Master's of Science in Nursing (MS)
Program Description
UIC’s Master of Science (MS) degree in nursing builds upon your skills and education to transform you into a highly skilled,
competent advanced practice nurse (APN), a nurse leader in administration or a community leader. The program emphasizes
vulnerable populations, evidence-based practice, and scholarly
activity.
Location
Each one of the MS specialties are available at all of our campuses: Chicago, Rockford, Peoria, Urbana and Quad Cities.
Length
Programs can be completed on a part-time or full time basis and offer flexible scheduling. Most of the MS programs can be completed within 2-4 years depending on a student's part-time or full-time status.
Curriculum
The MS curriculum is a blended format with online, in person, and online courses with scheduled in person meeting times. In addition, many courses have videoconferencing to/from our regional sites. This blended format requires students to be available at one of the sites for some coursework (Chicago, Rockford, Peoria, Urbana, Quad Cities).
MS Transition
Program Description
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. Students are evaluated on admission to determine which courses are necessary.
- All transition courses are in completely on-line eight-week modules.
- They are taught through UIC Online by UIC College of Nursing faculty.
- Course credits are applied exactly the same as for graduate degree courses.
- Degree students are assessed UIC Graduate Student Tuition/Fees.
- All required transition courses are to be completed during the first Fall/Spring semesters following admission to the College of Nursing.
Due to the intense concentration of transition course content, it is strongly recommended that students do not concurrently take other graduate courses. This will help prevent a potential adverse impact on overall academic performance.
The transition courses:
- NURS 210 Health Assessment
- NURS 242 Concepts & Processes for Contemporary Nursing Practice
Students register for both NURS 210 (if applicable) and NURS 242 at the same time even though courses are not completed concurrently.
- NURS 385 Clinical Concepts &Processes for Population-Focused Nursing
- NURS 322 Introduction to Nursing Research & Statistics for Evidence-Based Practice
Students will register for both NURS 385 and NURS 322 (if necessary) at the same time, even though courses are not completed concurrently.
Post Master's
Program Description
Post-master’s study is for students with a Master’s
Degree in Nursing who want to advance their knowledge within
one of the specialty areas listed below. Post-master’s
study prepares you to sit for the certification exam in the selected
area. Length of program can vary depending on your past education.
Specialties:
UIC offers a variety of specialty options that are part of three departments:
Biobehavioral Health Science (BHS)
Health Systems Science (HSS)
Women, Children and Family Health Science (WCFHS)
The following options are available. Specialties fall into the category of Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), or Leadership (Administration or Community). Click here for degree requirements of each specialty.
| Specialty |
Dept. |
MS or Postmaster's(PM) |
| Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP |
BHS |
MS or PM |
| Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP |
BHS |
MS or PM |
| Family NP |
HSS |
MS or PM |
| Psychiatric-Mental Health CNS |
HSS |
MS or PM |
| Psychiatric-Mental Health NP |
HSS |
MS or PM |
| Occupational Health/Advanced Community Health Nurse |
HSS |
MS |
| Occupational Health/Family NP |
HSS |
MS or PM |
| School/Advanced Community Health Nurse |
HSS |
MS |
| School/Family NP |
HSS |
MS or PM |
| Pediatric NP |
WCFHS |
MS or PM |
| Pediatric CNS |
WCFHS |
MS or PM |
| Perinatal CNS |
WCFHS |
MS or PM |
| Nurse-Midwifery |
WCFHS |
MS or PM |
| Women's Health NP |
WCFHS |
MS or PM |
| Nurse-Midwifery/Women's Health NP |
WCFHS |
MS |
| Administrative Studies in Nursing (can be combined with MBA or MS in Health Informatics for a joint degree) |
HSS |
MS or joint degree option |
| Advanced Community Health Nurse (can be combined with MPH for a joint degree) |
HSS |
MS or joint degree option |
Timeline:
Enrollment: FALL ONLY (classes begin in late August)
Application deadline: February 1st
Interviews: March
Notification of decision: April
MS & Post MS: Next Steps