Nursing

Admission Requirements Degree Requirements

Other Requirements

Mailing Address:
College of Nursing (MC 802)
845 South Damen Avenue, Room 133
Chicago, IL 60612-3727

Program Codes:
20FS1497PHD (PhD)
20FS5048DNP (DNP, Chicago)
20FS5048DNP1 (DNP, Urbana)
20FS5048DNP5 (DNP, Peoria)
20FS5048DNP6 (DNP, Quad Cities)
20FS5048DNP7 (DNP, Rockford)
20FS5048DNPU (DNP, Online)
20FS1497MS (MS, Chicago)
20FS1497MS1 (MS, Urbana)
20FS1497MS5 (MS, Peoria)
20FS1497MS6 (MS, Quad Cities)
20FS1497MS7 (MS, Rockford)

The MS and DNP program codes include the following major-based concentration codes:
1500: Administrative Studies in Nursing (MS only)
5049: Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
5050: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
5051: Adult Nurse Practitioner
5052: Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
5053: Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
5054: Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
5055: Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
5056: Nurse Midwifery
5057: Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist
5058: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
5059: Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
5060: Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
5061: Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
5062: Family Nurse Practitioner
5177: Executive Nursing Leadership (DNP only)
5178: Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist
5179: Occupational Health/Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist
5180: Occupational Health/Family Nurse Practitioner
5182: School/Family Nurse Practitioner
5242: School/Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist (MS only)

 

Campus Location: 133 NURS
Telephone: (312) 996-7800
E-mail: con@uic.edu
Web Site: http://www.uic.edu/nursing/
Dean of the College: Terri Weaver
Directors of Graduate Studies: Patricia Lewis (MS and DNP programs) and Barbara Dancy (PhD program)

The College of Nursing offers work leading to the Master of Science in Nursing, the Doctor of Nursing Practice, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing. Advanced practice concentrations are available in over 20 specialty areas. The College also offers the Graduate Entry Program, a graduate level program which includes entry-into-practice course work as a bridge into the advanced practice specialty course work. Interdepartmental concentrations in Gender and Women’s Studies and in Neuroscience are available to PhD students; and the Interdepartmental Graduate Concentration in Women’s Health is available to master’s and PhD students. In addition, the college participates with the Liautaud Graduate School of Business in the MS in Nursing/MBA joint degree program, with the School of Public Health in the MS in Nursing/MPH joint degree program, and with the Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences in the MS in Nursing/MS in Health Informatics joint degree program. The Master of Science and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs can be completed at the Chicago campus or any one of the College’s four regional sites. An on-line option is available to some students in the post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program; please contact the College of Nursing for more information. The College of Nursing’s baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The Nurse-Midwifery program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, and the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program is accredited by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

Admission Requirements

Transcripts of all undergraduate and any graduate work must be submitted. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

Master of Science

  • Baccalaureate Field Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program or a baccalaureate degree in another field and have graduated from a nursing program preparing the student for registered professional nursing. Students who are registered nurses but have a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing will be required to complete the courses NURS 210, NURS 242, and NURS 385 at the beginning of their program of study.
  • Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of the first baccalaureate degree.
  • Tests Required GRE General. Applicants to the MS/MBA joint degree program may substitute the GMAT. The GRE is waived for applicants with a 3.25/4.00 GPA for the final 60 semester hours of the baccalaureate degree.
  • Minimum English Competency Test Score
    • TOEFL 550 (paper-based); 213 (computer-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR,
    • IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores.
  • Letters of Recommendation Three required; the letters should describe the applicant’s suitability for further study in professional nursing.
  • Personal Statement Required. The statement should address the applicant’s professional goals and previous work and academic experience.
  • Prior Academic Course Work Applicants must have completed introductory courses in statistics and in research or their equivalent prior to starting the MS program.
  • Other Requirements Applicants must be licensed to practice as a professional nurse in at least one political jurisdiction. Applicants whose baccalaureate degree is in a nonnursing field have additional course requirements. Applicants must be interviewed by a graduate faculty member in the program area selected.

