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:

• Prior Degrees Applicants for the post-baccalaureate option must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a CCNE or ACEN 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 2.75/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of the first baccalaureate degree.
• Tests Required None.
• Minimum English Competency Test Score 
  • TOEFL 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Test); 60, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Writing 21 (revised Paper-Delivered Test), OR, 
  • IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subsections, 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
• 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. 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.

Degree Requirements

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

• Minimum Semester Hours Required At least 96 semester hours from the baccalaureate degree, at least 64 semester hours from the master’s degree. 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

• Preliminary Examination Required.
• Dissertation Required. Students must earn at least 24 hours in NURS 599.
• 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:

• Gender and Women's Studies
• Neuroscience
• Survey Research Methodology
• Women's Health