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UIC - University of Illinois at ChicagoCollege of Nursing
 
   
   
 

Master's (MS) & Post-Master's: Admission Criteria

The following criteria must be met for admission to the master's and post-master's programs:

1. Baccalaureate degree with an upper-division major in nursing from a CCNE or NLN accredited program OR a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in a field other than nursing plus an RN license. Applicants with baccalaureate degrees in another field must complete three transistional courses prior to starting the MS program.

2. Minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00. GPA is computed on the last 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of the first baccalaureate degree.

3. License to practice as a professional nurse in at least one political jurisdiction. Although an Illinois license is not required for admission many specialties do require an Illinois license to facilitate clinical placements.

4. Introductory courses in statistics and in research or their equivalent to be completed prior to starting the MS program. (Most applicants will have met this requirement with their BSN program)

5. GRE (Graduate Record Examination). The GRE is waived for applicants with a 3.25/4.00 GPA on the last 60 hours of their degree. The GRE is not required for post-master's students. Test scores over five years old will be accepted on a case by case basis (student must have official record of scores). Applicants for the MS/MPH and MS/Health Informatics program are required to take the GRE regardless of GPA. Applicants to the MS/MBA are required to take the GMAT. The GMAT is accepted in lieu of the GRE for these students.

6. Work experience: Although there are no formal work requirments in order to apply for the MS program. Relevant work experience does make a stronger application. More competitive specialties take work experience into account when reviewing applications.

7. Interview with a graduate faculty member in the selected specialty area. Qualified applicants will be contacted by faculty to set up an interview time. Not all applicants will be chosen for interview.

Background Check and Drug Testing

All master's students wil be required to have a background check upon admission. Drug testing may also be required at anytime throughout the program. If the results of either requirement indicate that the student would not be eligible for placement at the College's practicum agencies, the student's admission will be rescinded. Students may be required to repeat either requirement should the practicum agency require more frequent testing. If at anytime during the period of enrollment, the student's background check or drug test results preclude placement in a practicum agency, the student will be required to withdraw from the program. At time of application for licensure students will be required to submit fingerprinting and be reviewed for eligibility by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

Additional Information:

International Applicants:
TOEFL is required for applicants whose native language is other than English with a minimum score of 550 (paper based) or 213 (computer based). For postsecondary coursework completed at an institution outside the United States, applicants must request a Full Education Course-by-Course Report evaluation of foreign credit from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). For licenses in a political jurisdiction other than the United States, applicants must also request the Validation of Registration/License Report from CGFNS. Contact CGFNS: 3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-2651, 215.222.8454, http://www.cgfns.org, or e-mail at info@cgfns.org. Evidence of financial support for the first year is also required. More information on international admissions can be found at the Office of Admissions and Records.

Dual-degree Applicants:
Students applying to the MS/MBA, MS/MPH or MS/Health Informatics dual degree programs need to meet the admission criteria for each program. We are able to share information (i.e. letters or recommendation, test scores, etc.) but and formal application must be submitted to both colleges for consideration.