Master of Science Graduate Entry Program

  • Graduate Entry Program The Graduate Entry Program is for individuals without previous nursing preparation who hold a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing. The program begins with four semesters (15 months) of full-time, intensive course work in the foundations of nursing, which prepares students for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and entry into nursing practice. Students then continue in one of the advanced practice specialty options to complete a master’s degree in nursing.
  • Baccalaureate Field Baccalaureate degree in any field
  • Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of the first baccalaureate degree.
  • Tests Required GRE General. Applicants to the MS/MBA joint degree program may substitute the GMAT.
  • Minimum English Competency Test Score
    • TOEFL 550 (paper-based); 213 (computer-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR,
    • IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores.
  • Letters of Recommendation Three required; the letters should describe the applicant’s suitability for study in professional nursing.
  • Personal Statement Required. The statement should address the applicant’s professional goals and previous work and academic experience.
  • Prior Academic Course Work The following prerequisite course work must be completed prior to enrollment: English Composition (6 semester hours), General Biology or Chemistry (4 sh), Human Anatomy and Physiology (8 sh), Humanities (6 sh in two different fields), Introduction to Research Methods (3 sh), and Social Sciences (6 sh in two different fields). A grade of C or better must be earned in all prerequisite courses. The Anatomy and Physiology requirement must be completed within 5 years of enrollment; other course work may be older. Although it is not required that the courses be completed by the time of application, it does enhance the application. Prerequisite course work can be completed at any college or university (including city/community colleges).
  • Other Requirements Applicants must be interviewed by a faculty member in the selected specialty area.

MS in Nursing/MBA

Prospective students for the joint degree program must apply and be admitted to both programs. The requirements for admission to the MS in Nursing are listed above. Consult the College of Business Administration for information on the admission requirements of the MBA program.

MS in Nursing/MPH

Prospective students for the joint degree program must apply and be admitted to both programs. The requirements for admission to the MS in Nursing are listed above. Consult the School of Public Health for information on the admission requirements of the MPH program.

MS in Nursing/MS in Health Informatics

Prospective students for the joint degree program must apply and be admitted to both programs. The requirements for admission to the the MS in Nursing are listed above. Consult the College of Applied Health Sciences section of the catalog for information on the admission requirements of the MS in Health Informatics program.

Doctor of Philosophy

  • Prior Degrees Applicants for the post-baccalaureate option must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program. Applicants for the post-master’s option must have a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program. Applicants who have a master’s degree in a field other than nursing may also be considered for admission to the post-master’s option but may have to complete additional course work based on prior educational background.
  • Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of the first baccalaureate degree.
  • Tests Required GRE General.
  • Minimum English Competency Test Score
    • TOEFL 550 (paper-based); 213 (computer-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR,
    • IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores.
  • Letters of Recommendation Three required. The letters should describe the applicant’s suitability for further study in professional nursing.
  • Personal Statement Required. The statement should address the applicant’s professional goals and previous work and academic experience.
  • Other Requirements Applicants must be licensed to practice as a professional nurse in at least one political jurisdiction. Applicants must be interviewed by a graduate faculty member in the program area selected. Admission is conditional on the availability of a faculty expert in the student’s research area.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

  • Prior Degrees Applicants for the post-baccalaureate option must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program. Applicants for the post-master’s option must have a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program. Applicants who have a master’s degree in a field other than nursing may also be considered for admission to the post-master’s option but may have to complete additional course work based on prior educational background. It is recommended that applicants for the Executive Nursing Leadership concentration have a master’s degree in administrative nursing or equivalent course work or experience. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of any graduate work completed by an applicant and may limit transfer credit.
  • Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for all work beyond the baccalaureate level and at least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of the first baccalaureate degree.
  • Tests Required GRE General.
  • Minimum English Competency Test Score
    • TOEFL 550 (paper-based); 213 (computer-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR,
    • IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores.
  • Letters of Recommendation Three required; the letters should describe the applicant’s academic skills and accomplishments.
  • Personal Statement Required. The statement should address the applicant’s professional goals and previous work and academic experience.
  • Other Requirements Applicants must be licensed to practice as a professional nurse in at least one political jurisdiction. Suitable applicants will be contacted by a faculty member for an interview.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

