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Mental Health Nurse Education Requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a mental health nurse. Mental health nurses usually study nursing, psychology, or nursing science. 43% of mental health nurses hold a bachelor's degree, and 28% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,606 real mental health nurse resumes to see exactly what mental health nurse education sections show.
The most common colleges for mental health nurses are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online mental health nurse courses to help get the education required to be a mental health nurse.
There are certain mental health nurse certifications that you should consider. These mental health nurse certifications include Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).
What education do you need to become a mental health nurse?
What degree do you need to be a mental health nurse?
- Bachelor's, 43%
- Associate, 28%
- Master's, 18%
- Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 6%
What should I major in to become a mental health nurse?
- Nursing, 76%
- Psychology, 5%
- Nursing Science, 3%
- Business, 2%
- Other Majors, 14%
Most common colleges for mental health nurses
| Mental Health Nurse Common College | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 12.57% |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | 6.59% |
| University of South Alabama | 6.59% |
| University of Florida | 5.99% |
| Excelsior College | 5.99% |
Best majors for mental health nurses
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nursing | 76.4% |
| 2 | Psychology | 4.8% |
| 3 | Nursing Science | 3.4% |
| 4 | Business | 1.9% |
| 5 | Nursing Assistants | 1.6% |
Best colleges for mental health nurses
The best colleges for mental health nurses are University of Rochester, University of Tulsa, and Vanderbilt University.
A mental health 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 mental health 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 mental health 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 mental health nurses
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3. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
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4. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
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5. Cannabis, Mental Health, and Brain Disorders
This Cannabis, Mental Health, and Brain Disorders course is designed to have you think critically about the health effects of cannabis (i.e., marijuana) in the context of several mental health and neurocognitive disorders. You'll be able to identify key features of several anxiety disorders (e.g., panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, PTSD), major depression, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's...
6. The Business of Health Care
This Specialization was designed to help you keep pace with the rapidly changing world of health and health care. Through partnership with Wharton and Penn Medicine, you’ll learn from experts in business acumen, health care management, and health care policy to develop the skills you’ll need to successfully navigate the quickly evolving landscape of this fast-growing field.* By the end of this specialization, you will have a strong foundational understanding of the American health care system,...
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10. Health Care IT: Challenges and Opportunities
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11. Mental Health and Neuroplasticity: Change your Brain
10 Alternatives to Medication to Improve Mental Health - Research backed treatments for Depression and Anxiety...
12. Mental Health First Aid Skills -
This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge for learners to help and support those experiencing MH issues...
13. Mental Health and Wellness Professional (MHW) Diploma Course
Discover a flexible and comprehensive way of understanding mental health as a Certified Mental Health Professional (MHP)...
14. Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...
15. Workplace Mental Health: A Manager's Ultimate Guide
How to manage mental health in the workplace to boost productivity and be the best boss!...
16. Coping Skills and Self-Care for Mental Health
Essential skills to manage intense emotions and develop a self-care practice to promote mental health...
17. Cognitive Psychology for Positive Mental Health and Wellness
Optimise your mental health and reduce stress by mastering the key concepts of Cognitive Behavioural Psychology (CBP)...
18. Mindfulness for Mental Health, Personal Growth & Inner Peace
The essential guide to cultivating positive mental health, practicing mindfulness, and advancing your personal growth...
19. Medical Terminology
Introduction to the meaning of various roots, terms and combining forms that are components of medical words...
20. Providing Trauma-Informed Care
Exploring psychological trauma and how to provide care and compassion to trauma survivors...
Top 10 most affordable universities for mental health nurses
The most affordable schools for mental health nurses are SUNY Farmingdale, brigham young university, and hunter college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for mental health 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 mental health 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 mental health nurses
The hardest universities for mental health nurses to get into are University of Rochester, University of Tulsa, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for mental health 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 mental health 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 mental health nurses
The easiest schools for mental health 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 a mental health 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 mental health 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 mental health nurse salary by education level
| Mental Health Nurse education level | Mental Health Nurse salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $140,278 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $121,602 |
| Doctorate Degree | $127,746 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $101,320 |
Mental Health Nurse Education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025