University of Illinois, Chicago

University of Illinois, Chicago Nursing Programs

Student Demographics

• 21 Average Age
• 47% Men
• 53% Women
• 0% Veterans
• 69% White
• 18% Hispanic
• 14% Black
• 6% Asian
• 21,814 Undergraduate Students
• 11,415 Graduate Students

In 1951, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) became the first public institution in Illinois to offer a program that led to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In the late 1950s, the School of Nursing was redesignated as a College of Nursing.

The main campus for UIC's College of Nursing is in the Illinois Medical District just west of downtown Chicago. There are five additional campus locations:

• Peoria
• Quad Cities
• Rockford
• Springfield
• Urbana

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science (BSN) - Traditional

This traditional route is for undergraduate students seeking licensure as Registered Nurses (RN) and graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. This program features face-to-face instruction and hands-on practical learning from the start. After graduation, the student is eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses, and become licensed as an RN in their individual state.

Eligibility (not all inclusive)

The BSN program admission starts after completion of 57 credit hours during the junior year. The traditional BSN program is only offered for enrollment during the fall semester. The program is completed over four full-time semesters (2 years, no summers).

RN to BSN

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) completion program is for RNs who are seeking a bachelor's degree in nursing.  This is an online program offered through UIC's School of Continuing Studies.

Graduate

Graduate Entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The Graduate Entry Master of Science in Nursing program (Graduate Entry MS) is designed for individuals with a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing and who desire to become a Registered Nurse (RN).  The program is 7 semesters long.  Students complete pre-licensure and Advanced Generalist MS courses together.  Students are eligible to sit for the NCLEX licensure exam after receiving the MS degree. This program is full-time at the Chicago or Urbana campus.

Master of Science (MS)

The College of Nursing (CON) offers a curriculum for both the Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Advanced Generalist Master of Science (AGMS)

This is a unique program for the University of Illinois at Chicago. It has replaced the Master of Science curriculum for specialty practice for the Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and the Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), with an advanced generalist degree (no specialty concentration).

The program consists of 34 credits and 135 clinical hours; 12 months (3 terms, full-time) and 2 years (4 terms, part-time).

Those who graduate with an AGMS degree are eligible to sit for the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification with additional clinical hours (405 clinical hours), if desired.

Students may choose to add certificate courses or electives depending on career goals.

Master of Science (MS) Transition

The MS transition is a route of entry to the MS in nursing for students with an RN license and a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing.

Transition students are required to take an additional 1 to 4 courses (to be determined upon admission).

All transition courses are delivered online in eight-week modules through the School of Continuing Studies and are taught by UIC College of Nursing faculty.

All required transition courses are to be completed during the first Fall/Spring semesters following admission to the College of Nursing and before beginning any coursework in the AGMS degree.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Compliant with the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Competencies for Nurse Practitioners and the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Consensus Model, the University of Illinois at Chicago offers a DNP option for nurses.  

Upon completion of the NP programs, graduates are eligible to obtain APRN Board Certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (FNP or PMHNP) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (FNP).

DNP Specialty Areas

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP)
• Advanced Population Health Nursing
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Health Systems Leadership and Informatics
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
• Nurse-Midwifery (CNM)
• Nurse-Midwifery / Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (CNM/WHNP)
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care Program
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care Program
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
• Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Doctoral work through the University of Illinois at Chicago's PhD program offers students the ability to conduct research with nationally and internationally acclaimed leaders.

Entry Requirements - Post-Baccalaureate and Post-Master's (not all inclusive)

The post-baccalaureate curriculum gives students with a Bachelor's degree the option to forfeit a Master's degree and go straight to a PhD, which in turn saves money and time.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is only offered at the Chicago campus. Students are only admitted once a year, before the fall semester.

Certificate Programs

• School Nurse
• Teaching/Learning in Nursing and Health Sciences
• Women's Health Concentration

NCLEX Pass Rates (2022)

• BSN Traditional - 64%
• MSN Entry Level - 63%

Accreditation and Approval

The University of Illinois at Chicago's College of Nursing programs for Doctor of Nursing Practice, Master's and Baccalaureate degrees are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The Nurse-Midwifery program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME).

The University of Illinois at Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The college's baccalaureate and graduate-entry programs are also approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Rankings, Accolades

US News & World Report (2019-2020)

• #129 (tie) in National Universities
• #129 in Best Value Schools
• #5 in Best Online Bachelor's Programs
• #16 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
• #7 in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
• #6 in Nurse Practitioner: Adult / Gerontology, Acute Care
• #11 (tie) in Nurse Practitioner: Family
• #11 (tie) in Nurse Practitioner: Psychiatric / Mental Health, Across the Lifespan
• #4 (tie) in Nursing Administration
• #10 (tie) in Nursing-Midwifery
• #204 (tie) Best Global Universities

Forbes (2019)

• #294 Top Colleges
• #94 in Public Colleges
• #143 in Research Universities
• #64 in the Midwest
• #52 America's Best Value Colleges

NICHE (2019)

• Most Diverse Colleges in America #61
• Best Big Colleges in America #82
• Most Liberal Colleges in America #85
• Best College Locations in America #86
• Top Public Universities in America #99
• Colleges with the Best Professors in America #163
• Best Colleges for Nursing in America #226
• Best Value Colleges in America #252
• Best Colleges in America #286
• Colleges with the Best Academics in America #325
• Top Public Universities in Illinois #2
• Best Big Colleges in Illinois #2
• Most Diverse Colleges in Illinois #4
• Colleges with the Best Professors in Illinois #5
• Best College Locations in Illinois #5
• Most Liberal Colleges in Illinois #5
• Best Colleges for Nursing in Illinois #7
• Best Value Colleges in Illinois #10
• Best Colleges in Illinois #11
• Colleges with the Best Student Life in Illinois #23
• Best Colleges in Chicago Area #7
• Best Value Colleges in Chicago Area #7

The University of Illinois at Chicago was the first college of nursing announced as a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Development in the United States.