Master of Science

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required Varies by concentration.
  • Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, 45–47.
  • Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, 45–47.
  • Administrative Studies in Nursing, 36–39.
  • Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, 52–54.
  • Adult Nurse Practitioner, 45–47.
  • Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist, 39–44.
  • Family Nurse Practitioner, 51–54.
  • Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, 46–48.
  • Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, 46–48.
  • Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, 46–48.
  • Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 49–51.
  • Nurse Midwifery, 58–60.
  • Occupational Health/Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist, 42–47.
  • Occupational Health/Family Nurse Practitioner, 67–70.
  • Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, 46–48.
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, 45–47.
  • Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist, 46–48.
  • School/Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist, 42–47.
  • School/Family Nurse Practitioner, 58–63.
  • Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, 56–58.
  • Course Work Core Courses: NURS 525, 526, 527, 528, and 529 are required for all concentrations.
  • Core Support and Concentration Courses:
  • Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist—NURS 530, 531, 532, 533, 536, and 537; NUSP 534 and 535; NUPR 536, 537, and 538.
  • Acute Care Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532, 533, 536, and 537; NUSP 534 and 535; NUPR 539, 540, and 541.
  • Administrative Studies in Nursing—NUSP 501, 502, 503, 504, and 505; NUPR 513; HPA 511 or MGMT 541; 3-4 hours of electives.
  • Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532, 533, 536, and 537; NUSP 534 and 535; NUPR 539, 540, 541, and 542.
  • Adult Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532, 533, 536, and 537; NUSP 534 and 535; NUPR 539, 540, and 541.
  • Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist—NURS 525 or BSTT 400; NUSP 503, 504,505, 507, 509, and 511; NUPR 513; EOHS 400; EPID 400.
  • Family Nurse Practitioner—NURS 525 or BSTT 400; NURS 531, 532 and 535; NUSP 515, 516, 517, and 518; NUPR 521, 522, 523, 524 and 528; EPID 400.
  • Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist—NURS 530, 531, 532, 533, 536, and 537; NUSP 534 and 535; NUPR 536, 537, and 538.
  • Geriatric Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532, 533, 536, and 537; NUSP 534 and 535; NUPR 539, 540, and 541.
  • Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist—NURS 531, 532, and 533; NUSP 525, 526, 527, 528, and 529; NUPR 531 and 532.
  • Mental Health Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532, and 533; NUSP 525, 526, 527, 528, and 529; NUPR 531, 532, and 533; PSCH 467 or a comparable neuroscience course approved by the advisor.
  • Nurse Midwifery—NURS 531, 532, and 535. NUSP 548, 549, 550, 555, 556, 557, 558 and 559; NUPR 572 and 573.
  • Occupational Health/Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist—NURS 525 or BSTT 400; NUSP 503, 505, 509, 511, and 514; NUPR 513; EOHS 421, 455, 482, and 551; EPID 400.
  • Occupational Health/Family Nurse Practitioner—NURS 525 or BSTT 400; NURS 531, 532 and 535; NUSP 509, 511, 514, 515, 516, 517; NUPR 521, 522, 523, 524, 529; EOHS 421, 455, 482, and 551; EPID 400.
  • Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist—NURS 530, 531, 532, and 535; NUSP 551, 552, 553, and 558; NUPR 569, 570, and 571.
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532, 533, and 535; NUSP 553, 554, and 558; NUPR 566, 567, and 568.
  • Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist—NURS 530, 531, and 532; NUSP 548, 549, 551, 552, and 558; NUPR 569, 570, and 571; 3 hours of electives.
  • School/Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist—NURS 525 or BSTT 400; NUSP 503, 504, 505, 507, 509, 511, and 513; NUPR 514; EOHS 400; EPID 400.
  • School/Family Nurse Practitioner—NURS 525 or BSTT 400; NURS 531, 532, and 535; NUSP 505, 513, 515, 516, 517, 518; NUPR 514, 521, 522, 523, 524, and 528; EPID 400.
  • Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532, and 535; NUSP 548, 549, 550, 555, 556, 557, 559; NUPR 572.
  • Comprehensive Examination None.
  • Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Students select one of these options in consultation with their advisor.
  • Thesis: In addition to the required core and concentration courses, students must earn 5 hours in NURS 598.
  • Project: In addition to the required core and concentration courses, students must earn 3 hours in NURS 597.
  • Course Work Only: In addition to the required core and concentration courses, students must earn 3 hours in NURS 550.

