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:

Note: Applications to the MS in Nursing track for RNs are not being accepted for Fall 2025. Students who hold a BSN and RN license who wish to advance their education should consider applying to the DNP or PhD.

• Baccalaureate Field Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a CCNE or ACEN 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 have additional course requirements at the beginning of their program of study consisting of any or all of the following: NURS 212, NURS 232, NURS 312, and NURS 352.
• Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of the first baccalaureate degree.
• Tests Required None.
• Minimum English Competency Test Score
  • TOEFL iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21, OR,
  • IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
  • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
• Recommendations Three references are required as part of the application. All references will be submitted electronically through the University Graduate Application. References must use the College of Nursing Recommendation form which will be emailed to them through the graduate application.
• Nursing Supplemental Application Submitted electronically as part of the University Graduate Application. Questions can be viewed prior to application on the College of Nursing website.
• Current resume or curriculum vitae
• Prior Academic Course Work Applicants must have completed introductory courses in both statistics and 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 prior to enrollment. A brief grace period will be granted to any new student who does not meet this requirement. A compliance hold will be placed on the UIC student account until the student submits their RN license. Any post-licensure student who fails to submit proof of RN licensure to UIC by December 1st of their first semester in the College of Nursing will be dismissed.
• Suitable applicants will be contacted by a faculty member or Office of Academic Programs staff member to schedule an interview as appropriate.

Degree Requirements

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

• Minimum Semester Hours Required 77 hours are required for individuals without previous nursing preparation who hold a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing.
• Coursework​

Required Courses for All Master's Students

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Available only to students who are registered nurses.

Registered Nurses with Non-Nursing Baccalaureate Degree

Other Requirements 

• Comprehensive Examination None.
• Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options Coursework only.
• Other Requirements Students are required to provide documentation of immunizations, background check results, drug screens, HIPAA training, CPR certification, and current nursing license.  A brief grace period will be granted to any new student who does not meet this requirement. A compliance hold will be placed on the UIC student account until the student submits their RN license. Any post-licensure student who fails to submit proof of RN licensure to UIC by December 1st of their first semester in the College of Nursing will be dismissed. Please see the College of Nursing website for specific requirements for each program. All information must be submitted before students are allowed to register for courses.

Interdepartmental Concentrations

Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in select concentrations after consulting with their graduate advisor. Interdepartmental concentrations available for this degree include:

• Women's Health