Pediatric Behavioral and Mental Health Specialty

9 credit hours, including 168 clinical hours

The pediatric behavioral and mental health specialty addresses the mental health care crisis that threatens children and adolescents across our country. As one of the first pediatric nursing specialty programs of its kind in the nation, this specialty aims to improve care by equipping students with specific pediatric behavioral and mental health care knowledge, skills and clinical practice experiences. The PBMH specialty offers students the opportunity to gain advanced training in pediatric primary care as well as behavioral and mental health assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management.

Coursework and clinical experiences prepare graduates to serve in a variety of settings ranging from primary care practices, school-based health centers and pediatric specialty clinics as well as skills to address the health care needs in patients located in rural or underserved communities.