MS in Nursing/MBA

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required 63–65.
  • Course Work Core Courses: NURS 526, 527, 528, 529, and 597 or 598.
  • Concentration Courses: NUSP 501, 502, 503, and 505; NUPR 513; ACTG 500; ECON 520; FIN 500; IDS 532; MGMT 541; MKTG 500; and 16 hours of MBA electives (IDS 570 recommended).
  • Comprehensive Examination None.
  • Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Thesis or project required. No other options are available.
  • Thesis: Students must earn 5 hours in NURS 598.
  • Project: Students must earn 3 hours in NURS 597.

MS in Nursing/MPH

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required 54–59.
  • Course Work Core Courses: BSTT 400 or NURS 525; NURS 526, 527, 528, 529, and 597 or 598.
  • Concentration Courses: NUSP 503, 504, 505, and 507; CHSC 400, 401, 431, 433, and 480; EPID 400; EOHS 400; IPHS 650 and 698; choose one of the following: CHSC 527, CHSC 543, or HPA 430.
  • Comprehensive Examination None.
  • Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Thesis or project required. No other options are available.
  • Thesis: Students must earn 5 hours in NURS 598.
  • Project: Students must earn 3 hours in NURS 597.

MS in Nursing/MS in Health Informatics

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required 65.
  • Course Work Core Courses: NURS 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, and 597 or 598.
  • Concentration Courses NUSP 501, 502, 503, 504, and 505; NUPR 513; BHIS 437, 503, 505, 510, 511, 525, 537, and 13–15 hours of BHIS electives. BHIS 515, 517, and 520 are recommended electives for the Informatics Nurse Certification Exam.

Doctor of Philosophy

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required At least 96 semester hours from the baccalaureate, at least 64 semester hours from the master’s. Students who have previously earned a master’s degree or its equivalent from UIC or another accredited institution may be granted 32 semester hours of credit toward the doctoral degree if approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.
  • Course Work Required Courses: NURS 570, 571, 572, 573, 585 and 590; NUPR 593; 6 hours of advanced statistics. 9 hours of statistics are required if without a master’s in nursing.
  • Electives: At least 14 hours of 400- and 500-level didactic courses with a focus on advanced nursing science. 18 hours of elective course work are required if without a master’s in nursing.
  • Preliminary Examination Required.
  • Dissertation Required. Students must earn at least 24 hours in NURS 599.

