The UIC College of Nursing offers admission to incoming first-year students to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, but because of the interest and demand in nursing, not all eligible students can be admitted. LAS Pre-Health Advising assists pre-nursing students who are enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to prepare for a future in a nursing career. LAS Pre-Health advisors work with students to determine which pre-nursing pathway is the best option for them, whether that is preparing to apply to a BSN or Master’s in Nursing (MSN) program after receiving a bachelor’s degree from UIC or applying to transfer to the BSN major at UIC or another institution. While students can pursue any major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Bachelor of Science Integrated Health Studies: Concentration in Behavioral Health major includes all of the prerequisites for nursing preparation and is a popular major with LAS students.

Prerequisite Coursework

There are two options for pursuing pre-nursing coursework in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: the General Pre-Nursing pathway and the BSN Transfer pathway. The General Pre-Nursing pathway includes common coursework required by nursing programs in the Chicagoland area. While this course of study is longer, it allows more flexibility in major selection and broader applicability of courses. It also allows students to more easily change between preprofessional and other interests if they are not fully committed to a nursing career. This is the recommended course of study for students pursuing Pre-Nursing in LAS.

The BSN Transfer pathway includes coursework specific to the UIC College of Nursing BSN and presumes interest in transferring to the College of Nursing. Transfer admission to the BSN is competitive and completion of the Pre-Nursing curriculum does not guarantee admission to the UIC College of Nursing or another BSN program. This pathway is shorter and the most targeted but provides fewer options for alternative majors to the BSN if a student is not admitted to the UIC College of Nursing. 

Completion of coursework for either the General Pre-Nursing pathway or the BSN Transfer pathway does not guarantee admission to the UIC College of Nursing or other BSN or MSN programs. Nursing programs are competitive and include a holistic review of admission beyond completion of prerequisite coursework. All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Admission to the BS in Nursing (BSN)

Applications to transfer to the UIC College of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program are accepted for fall admission only. Students applying to transfer to the BSN program must meet the following minimum requirements at the time of application:

1. 2.75/4.00 cumulative grade point average
2. 2.50/4.00 natural science grade point average (CHEM 115, BIOS 250, KN 230/KN 232, KN 231/KN 233)
3. Completion of all pre-nursing coursework with a grade of C or higher prior to enrollment. The four natural science courses (general chemistry, microbiology, and human anatomy and physiology lecture and lab I and II) must have been completed within seven years of enrollment. Two of the four natural science courses must be completed prior to the application deadline. Each human anatomy and physiology course lecture + lab pair (KN 230/KN 232 and KN 231/KN 233) are considered one course for the purpose of counting as one of the four natural science courses.

In addition, all students will be required to have a background check and drug test upon admission. If the results of either requirement indicate that a student would not be eligible for placement at the college’s practicum agencies, the student’s admission will be rescinded.

Applications are available in September. The standard application deadline is January 15; final application deadline is April 1. Students should see the program website for information regarding current application requirements as these may change without notice.