stipends are planned to offer full tuition support throughout the student's program. After graduation, students who have received stipends will have a payback obligation-for each year of stipend support, they must be employed for a year in a public sector community mental health setting.
Q: Can the UCSF Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing program be taken online?
A: Not at this time. We are working on increasing the use of distance learning technologies to reduce the amount of time students are required to spend on campus. Currently the program requires 1-2 days per week on campus, which allows most of our MS students to work part-time and attend school. Also, the standard 2-year program can be taken over three years, reducing the time on campus per week to make the program more accessible for working students.