Doctor of Nursing Practice  

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required At least 90 semester hours from the baccalaureate (actual hours will vary by concentration), at least 45 semester hours from the master’s. Students who have previously earned a master’s degree or its equivalent from UIC or another accredited institution may be granted 45 semester hours of credit toward the doctoral degree if approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.
  • Course Work BSN to DNP Curriculum: Core Practice Competency Courses (29-32 hours)—NURS 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 550, 551, and 552; NUSP 502 and 503; EPID 400 or 403; BHIS 510. (Students in the Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist, Occupational Health/Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist, and Occupational Health/Family Nurse Practitioner concentrations are not required to take NUSP 502.)
  • BSN to DNP Curriculum: Specialty-Specific and Role Competency Courses (38–51 hours).
  • Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist—NURS 530, 531, 532, 533, 536, and 537; NUSP 534 and 535; NUPR 536, 537, and 538; 6 hours of electives.
  • Acute Care Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532, 533, 536, and 537; NUSP 534 and 535; NUPR 539, 540, and 541; 6 hours of electives.
  • Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532, 533, 536, and 537; NUSP 534 and 535; NUPR 539, 540, 541, and 542.
  • Adult Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532, 533, 536, and 537; NUSP 534 and 535; NUPR 539, 540, and 541; 6 hours of electives.
  • Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist—NUSP 504, 505, 509, 511, 588, 589, and 591; NUPR 592; EOHS 400; 6 hours of selectives in area of specialization; 7 hours of electives.
  • Family Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532 and 535; NUSP 515, 516, 517, 518, and 590; NUPR 521, 522, 523, 524 and 528.
  • Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist—NURS 530, 531, 532, 533, 536, and 537; NUSP 534 and 535; NUPR 536, 537, and 538; 5 hours of electives.
  • Geriatric Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532, 533, 536, and 537; NUSP 534 and 535; NUPR 539, 540, and 541; 5 hours of electives.
  • Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist—NURS 531, 532, and 533; NUSP 525, 526, 527, 528, and 529; NUPR 531 and 532; 5 hours of electives.
  • Mental Health Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532, and 533; NUSP 525, 526, 527, 528, and 529; NUPR 531, 532, and 533; PSCH 467 or a comparable neuroscience course approved by the advisor; 2 hours of electives.
  • Nurse Midwifery—NURS 531, 532, and 535. NUSP 548, 549, 550, 555, 556, 557, 558 and 559; NUPR 572 and 573.
  • Occupational Health/Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist—NUSP 505, 509, 511, 514, 588, 589, and 591; NUPR 592; EOHS 421, 455, 482, and 551; 9 hours of electives.
  • Occupational Health/Family Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532 and 535; NUSP 509, 511, 514, 515, 516, 517; NUPR 521, 522, 523, 524, and 529; EOHS 421, 455, 482, and 551.
  • Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist—NURS 530, 531, 532, and 535; NUSP 551, 552, 553, and 558; NUPR 569, 570, and 571; 5 hours of electives.
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532, 533, and 535; NUSP 553, 554, and 558; NUPR 566, 567, and 568; 6 hours of electives.
  • Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist—NURS 530, 531, and 532; NUSP 548, 549, 551, 552, and 558; NUPR 569, 570, and 571; 8 hours of electives.
  • School/Family Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532, and 535; NUSP 505, 513, 515, 516, 517, 518; NUPR 514, 521, 522, 523, 524, and 528.
  • Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner—NURS 531, 532, and 535; NUSP 548, 549, 550, 555, 556, 557, 559; NUPR 572.
  • BSN to DNP Curriculum: DNP Synthesis Project and DNP Residency (20 hours)—NURS 560, 561, and 562; NUPR 582 or 586, 583 or 587.
  • MS to DNP Curriculum: Core Practice Competency Courses (25 hours)—EPID 400 or 403; BHIS 510; NURS 550, 551, and 552; NUSP 502 and 503; 3 hours of graduate-level electives to support Direct Care or Systems-Focused practice.
  • MS to DNP Curriculum, Concentration in Executive Nursing Leadership: Core Practice Competency Courses (31 hours)—EPID 400 or 403; NURS 550, 551, and 552; NUSP 580, 581, 582, 583, 584, 585 (at least 1 hour); 5 hours of graduate-level electives (may include additional hours of NUSP 585).
  • MSN to DNP Curriculum: DNP Synthesis Project and DNP Residency (20 hours)—NURS 560, 561, and 562; NUPR 582 or 586, 583 or 587.
  • Preliminary Examination Required.

Interdepartmental Concentration in Gender and Women’s Studies

PhD students in this department may complement their courses by enrolling for a concentration in Gender and Women’s Studies after consulting with their graduate advisor. See Gender and Women’s Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for more information.

Interdepartmental Concentration in Neuroscience

PhD students may pursue the Interdepartmental Concentration in Neuroscience. Refer to Interdepartmental Concentration in Neuroscience in the Graduate College section for more information.

Other Requirements

Students are required to provide documentation of immunizations, background check results, drug screens, HIPAA training, CPR certification, and current nursing license.  Please see http://www.uic.edu/nursing/students/compliance.shtml for specific requirements for each program. All information must be submitted before students are allowed to register for courses.