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PhD: How to Apply

The PhD program only accepts fall applications. Applications must be completed and supporting materials must be received by January 1st.

Application Checklist: Checklist

Application Materials

A complete application includes all of the following:

1. UIC Graduate College Application
Applicants should apply online. Please be sure to enter a valid e-mail address in the application. A non-refundable application fee ($60 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.

When filling out the online application, PhD students should apply to the following major: PhD Nursing Program.

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

2. Official Transcripts:
We require applicants to upload a PDF (20 MB maximum) of your transcript to your UIC Graduate Application. You should prepare a separate PDF file for every college or university transcript that you attended. After you submit your UIC Graduate Application, you will receive an email within 1 to 7 business days notifying you that you may upload your transcripts under institutional requirements. If you have any question regarding transcripts or the uploading process please call the UIC admission office at 312-996-4350. Click here for detailed directions. Check the status of your transcripts by clicking here.

Current and former UIC graduate students do not need to submit UIC transcripts. Students who have only completed undergraduate coursework at UIC must submit a UIC transcript.

After admission notification are sent, admitted students will be required to send an official copy of thier transcripts to the admission office.

3. Doctoral 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, review these tips and begin working on the following essay questions:

  1. What are your short- and long-term professional goals? How will pursuing a PhD in nursing science contribute to these goals?
  2. Why are you choosing to enter a PhD program at this time?
  3. Why did you select the University of Illinois at Chicago? Why is a PhD in nursing science from UIC best suited to meet your educational and career goals?
  4. With which UIC College of Nursing faculty would you like to study? Why?
    See UIC College of Nursing faculty profiles at: http://www.uic.edu/nursing/facultystaff/profiles.shtml
  5. Comment on your qualifications and readiness for doctoral study, especially at a research-intensive college of nursing. Describe your experience(s) with research.
  6. What do you see as the major challenges that you will need to overcome, e.g., financial constraints, family responsibilities, analytical or statistical skills, in pursuing a PhD in nursing science? What are your plans for addressing these obstacles/constraints?

3a. Three Electronic Recommendations :
Instructions for submitting the three electronic recommendations are included in the above Doctoral 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 doctoral 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 GRE Test Scores
Official GRE test scores are required of all applicants. Test scores must be sent directly to the UIC Graduate Admissions Office 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.

5. 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. Please note that TOEFL scores over two years old are invalid. For the official IELTS, a minimum total score of 6.5 is required, with sub-section minimums of Listening-6, Writing-6, Reading-6 and Speaking-6.

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. Scholarship Application (optional):
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.

8. 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 conapply@uic.edu or 312.996.7624.

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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.