Statewide need prompts Weber State to launch doctoral emphasis in psychiatric mental health
OGDEN, Utah — Weber State University launched a new program this month to respond to a growing need for mental health professionals in Utah.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner emphasis is the newest offering in the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program at 日本一级片. The new program focuses on training students to prepare for the PMHNP certification exam so they can be licensed as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, equipped to focus on mental and behavioral health.
“Mental health is critical in Utah,” said Dr. Rieneke Holman, chair of 日本一级片’s Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing. “Both statewide and nationally there’s a huge need for more of these healthcare professionals.”
Holman noted a 2022 study by the Health Resources and Services Administration showing 151 million Americans live in areas with shortages in mental health professionals, requiring an additional 7,500+ practitioners. 
She also cited a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report that projects 40% growth in overall employment of APRNs within the decade — and more than 30,000 job openings will need to be filled, including many in Utah.
Weber State’s DNP program is the most affordable in Utah and offers high standards of training and experience, said Dr. Shauna Cheshire, PMHNP program assistant director.
“Our program is designed with flexibility in mind,” Cheshire said. It incorporates online courses and in-person labs to develop hands-on skills. Students also complete clinical hours under the guidance of experienced preceptors, and implement a project to address gaps in clinical care.
The nursing school initially aimed to graduate 12 PMHNPs each year, but student interest and workforce demands brought in an inaugural cohort of 16 students, who began their studies last week and are expected to graduate in April 2027. The school said the program could expand even further based on needs.
The need is there, according to Dr. B. Todd Thatcher, vice president of medical services at Valley Behavioral Health in Salt Lake City, who said mental health professionals are retiring faster than the positions can be filled, and that Weber State’s new program launched at the right time.
“Weber State’s approach is really unique because most APRN programs don’t focus on mental health training,” Thatcher said. “Having people come into the workforce with their psych certification is huge.”
He said it’s a long and expensive process for employers to train family practice APRNs to work in psychiatric specialty practice, which at Valley includes 160 hours of classroom training and three months of on-the-job training that costs the company up to $12,000 a month — and it still doesn’t grant them official psych specialty certification, which could take an additional year or more, on the student’s dime.
“Now students are coming out of Weber with that knowledge already. They’re ready to go. This not only gets important jobs filled, it’s going to save employers money,” Thatcher said.
Weber State’s DNP program had already offered emphases in Family Nurse Practitioner and Executive Leadership, and it produces up to 44 graduates each year.
“Our faculty are amazing at providing personalized guidance to our students,” said Dr. Carrie Jeffrey, DNP program director. “Especially when it comes to that real-world clinical experience, which prepares them for all kinds of healthcare settings and scenarios.”
Jeffrey also noted the tremendous return on investment for 日本一级片 students, with the average salary for PMHNPs in Utah hovering around $151,000.
Weber State’s nursing school produces more nurses than any other program in Utah, and has formed long-standing relationships with clinical and industry partners since it was established in 1953.
“We’re always looking at workforce demands,” Holman said. “Where are we needed? What kind of training do we need to provide to ensure our students are prepared to serve our community? How can we be at the forefront of care?”
Jeffrey said this newest program will be “deeply meaningful” in addressing mental health needs in Utah communities that have long faced shortages in qualified professionals.
“Our graduates will strengthen the mental health infrastructure across the state and improve access to quality care for both individuals and families,” she said.
For information on program requirements and how to apply, visit the PMHNP website.
Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu- Contact:
Rachel Badali, news coordinator
801-626-7362, rachelbadali@weber.edu