Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Advanced practice psychiatric nurse education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an advanced practice psychiatric nurse. Advanced practice psychiatric nurses usually study nursing, counseling psychology, or nursing science. 47% of advanced practice psychiatric nurses hold a master's degree, and 34% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 68 real advanced practice psychiatric nurse resumes to see exactly what advanced practice psychiatric nurse education sections show.
The most common colleges for advanced practice psychiatric nurses are the University of Kentucky and the University of Kentucky.
There are also many online advanced practice psychiatric nurse courses to help get the education required to be an advanced practice psychiatric nurse.
What education do you need to become an advanced practice psychiatric nurse?
What degree do you need to be an advanced practice psychiatric nurse?
- Master's, 47%
- Bachelor's, 34%
- Associate, 16%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become an advanced practice psychiatric nurse?
- Nursing, 63%
- Nursing Science, 6%
- Other Majors, 22%
Most common colleges for advanced practice psychiatric nurses
| Advanced practice psychiatric nurse common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Kentucky | 5.26% |
| Southern Connecticut State University | 5.26% |
| Wichita State University | 5.26% |
| Kent State University | 5.26% |
| Webster University | 5.26% |
Best majors for advanced practice psychiatric nurses
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nursing | 62.5% |
| 2 | Counseling Psychology | 6.3% |
| 3 | Nursing Science | 6.3% |
| 4 | Clinical Psychology | 3.1% |
| 5 | General Education, Specific Areas | 3.1% |
Best colleges for advanced practice psychiatric nurses
The best colleges for advanced practice psychiatric nurses are University of Rochester, University of Tulsa, and Vanderbilt University.
An advanced practice psychiatric nurse with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for advanced practice psychiatric nurses. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become advanced practice psychiatric nurses.
1. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
In-state tuition
$53,430
Enrollment
5,963
4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
5. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
6. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
7. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
9. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
10. Chamberlain College of Nursing - Arlington
Arlington, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$19,375
Enrollment
506
20 best online courses for advanced practice psychiatric nurses
Advertising disclosure
1. Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation
In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: 1) assess a basic medical patient 2) describe general pharmacologic principles and the skills associated with medication administration, 3) explain airway physiology, the assessment of the airway and available interventions for airway management, 4) identify, assess and formulate a plan to stabilize a patient with a...
2. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale
Acute stroke is a time-dependent medical emergency. In acute ischemic stroke, the first objective is to restore brain flow using sistemic thrombolytic treatment and, in patients with large vessel occlusion, by endovascular treatment. In hemorrhagic stroke there are also specific treatments that can improve the clinical outcome. The sooner the initiation of all these therapies the higher the clinical benefit. Thus, the organization of Stroke Code systems coordinated between emergency medical...
3. Medical Terminology
Introduction to the meaning of various roots, terms and combining forms that are components of medical words...
4. Medical Coding: ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Training
Learn medical coding and prepare yourself for today's healthcare workplace...
5. Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers
This course is designed with a singular goal: to improve the care you provide to your patients with substance use disorders. By delving into a model case performed by actors, seven Yale instructors from various fields provide techniques to screen your patients for substance use disorder risk, diagnose patients to gauge the severity of their use, directly manage treatment plans, refer out to treatment services, and navigate the various conditions that may limit your patient’s access to treatment...
6. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care
This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...
7. ICD 10 & 11 Medical Coding and Billing
Preparation for Medical Coding Certification Exam...
8. Medical Terminology 101
For those in healthcare, billing, and more. Boost earning ability and marketable skills by learning to speak medicine...
9. Introduction to Medical Imaging
Your guide to the history, science, math, and economics of medical imaging systems (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound)...
10. Practical Regulatory Affairs 2020 - European Medical Devices
A practical course discussing the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) in real-world situations...
11. AMCI Introduction to Medical Coding (I2MC) Course
Introduction to Medical Coding (I2MC) Course...
12. A Specialty Approach to Learning Medical Billing and Coding
Volume One: Medical Hematology...
13. Practical Regulatory Affairs 2020 - US FDA Medical Devices
A practical course discussing the US FDA Medical Device regulations for real-world situations...
14. Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 EU regulatory affairs.
Understand regulations for medical devices in simple terms to gain market approval of a medical device in the EU...
15. Medical Device Regulation (MDR): Intro for Device Designers
An introduction to the EU's Medical Device Regulation (MDR) for those involved in developing medical devices...
16. Medical Devices Quality Management System - ISO 13485:2016
Awareness and Application for the requirements of ISO 13485:2016 for Medical Device Development and QMS...
17. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
18. ISO 13485 Demystified - Medical Devices' QMS 360° Insights
Deep dive into the world of ISO 13485 international standard for medical devices' QMS, basic concepts & requirements...
19. Understanding Medications and Therapeutics
Helping you build the best foundation to truly understand medications and develop clinical reasoning skills...
20. EU Medical Device Regulatory Affairs explained Simply
How to get approval to sell Medical Devices within the European Union. Understand regulatory affairs & ISO 13485 2016...
Top 10 most affordable universities for advanced practice psychiatric nurses
The most affordable schools for advanced practice psychiatric nurses are SUNY Farmingdale, brigham young university, and hunter college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for advanced practice psychiatric nurses are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for advanced practice psychiatric nurses.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
3. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
4. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
5. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
6. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
9. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
10. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for advanced practice psychiatric nurses
The hardest universities for advanced practice psychiatric nurses to get into are University of Rochester, University of Tulsa, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for advanced practice psychiatric nurses are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for advanced practice psychiatric nurses based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
2. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
3. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
4. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
5. Clemson University
Clemson, SC • Private
Admissions rate
47%
SAT average
1,337
6. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
7. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
8. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,309
9. Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,304
10. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,326
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for advanced practice psychiatric nurses
The easiest schools for advanced practice psychiatric nurses to get into are AdventHealth University, nyack college, and d'youville college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an advanced practice psychiatric nurse without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for advanced practice psychiatric nurses.
1. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
2. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
3. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
4. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
6. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
7. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
8. Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Canton, OH • Private
Admissions rate
75%
SAT average
1,085
9. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
10. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
Average advanced practice psychiatric nurse salary by education level
| Advanced practice psychiatric nurse education level | Advanced practice psychiatric nurse salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $99,196 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $86,886 |
| Doctorate Degree | $90,950 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $73,359 |
Advanced practice psychiatric nurse education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
Search for advanced practice psychiatric nurse jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025