Prospective Students

Master's (MS) & Post-Master's Certificates:
How to Apply

The Master's and Post-Master's Certificate programs only accept fall applications. The applications must be complete and the supporting materials must be postmarked by the deadline to be considered. In order to give yourself and your recommenders enough time to complete the components of the Nursing Supplemental Application (see #3 below), it is strongly recommended that you do not wait until the deadline to apply.

Application Materials

A complete application includes all of the following:

1. UIC Graduate Application
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online for faster processing. Please be sure to enter a valid e-mail address in the application. A nonrefundable application fee ($50 domestic; $60 international) is required. Payment can be made by credit card with your online application or you can submit a check or money order with your application materials.

Determine Your Correct Major - Concentration List

Please note: Post-master's applicants should choose Graduate Campus Certificate as their Application Type and one of the following as their Planned Course of Study:

Non-Degree Clinical Nurse Specialist - Chicago (Cert)
Non-Degree Clinical Nurse Specialist - Peoria (Cert)
Non-Degree Clinical Nurse Specialist - Quad (Cert)
Non-Degree Clinical Nurse Specialist - Rockford (Cert)
Non-Degree Clinical Nurse Specialist - Urbana (Cert)
Non-Degree Nurse Practitioner/Midwifery - Chicago (Cert)
Non-Degree Nurse Practitioner/Midwifery - Peoria (Cert)
Non-Degree Nurse Practitioner/Midwifery - Quad (Cert)
Non-Degree Nurse Practitioner/Midwifery - Rockford (Cert)
Non-Degree Nurse Practitioner/Midwifery - Urbana (Cert)

Applicants who applied online may check the status of their UIC application at any time by clicking here.

2. Official Transcripts
Official transcripts must be sent from each university and college you have attended. Send all transcripts together in one envelope to the address below. Current and former UIC students do not need to submit UIC transcripts.

Office of Graduate Admissions (MC 018)
University of Illinois at Chicago
Box 7994
Chicago, Illinois 60680-7994

3. Nursing Supplemental Application
Within 10 days of submitting your UIC Graduate Application, you will receive an e-mail link to the Nursing Supplemental Application. For this reason, it is imperative that you enter a valid e-mail address when submitting your UIC application. Do not delete this e-mail. Be sure to check your "spam" and "junk" folders if the e-mail link hasn't arrived in your primary inbox.

Applicants can check the status of their supplemental application and electronic recommendations by referring to the e-mail they received after completing the UIC application. If you are having difficulty finding the e-mail, search for “conapply@uic.edu” as the sender.

In preparation for the supplemental application, you can update your resume and begin working on the following essay questions:

Master's applicants:

Describe your reasons for pursuing graduate study. What are your short and long-term professional goals?

Describe how admission to the master’s program will facilitate your long- and short-term goals.

Describe your current practice role.

Describe your experience with utilization of research (evidence based practice).

What factors influenced your choice of specialty option?

Post-master's applicants:

Why have you chosen this certificate program?

3a. Electronic Recommendations
Master's applicants are required to submit three (3) electronic recommendations. Post-master's applicants are required to submit two (2) electronic recommendations.

Instructions for submitting the letters are included in the above Nursing Supplemental Application. Hard copies will not be accepted due to the fact that they will be submitted electronically by your recommenders.

Recommendations should come from those who can speak to your
professional and scholastic abilities. It is strongly preferred to have
letters of recommendation from those with a graduate degree.

3b. Current Resume
You will be able to cut and paste your resume into the Nursing Supplemental Application. Do not mail in your resume.

4. Official Test Scores
Note: GRE scores are not required for post-master's applicants.
Official test scores (GRE,TOEFL) must be sent directly to the UIC Graduate Admissions Office at the address above from the Educational Testing Service (UIC Institution Code: 1851, Department Code: 0610). Scores older than five years will not be accepted and the GRE exam must be retaken.The GRE is waived for applicants with a 3.25/4.00 GPA in the last 60 hours of their baccalaureate degree. Applicants for the MS/MPH and MS/Health Informatics joint-degree programs are required to take the GRE regardless of GPA. Applicants to the MS/MBA joint-degree program are required to take the GMAT. The GMAT is accepted in lieu of the GRE for these students.

5. Copy of Current Nursing License

Fax to:
312.996.8066 (Attn: Phil Zack)

Scan and send as an attachment to:
con@uic.edu

Mail to:
Graduate Nursing Program
Attn: Phil Zack
College of Nursing (MC 802)
University of Illinois at Chicago
845 South Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60612-7350

6. International Applicants only
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 the TOEFL ibt scores, the minimums are Writing-21, Speaking-20, Listening-17, Reading-19 and total score-80.

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 one of 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, www.cgfns.org, or e-mail at info@cgfns.org.

Upon being recommended for admission, evidence of financial support for the first year is also required.

Visit the Office of Admissions and Records' International Admission Requirements website for further details about the information above.

7. Joint-degree applicants only
Applicants who wish to apply to more than one degree program must submit a separate application for each department involved, even if applying to an approved joint degree program. Applicants applying to more than one program should indicate on all applications submitted that they intend to pursue more than one degree at a time. Only one application fee per term and only one set of transcripts is required for applicants applying to more than one graduate program.

8. Scholarship Application (optional): Word
Graduate scholarship applications will be available in January and are due March 1st of each year. Students applying for scholarships are also required to file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form with the UIC Office of Financial Aid and submit a copy of their SAR (Student Aid Report) with their scholarship application.

9. Interview with Faculty
Qualified applicants will be contacted by a faculty member for an interview. Not all applicants will be interviewed.

Questions regarding the application process should be directed to con@uic.edu or 312.996.7624.

Nondiscrimination Statement

The commitment of the University of Illinois to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity requires that decisions involving students and employees be based on individual merit and be free from invidious discrimination in all its forms.

The University of Illinois will not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders and regulations. This nondiscrimination policy applies to admissions, employment, access to and treatment in the University programs and activities.

University complaint and grievance procedures provide employees and students with the means for the resolution of complaints that allege a violation of this Statement. Members of the public should direct their inquiries or complaints to the appropriate equal opportunity office.

Policy Council
Revised May 31, 2005

For additional information or assistance with the equal opportunity, affirmative action, and harassment policies and procedures of the University of Illinois at Chicago, please contact:

Office for Access and Equity (M/C 602)
717 Marshfield Avenue Building
809 South Marshfield Avenue
Chicago, IL 60612-7207
Phone: (312) 996-8670

Americans with Disabilities Act Information

Any member of the public who alleges age (under the Age Discrimination Employment Act) or disability (under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act) discrimination on the basis of class may refer to the Public Formal Grievance Procedures. The Public Formal Grievance Procedures addresses complaints of discrimination on the basis of age, and/or disability in any activity, policy, rule, standard or method of administration that is related to the operation of a University Program. Please refer to the policy located here.